The knowledge economy knows no boundaries: thanks to digital communication channels, more and more information is accessible to a growing number of citizens. At the same time, these citizens are increasingly mistrustful of sources of information – due to fake news, click farms, deep fakes... So there is a huge need for reliable voices in today’s debates.
Thought leadership: share your unique insights as a brand
Different objectives
Brands (companies, organisations or people - who ultimately are personal brands) fulfil this need through thought leadership. As a brand, you contribute unique knowledge, ideas or insights about a specific theme.
Thought leadership can have a wide range of consequences for a brand:
- Generate societal impact – in line with the brand’s purpose
- Reinforce market position or achieve growth
- Strengthen the brand’s reputation
With a smart and well-planned thought leadership strategy, you as a company can define and steer social agenda. Which is much better, of course, than having to deal with the effects reactively and defensively.
Identify your themes and claim them
For brands, developing thought leadership requires a strategic balancing act:
- Which themes or issues can you stake a credible claim to?
- Which ones are strategically relevant?
- Which thought leaders are your competitors and what’s their story?
- How do you convey your message to the outside world?
Think BBDO has extensive experience in the development of thought leadership strategies. We know like no other what is involved and closely monitor the evolution of major societal issues.
Differentiate and create added value
The starting point is always an external environmental analysis. Naturally we also consider the brand’s purpose. We then jointly map issues and stakeholders and draw up a communication plan.
The main objective? To differentiate and create added value for stakeholders.
Finally, Think BBDO also gives advice and provides support for the fieldwork that is involved in thought leadership: from media training to spokespeople and from presentation techniques to content marketing.
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System operator Elia was searching for a vision on the future of energy in our country. Think BBDO gathered all the stakeholders around the table and drafted a pact.