Brand management, like product management, is a typical marketing function.
A product manager is responsible for the marketing of one or more products, a rather broad function that can include all aspects of the marketing mix (product, place, price, promotion). Of course, B2C marketing for a phone is quite different from marketing for beer, and it's totally different from B2B marketing for an investment bank or software development.
A brand manager does marketing one level higher. He's responsible for the brand as such. A brand can have many different products but it has it's own identity, the way people feel and think about it. So, logically speaking, the career path to brand management is via product management, just like the career path to CEO is via head of a department. You have to prove yourself before being given the higher responsibility.
And, since smaller companies & startups (the subject of this forum) hardly can be called to have 'brands' I don't think you'll find much brand managers there.
To see what skills are needed a good way is to visit job and vacancy sites. They will tell what they are looking for, not only the formal education but also the required skills and competencies, for all kinds of business related jobs. it helps to have affinity with the product or the brand. If you hate fashion, you shouldn't be marketing clothes.
And on such sites you get a good idea about the number of vacancies in your preferred environment.
Once you decided on one or two university studies, check their sites for what they expect from you in terms of certificates, courses and knowledge for those studies. Or ask the study advisor at your current school. It's their job to help you prepare for later.
Best of luck with your studies.
Kees
Hi!I am a junior at the international school. I don't know for sure whom I want to become, but I want to study something that connected with business.
Recently I found about the brand management.
-Can somebody explain me more about this job?(what this job demand what skills )
-Is it demanded and if it is, in which direction it is the most demanded?(like in the clothes or furniture companies)
-If I study this, which subjects should I have to learn before going to the uni?
I will be very grateful if somebody could answer the question. Thank you a lot in advance

Chowhound
Comic Vine
GameFAQs
GameSpot
Giant Bomb
TechRepublic