Top 11 Brand Manager Certifications

Certifications are important for a brand manager in the job market because they demonstrate that the individual has acquired knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in the position. A certification shows potential employers that the individual has taken the initiative to enhance their skillset, which can make them stand out from other candidates. Additionally, certifications may provide access to more advanced roles and higher salaries as employers recognize the professional credentials of those who have obtained them. Certifications also provide an opportunity for brand managers to stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices, which can help them better understand their target customers and develop effective strategies for promoting products or services.

This article reviews some of the top certifications for Brand Managers and explains how they can contribute to a brand manager's career growth and success.

What are Brand Manager Certifications?

Brand manager certification is a type of training program designed to help professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to become successful brand managers. The certification program covers topics such as brand strategy, marketing communications, consumer insights, product positioning and market research. It also provides an overview of how to effectively manage a brand in order to drive sales and maximize profits. By completing this type of certification program, individuals can gain invaluable insight into how branding works and learn the strategies used by successful brands to create strong customer loyalty and recognition.

Having a brand manager certification can be beneficial for both employers and employees alike. For employers, it demonstrates that the individual has a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to successfully manage a brand, which helps them make informed decisions when selecting candidates for open positions or developing new products or services. For employees, having this type of certification shows that they are knowledgeable in the field of branding and have the necessary skillset needed to excel in their role. Furthermore, having a brand manager certification indicates that the individual is dedicated to their profession and is willing to go above and beyond in order to achieve success for their employer's business.

Pro Tip: When considering a brand manager certification program, look for one that is accredited and offers a comprehensive curriculum. This will ensure that you are getting the most up-to-date knowledge in the field and can help you stand out as an expert in your industry.

Related: What does a Brand Manager do?

Top 11 Brand Manager Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Brand Managers today.

1. Certified Brand Manager (CBM)

Certified Brand Manager (CBM) is a professional certification that provides individuals with the skills and knowledge to effectively manage a brand. The program is designed to give professionals the tools they need to create, develop, and maintain successful brands. It teaches them how to identify target markets, create effective messaging, and build strong relationships with customers.

The CBM certification requires candidates to complete an online course in brand management, which typically takes 8-10 weeks to complete. After completing the coursework, candidates must pass an exam administered by the Brand Management Institute (BMI). Upon passing the exam, candidates receive their CBM certification.

The cost of the CBM certification varies depending on the provider and can range from $500-$2,000. The cost typically includes access to online course material as well as study guides and practice tests for the exam. Additionally, some providers offer discounts for groups or organizations that are enrolling multiple people in the program.

2. Certified Professional Brand Manager (CPBM)

Certified Professional Brand Manager (CPBM) is a professional certification program offered by the International Association of Brand Managers (IABM). It is designed to provide brand managers with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively manage a brand in today’s competitive marketplace. The CPBM certification requires successful completion of an online course, which consists of four modules: Introduction to Brand Management, Strategic Brand Planning, Marketing Communications, and Measurement & Evaluation.

The course takes approximately eight weeks to complete and can be completed at your own pace. The cost for the course is $795 USD. Upon successful completion of the course and passing the final exam, you will receive a certificate that recognizes your achievement as a Certified Professional Brand Manager.

3. Certified Digital Brand Manager (CDBM)

A Certified Digital Brand Manager (CDBM) is a professional certification that demonstrates expertise in digital marketing and brand management. The certification is awarded by the Digital Brand Management Institute (DBMI), an international organization that provides training and certifications for digital brand professionals.

The CDBM program consists of three courses: Digital Brand Strategy, Digital Brand Execution, and Digital Brand Measurement & Optimization. Each course requires approximately 40 hours of study time, including online lectures, reading material, and quizzes. Upon completion of all three courses and passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, the candidate will receive their CDBM certification.

The cost to become certified as a CDBM varies depending on the chosen payment option. The full price for the program is $1,999 USD; however, DBMI offers discounts for early registration and payment plans.

To get started on your path to becoming a Certified Digital Brand Manager, you must first register with DBMI online at www.dbmi-certified.com/register/. Once registered, you can begin your studies immediately or wait until the next available cohort begins.

4. Certified Global Brand Manager (CGBM)

Certified Global Brand Manager (CGBM) is a professional certification program designed to enhance the knowledge, skills, and competencies of brand managers in the global marketplace. The CGBM certification is offered by the American Marketing Association (AMA). It is an internationally recognized credential for those who have achieved mastery in brand management.

The CGBM program consists of five courses that cover topics such as global marketing strategy, market research, branding, digital marketing, and more. Each course can be completed online or through an in-person workshop. The entire program takes approximately six months to complete and requires a minimum of 120 hours of study time.

To get certified as a CGBM, you must first meet certain eligibility requirements such as having at least two years of experience in brand management or related fields and passing an exam with a score of 70% or higher. Once you have met these requirements, you can register for the CGBM program through the AMA website and pay the associated fees. The fees vary depending on whether you choose to take the courses online or in person but generally range from $1,200-$2,000 USD.

Once you have successfully completed all five courses and passed the exam with a score of 70% or higher, you will receive your Certified Global Brand Manager certificate from the AMA. This certificate is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years to remain active.

5. Certified Social Media Brand Manager (CSMBM)

Certified Social Media Brand Manager (CSMBM) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills to create, manage, and measure successful social media campaigns. This certification is designed to help marketers understand how to effectively use social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube and others for brand building, customer engagement and lead generation.

The CSMBM program consists of three levels: Foundation Level, Advanced Level and Expert Level. The Foundation Level covers basic concepts such as understanding the fundamentals of social media marketing, creating an effective social media strategy and measuring success. The Advanced Level focuses on more advanced topics such as content marketing strategies, leveraging influencers and developing a comprehensive social media campaign plan. Finally, the Expert Level dives into more in-depth topics such as using data analytics to optimize campaigns and creating a unified customer experience across multiple channels.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the CSMBM program depending on your level of commitment. To get started you must first take an online assessment that will determine which level you should start at. After completing the assessment you can then register for the appropriate course or courses depending on your needs.

The cost of the CSMBM program varies depending on which level you choose to pursue but typically ranges from $500-$1,000 USD per course or module.

6. Certified Content Marketing Brand Manager (CCMBM)

Certified Content Marketing Brand Manager (CCMBM) is a professional certification program designed to help content marketing professionals develop the skills and knowledge needed to become successful brand managers. This certification program is offered by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI), which is an international association dedicated to helping content marketers succeed in their field.

The CCMBM certification program consists of three courses that cover topics such as content strategy, content creation, and brand management. The courses are self-paced and can be completed within four weeks. In order to obtain the CCMBM certification, you must complete all three courses and pass a final exam with a score of 80% or higher.

In order to get the CCMBM certification, you must first register for the course on CMI's website. After registering, you will receive access to the course materials which include videos, ebooks, webinars, quizzes, and more. You will also be able to communicate with other students in the course through discussion forums. Once you have completed all three courses and passed the final exam, you will receive your certificate in digital form via email.

The cost of obtaining the CCMBM certification varies depending on whether or not you are a CMI member. For non-members, it costs $499 USD while members pay only $399 USD.

7. Certified Advertising and Promotion Brand Manager (CAPBM)

Certified Advertising and Promotion Brand Manager (CAPBM) is a professional certification program designed to help professionals in the advertising, marketing and promotion industry to gain an understanding of the principles and practices of effective brand management. The CAPBM program is administered by the American Marketing Association (AMA).

The CAPBM program consists of two courses: Principles of Brand Management and Advanced Brand Management. The Principles of Brand Management course covers topics such as brand strategy, positioning, messaging, customer segmentation, market research, creative development, media planning and buying, budgeting and measurement. The Advanced Brand Management course focuses on more advanced topics such as integrated marketing communications, digital marketing, global brand management and crisis management.

The CAPBM program typically takes about six months to complete. To get the certification you must pass both courses with a score of 80% or higher. There is also a final exam that must be passed with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive the certification.

The cost for the CAPBM program varies depending on your location but typically ranges from $2,500-$3,000 USD for both courses plus any additional fees associated with taking the final exam.

8. Certified Strategic Brand Management Professional (CSBMP)

Certified Strategic Brand Management Professional (CSBMP) is a certification program that is designed to help professionals develop the skills necessary to effectively manage and create brand strategies. The program focuses on developing a comprehensive understanding of the principles of brand management, including market research, consumer behavior, competitive analysis, and communication strategies.

The CSBMP program consists of four courses: Introduction to Brand Management, Strategic Brand Analysis, Advanced Brand Strategies, and Global Brand Management. Each course is offered in both online and classroom formats. The total length of the program is approximately 40 hours.

To get the CSBMP certification, you must complete all four courses within two years from the date of enrollment. You must also pass an exam at the end of each course with a score of 80% or higher in order to receive your certificate.

The cost for the CSBMP program varies depending on whether you choose to take it online or in-person. Online courses typically cost around $1,500 while in-person courses can range from $2,000-$3,000 per course.

9. Certified Product Innovation and Development Brand Manager (CPIDBM)

Certified Product Innovation and Development Brand Manager (CPIDBM) is a certification program designed to help professionals in the product innovation, development, and brand management fields excel in their careers. This certification program is offered by the International Institute of Product Management and Marketing (IIPMM). It is designed to provide professionals with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to become successful in their roles.

The CPIDBM certification program consists of four modules: Product Innovation & Development, Brand Management & Strategy, Digital Marketing & Analytics, and Business Leadership. Each module includes lectures, case studies, interactive activities, and assessments. The entire program takes approximately three months to complete.

In order to become certified as a CPIDBM professional you must pass all four modules of the program with a score of 80% or higher. Upon successful completion of the program you will receive an official certificate from IIPMM that validates your expertise in product innovation and development brand management.

The cost for the CPIDBM certification program varies depending on which payment plan you choose. The standard payment plan costs $2199 USD for the entire course while there are also installment plans available that range from $599-$999 USD per month depending on how many months you choose to pay off the course over.

10. Certified International Brand Management Professional (CIBMP)

Certified International Brand Management Professional (CIBMP) is a professional accreditation program offered by the International Brand Management Institute (IBMI). The CIBMP certification provides an in-depth knowledge of brand management and international marketing, as well as the ability to effectively manage global brands.

It typically takes about six months to complete the CIBMP program. The program consists of online courses and exams, which can be completed at your own pace. The cost for the program is $2,395 USD.

To get certified, you must complete all of the required courses and pass the final exam with a score of 80% or higher. Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive a certificate from IBMI that confirms your status as a Certified International Brand Management Professional (CIBMP).

11. Certified Creative Design and Visualization Brand Manager (CCDVBM).

Certified Creative Design and Visualization Brand Manager (CCDVBM) is a professional certification program designed to help professionals in the creative design and visualization industry enhance their skills and knowledge. The certification is awarded by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA).

The CCDVBM program consists of four courses that cover topics such as brand strategy, visual communication, digital media, and project management. It takes approximately six months to complete all four courses, depending on how quickly you can work through the material.

To get certified, you must pass an exam after completing each course. The exam fee for each course is $150 USD. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $100 USD when you first apply for the program.

In total, it will cost around $700 USD to become a Certified Creative Design and Visualization Brand Manager.

Do You Really Need a Brand Manager Certificate?

No, you do not need a Brand Manager Certificate to become a brand manager. While having a certificate may provide some credibility and demonstrate a commitment to the profession, it is not necessary in order for someone to be successful in the role.

Brand managers are responsible for developing, promoting, and maintaining their company's brand identity. This requires knowledge of marketing and branding principles as well as excellent communication skills. Many employers value practical experience over formal education, so those without a certificate may still have the opportunity to work in this field.

In addition to gaining experience and developing skills on-the-job, there are many other ways to learn about brand management without obtaining a formal certification. Attending industry conferences or networking events can provide valuable insight into current trends and best practices. Joining professional organizations or taking online courses can also help expand your knowledge base and prepare you for the role of brand manager.

Ultimately, while having a Brand Manager Certificate could be beneficial, it is not necessary to become successful in this field. With dedication and hard work, anyone can acquire the skills needed to excel as a brand manager without obtaining an official certification.

Related: Brand Manager Resume Examples

FAQs About Brand Manager Certifications

1. What are the benefits of a Brand Manager Certification?

Answer: A Brand Manager Certification provides an in-depth understanding of the fundamentals of brand management, including how to develop and implement effective strategies for branding, positioning, marketing, and communications. It also helps professionals gain a comprehensive overview of the industry and its trends, as well as how to create meaningful customer experiences with their brands.

2. What qualifications do I need to become a certified Brand Manager?

Answer: To become a certified Brand Manager, you must have at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college in business administration or marketing. Additionally, some certifications may require additional experience or qualifications depending on the type of certification chosen.

3. How long does it take to complete a Brand Manager Certification program?

Answer: The length of time it takes to complete a Brand Manager Certification program will vary depending on the type of program chosen and other factors such as prior experience and educational background. Generally speaking, most programs can be completed within 6-12 months if studied full-time.

4. What is covered in a typical Brand Manager Certification program?

Answer: Typical topics covered in a Brand Manager Certification program include brand strategy development, brand positioning and messaging, customer segmentation and targeting strategies, media planning and execution tactics, market research techniques, digital marketing tactics, analytics & metrics interpretation, project management skills and more.

5. How much does it cost to get certified as a Brand Manager?

Answer: The cost of getting certified as a Brand Manager will depend on the type of certification chosen as well as any additional fees associated with exams or other requirements for completion. Generally speaking however, most certifications range between $1,000 - $2,500 USD for online programs or up to $10k+ for in-person training courses/programs