Research 2026

Latgale brand communications audit 2026

The first systematic assessment of Latgale brand communication. 100 brands, assessment by five industry experts and a survey of Latgale residents.

28.10.

Presentation and announcement of the research results on October 28, 2026 at Preiļi Castle.

The research is being implemented by SISTERING SIA in collaboration with researchers from the Rēzekne Academy of RTU and the Latgale Planning Region.

100 points, 100 brandsEach dot represents one rated brand in alphabetical order. Hover over or tap a dot to see the name.

  • 100valued brands
  • 7industries
  • 5experts
  • 5evaluation dimensions
  • 503Latgale residents surveyed
About the study

Why this study?

There are many companies in Latgale with good products and services that are less visible than they deserve. One reason may be brand communication: irregular, ill-considered, or non-existent.

Until now, this could only be speculated about, as there was no data on Latgale brand communication. This study summarizes it for the first time: 100 brands, unified criteria, expert assessment and residents' views.

Research objective

To assess the extent to which Latgale companies use their marketing communication potential, and to highlight the importance of branding in the region's business.

  • For companies

    A clear view of the strengths and challenges of your brand's communication.

  • For the region

    Data for media, policymakers and business support organizations.

  • For practice

    Examples of good practices and expert advice that can be used in everyday work.

Research Audit

Expert assessment and population survey on the communication of 100 Latgale brands.

Result Rating

Public results of the study to be announced on October 28, 2026.

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100 Latgale brands

The brands were selected by the research team, researchers from SISTERING and RTU Rezekne Academy, in collaboration with the Latgale Planning Region.

The sample represents all seven Latgale regions and both capitals, companies of various sizes, and consumer and business brands.

Inclusion criteria

  • Regional affiliationThe company is registered or operates in Latgale.
  • Active communicationAt least one communication channel with content published within the last year.
  • Identifiable brandA recognizable name, logo or visual identity.
  • Duration of operationAt least two years or sufficient communication history for assessment.
  • Regional significanceThe brand represents an important area of Latgale's economy, culture, or social life.

Rated brands

The list is in alphabetical order and does not reflect a ranking.

  • Abrene's rooms
  • Adug
  • Beer brewery Murza
  • Andrupene farmstead
  • Apple Manor
  • Arendole Manor
  • JSC Latvian Baker
  • Recreation Ludza
  • Ausmeni kebab
  • Axon Cable
  • Ārdava Manor
  • Bencha Muude
  • Holiday cottage surrounded by forest
  • Burgeria
  • Sugary
  • Daugavpils Fortress
  • Daugavpils Olympic Center
  • Daugavpils Theater
  • Daugulis & Partners
  • Dviete's real country ice cream
  • Depths
  • Element Fitness
  • Lake
  • Von Bubert
  • Gastrobar Vesma
  • Kitchen goods
  • GORGEOUS
  • Grix
  • Hi! Dog chews
  • IGGIE
  • Intergas
  • Yasha pots
  • Yorick
  • JuRita Mini Zoo
  • Junipers
  • Karina Home
  • K-Art
  • Kārsava Cultural History Center "Līču mājas"„
  • Kotiny
  • Kraslava Craft Center
  • Kureti cafe
  • Kuup Coffee
  • Lime springs
  • Museum of Happiness in Indra
  • Latgale Museum of Cultural History
  • Latgale Milk
  • Latgolys Shmakovka
  • LECON
  • Lielborne Manor
  • Lightguide
  • Livani Garlic
  • Līvāni Glass Center
  • Ludza Bakery
  • Luznava Manor
  • Wild tomatoes
  • Million star hotel
  • A miniature kingdom
  • Mora
  • Nester Custom
  • OC Rezekne
  • One:Zero
  • Organic products
  • Park Hotel Latgale
  • Get lost in Latgale
  • Piece of Touch
  • Peterkoln
  • Preili Castle
  • Pulsar Optics
  • Rainis' house in Berķenele
  • Rancho Ozolmājas
  • RASA Botanicals
  • Advertising factory
  • Regulation Baltics
  • Rekova mill
  • Rezekne Brewery
  • RGC
  • Rothko Art Center
  • Sauna LAB
  • Serumnija Dvivie
  • SIA Lūsēni
  • SIA Safīra L
  • Silene Resort & SPA
  • SMD Baltic
  • Somerset
  • Svente Manor
  • Svente Rasa
  • Whistlers
  • Shmakovka Museum
  • Terrace Egle
  • Rain berries
  • Velga Code
  • VETERINARY
  • Villa Fortune
  • Vilaka Museum
  • WeKnow
  • Horse farm Klajumi
  • Silk
  • Ziharee
  • ZS Moles
  • Z/S "Liepkalns"„

Showing 100 out of 100 brands

Methodology

Research methodology

Hybrid mixed methodology study with two data layers.

Expert assessment measures communication activities that create brand equity (brand equity). The population survey measures the result, namely brand awareness. A comparison of the two layers shows whether quality communication translates into awareness.

Quality layer

Expert opinion

  • 5 experts evaluate 100 brands
  • 5 dimensions, scale 1–5 with described rating levels
  • Each expert evaluates individually, without seeing the evaluations of others
  • The assessment takes into account the brand's target audience and resources
  • The results published are aggregated, not individual expert assessments.

MayorWhat does a brand do to build its value?

Quantitative layer

Population survey

  • Research conducted by Berg Research
  • Online survey, 503 Latgale residents aged 18 to 65
  • Spontaneous and supported brand awareness in seven industries

MayorWhat does society notice?

Synthesis

Data comparison

  • Comparison of expert assessment and recognition
  • Trends in industries

DebtRelationships between communication activities and outcomes

Five dimensions of evaluation

Each dimension has its own weight in the overall score. Select a dimension to see the scoring criteria.

The width of the band corresponds to the weight of the dimension in the overall score.

D1

Communication activity and channel usage

How purposefully and regularly does the company communicate?

Weight in the overall standings25 %

Theoretical basisAaker (1991); Baumgarth et al. (2016)

Rating levels, scale 1–5

  1. 1Communication is non-existent. There are no active channels or the content is outdated (more than 12 months).
  2. 2Episodic presence. Channels exist, but publications are rare and unsystematic.
  3. 3Regular but unstructured. Content is published without a strategy.
  4. 4Targeted communication across multiple channels with logic, but with flaws.
  5. 5Strategic multi-channel communication with clear content and regularity.
Total score = D1 × 0.25 + D2 × 0.15 + D3 × 0.10 + D4 × 0.20 + D5 × 0.30 The value of each dimension is the average of five expert ratings. The rating is based on the brand's weighted overall score.
Theoretical basis and scope

The study is based on the theory of brand equity. Brand equity is formed by consumer perception, so experts assess its prerequisites: communication activities that create recognition, associations, perceived quality, and loyalty.

The expert rating reflects professional consensus on brand communication, not consumer opinion. The public survey complements the expert rating and is not the basis for the rating.

Scientific support for the study is provided by researchers from the Rēzekne Academy of RTU.

  • Keller (1993, 2001): Consumer Brand Equity (CBBE) Model
  • Aaker (1991, 1996): Brand equity dimensions and their measurement
  • Baumgarth, Kaluza, Lohrisch (2016): brand audit method and expert evaluation procedure
  • Schultz, Tannenbaum, Lauterborn (1993): integrated marketing communication
  • Kladou, Kehagias (2014): cultural and place brand equity
Experts

Expert Panel

Five media, communication, marketing and business experts with roots in Latgale. Each represents a different analytical perspective.

  • Edeite Laime

    Edeite Laime

    Communications specialist, project manager of the Latgalian cultural movement "Volūda"

    Evaluates the communication structure, clarity of messages, and the brand's ability to consistently communicate with target audiences.

  • Raymond Platacis

    Raymond Platacis

    Marketing expert

    Evaluates brand positioning, identity clarity, and communication quality from a marketing perspective.

  • Ginta Salmane

    Ginta Salmane

    Media and TV content expert, head of TV3 Group Latvia

    Evaluates the brand's visibility in the public space, the quality of the content, and its ability to attract the audience's attention.

  • Gunta Trokša

    Gunta Trokša

    Media agency Initiative Latvija, client service director, media strategist

    Evaluates brand visibility in public space, quality of media communication, and reputation building.

  • Regita Zeila

    Regita Zeila

    Business Environment Expert

    Evaluates brand communication in a business context and its development potential in the region.

Event

From methodology to rating

  1. 2025Methodology development
  2. May 2026Brand selection and evaluation tool
  3. June–JulyExpert opinion
  4. AugustPopulation survey
  5. September–OctoberData analysis
  6. 28.10.2026.Presentation of results at Preili Castle
  7. 29.10.2026.Results are publicly available at www.sistering.lv

How will the results be published?

  • 28.10.Presentation of results and awarding of rating winners at Preiļi Castle.
  • RatingThe ranking will include all 100 rated brands. The six highest rated brands will receive the recognition of the rating laureate.
  • 29.10.The results and the study report will be freely available on this page.
Presentation of results

The role of branding in regional business

Educational seminar for regional entrepreneurs and business support specialists. Research results, expert discussion and practical recommendations.

  • DateOctober 28, 2026
  • Time11:00–14:00, registration from 10:30
  • PlacePreili Castle
  • MembershipBy invitation, free of charge
  • OrganizedSISTERING SIA in cooperation with the Latgale Planning Region

The registration link has been sent in the invitation email. If you have not received the invitation but would like to participate, please write to [email protected].

Program

  1. Registration and morning coffee

  2. Discovery: Branding as a Regional Business Resource

    Andris Kucins, Latgale Planning Region

  3. How Latgale companies communicate: what the data shows

    Presentation of the research results. Katrīna Bartkeviča and Marta Vorkale (SISTERING), Sandra Sprudzāne, Daina Znotiņa and Iveta Dembovska (RTU Rezekne Academy)

  4. Why a good product is not enough? The role of a brand in the growth of a regional company

    Expert panel discussion. Edeite Laime, Sandra Sprudzāne (RTU Rezekne Academy), Gunta Trokša. Moderated by Katrīna Bartkeviča

  5. Coffee break and informal conversations

  6. Practical block: get inspired

    • County sign on a product: does it help sell? Panel discussion with representatives of local governments and regional entrepreneurs. Moderated by Marta Vorkale
    • Gunta Trokša. A good product is half the battle, or 3 marketing mistakes to avoid
    • Edeite Laime. Mistakes that cost visibility: the most common shortcomings in media communication
    • Ilze Rozenberga, Chairwoman of the Board of Berg Research. Feel the power of your brand
  7. Latgale brand recognition: companies that invest in their recognition

    Awarding the six most highly regarded brands

  8. Conclusion, photoshoot and conversations

The program may be revised.

Team and partners

What constitutes research?

  • Initiator

    SISTERING

    Marketing and communication study in Latgale. Research idea, process, publication of results and presentation event of results in Preiļi Castle.

    Katrina Bartkevica
    Marta Vorkale

  • Scientific support

    RTU Rezekne Academy

    Methodological supervision and scientific justification of the study.

    Sandra Sprudzane
    Daina Znotina
    Iveta Dembovska

  • Cooperation partner

    Latgale planning region

    Brand selection and support for the results presentation event at Preiļi Castle.

  • Population survey

    Berg Research

    Research agency that conducted a survey of Latgale residents on brand awareness.

Contacts

Results from October 29

For questions about the study, event participation, and media inquiries.

Katrina Bartkevica SISTERING SIA [email protected] +371 27822292