The Underdog Effect: The Marketing of Disadvantage and Determination through Brand Biography

We introduce the concept of an underdog brand biography to describe an emerging trend in branding in which firms author a historical account of their humble origins, lack of resources, and determined struggle against the odds. We identify two essential dimensions of an underdog biography: external disadvantage, and pas-sion and determination. We demonstrate that such a biography can increase pur-chase intentions, real choice, and brand loyalty. We argue that these biographies are effective because consumers react positively when they see the underdog aspects of their own lives being reflected in branded products. Four studies dem-onstrate that the underdog brand biography effect is driven by identity mechanisms: we show that the effect is (a) mediated by consumers ’ identification with the brand, (b) greater for consumers who strongly self-identify as underdogs, (c) stronger when consumers are purchasing for themselves versus for others, and (d) stronger in cultures in which underdog narratives are part of the national identity. We started Nantucket Nectars with only a blender and a dream. (Nantucket Nectars label) Thanks to a never-ending campaign by Apple’s powerful public relations machine to protect the myths surrounding the company’s origin, almost everyone believes Apple was started in a garage.... Actually the operation began in a bedroom.... When the bedroom became