Brand is key

[Bushwhacker]

Does "brand is key" sound good English (meaning brand is essential) in the following paragraph?

A company, a collective, or a group have to throughout appear with a unique image and spirit. In that respect, brand is key.

Any other suggestion quite well received.

Thank You

 

[Grumpy]

Does "brand is key" sound good English (meaning brand is essential) in the following paragraph?

A company, a collective, or a group have to appear throughout [or, "at all times"]with a unique image and spirit. In that respect, brand is key.

Any other suggestion quite well received.

Thank You

"Brand is key" sounds fine.
Note my corrections above. You might also consider replacing "appear" with "present themselves".