You know those brands that are so ubiquitous, that you can’t seem to go anywhere, or watch anything, without seeing them? Their customers are such die hard fans that you wouldn’t dare denounce the company in front of them. These product powerhouses have achieved something more than just brand loyalty, they’ve achieved BRANDcebo. 

The BRANDcebo effect occurs when a consumer has such a profound belief in a brand, that they see it as an extension of themselves, and as a result — the brand actually can affect their physiology, similar to the Placebo effect. It’s not that they are imagining themselves running faster in a particular pair of shoes, or driving better in a particular car, or feeling less thirsty with a particular sports drink — they actually ARE experiencing all of those things. And some brands have truly mastered the art of building BRANDcebo with their products, and we think they deserve some recognition, (although, they don’t need it). So to memorialize these marketing geniuses, we have kept their seat warm in the BRANDcebo hall of fame. Keep reading to find out our curated picks and what makes them the prime examples of this singular phenomenon.

Apple

It’s near impossible not to admit the beauty of these devices, but what justifies the outrageous price tags when other products do much the same thing or more? Well, buying an Apple product is more like bringing home a pet than a piece of technology. People love, are obsessed, and even addicted; not to their phone, watch, or tablet but to Apple. Customers can’t seem to keep their iPhone out of their sight for longer than the time it takes for them to shower, if that! Even more telling, Apple fans purchase clear cases to display their logos proudly, or even risk it all to let their devices go bare, just to show their sheer, undeniable pride. Perhaps most importantly, an Apple aficionado wouldn’t be caught dead with an Android. The truth is, people don’t feel fully themselves without it.

Coca Cola

A staggering 94% of the global population recognizes Coca Cola. On top of that, most people associate the brand with feelings of happiness, reminiscence of the holidays, and even nostalgia. To Coke fans, this is not just a soda supplier, the secret recipe qualifies Coca Cola as a team of magicians. Despite the near identical taste to many other cola brands, which countless blind taste tests prove, Coke drinkers are devout. As perhaps one of the most powerful BRANDcebo examples there is, an avid Coke drinker would likely refuse every other cola, and possibly only feel satisfied with their one true love. Pepsi? Disgusting!

Tesla

This tech company has transformed the way we think about driving. They have simply changed the game. But despite this fact, there are other electric cars on the market that are far more affordable, just as beautiful, and even more safe. The artificial intelligence that makes Tesla so special is not quite ready for full self-driving. Still, customers are obsessed. To them, this car helps them save the environment while retaining luxury and style, not to mention being on the cutting edge of technology. Owners truly feel like they are doing good for the world and for themselves at the same time. They can’t wait for their friends, neighbors, and coworkers to get a glimpse of them thriving. 

Nike

What runs fast, swims hard, and lifts the most weight? It seems someone wearing Nike! While this might seem like an exaggeration, we ran an experiment to find out just how far this brand association goes. The results? Regular users given a pair of Nikes actually DID run faster than when wearing a generic shoe. We would bet that this extra dose of athleticism crosses over into other sports too. Something about wearing this epic brand makes people feel like Olympians! 

Yes, the power of BRANDcebo is awe-inspiring, and here we have only just scratched the surface. The brands who have captured the essence of deep, and seemingly endless brand expression might appear to be special cases. But this is no accident. It’s sheer, powerful marketing. We wish it was as simple as bottling it up, but instead we have packaged it for you the old fashioned way, words on paper. To find out how to get this brand enlightenment for your company, read BRANDcebo!