What role logo designing plays in strengthening a brand's image?

I'd say, a logo that is attractive, defines the brand.
The rest is based on your creativity.
You must be familiar with the different types of logos, what strengthens the brands image is mainly in you choosing the right type of logo and incorporating a simple yet creative detail into it which will define the brand easily and will leave an imprint in the person who see it.
Makes sense?

Designing a brand logo is significant as the logo will help create the brand recognition among consumers through an effective use of promotional tools.
Designing a logo in its inception is of paramount importance as it should serves the purpose of not only imprinting brand image in consumers minds but also standing out the brand among competitors.

It's the main thing on the designing ..
It's what the company's says about its self.
So, do you want a clear and professional image ..
Play in your Logo.

a logo for a brand is very important as it gives a signature to the brands image. usuly a logo can speak alot about the brands product. it makes the brand stand out amoung the competators.

It helps in brand recall.

for sure Logo is the most important component in the Corporate Identity.
so we have two things Brand Identity and Brand Image.
brand image is that image from (people/consumer/client) perspective.
Brand Identity is from the company side so we should talk about the identity not only the logo, Identity should meet your character/personality in the business to reflect on your image.
logo is part of your corporate Identity, so to establish a strong Brand you have to answer '' what if your company was a person how would he/she look like ? we should know that there are a lot of companies without symbol and the logo is their name like SAMSUNG, but they Care about the Brand Image to save their positioning in the market

i agree with all the views shared above and thanks everyone for so vast and deep views.
Can we also say that logo for a company is like a name to a person??

LOGO is a visualization of the brand's unchanging idea.
A brand is an 'Idea'.
And a LOGO gives that idea an 'identity'.
So, logo plays a vital role in strengthening a brand's image.
Here are few examples:1.
The shape of3 stripes on the Adidas Logo represents mountain, pointing out towards the challenges that are seen ahead and goals that can be achieved.2.
The "hidden" arrow in FEDEX was intended to be a subliminal symbol for speed and precision.3.
The Amazon logo was created to represent the message that it sells everything from A to Z (the arrow connects the two letters)4.In Unilever logo each icon within the logo represents an aspect of its business.
For example, the shirt (below the heart) symbolizes "clothes" and represent fresh laundry and looking good.5.
"31" in Baskin-Robbins logo represents a flavor for every day of the month.