Brand Brasil: a Comparative Analysis of the Brazil Country Image in the United
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Brand Brasil: A Comparative Analysis of the Brazil Country Image in the United States and Brazil A thesis presented to the faculty of the Center for International Studies of Ohio University In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Masters of Arts Iara Mara Fonseca Leão June 2012 © 2012 Iara Mara Fonseca Leão. All Rights Reserved. 2 This thesis titled Brand Brasil: A Comparative Analysis of the Brazil Country Image in the United States and Brazil by IARA MARA FONSECA LEÃO has been approved for the Center for International Studies by ____________________________________________________ Yong Wang Assistant Professor of Marketing ___________________________________________________ José Delgado Costa Director, Latin American Studies ___________________________________________________ Daniel Weiner Executive Director, Center for International Studies 3 ABSTRACT FONSECA LEÃO, IARA M., M.A., June 2012, Latin American Studies Brand Brasil: A Comparative Analysis Of The Brazil Country Image In The United States and Brazil (115 pp.) Director of Thesis: Yong Wang In the past decades, countries have been adopting the trend of creating their own Nation Brand and to manage them as commercial brands, establishing their brand identities and brand strategies, resulting in their brand image. The focus of this thesis was to analyze how Brand Brazil is perceived in the United States and Brazil, by business people. Brazil developed, officially, its Brand Brazil in early 2000’s, and by 2003 there was already an Agency, called APEX-Brasil, designated to manage and promote the image of Brazil abroad. APEX-Brasil, currently, supports 81 sectors of Brazil’s economy, supports over 10,000 Brazilian companies and has promoted Brand Brazil in over 3,000 presentations worldwide for audiences of entrepreneurs, investors and trend-setters. For this thesis, an extended focus group study, with instrument containing qualitative and quantitative written questions in English and Portuguese was conducted. With the results was possible to set patterns and make comparisons between the perception from North- Americans and Brazilians. This thesis also presents recommendations to expand the promotion of Brazil for the United States market. Approved: ____________________________________________________________ Yong Wang Assistant Professor of Marketing 4 In loving memory of my mother, Carminha. 5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to show my gratitude to my family, especially parents Ivens and Carminha, and my brother Ivens for supporting me, unconditionally, in this journey. Thank you for motivating me to pursue my goal, which over time also became your goal. I would like to thank my mother for the numerous messages of support during difficult moments, and especially for worrying about my academic accomplishment even on her deathbed. The return to the United States and the conclusion of this degree would not have been possible if, once again, I did not have the support from my father and brother. It is a pleasure to thank the members of my committee, Dr. Wang, Dr. Axinn and Dr. Barr-Melej, without whom this thesis would not have been held. Your help, guidance and orientation were crucial to me. To my advisor Dr. Wang, who assisted me in this research and spent countless hours meeting with me to discuss my thesis, reading and revising my work. To Dr. Axinn who has been helping me since the beginning of this journey at Ohio University. Whose guidance did not remain only in the academic environment and became my friend and mentor. To Dr. Barr-Melej, who is my example of a great professor, and who promptly accepted my invitation to be in my committee. I would like to thank my coordinator Dr. Delgado, for constant assisting me throughout this journey. To Professor Gabriela Castaneda, my friend, who since my first weeks at the university has helped me to improve my academic writing and for the pleasant conversations. To the loving memory of Dr. William Day, whom I kindly called "Guigui" and who was very enthusiastic about the topic of my thesis. To all of my friends in Brazil and to my new friends, who I met during this journey, and helped me when I needed the most, especially when I was homesick. 6 To Centro Universitário UNA, especially Professors Cristiane Serpa and Frederico Martini, for giving me the opportunity to attend graduate school at Ohio University and for believing in me. To Ohio University and the Center for International Studies for making possible to me to pursue my master's degree. 7 TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract ................................................................................................................................3 Dedication ............................................................................................................................4 Acknowledgments................................................................................................................5 List of Tables .......................................................................................................................9 List of Figures ....................................................................................................................10 Chapter 1: Introduction ......................................................................................................11 Chapter 2: Literature Review .............................................................................................15 2.1 Brand ........................................................................................................................15 2.2 Nation Brand ............................................................................................................23 2.3 Brazil ........................................................................................................................39 2.4 Brand Brazil .............................................................................................................49 Chapter 3: Methodology ....................................................................................................62 Chapter 4: Research Results ..............................................................................................69 4.1 General Perceptions of Brazil ..................................................................................69 4.2 Statements on Brand Brazil ......................................................................................76 4.3 Positive and Negative Perceptions of Brazil ............................................................78 4.4 Personality Traits Dimensions .................................................................................80 4.5 Familiarity with Brazil .............................................................................................83 Chapter 5: Discussion ........................................................................................................88 5.1 Discussion ................................................................................................................88 5.2 Limitations ...............................................................................................................92 5.3 Recommendations ....................................................................................................93 5.4 Future Researches ....................................................................................................95 References ..........................................................................................................................96 Appendices .......................................................................................................................102 Appendix 1 - Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval ..........................................102 Appendix 2 - Institutional Review Board (IRB) Amendment Approval .....................103 Appendix 3 - Focus Group Study Questions In English ..............................................104 8 Appendix 4 - Focus Group Study Questions In Portuguese .........................................110 9 LIST OF TABLES Table 1. The GFK Nation Brands Index - Overall Top Ten Rank ..............................................36 2. The Country Brand Index 2011-2012 ............................................................................39 3. Comparisons Between Brazil And The United States ...................................................41 4. Brazilian Trade Balance 2010/2011...............................................................................44 5. Brazil In The World - Production And Exports Of Selected Products ..........................45 6. Major Countries For Brazilian Exports..........................................................................46 7. Major Supplier Countries To Brazil ..............................................................................47 8. Brazilian Exports To the United States ..........................................................................48 9. Demographic Characteristics Of Participants ................................................................66 10. Elements Of Brand Brazil As Perceived By North-Americans and Brazilians ...........71 11. Themes Discussed on Question Number Two .............................................................73 12. Stereotypes Mentioned by United States Respondents ................................................75 13. Rated Statements on Brand Brazil ...............................................................................77