---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Too many companies want their brands to…"
description: "\"Too many companies want their brands to reflect some idealised, perfected image of themselves. As a consequence, their brands acquire no texture, no ch..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/richard-branson-256_acquire_too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to_152549.jpg"
---

#  Too many companies want their brands to reflect some…

![“Too many companies want their brands to reflect some idealised, perfected image of themselves. As a consequence, their brands acquire no texture, no character and no public trust.” quote by Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/richard-branson-256_acquire_too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to_152549.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/richard-branson-256_acquire_too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to_152549.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/richard-branson-256_acquire_too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to_152549.jpg)

> “Too many companies want their brands to reflect some idealised, perfected image of themselves. As a consequence, their brands acquire no texture, no character and no public trust.”

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Brands that chase perfection lose authenticity, resulting in bland images that fail to build trust.

**In simple terms:** Perfect brands become bland and untrusted.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate genuine, textured brand identity.

Themes

branding authenticity trust image character

Mood

cautious reflective

Type

advisory philosophical

When to use this quote

- Product launch
- rebranding
- public relations
- customer engagement

Key Concepts

Brand personality consumer perception trust building

Questions to Reflect On

- How can a brand balance aspiration with realism?
- What steps reveal a brand’s true character?

A Different Perspective

Authenticity can be costly and hard to maintain.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Branding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/branding/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Company](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/company/) [Consequence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consequence/) [Customer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/customer/) [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) [Public trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-trust/) [Trust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trust/)

## Related quotes

> [Good brands reflect the histories of the time and the group of people that made them. They can not be copied. They can not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/good-brands-reflect-the-histories-of-the-time-and-the-group-of-people/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Fortunately we're not a public company - we're a private group of companies, and I can do what I want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/fortunately-we-re-not-a-public-company-we-re-a-private-group-of/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [“Retailers want brands to be interchangeable and thus substitutable; otherwise, they are weakened in negotiations if the brand is so unique and popular it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-thain/retailers-want-brands-to-be-interchangeable-and-thus-substitutable/)

[Greg Thain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-thain/)

> [Millennials want brands with a story, something they can relate to. They want a personal brand they can put a face to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-berk/millennials-want-brands-with-a-story-something-they-can-relate-to/)

[Bobby Berk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-berk/)

> [Actually - and ironically - people aren't really interested in a new brand form or flavor as much as they are interested in how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debbie-millman/actually-and-ironically-people-aren-t-really-interested-in-a-new/)

[Debbie Millman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debbie-millman/)

> [I think that's when you get into trouble when a shop or like a big department store does a ton of Pride stuff that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/megan-stalter/i-think-that-s-when-you-get-into-trouble-when-a-shop-or-like-a-big/)

[Megan Stalter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/megan-stalter/)

> [Customers want brands that are narrow in scope and distinguishable by a single word, the shorter the better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-ries/customers-want-brands-that-are-narrow-in-scope-and-distinguishable-by/)

[Al Ries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-ries/)

> [I understand the concept of advertising. It makes sense. Companies want to reach customers with information about their products. It's a completely legitimate and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-sweeney/i-understand-the-concept-of-advertising-it-makes-sense-companies-want/)

[Tim Sweeney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-sweeney/)

> [For corporations to be bedfellows with the arts is good business for both. The architecture that houses a company is a more visible statement…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-forbes/for-corporations-to-be-bedfellows-with-the-arts-is-good-business-for/)

[Malcolm Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-forbes/)

> [There are two basic things that people who are creating great companies want while simultaneously creating thriving communities: They don't want to be taxed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-x-suarez/there-are-two-basic-things-that-people-who-are-creating-great/)

[Francis X. Suarez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-x-suarez/)

> [Several of the energy companies want to do the right thing. It's a matter of leveling the playing field though for them and that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-royce/several-of-the-energy-companies-want-to-do-the-right-thing-it-s-a/)

[Ed Royce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-royce/)

> [When I say something, I want people to take it to the bank that I mean it and believe in it. It humbles me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-tebow/when-i-say-something-i-want-people-to-take-it-to-the-bank-that-i-mean/)

[Tim Tebow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-tebow/)

> [I'm conscious of what bands we tour with and what companies I want to be associated with, even in the small things: if I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-mayberry/i-m-conscious-of-what-bands-we-tour-with-and-what-companies-i-want-to/)

[Lauren Mayberry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-mayberry/)

> [“What managers want most from companies they stop themselves from getting. What companies want most from managers they stop them from giving.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-slap/what-managers-want-most-from-companies-they-stop-themselves-from/)

[Stan Slap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-slap/)

> [Records used to be documents, but now record companies want product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stan-getz/records-used-to-be-documents-but-now-record-companies-want-product/)

[Stan Getz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stan-getz/)

## More by Richard Branson

> [Lavish praise on people and people will flourish; criticize people and they'll shrivel up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/lavish-praise-on-people-and-people-will-flourish-criticize-people-and/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I've used the Phoenix Centrifuge to replicate what the body's going to go through on the flight up. I've also done some gravity tests…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-ve-used-the-phoenix-centrifuge-to-replicate-what-the-body-s-going/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [As an adventurer...I try to protect against the downside. I make sure I have covered as many eventualities as I can. In the end,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/as-an-adventurer-i-try-to-protect-against-the-downside-i-make-sure-i/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Fantasizing about the future is one of my favorite pastimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/fantasizing-about-the-future-is-one-of-my-favorite-pastimes/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I will work day and night to avoid failure, but if I can't, I'll pick myself up the next day. The most important thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-will-work-day-and-night-to-avoid-failure-but-if-i-can-t-i-ll-pick/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Tough times are inevitable in life and in business. But how you compose yourself during those times defines your spirit and will define your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/tough-times-are-inevitable-in-life-and-in-business-but-how-you/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [All successful people - not just entrepreneurs - have got things wrong over and over again before finding the right solution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/all-successful-people-not-just-entrepreneurs-have-got-things-wrong/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [We have the enormous opportunity in our hands to make a positive difference for business, people, and the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/we-have-the-enormous-opportunity-in-our-hands-to-make-a-positive/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I'm a great believer in life to saying yes and not saying no, and hopefully making people smile and just having fun in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-m-a-great-believer-in-life-to-saying-yes-and-not-saying-no-and/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Money is a poor indicator of success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/money-is-a-poor-indicator-of-success/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Business leaders take things far too seriously, and forget that most of the time people spend in their lives is at work, and it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/business-leaders-take-things-far-too-seriously-and-forget-that-most/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [I love the freedom of movement that my phone gives me. That has definitely transformed my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/i-love-the-freedom-of-movement-that-my-phone-gives-me-that-has/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [Everything in your business can be outsourced... if you're not emotionally attached to doing it all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/everything-in-your-business-can-be-outsourced-if-you-re-not/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [People have to decide on priorities if they want to get anywhere. The best lessons I learned was to just do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/people-have-to-decide-on-priorities-if-they-want-to-get-anywhere-the/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

> [There isn't a flight goes by when I don't stare out of the window and thank my stars for what I'm seeing and feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/there-isn-t-a-flight-goes-by-when-i-don-t-stare-out-of-the-window-and/)

[Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

[Explore all 805 Richard Branson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/)

## More Acquire quotes

> [Most people seek after what they do not possess and are enslaved by the very things they want to acquire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anwar-sadat/most-people-seek-after-what-they-do-not-possess-and-are-enslaved-by/)

[Anwar Sadat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anwar-sadat/)

> [ If the State does not acquire supremacy over \[vast private\] enterprises, it becomes their puppet, and they become the real State. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/if-the-state-does-not-acquire-supremacy-over-vast-private-enterprises/)

[Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/)

> [Humility is an elusive virtue. The more we pursue it - and the more we seem to acquire it - the more we take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-aquilina/humility-is-an-elusive-virtue-the-more-we-pursue-it-and-the-more-we/)

[Mike Aquilina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-aquilina/)

> [Acquire worldly wisdom and adjust your behavior accordingly. If your new behavior gives you a little temporary unpopularity with your peer group then to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-munger/acquire-worldly-wisdom-and-adjust-your-behavior-accordingly-if-your/)

[Charlie Munger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-munger/)

> [This was Shakespeare's form ; Who walk'd in every path of human life, Felt every passion ; and to all mankind Doth now, will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-akenside/this-was-shakespeare-s-form-who-walk-d-in-every-path-of-human-life/)

[Mark Akenside](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-akenside/)

> [Wasn't Saddam destroyed? Wasn't Gaddafi liquidated? Didn't Milosevic go to the Hague? All true. But Stalin survived. Kim Jong-un isn't doing too badly, either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-fisk/wasn-t-saddam-destroyed-wasn-t-gaddafi-liquidated-didn-t-milosevic-go/)

[Robert Fisk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-fisk/)

> [The best way for women to acquire knowledge is from conversation with a father, a brother, or a friend, in the way of family…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-letitia-barbauld/the-best-way-for-women-to-acquire-knowledge-is-from-conversation-with/)

[Anna Letitia Barbauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-letitia-barbauld/)

> [Have you ever wanted something so badly that you would do anything, believe anything in order to acquire it?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorraine-heath/have-you-ever-wanted-something-so-badly-that-you-would-do-anything/)

[Lorraine Heath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorraine-heath/)

> [Ballet is pure and demands that you serve something larger than yourself, whether it be beauty or art, or a combination of both. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-martins/ballet-is-pure-and-demands-that-you-serve-something-larger-than/)

Peter Martins

> [You can't know it all. No matter how smart you are, no matter how comprehensive your education, no matter how wide ranging your experience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/you-can-t-know-it-all-no-matter-how-smart-you-are-no-matter-how/)

[Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/)

> [A better distribution of incomes would increase that efficiency by diverting a great fund of wealth from the useless to the useful members of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-lippmann/a-better-distribution-of-incomes-would-increase-that-efficiency-by/)

[Walter Lippmann](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-lippmann/)

> [I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-know-well-monsieur-how-much-you-have-to-endure-in-your-present-duty/)

[Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/)

> [The enemy's spies who have come to spy on us must be sought out, tempted with bribes, led away and comfortably housed. Thus they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-tzu/the-enemy-s-spies-who-have-come-to-spy-on-us-must-be-sought-out/)

[Sun Tzu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-tzu/)

> [In the late 1950s a major topic under discussion was whether Canada should acquire nuclear weapons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-charles-polanyi/in-the-late-1950s-a-major-topic-under-discussion-was-whether-canada/)

[John Charles Polanyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-charles-polanyi/)

> [Shamanism is a path of knowledge, not of faith, and that knowledge cannot come from me or anyone else in this reality. To acquire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-harner/shamanism-is-a-path-of-knowledge-not-of-faith-and-that-knowledge/)

[Michael Harner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-harner/)

Browse all 1,020 Acquire quotes

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Too many companies want their brands to reflect some idealised, perfected image of themselves. As a consequence, their brands acquire no texture, no character and no public trust.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Richard Branson"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to-reflect-some-idealised/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Acquire"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to-reflect-some-idealised/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/richard-branson-256_acquire_too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to_152549.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/richard-branson-256_acquire_too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to_152549.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64e/richard-branson-256_acquire_too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to_152549.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Too many companies want their brands to reflect some idealised, perfected image of themselves. As a…” — Richard Branson",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Richard Branson",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Too many companies want their brands...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to-reflect-some-idealised/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/too-many-companies-want-their-brands-to-reflect-some-idealised/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
