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By examining how visual aesthetics play a crucial role in creating a hyperreal symbolic reality, this study critically investigates the creation and consumption of simulacra in the Instagram marketing of regional Indonesian fashion firms. This study shows that local brands actively create representational worlds that negotiate identity between claims of locality and global aesthetic standards, in addition to selling products, using an interpretative qualitative approach that combines netnography, visual semiotic analysis, and in-depth interviews with brand managers and consumers. According to the research, rigorous visual curation techniques result in what are known as ethical simulacra, in which ideals like sustainability and community support are reduced to beautiful pictures divorced from tangible behaviors. In addition to examining ethical conundrums in netnographic research within ambivalent digital settings, this analysis emphasizes the critical role that Instagram's algorithms play as non-human actors that influence aesthetic canons. By highlighting distinctive dynamics including self-exoticization tactics and modernity paradoxes that influence symbolic consumption patterns, this study theoretically advances Consumer Culture Theory and critical marketing by concentrating on the Indonesian setting. The study's findings suggest a more ethical and thoughtful approach to marketing when confronting the logic of digital hyperreality.

The development of digital media has encouraged various forms of identity representation on video-sharing platforms such as YouTube. In this context, mukbang content functions not only as entertainment but also as a medium for constructing creators’ personal branding. This study aims to analyze how personal branding is constructed in food vlogging and mukbang content produced by Tanboy Kun on YouTube. This research employs a qualitative approach using qualitative content analysis to identify communication patterns, visual representations, and thematic consistency within the videos. The analysis is based on six indicators of personal branding by Montoya and Vandehey (2002): specialization, personality, distinctiveness, visibility, persistence, and goodwill, reinforced by Roland Barthes’ semiotic approach at the levels of denotation, connotation, and myth. The findings indicate that personal branding is constructed through the consistent concept of extreme and spicy food as specialization, expressive communication style as personality, content differentiation as distinctiveness, upload intensity as visibility, format continuity as persistence, and positive image formation through attitudes and interaction as goodwill. These results demonstrate that personal branding in mukbang content is strategically formed through consistent and structured representation. This study contributes to digital communication research, particularly in understanding personal identity construction in video-based media.

This community service research was conducted to examine the implementation of branding development through a Car Free Day event as a strategy to enhance communication and visual identity at Telaga Harmony Residence. The background of this study is the need for effective community branding to strengthen public awareness, social engagement, and residential image in a growing housing area. The objective of this activity was to apply integrated communication and visual strategies that support brand identity through participatory public events. The method employed was a participatory and collaborative approach involving residents, organizers, and local stakeholders, supported by promotional media, visual design elements, and social interaction activities. The findings indicate that the Car Free Day event successfully increased community participation, strengthened visual recognition of the residential brand, and improved public perception of Telaga Harmony Residence as a healthy and environmentally friendly housing area. The implications of this study suggest that community-based events combined with consistent branding and visual communication strategies can effectively enhance residential identity and social cohesion, and may serve as a reference for similar community development programs in the future.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in economic development; however, their competitiveness is often constrained by weak branding and limited digital marketing capabilities. This community engagement program aimed to strengthen brand identity and digital capacity of the “Pukle” catfish cracker MSME in Karangsuwung Village, Cirebon Regency, through an integrated branding and sharia-based digital marketing approach. A participatory–collaborative method was employed, consisting of needs assessment, Workshops, technical mentoring, and monitoring and evaluation. The interventions included the development of brand identity elements (logo, tagline, and visual guidelines), improvement of informative packaging, activation and optimization of WhatsApp Business, and utilization of TikTok Shop as a social commerce channel. In addition, a standard operating procedure for sharia-compliant digital content based on the principles of shiddiq (truthfulness), amanah (trustworthiness), fathanah (competence), and tabligh (communicativeness) was formulated to enhance consumer trust. The results indicate improvements in product professionalism, digital channel management, content consistency, and customer interaction. The integration of branding and sharia digital marketing proved relevant in building differentiation, expanding market access, and strengthening long-term business reputation. The program highlights that MSME digital transformation requires capacity building, continuous mentoring, and ethical value integration to ensure sustainable competitiveness.

This Community Service Program (PKM) was carried out in Dander Village with the aim of increasing the marketability of agricultural products through assistance in branding strategies and digital marketing. The background of this activity stems from the low added value and limited market reach of agricultural products, most of which are still sold without clear branding and have not yet utilized digital media. The program aims to raise farmers’ awareness of the importance of brand identity, enhance their ability to design product branding, and utilize digital platforms for promotion and sales. The implementation methods included planning, socialization and branding training, digital marketing training, implementation assistance, and evaluation. Through this activity, participants were trained to create brand identities, product packaging, business social media accounts, and digital promotional content. The results showed an improvement in participants’ skills in developing branding strategies and managing digital marketing, which led to an average sales increase of 25–30%. This activity demonstrates that proper application of branding and digital marketing can enhance the competitiveness and selling value of local agricultural products in Dander Village.

This study aims to examine how the implementation of Integrated Marketing Communication (IMC) carried out by Friendshub contributes to building and strengthening brand awareness. Employing a descriptive qualitative approach and a case study method, data were collected through in-depth interviews with the core team of Friendshub and documentation of marketing activities, which were then thematically analyzed to explore communication patterns and creative strategies applied. The findings reveal that Friendshub integrates six elements of IMC as proposed by Belch and Belch (2021)—advertising, sales promotion, public relations, personal selling, direct marketing, and digital/interactive marketing—implemented across various channels such as social media, WhatsApp, email blasts, and event organization that emphasizes direct experiential engagement. The success of this implementation is supported by close communication with clients, consistent visual identity, and the adaptability of messages to audience needs, while challenges include limited budgets, dependence on client briefs, and short execution timelines. These findings highlight that consistent, creative, and adaptive IMC practices are not only effective in enhancing brand awareness but also in strengthening long-term relationships between Friendshub as a brand and its audience, thereby contributing positively to the sustainability of its image and corporate growth.

Advances in information technology have ushered society into the new media era, where social media is not just an information tool but also a new social space for teenagers. Instagram, as a visual-based platform, plays a significant role in shaping the reality of ideal lifestyles. Teenagers, who are in the process of discovering their identities, are susceptible to the influence of influencers and aesthetically constructed lifestyle trends on social media. This often triggers a shift in consumption patterns from functional to symbolic needs. This study used a qualitative descriptive approach. The subjects consisted of 10 students from the 2025 class of International Women University in Bandung, aged 18-20. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and documentation, then analyzed through data reduction and presentation. The findings indicate that all subjects are active social media users, spending 4 to 9 hours per day. They use Instagram as a means of building their personal branding and seeking lifestyle references. There is a tendency for consumer behavior driven by four main factors: peer influence and the Fear of Missing Out (FoMO) phenomenon, the use of goods as symbols of social identity (sign value), exposure to persuasive content from opinion leaders or influencers, and consumption as psychological compensation (self-reward) to relieve academic stress. Students tend to make impulsive purchases of viral fashion, beauty, and culinary products to gain social recognition online.

The rapid advancement of social media platforms has reshaped how people form and express their identities within digital environments, especially among university students. This research seeks to examine the extent to which personal use of social media influences the development of personal branding among students in the Digital Communication and Media Program at IPB University Vocational School. A quantitative research method with a survey approach was applied, involving 71 participants selected through random sampling techniques. Data collection was carried out using an online questionnaire employing a four-point Likert scale, and the data were analyzed through various statistical tests including validity and reliability assessments, classical assumption tests, Pearson correlation, simple linear regression, and determination coefficient using SPSS software. The results demonstrate that personal engagement with social media has a significant and positive relationship with students’ personal branding. Students who post consistently, produce high-quality content, and engage positively with audiences tend to project a stronger professional persona. Overall, the findings indicate that social media serves not only as a means of communication but also as an essential medium for developing one’s reputation and professional credibility in the digital age.  

This study analyzes the stage identity practices of the dangdut music group Sri Mules as a  cultural branding strategy in Pantura dangdut performances. In contrast to common dangdut performance patterns that position the singer as the primary visual focus, Sri Mules adopts a performative approach that foregrounds accompanying musicians as the main visual actors through the use of unconventional costumes and collective stage actions. Employing a qualitative approach with a case study strategy, this research draws on visual documentation of performances circulated on social media during the group’s active phase (2020–2021), complemented by semi-structured interviews and reflective observations. Data were analyzed using the interactive model proposed by Miles and Huberman, informed by performance theory (Schechner) and the concept of cultural branding (Holt). The findings indicate that Sri Mules’ stage identity is constructed and reproduced through consistent visual deviation and collective performativity, functioning as a strategy of symbolic differentiation in the Pantura dangdut performance landscape. This study highlights the role of accompanying musicians as active agents in shaping the visual identity of dangdut performances.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in improving the economy of rural communities, but still face various obstacles, particularly in packaging branding and marketing. Snack MSMEs in Batumarta 1 Village, Lubuk Raja District, have good product potential, but are not yet supported by a strong brand identity, attractive packaging design, and optimal use of digital marketing. This community service activity aims to support MSME development through assistance with packaging branding and digital marketing. The implementation method includes observing MSME conditions, socializing the importance of branding and digital marketing, assistance in creating brand identities and product packaging designs, and assistance with promotions through social media. The results of the activity show an increase in MSME understanding of the importance of packaging branding and digital marketing, as well as improvements in the appearance of product packaging to be more attractive and have a brand identity. In addition, MSMEs have begun to utilize social media as a means of product promotion. This activity is expected to expand marketing reach, increase product competitiveness, and support the sustainability of MSMEs in Batumarta 1 Village, Lubuk Raja District.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in improving the economy of rural communities, but still face various obstacles, particularly in packaging branding and marketing. Snack MSMEs in Batumarta 1 Village, Lubuk Raja District, have good product potential, but are not yet supported by a strong brand identity, attractive packaging design, and optimal use of digital marketing. This community service activity aims to support MSME development through assistance with packaging branding and digital marketing. The implementation method includes observing MSME conditions, socializing the importance of branding and digital marketing, assistance in creating brand identities and product packaging designs, and assistance with promotions through social media. The results of the activity show an increase in MSME understanding of the importance of packaging branding and digital marketing, as well as improvements in the appearance of product packaging to be more attractive and have a brand identity. In addition, MSMEs have begun to utilize social media as a means of product promotion. This activity is expected to expand marketing reach, increase product competitiveness, and support the sustainability of MSMEs in Batumarta 1 Village, Lubuk Raja District.

This community service program aims to enhance the capacity of UMKM Mentari Padangsari in developing visual content to strengthen branding and competitiveness. It is hoped that this training activity will have an impact on the development of MSMEs in Padangsari sub-district.The main problems faced by partners include limited skills in creating product photos, graphic designs, promotional videos, and managing social media consistently. The program was implemented through training, mentoring, and evaluation stages involving 14 UMKM actors in Padangsari Village, Semarang City. Training materials focused on product photography using smartphones, simple graphic design, short promotional videos, visual storytelling, and the use of digital platforms such as social media and Google Business are  considered very necessary in this era of rapid technological development. The results show increased knowledge and skills among UMKM actors in producing more attractive visual content, improving brand identity, and enhancing engagement on social media. This program contributes to strengthening UMKM competitiveness and supports sustainable digital-based marketing practices.

The use of social media is no longer just for information and entertainment, but has developed into a strategic means in building a positive self-image in the eyes of the public. School students are generally active users of social media whose intensity of use is quite high in daily life. As a group of teenagers who are still in the phase of finding their identity and tend to be emotionally labile, they need the right education to be able to use social media wisely, productively, and responsibly. Community Service activities carried out for students of SMK Wiyata Satya are expected to increase understanding of the importance of personal branding from an early age. Through this activity, students are not only given socialization about the concept of personal branding and social media ethics, but also equipped with practical skills in compiling portfolios and fostering awareness of career planning and goal achievement. At the end of the activity, students presented their self-concept that had been prepared and responded through a questionnaire to evaluate the effectiveness of the entire series of activities.

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a strategic role in driving local economic development, particularly in rural areas that rely on the utilization of local natural resources. However, many MSMEs still face challenges in marketing aspects, especially limited use of digital technology, weak branding, and unattractive product packaging. This community service activity aims to strengthen the marketing strategy of the “Nek Surati” cassava chips MSME located in Dolok Village, Nagori Boluk, Bosar Maligas District, Simalungun Regency. The methods employed include field observations, interviews with MSME actors, descriptive analysis of existing problems, and practice-based (hands-on) assistance through digital marketing training, improvement of packaging design, and strengthening of product branding. The results indicate an increase in the digital readiness of the MSME actor, as evidenced by the adoption of WhatsApp Business, the creation of digital product catalogs, and the utilization of social media as a promotional tool. In addition, improvements in packaging design and brand identity enhanced the visual appeal and product image in the eyes of consumers. This assistance activity had a positive impact on improving the marketing capacity of the MSME and opened opportunities for expanding market reach. With continuous assistance, the “Nek Surati” cassava chips MSME has the potential to increase its competitiveness and contribute more significantly to the local economy.

City branding is a strategic approach to enhancing a city's competitiveness by leveraging unique local characteristics to create a strong and distinctive identity. This study examines the role of semanggi—a traditional Surabaya dish—as a cultural icon in strengthening the city's branding. Although semanggi carries deep symbolic meaning and historical significance for Surabaya’s residents, its potential as a city branding asset remains underutilized in formal tourism and marketing programs. Adopting a qualitative exploratory case study design, data were collected through in-depth interviews, participant observation, and document analysis involving local stakeholders, small and medium-sized culinary enterprises, cultural figures, and municipal representatives. Thematic analysis identified five key dimensions of semanggi’s role in city branding: (1) visual representation in urban spaces and promotional media; (2) cultural narratives and heritage preservation; (3) community pride and participation; (4) local economic resilience; and (5) strategic promotion by municipal authorities. The findings suggest that integrating semanggi into Surabaya’s branding strategy can reinforce cultural identity, differentiate the city in competitive tourism markets, and promote sustainable local entrepreneurship. The study contributes to the theoretical discourse on culinary-based place branding and offers practical recommendations for incorporating local wisdom into destination marketing. Limitations include the single-case scope and qualitative focus, pointing to opportunities for comparative and mixed-method research in the future.  

This study aims to analyze rebranding strategies and marketing communication in building the brand equity of Kopi Bawang Dayak as a regional flagship product. Kopi Bawang Dayak is a local product innovation based on the indigenous wisdom of Kalimantan that has functional and economic potential; however, it still faces challenges such as weak brand identity, unclear positioning, and ineffective marketing communication. This research adopts a qualitative approach using a descriptive method. Data collection techniques include interviews with business actors and consumers, observations of visual identity and promotional media, documentation, and literature review. The results indicate that rebranding strategies implemented through logo updates, packaging redesign, and the reinforcement of local values are able to enhance brand awareness and brand associations among consumers of Kopi Bawang Dayak. Furthermore, marketing communication that emphasizes storytelling, health benefits, and local cultural values through social media contributes to increasing perceived quality and building consumer trust. The synergy between rebranding strategies and marketing communication is proven to play a significant role in strengthening the brand equity of Kopi Bawang Dayak. This study concludes that integrating local identity with modern marketing approaches is a key factor in enhancing the competitiveness of regional flagship products in broader markets.

The digitalization of the creative economy has opened up significant opportunities for the community to create innovative products that have high sales value and are environmentally friendly. One interesting innovation is the use of used cooking oil as a raw material for making aromatherapy candles. Used cooking oil, which is usually discarded and pollutes the environment, can be reprocessed into products with economic value, thus supporting the principles of a circular economy. This study aims to examine the potential of processing used cooking oil into aromatherapy candles, analyze digital-based marketing strategies to increase product competitiveness in the market, and examine the meaning of transforming waste into innovative products from the perspective of Immanuel Kant's philosophy of reality. The research methods used were literature studies and field observations of used cooking oil processing practices by the community. The results show that used cooking oil-based aromatherapy candles have good business prospects, especially when combined with digital promotion through social media and marketplaces. Digitalization helps expand marketing reach, create brand identity, and attract consumers who care about environmental sustainability. From the perspective of Immanuel Kant's philosophy of reality, the transformation of used cooking oil into aromatherapy candles can be understood as a phenomenon, namely a reality that is visible in the practice of the digital creative economy. Meanwhile, the values ​​of sustainability, ethical awareness, and social meaning contained therein reflect noumena, namely the deepest reality that is not directly visible but provides direction and meaning for human actions.

The phenomenon of masculine men has become a new strategy in the modern beauty product marketing industry. Changing social and cultural values about gender identity have led to the emergence of male images with soft, stylish, and aesthetic characteristics in various promotional campaigns. This study aims to analyze how the phenomenon of masculine men is used as a marketing communication strategy, as well as its impact on consumer perception. The method used is a literature study with a descriptive qualitative approach, which examines contemporary communication theory, gender theory, and modern marketing concepts. The findings suggest that the use of masculine male figures in beauty product advertising can expand market segmentation, attract cross-gender audiences, and create an inclusive brand image that aligns with current social trends. However, this strategy also raises debates about the limitations of masculinity and the social construction of beauty. Therefore, the phenomenon of masculine men can be understood as a form of adaptation of marketing communication to changes in cultural and gender values in contemporary society In addition, the findings of this study are expected to make a theoretical contribution to the study of marketing communication and gender studies, as well as become a practical reference for beauty industry players in designing promotional strategies that are sensitive to social dynamics, cultural values, and the increasingly diverse preferences of modern consumers.

This study investigates how Lembaga Musik Pervagatus, a group that does not display Islamic identity, creates an Islamic musical image when performing at religious events in Islamic campuses.  This study investigates how visual elements, song selection, and stage interaction influence audience perception. It does so using qualitative methods through interviews and performance observations.  How the band's performative identity is influenced by attributes such as appearance, personality, cultural values, and audience relations is studied using Kapferer's Brand Identity Prism model.  Conversely, Stuart Hall's theory of representation helps explain how Islamic meaning emerges in the context of events. The results show that the image of Islamic music attached to Pervagatus does not originate from the band's original identity; rather, it is a construction of meaning influenced by the context of religious events and the audience's interpretation of the song ‘Maulana Ya Maulana’ that they performed.  This perception was further reinforced by their neat, polite, and enthusiastic appearance.  The results show that the relationship between performance, context, and audience interpretation shapes the image of Islamic music on campus.

The use of information technology through website development has become a crucial need for MSMEs, including traditional food businesses like Siomay Batagor Bogarasa. This study aims to develop a business profile website using the Odoo-based ERP website module to strengthen brand identity and facilitate information delivery to customers. The development process follows the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) stages, including planning, requirement analysis, design, implementation, and testing. The developed website consists of several pages such as Home, About Us, Menu, and Contact Us, presenting information about the business history, product catalog and pricing, sales locations, and contact channels. Testing results indicate that most features function well, with responsive display, smooth navigation, active contact form, and effective social media integration. One issue was found in the Google Maps display, which has not yet accurately shown the business location. Overall, the website provides practical benefits in terms of promotion, communication, and enhancing the professionalism of the business.