Brand knowledge transfer via sponsorship in the financial services industry

Purpose - The main aim of this study is to develop a framework of brand knowledge transfer through sponsorship for sponsors within an insurance industry in South Korea. To this end, this study explores: how pre-event brand knowledge and perceived sponsor-event fit contribute to post-event brand knowledge and if and how consumers' attitudes toward insurance agents play a role as a moderator in the model. Brand knowledge is examined in terms of brand awareness and corporate image. Design/methodology/approach - Using a paper-and-pencil survey method, data were gathered from consumers ( n = 330) who participated in a parenting education program in which an insurance company partnered with a baby food manufacturer in South Korea. Hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Findings - The results confirm the occurrence of brand knowledge transfer for sponsors via sponsorship. Pre-event brand awareness and corporate image affect post-event brand awareness and corporate image, respectively, while perceived event-sponsor fit affects both attributes of post-event brand knowledge. Further, consumer attitude toward sales agents partially moderates brand knowledge transfer. Research limitations/implications - Because the data focused on a single segment of sponsorship events in the financial service industry in South Korea, the results must be carefully applied to other forms of sponsorship, industries and cultures. Practical implications - This study highlights the effectiveness of sponsorship in the financial services industry. By aligning sponsorship events with sponsors' characteristics and managing their brand knowledge, companies can maximize brand knowledge transfer contributing to brand equity. Originality/value - This study identifies consumers' pre-extant attitudes toward sales agents as a moderator that controls brand knowledge transfer, the pre-event and post-event corporate image relationship, specifically.