Purpose While there is a growing body of literature about corporate branding, studies of corporate branding in state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are limited despite the important role they play in many economies. The purpose of this paper is to explore how managers perceive the significance and challenge of corporate brand building and management within a state-owned organisation. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative and interpretative research paradigm was used in the form of a case study design. This study focusses on the South African Broadcasting Corporation where executives and managers responsible for corporate branding decisions were interviewed. Findings Findings highlight the specific purposes, decision making factors, stakeholders and brand portfolio of an SOE corporate brand. Research limitations/implications Corporate brands help build brand identity and point out that a SOEs' corporate brand identity is dual in nature. The duality of mission, stakeholders and decision making, triggers brand challenges, namely, unclear corporate identity and fragmented corporate brand strategies, which must be carefully orchestrated over time and across stakeholders. Originality/value This study highlights the issues state-run enterprises face in building and managing a corporate brand and proposes an original model for SOEs' corporate brand development process.

Subject area The subject areas are marketing management and brand management. Study level/applicability The study is applicable to post-graduate brand management course and post-graduate marketing management course. Case overview In December 2015, Justine Cullinan, station manager of 5FM – a commercial, national music-radio station – reviewed the listenership and revenue figures for the year. When she took over as station manager in October 2014, 5FM had been through a three-year period of sharply declining listenership and revenue. Since then, by growing 5FM’s online community and adjusting the station’s overall strategy, the tide of decline had slowed. 5FM’s limited marketing budget prevented it from attracting listeners through traditional marketing avenues. Cullinan wondered how she could grow audiences and revenue and forge a new way for radio to benchmark success in a world where online communities were ever more important. Expected learning outcomes At the end of this case, students will understand the following concepts: brand awareness; brand promise; brand communication; and brand revitalisation strategies. Supplementary materials Teaching Notes are available for educators only. Please contact your library to gain login details or email support@emeraldinsight.com to request teaching notes. Subject code CSS: 8: Marketing