Final answer:
John Valgretta's statement highlights the importance of branding ideas as a valuable business strategy, which has led to the use of symbols and logos for creating brand recognition and emotional connection with consumers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement 'By the 1990s, most management writers understand there is a high value in branding an idea' by John Valgretta means that branding ideas is a valuable strategy. Social marketing campaigns, such as those using flagship species for conservation, demonstrates how a simple, recognizable symbol can evoke an emotional response to motivate behavior change. Graphic designers create logos to convey a corporate identity, having become essential for businesses to establish brand recognition and trust. In turn, well-respected brand names that have been carefully built up over many years become highly valuable assets that can deter competition and foster consumer loyalty.