If your goal is simply to change the text, or hardcode a link without the need for any code behind, you could do it even easier with PowerShell.
Power Shell Script:
Changing the SharePoint text to something else using PowerShell
Before:
After:
Power Shell Script:
$webApp = Get-SPWebApplication http://urlofsite:2016
$webApp.SuiteBarBrandingElementHtml = "Text Goes Here"
$webApp.Update()
$w
Thanks we will share some more findings and articles on SharePoint 2013 branding. till then cheers.