I hadn't planned on doing another brand perception until January but I ran across an

that made me think. Recently America was captivated by the spectacle that is the presidential election this fall and for some reason my interest in it was for reasons other than politics. I wasn't into for the tax cuts, or the foreign diplomacy, or economic do’s and don’ts. My attention was purely focused on the public relations tactics used by both parties. This campaign may have been the most “branded” presidential race I have seen in my 27 year life span.

I chuckle every time I see the candidates walk across the stage to give a speech and rest on a podium that has their logo on it. A presidential candidate with a logo just seems…..misplaced. Trademarked logos make me feel like someone is trying to sell me something, which in a nutshell the candidates are trying to do. But why does the leader of the free world feel the need to brand him-self? To represent his (or pretty soon her)self as an entity rather than, what I always saw the president as, a protector. The answer is clear my friends.....perception. Companies with the highest rate of success seem to have a clearer brand understanding among its consumers. With perception being everything, brands with a clearer public image are quicker to receive the trust of the consumer. Politicians understand this and bank the success of their campaigns on this theory. Something to keep in mind for you business owners out there.