The influence of brand color identity on brand association and loyalty

Purpose This study aims to understand the specific attributes of a brand’s color identity in an investigation of the relationship between color identity, brand association and other factors, including brand loyalty. Design/methodology/approach Focus group interviews and open-ended questions were used initially to create items for the survey. After excluding insincere responses, 781 responses to the questionnaire were used for the analysis. Structural equation modeling was performed to test the hypotheses. Findings The results reveal that sub-factors that comprise the color identity construct are closely related to the components of brand association. All components of brand association, including brand attribution, brand benefits and brand attitude, were shown to have a positive impact on brand self-identification. In turn, brand self-identification was shown to have a positive impact on brand loyalty. Research limitations/implications The generalizability of the study’s findings is limited insofar as only three components of the visual identity of the airline company under study – its logo, airplane exteriors and cabin attendants’ uniforms – were used for the color image analysis. Practical implications In marketing, color choices play a critical role in building brand identity as they positively affect a company’s brand association in consumers’ minds. Previous studies on airline brands have focused mainly on systematic factors related to service, prices and scheduling. Originality/value Regarding brand identity, color is an important factor in visual communication. Among the psychological functions of color, it has a communication function that can most directly and effectively deliver message and meaning of a company to consumers.