While brand image and corporate reputation are related, they are not the same. Brand image refers to the perception created through marketing, advertising, and branding efforts—essentially, how a company wants to be seen. Corporate reputation, on the other hand, reflects the actual opinions of stakeholders, shaped by direct experiences, media coverage, and word-of-mouth. Brand image can be built relatively quickly, but corporate reputation is developed over time through consistent actions and behavior. Effective corporate reputation management ensures that a company’s brand image aligns closely with its real-world reputation.