1. Brand name and Brand image between Linguistics and Marketing
Prof. Dr. Paola Cotticelli-Kurras
Dott.ssa Vania Vigolo
Dott. Alfredo Trovato

2. 1. Conceptual Framework
Since the end of the ’70s, several studies have analysed the effective role of language in the creation of brand-names.
Current works suggest that these linguistic features affect how consumers perceive and also respond to various marketing stimuli (i.e. advertising or brand names).
The creation of a good brand name may be accomplished by several devices, concerning the interaction between what the brand “means” as well as what the brand “designates” (Robertson 1989: 66).

3. 1.1. A study of Italian brand naming: the linguistic analysis
Cotticelli-Kurras (2007)
(Die Entwicklung der hybriden Wortschöpfungen bei den italienischen Markennamen)
Cotticelli-Kurras 2009
(La struttura morfologica dei marchionimi italiani nel XX secolo [fino agli anni ‘80])
Cotticelli-Kurras forthcoming
(Assoziationen italienischer Markennamen im 20. Jahrhundert)
Ronneberger-Sibold 2009
(Die morphologische Struktur deutscher Markennamen: diachrone Entwicklungen im Laufe des 20. Jahrhunderts)
Ronneberger-Sibold forthcoming
(Markennamen als (Zerr-)Spiegel gesellschaftlichen Wertewandels in der ersten Hälfte des 20. Jahrhunderts)
Zilg (2006)
(Markennamen im italienischen Lebensmittelmarkt)

4. 1.2. The method Our questions: The first phase of the work implies
the preliminary individuation of the linguistic dimensions
involved in the analysis of the data.
Our questions:
1. Which are the linguistic strategies employed in order to show how Lush Italy “worked” to present his products?
2. What are the effects and from which linguistic levels does the message reach the consumers?

5. 1.3. The case-study “10 ANNI INSIEME” [Special edition 1999-2009]
EDIZIONE SPECIALE
[Special edition ]

6. 1.3.1. The corpus The Corpus: 251 product names 168 Italian names;
76 foreign names;
7 hybrid forms.

7. 1.3.2. Categories of product names
Ballistiche
Spumanti
Coccole
Saponi
Gel Doccia
Burroni
Gelatine
Cazzilli
Massaggi
Brillantini
Balsami corpo
Creme corpo
Creme viso
Tonici
Maschere Fresche
Balsami Labbra
Fumantine
Detergenti
Profumini
Shampoo solidi /liquidi
Balsami
Trattamenti
Styling
Polverine
Deodoranti
Regali
Pensierini
Cappelliere

8. 2. Linguistic Analysis of the Corpus
4 Linguistic levels:
Phonetic analysis;
Morphological analysis;
Lexical analysis;
Semantic analysis.

9. Strawberry fields for ever Strawberry feels for ever
2.1. Phonetic level
Strawberry fields for ever
becomes
Strawberry feels for ever
[Massage Bar ]

10. 2.1.1. Phonetic Level Viva Las Vegas becomes Viva Lush Vegas
[Gift Box]

11. 2.1.2. Phonetic Level Vanilla Pizzi
The name of Nilla Pizzi, a famous singer in post-Second-World-War Italy
is hidden
in the product name
Vanilla Pizzi
[Dusting Powder].

12. 2.1.3. Phonetic Level The title of Luciano Ligabue's song
Bambolina e Barracuda
“Little doll and Barracuda”
becomes
Fragolina e Barracuda “Strawberry and barracuda”
[Shower Gel].

13. 2.1.4. Phonetic Level: To sum up
Strategies:
Simple substitution of one letter in the name, often as a minimal pair, but with great associative value to the reference world or common knowledge in both Italian and foreign names.

14. 2.2. Morphological level Existing word forms: Baciami [Lip Balm]
“Kiss me!”;
Mordimi [Lip Balm]
“Bite me!”;
Sfiorami [Lip Balm]
“Touch me!”;
Angioletto [Bath Bomb]
“Baby angel”;
Diavoletto [Bath Bomb]
“Baby devil”.

15. 2.2.1. Morphological level New forms: M’assaggiami [Massage Bar]
this is massaggiami, i.e. ‘massage me’,
but it is written m(a) assaggia-mi, i.e. ‘but taste me’.
Aromantica and Aromantico [Deodorants]
are a variation from Italian aromatico, i.e. aromatic,
but they suggest a romantic note!
Belli Capelli [Hair Treatment]
is a rhyme, but a wrong Italian form; correctly it should be bei capelli in the
attributive position of the adjective (note, predicative position: i capelli sono belli)

16. 2.2.2. Morphological Level: To sum up
From a morphological point of view,
the strategies of naming show
the use of word plays,
which involve
existing words or sentences
to express
the desired effects and benefits
of the products.

17. 2.3. Lexical level: which languages are employed?

18. 2.3.1. Lexical level 251 product names: 168 Italian names,
7 mixed forms (hybrid),
58 English names,
4 Spanish names,
3 Latin names,
2 French names,
9 names from other languages.

19. 2.3.1.1. English names Under the English 58 names we find:
- Personal names:
Candy Candy [Soap],
Fred [Soap],
Marilyn [Hair Treatment],
- Names from movies, songs and book titles:
Stardust [Bath Bomb],
Pretty Woman [Bubble Bar],
Blade Runner [Shaving Cream],
Compounds
Sexxx Bomb [Bath Bomb],
Adjectival phrases:
- Green Day [Bubble Bath],
Prepositional phrases:
- Strawberry feels for ever [Massage Bar],

20. Hybrid /mixed names
Only 7 names belong to this category; most of them show a consistent language mixture in the structure of adjectival phrases :
Fresh Farmacy [Cleanser],
Karma Kream [Body Cream],
Questione di Peeling [Scrubbing],
Toda la Noce [Massage Bar],
Vellutata Dream [Smoothie Shower Soap],
Vaporosa Candy [Dusting Powder],
Macho Man [Gift Box].

21. 2.3.1.3. Other Languages - Nirvana [Face Cream],
- Mata Hari [Bubble Bar],
- Shangri La [Face Cream],
- Aisha [Face Mask],
- Gurugu [Body Cream],
- Geisha [Cleanser]

22. 2.3.1.4. Spanish names Cocoloco [Soap]; Lolita [Massage Bar];
Copacabana [Body Cream];
One sentence:
Besame mucho
[Massage Bar]

23. 2.3.1.5. French names 2 instances a film title: Chocolat [Face Mask];
a geographical name:
Mont Blanc [Bath Melt].

24. 2.3.1.6. Latin names Supernova [Bath Bomb],
used as special terminology for a type of star;
Dulcis in Fundo [Body Cream], a typical formulaic phrase often used in Italian to express ‘Finally…’;
Imperialis [Body Cream],
for a ‘high-class’ product.

25. 2.3.1.7. Lexical Level: To sum up
Lush-Italy employs several foreign languages
(English, French, Spanish) in the naming process,
aiming to express often exotic and exciting aspects, especially from other countries,
They create new names, different from those in English,
They often use often names of very well known persons.

26. 2.4. Semantic Level Connotative Meaning Denotative Meaning Key
attributes
Name
Product
Category
Consumer

27. 2.4.1. Transferring product names across borders
Foreign
Country
Country of
Origin
Loss of
source
meaning
Acquisition of
new meaning

28. 2.4.2. Semantic Level In the English Lush’s web-catalogue
the product name
You snap the whip
[Body Scrub]
is described as follows:
“is a term maybe more familiar to a sadomasochist, so it fits with the hard-core, pleasure/pain image”.
The same product in the Italian line is named Magia Nera “Black Magic”: The sexual reference is completely lost in the Italian context.
In this case, only the “enchanting/magic” effect
of the scrubbing product has been underlined.

29. 2.4.3. Semantic Level The English lemon soap Bohemian, in relation to
marginalized and impoverished artists or musicians, who “didn't afford a hot bath very often”
corresponds to the Italian product name
Conosci la Terra Dove i Limoni Profumano?
“Knowest thou
the land where
the lemon trees bloom?”
(Goethe)

30. 2.4.4. Names from everyday modern life: cinemas, songs, senses
Italian Name
Singer (Year)
Product
Original English Name
Ricominciamo
“Let’s start again!”
A. Pappalardo (1979)
[Massage Bar]
Heavanilli
(Heaven + Vanilla)
Splendido Splendente
“Splendid Shining”
D. Rettore (1979)
Shimmy Shimmy
(a class of modern dance)
Ma che bontà! Ma che bontà!
“What a taste! What a taste!”
Mina (1977)
[Butter Cream]
Heavenly bodies
Buonanotte Fiorellino
“Goodnight little flower!”
F. De Gregori (1975)
[Bubble Bar]
Amandopondo
(nonsense)

31. 2.4.5. Movie titles in the naming process
Movie titles in the naming process
Italian Name
Director (Year)
Product
Original
English Name
Paradiso all’Improvviso
“Paradise suddenly”
Pieraccioni (2003)
[Moisturiser]
Paradise regained
Ti spezio in due
“I break you”
from Rocky IV
Stallone (1985)
[Massage Bar]
Wicky Magic Muscle
La febbre del
Sabato sera
“Saturday night Fever”
Badham (1977)
[Body Cream]
Something wicked
A qualcuno
piace caldo
“Some like it hot”
Wilder (1959)
[Soap]
Spice curls Soap
Atollo 13 < Apollo 13
“Apollo 13”
Howard (1995)
[Shower Gel]
Rub Rub Rub!
Il Signore dei Granelli <
Il Signore degli Anelli
“The Lord of the Rings”
Jackson (2002)
Porridge Soap
Era glaciale
“Ice Age”
Cartoon Movie
Wilson (2002)
Ice Blue

32. 2.4.6. “English” names of Italian products compared
“English” names of Italian products compared
English Names
in Italy
Product
Original Names
in England
Peach and Love
[Massage Bar]
Each Peach
I love me
Soft Coeur
Shining
[Hair Conditioner]
Veganese
Fred
[Soap]
Demon in the Dark
Dorian Gray
[Liquid Shampoo]
Daddyo
Thank God it’s Friday
[Bath Bomb]
Avobath
Thank God it’s Big
AvoBigBath

33. 2.4.7. Semantic Level: To sum up
The chosen names embody social and cultural elements, which bring to mind some key attributes encoded by the advertisers.
The semantic referent of the product name changes in relation to the cultural and behavioural differences between countries.
The names testify to the great degree of linguistic work behind the Italian Lush names

34. 3. Marketing approach: What king of brand image does Lush try to convey?
What is a brand?
What does brand image consist of?
Lush case study: communication strategies for the creation of brand image 34

35. The legal term for brand is trademark.
3.1 What is a brand?
“A name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers.
The legal term for brand is trademark.
A brand may identify one item, a family of items, or all items of that seller”
American Marketing Association

36. American Marketing Association
3.2 Brand image
“The perception of a brand in the minds of persons. The brand image is a mirror reflection … of the brand personality or product being. It is what people believe about a brand, their thoughts, feelings, expectations”.
American Marketing Association

37. BRAND IMAGE BRAND ASSOCIATIONS Keller, 1993; Aaker, 1992
Country of origin
Communication
Brand name

38. 3.3 A wider definition of brand
“A brand is
a customer experience
represented by
a collection of images and ideas”
American Marketing Association

39. 3.4 CASE STUDY: LUSH A MANAGERIAL APPROACH
Founded in Poole (UK) in 1995
Beauty concept
Natural and environmental principles  “beauty delis” hand-made, natural and fresh products
No testing on animals
International dimension (510 stores worlwide)
Products have names that are likely to make you smile

40. 3.4.1. The corporate mission and values

41. 3.4.2 Lush communication NOT ONLY ADVERTISING! WEB SITE CATALOGUE
POINT OF PURCHASE

42. 3.4.3. Lush Times: the catalogue
Suggestions on how to use the products and when  EXPERIENCE DIMENSION
e.g. “Do you ever overdo it a bit and don’t really want to get up in the morning? Then keep these in stock” (Emotionbmbs)

43. On the label
INGREDIENTS (what fresh organic fruits and vegetables and essential oils go into each product)
WHO MADE IT!
Crafstmanship approach

44. 3.5 Lush: the point of purchase

45. is a “kid-in-a-candy-store” feeling
Wandering around Lush….
is a “kid-in-a-candy-store” feeling
“HEDONIC CONSUMPTION”

46. 3.5.1 The point of purchase concept
“cosmetic grocery”, “food retailer”
soap is carved up on butchers’blocks, priced by weight, wrapped in greaseproof paper and sold with “best before” dates;
market-type display of soaps in chunks of different sizes, like a vegetable market, and you can slice off the amount you want

47. 3.5.2. To package or not to package?
No packaging
“we prefer to spend our money on the ingredients”
SENSORY STIMULI

48. 3.6 Lush brand image: associations aroused by
 SENSORY DIMENSION:
smell, sight, but also hearing and touch, references to taste)
 “HEDONIC CONSUMPTION” DIMENSION (Holbrook, Hirschman, 1982)
 EXPERIENTIAL DIMENSION, both within and outside the shop (Pine, Gilmore, 1999; Schmitt, 1999)
 AMUSEMENT DIMENSION (“brand names should make you smile”  the 6th sense: the sense of humour)

49. 3.7 Marketing considerations on the purchasing process
Price is higher than for other brands in the same product category
Impulse purchase (unplanned or spontaneous) and gifts
Sensory dimensions is lost in the website/catalogue selling

50. 4. Conclusions
Lush Italy worked hard to create the Italian product names
Italian is the most-employed language;
Language strategies are very simple but successful;
Phonetic effects and morphological structures play with specific associations and suggest other concepts;
The associations stimulated by the brand names come from everyday life, especially from cinema, songs, common knowledge
The phonetic level suggests a sensory experience
The semantic level conveys visual associations (images from films, songs etc.)  dreamworld dimension 50

51. 4. Conclusions OXYMORONIC COMPANY
For brand name characteristics and communication strategies, Lush could be defined as an
OXYMORONIC COMPANY
Ethical issues vs. sensory dimension
Hand-made, craftsmanlike products vs. internationalization strategies

52. Thank you very much for your kind attention!

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