Skip to Main Content

University Library

LibGuides

Nordic Studies Guide: Advertising and Brands, ADV399

About this guide

This guide is designed to provide resources and research tools for exploring Scandinavian branding, advertising, and design. It includes materials to support your study of global marketing strategies, cultural influences, and design principles from Scandinavia. Use this guide to access articles, books, and other resources that will enhance your understanding of the topics covered in the course.

Library Resources

Databases

Scandinavian Brand Reports by Brand Finance

Academic Journals

Academic Journals

Scandinavian Journal of Management
This journal focuses on management research with particular attention to the business and marketing practices in the Nordic region. It covers a wide range of topics, including branding, advertising, and market strategies.

Statista
Statista offers access to statistics on a wide range of industries, including consumer preferences, advertising expenditure, and brand performance in Scandinavia. It's great for data-driven research.

Nordic Journal of Media

This open-access, peer-reviewed journal publishes research on media management, including topics like media business models, media entrepreneurship, media policy, social media, and advertising within the Nordic context.

Nordic Journal of Media Management
This open-access, peer-reviewed journal publishes research on media management, including topics like media business models, media entrepreneurship, media policy, social media, and advertising within the Nordic context.

Scandinavian Brands

Lego Brand Logo

LEGO, founded in 1932 by Danish carpenter Ole Kirk Christiansen, began as a producer of wooden toys in Billund, Denmark. The company's name is derived from the Danish phrase "leg godt," meaning "play well." In 1949, LEGO introduced its first plastic interlocking bricks, which evolved into the iconic design patented in 1958. Over the decades, LEGO has expanded its product line to include themed sets, video games, and movies, becoming a global symbol of creativity and learning. The company remains privately held by the Kirk Kristiansen family. For more detailed information about LEGO's brand and history, you can visit their official website: The LEGO® Brand - About Us.

H&M Brand Logo

H&M, originally founded as "Hennes" in 1947 by Erling Persson in Västerås, Sweden, began as a women's clothing store—'Hennes' meaning 'Hers' in Swedish. In 1968, after acquiring the hunting apparel retailer Mauritz Widforss, the company expanded into menswear and rebranded as Hennes & Mauritz, abbreviated as H&M. Over the decades, H&M has grown into a global fashion retailer, known for offering affordable and trendy clothing for men, women, and children. The company has also gained recognition for its designer collaborations, partnering with high-end fashion designers to make exclusive collections accessible to a broader audience. For more detailed information about H&M's brand and history, you can visit their official website: H&M Group - About Us.

Founded in 2006 by Daniel Ek and Martin Lorentzon in Stockholm, Sweden, Spotify revolutionized the music industry by introducing an innovative music streaming platform that allowed users to access a vast library of songs without needing to own physical copies. Spotify quickly became a global leader in music streaming, with a freemium model offering both free and premium subscription.   

                                                  

IKEA is a globally recognized Scandinavian brand known for its affordable, functional, and minimalist home furnishings. Founded in 1943 by Ingvar Kamprad in Sweden, IKEA revolutionized the furniture industry with its flat-pack, self-assembly model, making stylish design accessible to the masses. The brand embodies Scandinavian principles of simplicity, sustainability, and practicality, with a strong emphasis on democratic design—balancing form, function, quality, sustainability, and low cost. Over the years, IKEA has expanded worldwide, maintaining its signature aesthetic while incorporating local influences.

CIA World Factbook

  • CIA World Factbook