8 - The Transience of Power in the Cultural Landscape

Summary

This chapter argues that power is not only a product of capital control and movement but also of the strategic placement and narrative construct of brands. Brands that successfully become navigational beacons in the cultural landscape do so by establishing a narrative structure that resonates with consumers, thus gaining a form of power and becoming landmarks in the cultural landscape. Here, brands wield significant power in the cultural landscape by crafting identities and spaces that consumers navigate. However, this power is not absolute; it fluctuates with the consumer’s perception, community acceptance, and the brand’s ability to adapt and resonate on a local level while maintaining a wider presence. The real power of a brand lies in its ability to harmonise its institutional power with the cultural and individual identities of its consumers.