A brand is a name, symbol or design that identifies products from a seller or group of sellers and differentiates those products from competitors. Strong brands create awareness, reputation and prominence in the marketplace. Brands provide value to both consumers and firms. For consumers, brands reduce risk and search costs when making purchase decisions. For firms, brands are valuable legal property that can influence consumer behavior and provide sustained revenues. Effective brand management is important for maintaining and growing brand strength over time despite various challenges in the marketplace.