Produk Gagal yang Jadi Viral: Studi tentang Reverse Branding dalam Komunikasi Pemasaran

Authors

  • Vellicia Vellicia Universitas Esa Unggul
  • Iswadi Iswadi Universitas Esa Unggul

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31004/joecy.v5i2.2785

Keywords:

reverse branding, failed products, marketing communication, viral marketing, social media

Abstract

The phenomenon of failed products going viral on social media reflects a paradigm shift in digital marketing communication. Reverse branding—a marketing strategy that deliberately embraces product failures or criticisms as part of the brand narrative—has proven effective in rebuilding positive brand image and increasing consumer engagement. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of reverse branding in the context of viral failed products and explore the opportunities and risks it entails. Using a qualitative approach based on literature review, this study highlights the role of social media, storytelling, and consumer participation in reshaping product and brand perceptions. The findings reveal that reverse branding can be a powerful strategy when implemented with honesty, creativity, and a deep understanding of the audience. However, it also carries potential risks if not managed properly, as it may lead to manipulative perceptions that harm brand reputation. This research contributes academically to the study of contemporary branding and offers practical implications for business actors, particularly MSMEs, in leveraging virality to strengthen their brand presence in the digital era.

References

Ahn, J., & Gao, M. (2024). Factors influencing luxury service brand extension in a developing country. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 41(6), 639–647. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-02-2022-5163

Amin, Mhd., Nasution, A. P., Sambodo, I. M., Hasibuan, M. I., & Ritonga, W. A. (2021). Analisis Pengaruh Pemasaran Media Sosial Terhadap Minat Beli Produk Online Dengan Manajemen Hubungan Pelanggan Dan Ekuitas Merek Sebagai Variabel Mediasi. Ecobisma (Jurnal Ekonomi, Bisnis Dan Manajemen), 8(1), 122–137. https://doi.org/10.36987/ecobi.v8i1.2443

Andina, A. N., Vausi, I. N., & Fadillah, A. B. F. N. (2024). Phenomenological Study of Mixue Products Using Viral Marketing Through Social Media. Majalah Ilmiah Bijak, 21(1), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.31334/bijak.v21i1.3585

Ario Tri Wibowo, K., & Setiyawan, E. (2023). Studi Perbandingan Efektivitas Iklan Facebook Versus Iklan Tradisional Dalam Meningkatkan Brand Awareness. Journal of Innovation And Future Technology (IFTECH), 5(2), 74–81. https://doi.org/10.47080/iftech.v5i2.2646

Chang, J. W. (2024). Brand Diversity and Brand Similarity Impacts on Brand Evaluations. Journal of Marketing Development and Competitiveness, 18(2). https://doi.org/10.33423/jmdc.v18i2.7011

Choudhary, P. K., & Sahu, Dr. K. K. (2023). Managing and shaping brand associations to ensure positive alignment with “Brand Image”: Narrative synthesis. International Journal of Physical Education, Sports and Health, 10(3), 112–117. https://doi.org/10.22271/kheljournal.2023.v10.i3b.2935

Delgado-Ballester, E. (2021). Effect of underdog (vs topdog) brand storytelling on brand identification: exploring multiple mediation mechanisms. Journal of Product & Brand Management, 30(4), 626–638. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-11-2019-2639

Erwin, Maupa, H., Jilbert, J., & Sanusi, A. (2024). Co-Creation Building Power on Social Media: Can Influencers or Viral Campaigns do it for Marketing Performance? Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 18(7), e06819. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n7-139

Hendra, M. D., Muhammad Arif, & M. Hadi. (2022). Efektifitas Word Of Mouth (Wom) Dalam Komunikasi Pemasaran Rotte Bakery Pekanbaru. Medium, 9(2), 119–135. https://doi.org/10.25299/medium.2021.vol9(2).7907

Kriyantono, R. (2020). Aplikasi Teori Osgood untuk Evaluasi Pemaknaan Internal Strategi Komunikasi Pemasaran Co-branding. Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 17(2), 193. https://doi.org/10.31315/jik.v17i2.2855

Kucuk, S. U. (2020). Reverse (brand) anthropomorphism: the case of brand hitlerization. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 37(6), 651–659. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-11-2019-3487

Kurnia, R., Prasetyo, B. A., & Uma, D. (2023). PEMANFAATAN MEDIA SOSIAL SEBAGAI KOMUNIKASI PEMASARAN BRAND ALFATEEMA DALAM PERSPEKTIF UU ITE. Jurnal Cahaya Keadilan, 11(02), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.33884/jck.v11i02.8169

Kusuma Wardana, A., Sulistyawati Handayani, D., Ribka Kaunang, R., & Parani, R. (2024). Komunikasi Pemasaran Terpadu dalam Era Digital: Peran Teknologi dan Respons Masyarakat. Co-Value Jurnal Ekonomi Koperasi Dan Kewirausahaan, 14(11). https://doi.org/10.59188/covalue.v14i11.4326

Lena Ellitan. (2022). The Role Of Social Media Marketing, Brand Awareness And E-Wom To Increase Purchase Decision. Ekoma : Jurnal Ekonomi, Manajemen, Akuntansi, 2(1), 115–122. https://doi.org/10.56799/ekoma.v2i1.882

Li, V. K., Ongpauco, P. A., & Rubante, J. T. (2022). The Impact of Viral Marketing Collateral on Brand Image: “#KwentongJollibee” Advertisement. Journal of Business and Management Studies, 4(1), 264–272. https://doi.org/10.32996/jbms.2022.4.1.28

Marini, M., Salas, H. J., Meirianticha, S. R., Novriansyah, N., Amelinda, I., Pembayun, R. J., & Wiltar, R. B. (2024). Pelatihan dan Pendampingan Komunikasi Pemasaran Digital Sebagai Upaya Peningkatan Brand Awarness SMA Muhammadiyah 1 Kotabumi. Jurnal Pengabdian West Science, 3(07), 870–881. https://doi.org/10.58812/jpws.v3i07.1416

Musa, A. H., Baharuddin, F. N., Antara, P. M., Selamat, S. M., Mohd Beta, R. M. D., & Ali, A. (2024). Viral Marketing and Social Media Influencer Roles in Purchasing Skincare Product: A Conceptual Paper. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(5). https://doi.org/10.6007/IJARBSS/v14-i5/21619

Puriwat, W., & Tripopsakul, S. (2021). The Role of Viral Marketing in Social Media on Brand Recognition and Preference. Emerging Science Journal, 5(6), 855–867. https://doi.org/10.28991/esj-2021-01315

Putri, N. K., & Ernawaty, E. (2020). Viral marketing content for Universal Health Coverage campaign in Indonesia. International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Marketing, 14(1), 21–36. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPHM-07-2017-0041

Qi, M. (2022). Social media and Customers’ Relationship Research: A Case Study and Online Survey. Highlights in Business, Economics and Management, 2, 169–174. https://doi.org/10.54097/hbem.v2i.2357

Qian, Y., Sui, Z., & Wang, D. (2023). The Implementation of Digital Marketing in Brand Promotion. Journal of Education, Humanities and Social Sciences, 16, 135–140. https://doi.org/10.54097/ehss.v16i.9583

Ridaryanthi, M., & Priyono, B. J. (2021). Penyuluhan Daring: Etika Komunikasi Menggunakan Email Untuk Menunjang Efektivitas Komunikasi Dalam Bisnis. Jurnal Praksis Dan Dedikasi Sosial (JPDS), 4(2), 62. https://doi.org/10.17977/um032v4i2p62-68

Sari, W. P., & Paramita, S. (2022). Viral Marketing Di Media Sosial Sebagai Gaya Baru Komunikasi Pemasaran. Jurnal Muara Ilmu Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 6(2), 309–319. https://doi.org/10.24912/jmieb.v6i2.20243

Sofyan, A. N. I., Yusmanizar, Y., & Sukmarini, A. V. (2024). News Editorial Strategy from Social Media as Online Media. Journal La Bisecoman, 5(2), 151–156. https://doi.org/10.37899/journallabisecoman.v5i2.1120

Susanti, S. (2023). Penyuluhan Pemanfaatan Media Sosial dalam Pemasaran Tenun Sutera bagi Siswa SMA dan SMK di Kabupaten Garut. Jurnal Pengabdian Pada Masyarakat, 8(4), 853–865. https://doi.org/10.30653/jppm.v8i4.500

Tezer, A., Bodur, O., & Grohmann, B. (2021). When goliaths win and davids lose: The moderating role of perceived risk in brand biography effects. Psychology & Marketing, mar.21569. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.21569

Thanh, N. N. D., Thanh, N. D., Thuy, L. T. T., Thuy, D. M., Thao, N. T. T., & Thanh, T. N. P. (2020). The mediating role of self-brand connection and brand identity in the relationship between brand credibility and brand loyalty. HCMCOUJS - ECONOMICS AND BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.46223/HCMCOUJS.econ.en.10.2.562.2020

TŐKÉS, G. E. (2020). Methodological Framework for the Analysis of Brand Identity Construction. Journal of Media Research, 13(1(36)), 22–40. https://doi.org/10.24193/jmr.36.2

Tőkés, G. E. (2022). The Digital Brand Identity of Fast-Fashion Brand Zara. A Case Study. Acta Universitatis Sapientiae, Social Analysis, 12(1), 131–154. https://doi.org/10.2478/aussoc-2022-0007

Wardani, S. (2023). Strategi Komprehensif untuk Pencapaian Tujuan Bisnis dalam Bauran Komunikasi Pemasaran. Jurnal Ekonomi Dan Bisnis, 3(1), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.56145/ekonomibisnis.v3i1.152

Wijaya, N. H. S. (2022). Brand Experience and WOM: The Mediating Effects of Brand Love, Brand Image, and Brand Loyalty. Asia Pacific Journal of Management and Education, 5(3), 48–57. https://doi.org/10.32535/apjme.v5i3.1765

Xiao, C., Zhu, H., Wang, X., & Wu, L. (2021). Vividly warm: The color saturation of logos on brands’ customer sensitivity judgment. Color Research & Application, 46(6), 1347–1359. https://doi.org/10.1002/col.22682

Yin, C.-C., Chiu, H.-C., & Hsieh, Y.-C. (2020). Aligning conflict brand stories with product types. Journal of Consumer Marketing, 37(7), 909–919. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCM-09-2019-3428

Yustita, A. D. (2021). Komunikasi Pemasaran Antimo Anak di Media Sosial. COMMENTATE: Journal of Communication Management, 1(2), 208. https://doi.org/10.37535/103001220207

Zulkarnain., -, M., Silvia, D., Imam, S., Prastiwinarti, W., & Yamin, I. (2024). Utilisasi Proses Produksi Kemasan Kantong Untuk Kebutuhan Koperasi di Pesantren Uzlifatil Jannah, Tangerang, Banten. Mitra Akademia: Jurnal Pengabdian Masyarakat, 7(1), 9–13. https://doi.org/10.32722/mapnj.v7i1.6303

Downloads

Published

09-08-2025

How to Cite

Vellicia, V., & Iswadi, I. (2025). Produk Gagal yang Jadi Viral: Studi tentang Reverse Branding dalam Komunikasi Pemasaran. Journal of Innovative and Creativity, 5(2), 21377–21385. https://doi.org/10.31004/joecy.v5i2.2785

Issue

Section

Articles