Question

How closely should the brand and corporate image usually be related?

Answer 1

They should be extremely close, since corporate image is what people think of your brand :)

Answer 2

Brands and corporate images are closely related. Average consumers usually see them as the same implying that negative news on the brand would affect the corporate image and vice versa. High-rank executives must be very careful with both of them if they want to lead the business to success.