Brands are difficult to build. It takes a lot of time, resources and consistency to build and sustain brands. All over the world, brand managers and brands employ several tactics to ensure they remain relevant,vibrant and ensure they stay in business. They may also go at any length to ensure they don’t face stiff competition from similar brands. Whatever gives them competition is either made weaker or sometimes eliminated.

These tactics are usually adopted and launched as soon as they see a competitor raring its head into their line of operation. Sometimes, the strategies employed are clean. Other times, they are rough or dirty. But once it gets the job done, who cares?

A few days ago a fast rising model Bridget Shiel who featured in Ghanaian musician – Chris Waddles music video was found dead in Oakland City park. She was absolutely nude when her body was found with gun shot wounds according to reports. Investigators say she might have been murdered elsewhere and dumped in the park. The life of a growing brand in the modeling fraternity has been cut short in a rather bizarre, strange and bloody manner.

A sharp glance at Bridget’s looks link you straight to an already established brand also in the modeling field – Amber Rose. Whose claim to fame started with her appearance in Ludacris ’s “What Them Girls Like” video in 2008. This caught the attention of
Kanye West. Rose has also made cameos appearances in Nicki Minaj ‘s ” Massive Attack ,” Young Jeezy ‘s “Vacation ,”
Wiz Khalifa’s “No Sleep ,” and Fabolous ‘ ” You Be Killin’ Em “.

Both Bridget and Amber have short dyed natural brunette with low cut hair. Sometimes blond, other times white. Apart from boobs, that Amber Rose has more than Bridget Shiel, they both have almost the same body size, type and height. They both have broad or wide shoulders and similar complexion. Again both Amber Rose and Bridget Shiel have some level of facial resemblance. They all operate predominantly in the American market.

The two ladies all have tattoos on their arms. Bridget has hers on her left upper arm while that of Amber Rose is on her right upper arm. When it comes to looks, they share more features in common. Obviously that is a clear case of a twin brand with one stronger and bigger than the other.

The semblance and the rate at which the smaller brand was rising was obviously going to pose a threat to the bigger brand. This is because the smaller brand had almost all the physical qualities the bigger brand has.

What it means is that, the smaller brand can be paid a lesser amount to do the same job the bigger brand would have taken a bigger amount for. This is good business for the customer, and bad business for the bigger brand. Should the smaller one be given the space and allowed to fully mature and get well established, she could pose a serious threat to the already existing brand and could even throw her out of business.

The question then is: Will the bigger brand sit and watch this happen? Obviously no. Will it take action? Well… In case it decides to take action, this action could be anything that will subdue the smaller and fast rising brand or kick it out of business through fair or foul means.

BY: Arnold Mensah Elavanyo