I'm a Brand Manager - Ice Breaker Game
π― Quick Summary
Teams invent imaginary businesses, create logos and slogans, then pitch their brand strategies for a vote.
β Why This Ice Breaker Game Works
- β’This ice breaker has been used by 533 teams worldwide
- β’Rated 4.3/5.0 by 157 facilitators who used this icebreaker game
- β’Perfect ice breaker for: Creative, Team Building, Fun
π How to Play I'm a Brand Manager Ice Breaker (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Business Concept & Team Formation
5 min㪠Say This:
"Imagine you're all brand managers at a creative agency. Today, you're pitching a brand-new business - one that doesn't exist yet! Your job is to invent this business and create its entire brand identity: logo, slogan, color palette, the works. Let's form teams of 3-4 people. Once you're in teams, brainstorm: What's your imaginary business? Who's the customer? What makes it special?"
π What to Do:
- 1.Divide participants into teams of 3-4 people
- 2.Explain the challenge: invent a business and create its brand identity
- 3.Clarify deliverables: business concept, logo, slogan, color palette (3-4 colors)
- 4.Give examples to spark ideas: 'Cloud Shoes that make you float', 'Pet Translation App', 'Time Travel Agency'
- 5.Emphasize: it can be realistic or absurd - creativity is the goal!
- 6.Distribute materials: paper, markers, pens (or share digital tool links for virtual teams)
- 7.Set a timer: 15-20 minutes for creation phase
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’Encourage wild ideas: 'The more imaginative, the better!'
- β’If teams are stuck, give prompts: 'What problem does your business solve?' 'What's the emotional hook?'
- β’Remind them: rough sketches are fine - this isn't a design competition (unless you want it to be!)
- β’For non-designers, suggest simple logo shapes: initials, symbols, mascots
- β’Virtual teams: use Canva's free templates or collaborative whiteboards
- β’Watch for dominant personalities - encourage everyone to contribute
Step 2: Brand Creation Time
20 min㪠Say This:
"You have 15 minutes to create your brand identity! Remember: you need a business concept, logo, slogan, and color palette. Think like real brand managers - what will make your brand memorable? What emotions do you want customers to feel? Go!"
π What to Do:
- 1.Teams brainstorm and sketch their brand elements
- 2.Circulate to each team, offering encouragement and gentle guidance
- 3.Give time warnings: '10 minutes left!' '5 minutes!' '1 minute to finalize!'
- 4.Encourage teams to practice their pitch: 'How will you present this to the group?'
- 5.Remind them to think about: target audience, brand personality, key message
- 6.As teams finish early, have them refine their pitch or add details
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’The process reveals a LOT: Who takes creative lead? Who's detail-oriented? Who thinks about the customer?
- β’If a team struggles with the logo, suggest: 'Just write your business name in a cool font and add one icon'
- β’Slogans are key - encourage wordplay, rhymes, or emotional hooks ('Nike: Just Do It', 'Apple: Think Different')
- β’Color psychology matters: blue = trust, red = energy, green = nature, etc. - share this if teams ask
- β’Watch for teams that go too complex - simple brands are often most memorable
- β’For competitive groups, hint that the best brands have clear, focused messages
Step 3: Pitch & Vote
15 min㪠Say This:
"Pitch time! Each team gets 2 minutes to present their brand. Show us your logo, share your slogan, explain your color choices, and tell us why customers will love this brand. After all pitches, we'll vote on the best marketing strategy. Team 1, you're up!"
π What to Do:
- 1.Each team presents their brand to the group (2 minutes each)
- 2.Teams should show their logo, state their slogan, and explain their concept
- 3.Encourage showmanship: 'Sell it like a real pitch! Make us believe!'
- 4.After all pitches, open the floor for questions (1-2 questions per team)
- 5.Voting time: each person votes for their favorite brand (can't vote for own team)
- 6.Use raised hands, stickers on each team's poster, or a digital poll
- 7.Tally votes and announce the winning brand!
- 8.Optional: award silly categories too - 'Most Absurd', 'Best Logo', 'Funniest Slogan'
π‘ Pro Tips:
- β’The pitches are the best part - energy will be high!
- β’Encourage applause after each presentation to keep energy positive
- β’Watch for: storytelling skills, passion, teamwork dynamics in the pitch
- β’If a team is shy, prompt them: 'What problem does your business solve?'
- β’Point out clever details: 'I love how your color palette matches your brand personality!'
- β’The vote reveals what the group values: humor? practicality? design? messaging?
- β’Take photos of all logos for a post-activity gallery or office display
β οΈ Common Questions (Avoid Problems)
Q: What if our team has no designers or creative people?
A: Perfect! That's the point - everyone can think creatively, even without design skills. Emphasize: 'This isn't a design contest - it's about ideas and storytelling.' Simple stick-figure logos or text-based designs can be just as effective if the concept and slogan are strong. The activity often reveals hidden creativity in people who don't consider themselves 'creative types.'
Q: Can we make the imaginary business realistic, or does it have to be silly?
A: Both work! Some teams will create plausible startups ('Eco-Friendly Meal Kits'), others will go absurd ('Cloud Shoes That Make You Float'). Allow both styles - the variety makes the pitches more interesting. If your group skews too serious or too silly, you can set a theme: 'All brands must solve a real problem' or 'All brands must be impossible/magical.'
Q: What if voting creates hurt feelings or awkwardness?
A: Frame voting as 'best marketing strategy' rather than 'best team.' Emphasize: 'We're voting on the brand concept, not the people.' Consider awarding multiple categories so everyone wins something: 'Most Creative', 'Best Slogan', 'Most Likely to Succeed', 'Funniest'. You can also skip voting and just celebrate all the brands equally, focusing on the creative process over competition.
π Free Tools for This Game
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Everything above is free. These tools just save you time preparing.
PDF Handout
Print-ready participant guide + host notes
β Professional layout
β Branded (optional)
β Instant download
PPT Deck
Editable slides with rules & examples
β Fully customizable
β Add your branding
β Save as template
Smart Timer
Auto-paced with sound alerts
β Step-by-step timing
β Visual countdown
β Share screen ready
Adapt this game to your team culture, industry, or goals
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