It's funny how 99% of conversations in the UK/US etc about brands, and whether they are ethical or not, only refer to UK/US-based businesses. But of course this is a tiny part of the picture. Where it's far easier to find the good in branding is in developing countries - cases like the fashion brand BeBeBushh in Thailand or Urvashi perfume in India - clearly showing that once producers in poorer countries manage to graduate from producing unbranded commodities (or manufacturing on behalf of rich-country brands), the sustainability, profitability and stability of their businesses increases dramatically. With all the rich-country investors frantic to find good businesses in developing countries, global brands from emerging markets is a trend that's really worth watching. And the prospect of branding reinventing itself as an instrument of wealth redistribution is pretty interesting, too! posted by SImon, 4:00 PM  permalink