Branding Between the Ears: Using Cognitive Science to Build Lasting Customer Connections book cover

Branding Between the Ears

Using Cognitive Science to Build Lasting Customer Connections

Sandeep Dayal
3.92(38 Reviews)

Overview of Branding Between the Ears

Discover why neuroscience, not emotions alone, creates brand loyalty. "Branding Between the Ears" revolutionizes marketing by revealing how customers' brains actually process advertisements. Marketing experts praise Dayal's cognitive approach after the Enbrel ad case study exposed a critical industry blind spot.

Key Themes in Branding Between the Ears

  • cognitive branding
  • consumer neuroscience
  • subconscious decision-making
  • behavioral marketing strategy
  • brand empathy

Quotes from Branding Between the Ears

  • Half of what marketers have believed about branding is wrong.

  • Emotional branding creates a dangerous trade-off.

  • Everything about branding happens not on store shelves or billboards but in your brain.

  • Cognitive brands work the way the brain does.

  • Brands show they understand consumers' experiences, they create trust.

Characters in Branding Between the Ears

  • Sandeep DayalAuthor and marketing expert behind cognitive brands
  • John WanamakerHistorical figure known for advertising insights

About the Author

About the Author of Branding Between the Ears

Sandeep Dayal, author of the international bestseller Branding Between the Ears, is a globally recognized expert in cognitive branding and behavioral science. With over 25 years advising Fortune 500 companies like Pfizer, HSBC, and Kraft, Dayal blends neuroscience and psychology to redefine modern marketing. His work as Managing Director of Cerenti Marketing Group—a Forbes-rated top consulting firm—and former roles at McKinsey & Company and Booz & Company underpin his authority in crafting iconic brands.

A pioneer in predicting digital consumer trends, Dayal’s frameworks on viral advocacy and trust-building, published in McKinsey Quarterly and Strategy+Business, have shaped industry practices. His research on cognitive selling integrates behavioral economics to unlock sales performance, while his patented concepts in pharmaceutical patient assistance programs demonstrate real-world impact.

Branding Between the Ears distills insights from 100+ global engagements into actionable strategies for creating enduring brands. Dayal’s visionary ideas are frequently featured on marketing podcasts and his website, SandeepDayal.com, where he shares cutting-edge analyses. The book has become a cornerstone resource for executives and academics alike, cementing his reputation as a transformative voice in brand strategy.

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@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA
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117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw
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"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum
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108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC
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254
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17

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

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