Review
Review
“…the definitive book about the company’s rise from a Birmingham shop to the 21st century’s pre–eminent confectionary brand.”Sunday Mercury, Birmingham 11 May 2008
“This laudable opus will have you drooling over every word... This is the best book I have eaten in ages.”IrishNews.com Friday 30 May 2008
“The illustrations are stunning…John Bradley’s accompanying prose is a solid business history of the firm, peppered with interesting details.”The Times Books Saturday 12 July 2008
"...sumptuous yet serious book...Fascinating and fabulous, you can′t help but enjoy the glorious ride that is Cadbury′s Purple Reign" (The Marketer, November 2008)
Product Description
Cadbury′s Puple Reign for the first time tells the in–depth story and definitive history of the Cadbury brand, and how it came to be the world′s pre–eminent chocolate brand. It presents a no holds barred account of the rollercoaster ride the organization has experienced that has, ultimately, led to its success. It is a story of endurance, where, in the UK, Cadbury is a clear market leader.
This fascinating journey that has been the history of Cadbury makes it an ideal example with which to illuminate the story of consumerism. The company was established even before there were a mass of consumers to sell to, and was at the forefront of many of the developments which facilitated the rise of mass markets:
- Putting product quality at the heart of the brand.
- Harnessing the miracles of the Industrial and Transportation Revolutions to drive explosive growth
- Industry consolidation via mergers and acquisitions to cement critical mass
- A radical approach to harnessing the potential of its workforce to create the most effectively run company in Britain
- The virtuous circle of economies of scale which slashed prices and brought chocolate to the masses
- Innovative marketing and selling approaches that put the Cadbury brand into not just the minds of consumers, but their hearts.
Illustrated with fact, anecdote and beautiful images from previously archived material, this book provides the reader with an unprecedented insight into one of the world’s most iconic brands. These insights will help any consumer business that aspire to build longevity for their brand with lessons on how to better endear itself to consumers, and how to turn that relationship into profitable sales.
The book has the full backing from Cadbury and chairman Sir John Sunderland provides the foreword.
From the Inside Flap
In the UK, Cadbury is today a clear market leader, not having suffered the fate of other 19thcenturypioneer consumer brands, such as Pears Soap and Camp Coffee Essence – still around but rarely in our shopping baskets. The focus on quality ahead of everything else, coupled with innovative marketing and selling approaches, put the Cadbury brand into not just the minds of millions of consumers, but their hearts.
However, it has not always been smooth sailing. Competitive initiatives, retail changes and media revolutions are not new phenomena, but have occurred throughout Cadbury;′s long history. We see how the Cadbury brand evolved as new challenges, which could have derailed Cadbury′s progress, were met.
The Cadbury brand has also triumphed outside of the UK in commonwealth markets, but elsewhere it has largely struggled to make the same impact. The globalisation challenges of today are illuminated by examining Cadbury′s successes and failures beyond the British Isles.
Illustrated with fact, anecdote and beautiful images from Cadbury′s archives this book provides the reader with insights into one of the world′s great brand names. these insights can be readily applied to build and maintain brands through the turbulent market conditions facing consumer businesses today.
From the Back Cover
“John Bradley has drawn on Bournville’s unique historical archive to write a fascinating account of the building of the Cadbury brand. His perceptive analysis of the way in which the fortunes of the company were linked to the development of the brand makes a compelling case study. His research has been meticulous and Cadbury’s Purple Reign will deservedly attract a wide readership.”
Sir Adrian Cadbury
became Chairman of Cadbury Ltd in 1965 and retired as Chairman of Cadbury Schweppes in 1989
“Few if any brands developed during the 19th–century have the relevance and appeal that Cadbury takes into the 21st. In Cadbury’s Purple Reign John Bradley gives an authoritative account of the values on which the brand was built and how these influenced its direction at critical times. Not only is this an excellent business case study but it will also have wider appeal as the definitive story of a household name.”
Sir Dominic Cadbury
Cadbury Schweppes Chairman: 1993–2000
“The challenges of building long term brand equity are compellingly illustrated in this book and the lessons are clearly laid out. Anyone who wants to think beyond the next short term fix for their brand should read this.”
Marcel Corstjens
The Unilever Chaired Professor of Marketing, INSEAD
“This book provides insight into the evolution of marketing as seen through the lens of one important global brand. A must read for anyone interested in where marketing has come from and where it is going.”
Niraj Dawar
Professor of Marketing, Ivey Business School, Canada
