– By Margaret Mark & Carol S. Pearson

Wikipedia defines an archetype as a universally understood symbol, term, statement, or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated. Archetypes are often used in myths and storytelling across different cultures. In psychology, an archetype is a model of a person, personality, or behavior.  Carl Jung, the eminent psychotherapist and psychiatrist, developed the concept of archetypes and how they could be used to describe personalities. 

We all talk of brand personalities and brand identities and if we look closely at many of them, they could fit into an archetype.  In their book – The Hero and the Outlaw – Margaret Mark and Carol S. Pearson write that ‘for a brand identity to be compelling, it needs to be simple and easy to recognize.  This means that brand identities are forged best by identifying with one – and only one – archetype.  This archetype within the brand serves as a beacon for the corresponding motivation in all of us.’

Archetypes provide a meaning to brands that is fairly easy to remember.  And because they are very definite, they help us identify the dynamics of a category and thus differentiate our brand from others in the category.  More importantly, archetypes ‘provide the link between consumer motivation and product sales.  Virtually all marketers know that they need to understand human motivations. Until now, however, no scientific method has been available to link the deepest motivations of consumers with product meaning.  The missing link is the understanding of archetypes.  An archetypical product identity speaks directly to the deep psychic imprint within the consumer, sparking a sense of recognition and of meaning.’

In the Hero and the Outlaw, Mark and Pearson examine 12 of the most common archetypes and these are described below:

1. The Innocent

Core desire: To experience paradise

Goal: To be happy

Brands: Coca Cola, McDonald’s, Ivory

2. The Explorer

Core desire: The freedom to find out who you are through exploring the world

Goal: To experience a better, more authentic, more fulfilling life

Brands: Ford Explorer, Starbucks, Rockport

3. The Sage

Core desire: The discovery of truth

Goal: To use intelligence and analysis to understand the world

Brands: Barnes & Nobles, Lean Cuisine, CNN

4. The Hero

Core desire: Prove one’s worth through courageous and difficult action

Goal: Exert mastery in a way that improves the world

Brands: Nike, FedEx, the Red Cross, the Olympics

5. The Outlaw

Core desire:  Revenge or revolution

Goal:  To destroy what is not working (for the outlaw or the society)

Brands:  Apple, Diesel, Harley-Davidson

6. The Magician

Core desire:  Knowledge of the fundamental laws of how the world or universe works

Goal:  Make dreams come true

Brands:  MasterCard, Chanel No.5, Oil of Olay

7. The Regular Guy/Girl

Core desire:  Connection with others

Goal:  To belong, fit in

Brands: IKEA, Wendy’s, Impulse

8. The Lover

Core desire:  Attain intimacy and experience sensual pleasure

Goal:  Being in a relationship with the people, work, experiences and relationships one loves

Brands:  Hennessy, Godiva, Jaguar, Guess Jeans

9. The Jester

Core desire:  To live in the moment with full enjoyment

Goal:  To have a great time and lighten up the world

Brands: Pepsi, Snickers, Hampton Inn

1. The Caregiver

Core desire:  Protect people from harm

Goal:  To help others

Brands:  AT & T, Johnson’s Baby Shampoo, Marriott

1. The Creator

Core desire:  Create something of enduring value

Goal:  Give form to a vision

Brands:  Sesame Street, Lego, Crayola

2. The Ruler

Core desire:  Control

Goal: Create a prosperous, successful, family, company or community

Brands:  Microsoft, Mercedes, American Express

The Hero and the Outlaw does provide an interesting framework and one could look at fitting one’s brand into one of the 12 archetypes.  Following the archetypical model also allows for a clear universe in which your brand could operate.  However, the book does suffer from a major shortcoming – while the examples in the book against each archetype looks meaningful, it could also be more of a retro fit.  Also, a brand like, say, Coke, could fit into many of the archetypes in the book, not just the Innocent.  However, understanding artcetypes would come useful to marketers and advertising executives and, for that reason, the book is worth a read.

4/5