According to a recent study, there has been a surge in demand for Brand Managers in India, with companies across all major industries looking for skilled professionals who can take their brand identity to the next level. If you're interested in pursuing a career in this exciting field, read on to learn more about the steps you need to take and the skills you need to develop.
In this article, we'll guide you through the process of becoming a successful Brand Manager in India and what it takes to land your first job.
Who is a Brand Manager?
As a brand manager, you are responsible for overseeing all aspects of a product's or service's branding, from developing and executing marketing strategies to identifying key target audiences.
The primary duties of a brand manager include creating brand guidelines, conducting market research, and monitoring consumer trends to guide product positioning and messaging.
In today's highly competitive business world, branding has become increasingly important for companies across industries. A strong brand can differentiate your products or services from competitors' offerings and build long-term customer loyalty. For this reason, many businesses invest heavily in their branding efforts and rely on qualified professionals to lead them.
Brand managers are in high demand across various industries, such as FMCG, advertising agencies, retail chains, the hospitality industry, the entertainment industry, etc.
How to Become A Brand Manager: Education and Certifications
To be considered for entry-level positions in the field of brand management, you'll need at least an undergraduate degree in marketing or a related field such as communication studies or business administration.
- Many top universities offer specialised undergraduate degrees in advertising or branding that prepare students for careers as brand managers.
- If you're looking to further your education beyond an undergraduate degree, many universities also offer postgraduate degrees such as Master's programmes in Marketing Management or Brand Management.
In addition to formal degrees, there are several certification options available that can boost your credentials as a brand manager.
How to Become A Brand Manager: Develop Essential Skills
Aspiring brand managers must develop the essential skills required to excel in this field.
- Creative thinking is critical for developing effective branding strategies that resonate with target audiences. Brand managers must be able to communicate their ideas effectively through various channels, such as social media platforms or other online marketing tools.
- Analytical thinking is also important for conducting market research and analysing consumer behaviour data to inform branding decisions.
- Leadership ability is vital for managing cross-functional teams involved in branding efforts.
- Cultural sensitivity has become increasingly important for modern businesses operating in diverse markets. Brand managers must be able to develop culturally sensitive marketing campaigns while ensuring messaging remains consistent across different regions or countries where the product or service is sold.
How to Become A Brand Manager: Pick a Specialisation
To increase your chances of success as a brand manager, it's important to focus on a specific area of expertise within the field of branding. Specialisations within the field of branding include product branding, corporate branding, and personal branding.
- Product branding specialists focus on developing marketing strategies for specific products or services.
- Corporate branding specialists focus on building an overall brand identity across various products and services under a company's umbrella.
- Personal branding specialists work to create and promote the personal brand of individuals such as celebrities or industry leaders.
When choosing a specialisation, consider your past experiences, strengths, and interests. A good way to explore different specialisations within the field is by conducting informational interviews with brand managers working in different areas.
What tools do brand managers use?
The tools you’ll use as a brand manager will differ depending on the specific responsibilities your company expects you to perform. But some standard tools for brand management include:
- Social media monitoring and listening (Sprinklr, Hootsuite, Sprout)
- Media relationship management and listening (Meltwater, Cision, Muckrack)
- Customer relationship management (CRM) software (Salesforce, Zoho, HubSpot)
- Data visualisation tools (Tableau, Datawrapper, Google Charts)
How to Become A Brand Manager: Apply For Jobs
Once you have gained relevant education, certification, essential skills, and specialised knowledge in brand management, it's time to apply for jobs. Brand managers are in high demand across various industries.
Entry-level positions can offer an annual salary ranging from ₹4 lakhs to ₹6 lakhs, depending on the organisation and location. However, salaries vary significantly based on experience level and industry sector. Senior-level professionals with over ten years' experience can make up to ₹15 lakhs annually.
With relevant experience, there are several career paths available for qualified candidates, such as senior brand manager, marketing manager, chief marketing officer, etc.
Median Salaries by Job Title
Upskilling Opportunities for Existing Brand Managers
To continue to grow in your career as a brand manager, it's important to stay up-to-date with emerging trends in the industry. Online courses and certification programmes can help you develop new skills and learn about new branding techniques and tools.
For example, the Google Digital Marketing Course provides training on the latest digital marketing strategies used by leading brands. The course covers topics such as mobile marketing, social media marketing, and search engine optimisation.
Continuing education can help brand managers stay competitive in their field and ensure they are aware of current best practices.
Start Building Your Brand Management Career Today
Congratulations! You are now well-equipped with the knowledge and skills required to embark upon a fulfilling career as a Brand Manager in India.
Remember, it is important to stay up-to-date with emerging trends and technologies within the field through upskilling opportunities. With WIZR's career guidance for upskilling programmes, you can achieve your brand management career goals.
FAQs
1. Which industries have a high demand for Brand Managers?
Brand Managers are highly sought after by companies operating in industries such as FMCG, E-commerce, Media and Advertising, Retail and Fashion, Healthcare, and Pharma.
2. Which tools and programmes do brand managers use?
Brand managers use various tools, such as Google Analytics, social media management platforms like Hootsuite or Buffer, graphic design software like Adobe Creative Suite, and project management tools like Trello or Asana.
3. Are certification programmes essential for aspiring Brand Managers?
While not mandatory, certifications certainly help demonstrate your knowledge and expertise within the field of branding management.
4. Can WIZR help me with financial assistance to apply for upskilling courses?
Yes, WIZR offers financing options that cater specifically to young professionals who require financial support to pursue their career aspirations through upskilling and certification programmes.
