Good brands never stand still: They adapt to changing environments, retelling their story in ways that keep pace with the expectations of their market.
Swift's early country hits were rooted in boy-crazy romance, enabling her to connect with her tween and teen fans. But when that narrative turned negative (she's dumped, clingy, pathetic), Swift flipped the script and released the song (and video) "Blank Space" on her crossover-to-pop album "1989."
Swift shunned victim status, positioning herself as the dumper, not the dumpee—which allowed an aging fan base to reinterpret her brand. Swift embraced the negative and laughed at herself, and she was rewarded with a No. 1 hit.
Takeaway: Keep your ear to the ground as your company ages. If the narrative goes astray, reset and look for creative ways to shake it off (couldn't resist...).