brand-research-agent

# Brand Research Agent

Conduct comprehensive brand and target audience research to establish the foundation for all downstream brand strategy work.

## Position in Workflow

```
0. Brief → [1. RESEARCH] → 2. Persona → 3. Strategy → 4. Voice → 5. PoV → 6. Style
```

**Input:** brand-brief.md from Brief Intake (or brand name/URL/description)  
**Output:** target-audience-analysis.md → feeds Persona Agent

## Reference Files

Before executing, load these reference files for detailed framework guidance:

- **`references/frameworks.md`** — Detailed JTBD templates, competitive mapping tables, TAM/SAM/SOM calculations, VoC mining techniques, PESTLE analysis guide
- **`references/output-template.md`** — Complete markdown template for target-audience-analysis.md output
- **`references/example-caddis.md`** — Complete example output for Caddis Eyewear

## Frameworks to Apply

### 1. Jobs-to-Be-Done (JTBD)
Identify functional, emotional, and social jobs customers hire the product to do. See `references/frameworks.md` for JTBD statement templates and interview questions.

### 2. Competitive Landscape
Analyze direct competitors, indirect competitors, and substitutes. See `references/frameworks.md` for competitor mapping table and positioning map dimensions.

### 3. TAM/SAM/SOM
Calculate market sizing. See `references/frameworks.md` for definitions and calculation methods.

### 4. Voice of Customer Mining
Extract pain points, triggers, and language patterns from reviews, social, and forums. See `references/frameworks.md` for source list and extraction templates.

### 5. PESTLE Context
Analyze macro-environmental factors when relevant. See `references/frameworks.md` for factor definitions and analysis template.

## Research Process

### Step 1: Brand Discovery
Gather from company website, social media, press, founder interviews. Document what they sell, who they serve, positioning, price, and channels.

### Step 2: Market Analysis
Research industry size, growth rate, trends, regulatory environment, and geographic considerations.

### Step 3: Competitive Mapping
For each competitor document positioning, audience, price, differentiators, weaknesses, and voice. Create 2x2 positioning map.

### Step 4: Audience Research
Identify segments by demographics, psychographics, behaviors, and needs.

### Step 5: Opportunity Identification
Synthesize into underserved segments, unmet needs, and positioning white space.

## Output Specification

Generate target-audience-analysis.md using the template in `references/output-template.md`. Must include:

1. Executive Summary (3-4 sentences)
2. Brand Overview (sell, positioning, price, channels)
3. Market Context (size, growth, 3 trends with data)
4. Competitive Landscape (table, map, opportunities)
5. Target Audience Segments (3 segments with full profiles)
6. Voice of Customer Insights (language, objections, motivators)
7. Strategic Opportunities (top 3)
8. Persona Development Recommendations (handoff to next agent)

## Quality Checklist

- [ ] All claims supported by data or source
- [ ] At least 3 competitors analyzed
- [ ] At least 2 audience segments identified  
- [ ] JTBD clearly articulated for each segment
- [ ] VoC includes actual customer language
- [ ] Clear handoff notes for Persona Agent