Examining consumer reactions to sincere brands’ gratitude expressions: when a simple thank you just won’t do

Abstract This research investigates the use of advertised gratitude expressions by sincere brands. As sincere brands are well aligned with gratitude expressions, we theorize that a messaging strategy solely expressing gratitude fails to yield brand benefits beyond a message where gratitude is not expressed. However, sincere brands can reap more brand benefits when their advertised gratitude expression is perceived as effortful (e.g., thank you message coupled with a free product). We demonstrate that when sincere brands engage in these high-effort expressions of gratitude, consumers evaluate the brand more positively, an effect mediated by brand trust. We also explore when sincere brands may benefit from low-effort gratitude expressions. Specifically, we find that consumer reactions to low-effort acknowledgments are more favorable when consumers identify with the gratitude target. Based on these findings, we detail our contributions to theory and provide managerial implications for sincere brands wishing to express gratitude.