Group 1 - The core idea of the article is that brand equity is shifting from being controlled by companies to being co-created by users, highlighting the importance of user-generated content (UGC) in modern marketing strategies [4][30][32] - Traditional brand equity was built through a top-down approach, focusing on logos, slogans, and advertisements, while the new paradigm emphasizes user-led creation and interaction [8][10][12] - Companies like Alibaba and ByteDance have recognized this shift, promoting concepts like "consumer assets" and "community assets" to engage users in the brand-building process [4][8][30] Group 2 - User-generated content (UGC) enhances authenticity and credibility, as consumers trust peer recommendations over polished advertisements [10][11] - UGC fosters stronger engagement and loyalty, as users feel a sense of ownership and connection to the brand when they contribute creatively [12][13] - The ability of UGC to expand brand meanings and interpretations allows for a richer and more diverse brand narrative [14][15] Group 3 - UGC spreads rapidly and widely due to its decentralized nature, leading to viral marketing effects that traditional advertising struggles to achieve [18][21] - Successful UGC marketing can significantly reduce costs, as brands can leverage user creativity without extensive advertising budgets [21][30] - Brands must adapt to this new landscape by embracing user creativity, engaging in two-way communication, and allowing for organic content creation [22][29][30] Group 4 - Companies should cultivate a long-term dialogue with users, treating them as partners in the brand development process [29][30] - The role of brand managers is evolving to focus on community engagement and ecosystem maintenance rather than solely on advertising [31][32] - The measurement of brand equity is transitioning from static metrics to dynamic indicators of user participation and community resilience [32][33]