Branding as a Cultural Force

Purpose, Responsibility, and Resonance

Robin Landa

$62.95

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

Columbia University Press
06 January 2026

Illustration & commercial art; Sales & marketing; Advertising

The most powerful brands don’t just capture attention—they ignite change. Branding as a Cultural Force invites readers to reimagine branding as a force for good, one that shapes culture, sparks movements, and drives meaningful social impact.

Going beyond traditional branding, Robin Landa explores how companies play pivotal roles in shaping culture, advancing causes, and forging emotional connections with their audiences. While most branding guides focus on commercial success, this book emphasizes how brands can align with their audiences' values to drive social transformation. Through real-world case studies and practical strategies, it reframes branding as a tool for influence, advocacy, and activism.

A standout feature of this book is a series of exclusive interviews with leading voices in branding, design, and advertising. These creative professionals share how they craft resonant campaigns, establish cultural legacies, and stay grounded in core values, offering insights for building brands that stand for more than just profit.

Branding as a Cultural Force provides actionable guidance on telling authentic brand stories, aligning with consumer values, and creating shareworthy campaigns. With a distinctive focus on the intersection of brand purpose and cultural impact, this book challenges readers to rethink branding as a vehicle for systemic change.

By: Robin Landa
Imprint: Columbia University Press
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 156mm,
ISBN: 9780231217057
ISBN 10: 0231217056
Pages: 344
Publication Date: 06 January 2026
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Further / Higher Education , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

Robin Landa, a distinguished professor at Kean University, is a globally recognized expert in branding, design, advertising, and creativity. She has received numerous accolades, including recognition as one of the Carnegie Foundation's ""Great Teachers of Our Time."" Her insights have appeared in Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Inc. She is the author of more than twenty-five books, including most recently Shareworthy: Advertising That Creates Powerful Connections Through Storytelling (Columbia, 2024, with Greg Braun).

Reviews for Branding as a Cultural Force: Purpose, Responsibility, and Resonance

Most branding books sedate. This one slaps. Robin Landa drags branding howling into the 21st century, colliding with culture and building backbone. This book is about brands with hard opinions, campaigns with guts, and stories that make a difference. This is no manual for inventing a company mascot. It’s a call to stop being irrelevant. The bar is low. Step over it. -- Brian Collins, Co-Founder and Designer, COLLINS While most branding books polish corporate platitudes, Robin Landa delivers a bracing thesis: that brands, to endure, must rise from commerce to culture. Her case is lucid, timely, and—thankfully—free of the usual jargon. -- Leland Maschmeyer, Co Founder and CEO of COLLINS As trust in traditional institutions declines, consumers today demand more from brands. Those that commit to social purpose are achieving new levels of brand loyalty. Through firsthand accounts from the shapers of the world’s most innovative brands, Robin Landa’s book, Branding as a Cultural Force expertly guides us through this new paradigm in a way that’s not only inspiring, but actually achievable. -- Greg Braun, retired Dp. Global CCO, Commonwealth/McCann WOW! This book is a practical tool for branding agencies and is excellent for use in an academic setting. It includes questions to ask clients guiding modern branding companies in strategy sessions. Landa gives examples of forward-thinking companies who have incorporated cultural values into their branding. -- Diane Gibbs, University of South Alabama and host of Creatives Ignite Podcast Branding as a Cultural Force is a comprehensive study of branding for today’s world. It provides a fresh take on the subject, bringing new insight through interviews with major players. Jam-packed with acumen and encouragement, Landa’s latest is a must-have guide for personal growth and success in a competitive field. -- Steven Brower, Professor Emeritus, Marywood University