The word brand is believed to derive from Old English meaning “burning stick” or “heat” from the act of marking an animals hide with a symbol or marking by use of a heated implement. Ancient Egyptian farmers practiced animal branding as early as 2700 BC to defer theft and aid recover of lost animals.

Merchant marks, formed from simple linear designs became common circa the tenth century. Such marks were known as the ‘signa mecatorium’ under Roma law. Merchant marks were used to prove ownership of goods that were missing or stolen during transit.

Potential buyers may consider branding as an important value added aspect of products or services it often serves to suggest a certain attractive quality or characteristic. For brand owners, branded products can command higher prices in the market place.

Marketing Brands originated in the 19th century with the advent of packaged products. Industrialization moved the production of many household items, such as soap, from local communities to centralized factories. Factories with mass-produced goods had to sell their products into a much larger market, to a consumer base familiar only with local goods. It became apparent that a generic package of soap could not compete with established local products provided through local channels. The “branded” goods manufacturers needed to convince the market that the public could trust their product.

In the 1880`s William Hesketh Lever introduced a soap of consistent quality, weight and price and wrapped it in an attractive packaging and called it Sunlight. Prior to this the housewife of the nineteenth century took what they received from the grocer. What they received was often greyish unappealing misshapen and rancid. The product was an immediate worldwide success and Sunlight soap became the worlds first widely known brand.

Branding is now a science of its own with many branding agencies operating around the world. Naturally many Marketing companies also offer brand support. Depending on your specific requirements support will cost in the region of $5,000 to $35,000 from helping select a brand name to carrying out some level of market and consumer research.

Given that your brand could one day be worth half the total value of your business it makes sense to invest as much as you can into getting a professional brand.