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Nostalgia marketing and (re-)enchantment

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  • Hartmann, Benjamin J.
  • Brunk, Katja H.

Abstract

Most marketing and branding activities are essentially concerned with enchantment—the rendering of the ordinary into something special. To create enchantment, companies are increasingly marketing past-themed brands and products. Yet, there is little research about why and how such nostalgia marketing creates enchantment for consumers. Building on different modalities of nostalgia identified in sociological literature (reluctant nostalgia, progressive nostalgia, and playful nostalgia), we analyze the creation of enchantment through a longitudinal, qualitative, multi-method program of inquiry. We find three routes to enchantment grounded in different nostalgia modes: (1) re-instantiation (symbolic retrojection into a past), (2) re-enactment (reflexively informing the present with past-themed brands and practices), and (3) re-appropriation (ludic re-interpretation of the past). By unfolding the different ways in which marketers can press rewind to create enchantment, we discern important implications for theorizing and managing past-themed brands in terms of marketing strategy, targeting and positioning, brand experience design, and marketing communications.

Suggested Citation

  • Hartmann, Benjamin J. & Brunk, Katja H., 2019. "Nostalgia marketing and (re-)enchantment," International Journal of Research in Marketing, Elsevier, vol. 36(4), pages 669-686.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ijrema:v:36:y:2019:i:4:p:669-686
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijresmar.2019.05.002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Lovell, Jane & Griffin, Howard, 2022. "Unfamiliar light: the production of enchantment," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    5. Zaman Malik, Aaminah & Ahmad, Fayez & Guzmán, Francisco, 2025. "Socio-politically silent brands: A double edged sword," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    6. Volpert, Johanna & Michel, Géraldine, 2022. "Brand resurrections: How past and present narrations impact consumer reactions towards resurrected utilitarian brands," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 479-493.
    7. Kwan, Canice M.C. & Cheng, Shirley Y.Y. & Tsang, Alex S.L., 2023. "Societal reminiscence and decisions for a better society: A belief in progress explanation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    8. Pierre Labardin & Pierre Gervais, 2021. "Marketing the past over the long run: uses of the past in French accounting textbooks, 17th-19th c," Post-Print hal-03383748, HAL.
    9. Couder, Julien & Valette-Florence, Pierre, 2024. "How do customers experience terroir? An investigation of its ability to increase brand relationship quality," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 181(C).
    10. Bruckberger, Gianna & Fuchs, Christoph & Schreier, Martin & Osselaer, Stijn M.J. Van, 2023. "Retailing Groundedness: How to improve customer experience, brand perceptions, and customer loyalty through feelings of groundedness," Journal of Retailing, Elsevier, vol. 99(4), pages 594-604.
    11. Byrom, John & Light, Duncan & Medway, Dominic & Parker, Cathy & Zenker, Sebastian, 2024. "Post-holiday memory work: Everyday encounters with fridge magnets," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    12. Tarunija Chandra & Vibhuti Tripathi, 2023. "Antecedents and Mediators for Building and Integrated Research Framework towards Successful Brand Revitalisation," Central European Business Review, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2023(1), pages 133-163.
    13. Pade, Robin & Feurer, Sven, 2022. "The mitigating role of nostalgia for consumer price unfairness perceptions in response to disadvantageous personalized pricing," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 277-287.

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