I was watching the news the other day, as I do (yeah right), and there was an interesting segment regarding BC’s upcoming general elections. The reporter was talking about Justin Trudeau and the massive public support he has behind him. Here’s a pic in case you don’t know who he is:

The reporter then said a phrase that piqued my interest. He said that an important aspect of politics is to “define the politician before he does himself”, meaning that all the pre-election propaganda should define who the politician is before he goes into office and then his actions will define him. This brought to mind the concept of branding. By creating a strong brand, a company can gain a competitive advantage in the industry and increase their market share. Or in Trudeau’s case, a politician can gain a competitive advantage  in the election and win.

There are many ways in which a politician can create a strong brand and Trudeau employs a number of these. At a Liberal Party event the other day, Trudeau made a convincing speech in which he placed a strong emphasis on distinguishing himself from his competitors. He not only communicated his beliefs and ideals but also differentiated himself from fellow party candidates. By doing this, Trudeau tells us not only why he’s a good candidate to lead the Liberal Party, but why he’s the best candidate. This differentiation strategy has helped create a strong brand for Trudeau and has established him as a major player in the election.