100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock πŸ‡³πŸ‡Ώ

Overnight NZ-wide delivery on in-stock orders πŸš€

A History of Brands

Origins of Consumer Markets
Brief Description
Discover the fascinating evolution of branding with Richard Shear's A History of Brands. In this comprehensive guide, Shear traces the origins and growth of some of the world's most recognizable brands. He delves into how branding has transitioned from simple logos and trademarks to complex systems... Read More
Format: Hardback
$4999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

Found a better price? Request a price match

A History of Brands explores the evolution of iconic brands, offering a captivating journey through the milestones that have shaped global commerce and culture.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Discover the fascinating evolution of branding with Richard Shear's A History of Brands.

In this comprehensive guide, Shear traces the origins and growth of some of the world's most recognizable brands. He delves into how branding has transitioned from simple logos and trademarks to complex systems of identity and meaning that connect with consumers on a global scale.

In A History of Brands, you'll explore:

Brand Origins: Learn about the early days of branding, from ancient symbols of ownership to the birth of modern trademarks.

Iconic Brands: Discover the stories behind some of the most successful and influential brands in history, including their breakthroughs, challenges, and reinventions.

Cultural Impact: Understand how brands reflect and shape cultural values, influencing everything from consumer behaviour to global trends.

Technological Shifts: Examine how advancements in technologyβ€”from mass production to digital marketingβ€”have transformed the branding landscape.

The Future of Brands: Gain insights into emerging trends and the future of branding in a rapidly changing world.

A History of Brands is more than just a history book; it's a deep dive into the forces that have shaped modern commerce and consumer culture. Richard Shear's expertise and engaging storytelling make this a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of business, culture, and history. Whether you're looking to understand the origins of your favourite brands or seeking inspiration for your own brand strategy, this book offers invaluable perspectives.

The School of Visual Arts (SVA) Masters in Branding book series offers an in-depth exploration of branding as both an art and a science, highlighting the multidisciplinary approach that defines the programme. This series brings together the insights and expertise of leading practitioners, scholars, and students in the field of branding, providing a comprehensive overview of the latest theories, strategies, and practices.Β 

Each book in the series focuses on a unique aspect of branding, from cultural and social influences to technological advancements and market trends, reflecting the innovative spirit of the SVA's Masters in Branding programme. By showcasing a diverse range of perspectives and case studies, the series aims to inspire readers to think critically and creatively about the role of branding in shaping consumer perceptions and experiences.

Also available from the series: The Meaning of Branded Objects and Brands in the Age of AI.

Series: SVA Masters in Branding

View all
  • A History of Brands
    Discover the fascinating evolution of branding with Richard Shear's A History of Brands. In this comprehensive guide, Shear traces the origins and growth of some of the world's most recognizable brands. He delves into how branding has transitioned from simple logos and trademarks to complex systems of identity and meaning that connect with consumers on a global scale. In A...
    Hardback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Brands in the Age of AI
    Navigate the complexities of AI in branding, from maximising benefits to addressing ethical considerations. Brands in the Age of AI by Mark Kingsley is a timely survey of how artificial intelligence is revolutionising branding, consumer engagement, and loyalty. Through thought-provoking discussions, Kingsley reveals how AI-powered personalisation, automation, and data analytics are reshaping the way brands connect with consumers. With AI,...
    Hardback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Meaning of Branded Objects
    Explore the psychological principles behind why people form emotional attachments to branded products.InΒ The Meaning of Branded Objects, psychologist, professor, and branding expert Dr. Tom Guarriello reveals the powerful ways that brands shape the meaning of everyday objects, influencing consumer behavior and contributing to personal identity. Through a mix of academic insights and real-world examples, discover how brands create emotional resonance...
    Hardback
    $4999
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780760395172

Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group USA Inc

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 24 July 2025

Country: United States

Imprint: Rockport Publishers Inc.

Illustration: color photos & illustrations

Contributors:

  • Foreword by Debbie Millman
  • Series edited by Mark Kingsley
  • Foreword by Ms. Debbie Millman

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 522g

Pages: 160

About the Author

As an entrepreneur partner and chief creative officer of Invok Brands, Richard Shear's expertise lies in helping clients uncover the visual heritage of their most iconic brands and using this design equity to help them build and position these brands in ways that inform, connect, and motivate. As a member of the School of Visual Arts founding faculty of the Masters in Branding program, Richard teaches The History of Branding, focusing on the interconnected evolution of global consumer culture and visual history through the last two millennia and its influences on contemporary retail brands.Mark Kingsley is a creative director and strategist with a wide range of experience and recognition. He is a faculty member in the School of Visual Arts Masters in Branding program. As Executive Strategy Director at Collins, he developed the new global positioning for Ogilvy and helped Equinox enter the luxury hotel business. For over 17 years, his studio Greenberg Kingsley specialized in music and arts, including several years of branding and advertising for Central Park SummerStage; work for the Guggenheim Museum store; and music packaging for John Coltrane, Pat Metheny, and Quincy Jones. His current studio, Malcontent, serves global advertising firms, fin-tech startups, arts organizations, living legends, and Pulitzer Prize winners.Named "one of the most influential designers working today,"Β Debbie Millman is an author, educator, and brand strategist. She is also president emeritus of AIGA, the creative director of Print Magazine, and host of the award-winning podcast series Design Matters, the first and longest-running design podcast in the world. In 2009 Debbie cofounded with Steven Heller the world's first graduate program in branding at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. Now in its sixth year, the program has achieved international acclaim.

More from Business & Entrepreneurship

View all
  • How To Be Wrong
    Sometimes the only way to be right is to get comfortable with being wrong. Most startup advice is dangerously misguided. The mythology of the lone genius founder, the obsession with capital raising, and the theatre of startup ecosystems lead countless ventures astray. Drawing on two decades at the heart of New Zealand's most successful technology companies – Trade Me, Xero,...
    Paperback
    $3600
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Roadmap to Property Success
    Ready to ditch the 9-to-5 and build lasting wealth through property? In Roadmap to Property Success, seasoned investor and coach Steve Goodey shares the exact strategies that helped him – and thousands of Kiwis – build sustainable property portfolios from scratch. With real-life lessons, hard-won wisdom, and zero sugar-coating, this is your no-BS guide to property investing in New Zealand....
    Paperback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Shoe Dog
    Shoe Dog by Phil Knight is a riveting memoir that unveils the remarkable journey behind the creation of Nike, one of the world's most iconic and successful brands. Phil Knight's story begins in 1962, when fresh out of business school, he embarks on a daring entrepreneurial adventure with a radical premise: to import high-quality, low-cost athletic shoes from Japan. Armed...
    Paperback
    $2400
    Elsewhere:
    $2899
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Business Made Simple
    Business Made Simple by Donald Miller is an essential guide for anyone looking to elevate their career and create a profitable business. This practical book offers sixty daily readings, each accompanied by insightful videos, designed to help professionals and business owners gain a clear understanding of how successful businesses operate. Rather than relying on theoretical knowledge, Miller shares actionable strategies...
    Paperback
    $2600
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Five Dysfunctions of a Team
    In The Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni once again offers a leadership fable that is as enthralling and instructive as his first two best-selling books, The Five Temptations of a CEO and The Four Obsessions of an Extraordinary Executive. This time, he turns his keen intellect and storytelling power to the fascinating, complex world of teams. Kathryn Petersen,...
    Hardback
    $4700
    Elsewhere:
    $5199
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Good To Great
    Good to Great by Jim Collins is an authoritative guide that investigates what takes a company from mere mediocrity to exceptional greatness. This acclaimed work is based on a five-year research project comparing teams that made that leap to those that didn’t. Collins and his research team examined financial performance, management practices, and corporate culture to distill the essential factors...
    Hardback
    $5400
    Elsewhere:
    $6000
    (3)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • This Is Strategy
    From Seth Godin, one of the world's most influential business thinkers and bestselling author ofΒ This is Marketing, comes an essential guide to thinking strategically in a complex, ever-changing world."With his signature clarity and brevity, the marketing maven presents memorable, practical advice for making smarter plans." β€”Adam Grant, author of Think AgainIn this unique and thought-provoking book, Godin shares insights on...
    Paperback
    $3150
    Elsewhere:
    $3999
    (1)
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Zero to One
    Zero to One by Blake Masters and Peter Thiel is a ground-breaking and thought-provoking examination of innovation and what it takes for a new company to prosper. Written by Peter Thiel, the co-founder of one of the most successful tech start-ups in history, this book provides a fresh perspective on how to build a valuable and unique enterprise in a...
    Paperback
    $2500
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition
    Blue Ocean Strategy, Expanded Edition by W. Chan Kim and RenΓ©e A. Mauborgne is an essential guide for anyone looking to transform their business strategies and leap into untapped market spaces. This acclaimed book illustrates how companies can break free from the traditional war of competition and instead, create their own "blue oceans" of uncontested market space. The authors delve...
    Hardback
    $5700
    Elsewhere:
    $6499
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • The Toyota Way, Second Edition: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer
    Explore the enlightened path to transformational business success with the updated and expanded edition of Jeffrey Liker's acclaimed work, The Toyota Way, Second Edition: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer. Delve into the legendary business philosophy that has placed Toyota at the pinnacle of global manufacturing excellence. In this highly anticipated update, Jeffrey Liker refines and broadens the...
    Hardback
    $8500
    (1)
    Available
    Ships in 2-3 weeks
  • High Output Management
    High Output Management by Andrew S. Grove is a legendary business book and a Silicon Valley staple. Written by the former chairman and CEO of Intel, it offers invaluable insights into the art of managing and running a successful company. This practical handbook provides guidance for navigating real-life business scenarios and serves as a powerful manifesto that has the potential...
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3700
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow
  • How to Grow Your Small Business
    The Wall Street Journal Bestseller For so many entrepreneurs, running a small business ended up looking different than they imagined. They’re stressed, discouraged, and not confident in their plan for growth. In How to Grow Your Small Business, Donald Miller gives entrepreneurs a 6-step plan to grow their businesses so they produce dependable, predictable results. Using the exact steps you’ll...
    Paperback
    $2900
    Elsewhere:
    $3500
    In Stock
    Ships tomorrow

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.