Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast JUST Branding

What if some of the most common advice in the design industry is complete bullshit?

"Good design speaks for itself."

"More concepts mean more value."

"Every designer needs to become a strategist."

"AI will replace graphic designers."

We've all heard these claims. But how many actually hold up in the real world?

In this episode of JUST Branding, Jacob Cass & Matt Davies are joined by Massimo Zefferino from The Angry Designer, the outspoken podcast host known for challenging industry norms and calling out the nonsense holding creatives back.

Drawing on Massimo's 25+ years of experience building a seven-figure design agency, and insights from the Brand Builders Summit, we put 10 popular design industry beliefs on trial.

Together, we challenge the assumptions shaping how designers think, work, charge, present, position themselves and build their careers.

We explore:

• Why good design doesn't always speak for itself
• Whether designers are paid for deliverables or decisions
• Why fitting into your category might make your brand invisible
• Whether presenting more design concepts actually delivers more value
• Why brand building doesn't end when the files are delivered
• The problem with telling every designer to become a strategist
• Whether followers, visibility and personal branding are necessary for business success
• Why collecting knowledge and frameworks isn't the same as developing expertise
• What AI is really changing about the value of graphic design
• Why having a strong point of view might be your greatest competitive advantage

For each belief, Massimo must decide whether it's true, whether it depends, or whether it's complete bullshit.

Expect strong opinions, practical lessons, uncomfortable questions and a few sacred cows getting slaughtered.

Whether you're a designer, brand strategist or creative business owner, this conversation will challenge what you've been taught and help you rethink where your real value lies.

Listen now and decide for yourself: Which design industry belief is the biggest load of bullshit?

Does purpose really sell?

TOMS helped prove that a business could connect commercial growth with positive impact. Its One for One model transformed a simple shoe purchase into a story millions of people wanted to join.

Former TOMS brand leader Justin Herber joins us to examine the argument from inside one of the world’s best known purpose led brands.

We explore how TOMS became a cultural movement, why its story resonated, what the company got right and wrong, and whether purpose can genuinely produce commercial growth.

What makes a customer experience memorable?

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

In this episode, Jacob Cass speaks with customer experience expert and author Si Elliott about the psychology behind how people experience, perceive and remember brands.

Drawing from his book, Customer Experience Thinking, Si explains how behavioural science can help brands create stronger customer relationships. They explore the role of expectations, emotion, identity, effort, personalisation and control, along with the small details that can shape an entire experience.

They also unpack some of the behavioural biases every brand strategist should understand, including loss aversion, framing, anchoring, social proof, the paradox of choice and the peak-end rule.

You’ll discover:

• Why a customer’s memory of an experience may matter more than the experience itself

• How first impressions influence everything that follows

• Why offering more choice can make an experience worse

• The difference between being personal and being personalised

• How emotion and identity shape brand preference

• Where AI can improve customer experience and where humans should lead

If you want to create brand experiences that feel more human, valuable and memorable, this conversation will change how you think about every customer interaction.

AI is no longer simply helping consumers make decisions. It is becoming an active participant in what they discover, trust and buy.

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

In this episode of JUST Branding, Jacob Cass and Matt Davies speak with Asha Parmar, founder of Élan Intelligence, about the changing relationship between brands, buyers and AI.

Asha explains how AI is compressing the traditional customer journey, influencing brand discovery and creating a new kind of AI enabled consumer. The conversation explores “machine equity”, the role of reviews and third party conversations, and why brands must now communicate clearly with both people and machines.

They also tackle a bigger question: if consumers increasingly outsource their research, decisions and even personal reflection to AI, how will that affect identity, values and brand loyalty?

You’ll learn:

• How AI is changing consumer behaviour and purchase decisions

• Why the traditional marketing funnel is being compressed

• What machine equity means for brand builders

• How brands can become more visible to AI systems

• Why transparency and genuine customer experience matter more than ever

• How to research AI behaviour within your category

The next buyer choosing your brand might not be human. Is your brand ready?

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This episode is sponsored by Superside, the world's leading AI-first creative partner for enterprises. Superside works as an extension of in-house creative teams on ad and social creative, video and presentation design. AI-first, not AI-only. More at https://superside.com.

Why do stories move people in ways that facts, features and clever messaging rarely can?

Learn more at justcreative.com/podcast

In this episode, Jacob Cass and Matt Davies speak with Park Howell, Emmy Award winning brand strategist, founder of The Business of Story and one of the world’s leading voices on business storytelling.

Park explains why story remains one of the most powerful tools in brand building, what separates a memorable narrative from an interesting one and how brands can shift from simply telling stories to becoming truly story driven.

The conversation explores Park’s StoryCycle framework, the commercial value of storytelling and why moving from pitching to proving can create a genuine competitive advantage.

They also examine storytelling in the age of AI, including where technology can amplify the creative process, where humans must continue to lead and what new opportunities AI creates for brand strategists.

If you want to build a brand people understand, remember and choose to become part of, this episode is for you.

In this episode, Jacob Cass & Matt Davies sit down with Ekaterina Solomeina, creative director, TEDx speaker, co-founder of Future London Academy, and host of Creative Capes, to explore how branding, design, and creative leadership are evolving.

As AI accelerates execution and businesses face more complex cultural, technological, and commercial challenges, the value of creativity is shifting. It is no longer enough for designers and brand leaders to simply make things look good. The real opportunity is to connect creativity to business value, strategic decisions, customer trust, innovation, culture, and growth.

If you want to become a more strategic, commercially valuable, and future ready creative leader, this conversation is packed with insight.

In this episode, Jacob Cass & Matt Davies sits down with Jonathan Stark, pricing expert, author of Hourly Billing Is Nuts, host of Ditching Hourly, and co-host of The Business of Authority, to unpack why trading time for money is such a poor fit for expert work.

Together, Jacob, Matt and Jonathan explore the difference between fixed fees and true value pricing, how to run better sales conversations, why pricing is deeply connected to positioning, and how authority changes the way clients buy.

They also discuss the psychology of charging more, why creatives often underprice their own judgment, and the practical first steps for ditching hourly without blowing up your business overnight.

If you are tired of selling hours, defending rates, or being compared against cheaper alternatives, this episode will help you rethink what you are really selling and how to build a business around expertise, not availability.

In this episode of JUST Branding, we’re joined by Ulli Appelbaum, globally respected brand strategist, founder of First The Trousers, and author of The Science of Brand Associations.

Ulli has spent years helping organisations understand how brands grow by shaping the associations people hold in memory. In this conversation, we unpack one of the most important and often misunderstood areas of branding: how associations are formed, strengthened, measured, and used to drive real business growth.

We explore why some brands own clear memory structures while others remain vague, how emotion and storytelling help build associations, and what marketers often get wrong about consistency, distinctiveness, and meaning.

If you want to build a brand that is easier to notice, easier to remember, and easier to choose, this episode will give you a practical look at the science behind brand growth.

In this episode, Jacob Cass and Matt Davies sit down with David C. Baker, author of The Business of Expertise and one of the leading voices on positioning, specialization, and advisory businesses.

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

Together, they explore what actually becomes valuable in a world where production is abundant.

We discuss:

• The difference between execution and expertise

• Why many creative firms still struggle to position themselves clearly

• What clients are really paying for at the highest level

• Why judgment, trust, and perspective matter more than ever

• How AI is reshaping pricing, specialization, and creative work

• What makes a firm truly irreplaceable

This conversation is for designers, strategists, consultants, and creative entrepreneurs who want to move beyond being seen as a pair of hands and become trusted experts.

In this episode, we sit down with brand strategist and verbal identity specialist Emily Penny to unpack the growing challenge of differentiation in an increasingly saturated market.

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

Emily is the creator of the Fully Saturated report and founder of a micro studio focused on positioning and voice. Together, we explore why so many agencies struggle to stand out, what strong positioning actually looks like today, and how agencies can build relevance in an AI-enabled world.

We discuss:

• Why agency positioning often falls flat

• The real meaning of “fully saturated”

• How verbal identity creates distinction

• The role of personality and point of view

• What agencies can offer that AI can’t

• How micro studios and modern agencies can stay valuable

Whether you’re a strategist, designer, consultant, or agency founder, this conversation will challenge how you think about differentiation, positioning, and the future of creative businesses.

Grab the report @ https://fully-saturated.com/

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Jacob Cass and Matt Davies speak with Amelia Sordell, founder and CEO of Klowt and one of the leading voices in founder-led marketing.

Learn more at justcreative.com/podcast

As audiences become more sceptical of faceless companies, founders and leaders are becoming one of the most powerful trust signals a brand can have. The company brand still matters, but increasingly, people want to hear from the people behind the business.

Amelia shares why founder branding has become a serious commercial lever, how it differs from company branding, and what CEOs often misunderstand about visibility, thought leadership, and influence.

We explore how founders can show up without overshadowing the business, how to align personal voice with company positioning, and why posting more does not automatically mean building authority.

You’ll also learn where to start if you are building from zero, what content habits actually move the needle, and how to think about ROI from founder branding.

A practical conversation for founders, marketers, strategists, designers, and brand builders who want to understand how personal visibility can drive trust, growth, and brand momentum.

In this episode, Jacob and Matt sit down with Alexander Lofthouse — Senior Designer at Nzime and a specialist in UX and digital experience. Lex and Jacob go back nearly a decade, and after watching her deliver a standout talk at NDC London, it was time to get her on the show.

They get into where brand strategy ends and UX begins (and whether that line even makes sense), what happens when brand and product teams are pulling in different directions, and why beautiful brands so often feel terrible to actually use.

Why do some designers build lasting careers while others fade out?

In this episode of JUST Branding, we sit down with James Martin, founder of Made by James, to unpack what really sustains creative success over time and what quietly destroys it.

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

While many designers are chasing visibility, speed, and short-term attention, James makes the case for something deeper: reputation, craft, taste, and care.

We explore why reputation is more valuable than hype, why craft still matters in a world of AI and instant design tools, and why taste remains one of the most overlooked advantages in creative work. 

James also shares why motivation is unreliable, why care is a far stronger driver of long-term creative growth, and how designers can think more clearly about their role in an industry being reshaped by automation and DIY branding tools.

This conversation is not just about design. It is about longevity. What makes people trust your work. What makes your work worth paying for. And what separates designers who build real careers from those who get lost chasing noise.

We also get into the hidden cost of DIY branding, when founders should do it themselves versus bring in a professional, and what becomes more valuable for creatives as AI lowers the barrier to entry.

If you are a designer, strategist, or founder trying to build something with depth, credibility, and staying power, this one is for you.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why many designers confuse visibility with credibility

• What actually builds a strong creative reputation

• Whether craft is being lost in the age of speed and automation

• Why taste is still a serious competitive advantage

• The difference between motivation and care

• The hidden cost of DIY branding

• What AI makes easier, and what it can never replace

A sharp, honest conversation about what still matters in creative work, and why the designers who last are rarely the ones chasing the fastest win.

In this episode of JUST Branding, Jacob Cass and Matt Davies sit down with Kevin Finn, founder of TheSumOf and author of Brand Principles, to unpack a provocative idea that challenges a core assumption in the branding industry.

Kevin argues that designers and agencies don’t build brands. Businesses do.

Brands are not logos, identities, or positioning statements. They are the result of consistent delivery, earned trust, and meaning that accumulates over time in the minds of customers.

In this conversation, we explore the difference between brand and branding, why many companies claim the title of brand far too early, and what role designers should actually play in the process.

B2B rebrands do not fail because of the logo.

They fail because the organisation was never aligned, the board never believed in it, and the rollout was treated like a campaign instead of infrastructure.

In this episode with Martin Zarian of Factory39, we unpack the uncomfortable realities of branding inside complex organisations.

If you work with complex B2B organisations or aspire to operate at board level, this conversation will sharpen how you think about brand as a financial asset, not a marketing layer.

No fluff. No shiny case studies. Just the operational truth of what it really takes to make B2B branding work.

We’re joined by Nikkia Adolphe, Chief Innovation Officer at BrandSavor, to unpack the role PR plays in turning brand strategy into something people actually see, trust, and believe.

With over 15 years leading communications and PR strategy for global brands like Amazon, Meta, and Ryder, Nikkia has worked at the sharp end of branding. Where positioning meets public perception. Where reputation is built or quietly eroded. And where strategy either earns attention or disappears.

We sit down with Debbie Millman, one of the most influential voices in design and brand thinking, to talk about what endures when trends fade and platforms shift.

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

Debbie is the host of Design Matters, the longest running podcast on design, launched in 2005. She is the co founder and chair of the Masters in Branding program at School of Visual Arts, and spent two decades at Sterling Brands leading work for global icons like Burger King and Tropicana. She is also the author of multiple books, including Why Design Matters and Brand Thinking.

We go beyond surface level branding to unpack why personal branding can quietly trap creatives, how to define real brand DNA without freezing your identity, and how meaning is built honestly rather than manufactured theatrically.

We also explore why big redesigns so often fail, how to separate non negotiable DNA from executional style, and the fastest way to create meaning without faking it.

Along the way, Debbie shares what hundreds of interviews have taught her about creative careers, patience, and long term reputation.

This conversation is for designers, strategists, founders, and creators who want their work to compound with integrity rather than perform for attention.

And yes, we also touch on symbols, objects, and why the most powerful brands behave more like living systems than campaigns.

We’re closing out 2025 with a highlight reel from Season 6 of JUST Branding.

This year we sat down with some serious heavy hitters, including Mark Ritson, Rory Sutherland, Marty Neumeier (round two), David Aaker (round two), Laura Ries, plus guests like Simon Dixon (DixonBaxi), Michael Bungay Stanier, Jay Clouse, and more.

In this best of episode, Jacob and Matt pull the sharpest clips, biggest lessons, and most repeated themes that matter if you’re building a brand that lasts.

What you’ll hear in this episode

• Branding basics that still win: meaning, relevance, relationships
• Positioning that actually works (and why “positioning” isn’t the goal)
• Strategic enemies and the power of contrast
• Leadership and alignment (yes, including the uncomfortable honesty)
• Culture as brand, not a side project
• Customer truth and the discipline of saying “not everyone”
• Problem framing and why the first answer is rarely the best
• Brand fame vs hype and playing the long game
• Execution realities, including SEO getting tougher in an AI driven world
• Community vs audience, and what participation really costs

Featured clips in this highlight episode

• Branding earns its keep through meaning, relevance, relationships (Ep. 6.11, Simon Dixon)
• Positioning is not the end, it’s the start (Ep. 6.05, Mark Ritson)
• One page brand strategy thinking (Ep. 6.05, Mark Ritson)
• Strategic enemy creates value through contrast (Ep. 6.17, Laura Ries)
• Leadership endorsement is non negotiable (Ep. 6.01, Steve Noss)
• Brand alignment requires honesty (Ep. 6.03, Brandon Coleman Jr.)
• Culture is the brand, internally first (Ep. 6.15, David Aaker)
• Brands need a real relationship with culture (Ep. 6.08, Cyril Louis)
• Go wide on problem solving, don’t accept the first frame (Ep. 6.09, Rory Sutherland)
• Stay curious longer when coaching (Ep. 6.10, Michael Bungay Stanier)
• Not everyone is a customer (Ep. 6.11, Simon Dixon)
• Talk to your customers, find your core group (Ep. 6.02, Brandon Kim)
• Play drives innovation (Ep. 6.06, Melissa Dinwiddie)
• Hype vs fame, and why the long game wins (Ep. 6.19, Dan Cushing and Diego Borgo)
• Complexity happens for a reason, learn the client’s world (Ep. 6.18, James Greenfield)
• Influence matters (Ep. 6.02, Lida Citroën)
• Be careful entering politics and bandwagons (Ep. 6.04, Jeroen Reuven)
• SEO is harder with AI, so brand matters more (Ep. 6.14, Mordy Oberstein)
• ABM works when sales and marketing actually align (Ep. 6.07, Jennifer Mancusi)
• Audience is not community (Ep. 6.12, Jay Clouse)

Season 7 kicks off late January 2026. Until then, hit follow, share this episode with a brand builder mate, and if you’ve got 30 seconds, a 5 star review on Apple Podcasts helps the show reach more people.

From Kickstarter to thriving brand, Brevitē is a case study in how a challenger wins without a war chest.

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

In this episode of JUST Branding, we sit down with Brandon Kim, co-founder of Brevitē, to unpack how a scrappy Kickstarter project became a beloved camera bag brand for photographers, creators, and everyday explorers.

We get into the real strategy behind their early momentum, including how they positioned in a crowded category, what they got right about their audience, and how they balanced instinct, research, and creative direction to build a brand people want to be part of.

Brandon also shares what bootstrapping taught them about pace, priorities, and protecting the “soul” of the brand while scaling operations.

If you’re building a DTC brand, growing a challenger business, or trying to create genuine community instead of empty reach, this one’s packed with practical lessons you can steal.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How Brevitē found whitespace in a saturated market
• What made their Kickstarter campaign resonate early
• How they approached positioning, identity, and brand voice
• The tradeoffs of bootstrapping versus outside investment
• How they built community and creator advocacy without chasing vanity metrics
• What’s next as Brevitē evolves from product to lifestyle

In this episode, Jacob and Matt sit down with Thumbcorp’s co-founders Dan Cushing and Diego Borgo to unpack what brand fame really looks like in the worlds of blockchain, Web3 and frontier technology.

Dan brings decades of creative and planning experience from Levi’s to Stella Artois to Vogue. Diego has helped global giants like adidas, Prada and Salesforce translate complex tech into stories the mainstream actually cares about. Together, they’re building Thumbcorp: an agency that sits at the intersection of visionary technology and the real world.

How do you reimagine one of the world’s most powerful brands?

Over 18 months, across 15 global markets, and with 50+ sub-brands, Koto partnered with Amazon to deliver one of the largest brand transformations in recent history. In this episode, James Greenfield, CEO and Founder of Koto, shares the inside story — from simplifying a sprawling brand architecture to modernising the iconic “smile.”

Matt and Jacob dive into how to design at scale, build internal alignment, and create systems that drive consistency without killing creativity. A must-listen for anyone managing complex global brands.

In this episode, global branding expert Laura Ries joins Matt and Jacob to unpack her provocative new book Strategic Enemy: How to Build a Brand Position by Fighting Someone Else. Together they explore why great brands need a clear adversary, how to choose the right one, and how this approach sharpens focus, storytelling, and growth.

Expect iconic examples, practical frameworks, and fresh inspiration for your next brand strategy session.

What if the key to standing out wasn’t finding your niche… but attacking the norm?

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

In this provocative episode, we sit down with Todd Irwin, Chief Strategy Officer at Fazer and author of the new book De-Positioning (Amazon), to challenge the status quo of brand strategy.

Drawing on decades of experience with both global giants and venture-backed startups, Todd reveals why traditional positioning frameworks are falling short—and how De-Positioning flips the script.

You’ll learn:

• Why most brand positioning fails to drive real impact
• How to win by challenging category conventions
• What CMOs and founders get wrong about brand-growth alignment
• How to put De-Positioning into practice in your own brand today

Whether you’re a strategist, creative, or founder, this episode will give you a sharp new lens to rethink how your brand competes.

🎧 Tune in and get ready to play offense.

Branding legend David Aaker returns to JUST Branding to unpack what separates truly strategic brands from the sea of sameness in 2025.

We also spotlight the updated edition of Aaker on Branding and wrap with a fast-paced quickfire round you won’t want to miss.

If you care about building brands that actually matter—this is essential listening.

Google is shifting—and fast. Between AI Overviews, zero-click results, and the rise of LLMs like ChatGPT and Perplexity, traditional search isn’t what it used to be.

» Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by Mordy Oberstein, a leading voice in SEO, to break down what these changes mean for brand builders, marketers, and strategists alike.

But this isn’t your standard SEO conversation. We explore:

• Why brands should stop relying on Google for discoverability

• The difference between being found vs being known

• How SEO and branding are more connected than ever

• What LLMs are doing to content, reputation, and brand recall

• Why your future visibility depends more on brand codes than keyword rankings

Whether you’re a CMO, strategist, or founder, this is a wake-up call to rethink your brand visibility strategy in an AI-first internet.

As democracy fractures and trust erodes, branding enters unfamiliar territory. What happens to brand building when truth becomes optional and power consolidates?

Learn more at www. justcreative.com/podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by Marty Neumeier—one of the most influential voices in branding—to explore what it means to design brands in a world increasingly shaped by autocracy, AI, and cultural volatility.

We unpack:

• Why branding depends on openness, trust, and shared meaning

• What AI, media, and power shifts are doing to perception

• The risks of brand neutrality—and the cost of staying silent

• The role of brand builders as educators, sense-makers, and cultural participants

• Why Level C is pushing brand education into new territory

• How business can remain human in an increasingly controlled landscape

This is a timely, wide-ranging conversation about branding’s responsibility, relevance, and future. If you’re a strategist, creative, or leader—this one asks more of you.

In this episode, we’re joined by Jay Clouse, one of the most trusted voices in the creator economy and founder of Creator Science, a platform helping creators become professional entrepreneurs.

Jay has built a standout brand around clarity, consistency, and community—without chasing hype or shortcuts. We dig into what it really takes to build a brand-led creator business that scales trust and stays aligned.

In this episode, we go inside the mind of Simon Dixon, co-founder of the global brand and design consultancy DixonBaxi.

» Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast 

Known for shaping bold, human brands for some of the world’s most iconic companies, Simon shares how his team builds what they call Intelligent Identities™—living systems designed for scale, emotion, and relevance.

We cover:

• The DixonBaxi Way: principles, process, and creative culture

• Why emotion—not aesthetics—is the foundation of powerful design

• How to build brand systems that stay flexible without losing clarity

• What SuperFutures is, and how it’s reshaping the future of brand innovation

• Lessons from decades of creative risk, leadership, and reinvention

This is a must-listen for designers, strategists, and creative leaders who want to push beyond surface-level branding and build brands that actually matter.

In this episode of JUST Branding, we’re joined by the brilliant and delightfully unconventional Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK, TED speaker, and author of Alchemy: The Surprising Power of Ideas That Don’t Make Sense.

Rory takes us deep into the world of problem framing, a powerful technique that flips business challenges on their head to reveal bold, creative brand solutions hiding in plain sight.

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Get £200 off Rory Sutherland’s MAD//Masters programme with code JB200 at checkout.

A rare chance to learn applied behavioural science, strategy, and creative problem solving directly from one of the sharpest minds in marketing.

Use code JB200 when you enrol.

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In this episode of JUST Branding, we sit down with Michael Bungay Stanier (MBS), the best-selling author of The Coaching Habit, The Advice Trap, and How to Work with (Almost) Anyone, to explore how coaching can become your secret weapon in branding and business.

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

If you’re a creative shifting into strategy, leading workshops, or simply trying to manage client relationships without losing your mind, this one’s for you.

In this episode of JUST Branding, we sit down with hybrid creative leader Cyril Louis who is Creative Partner at The Royals and the mind behind campaigns for Beats by Dre, EA Games, and Heineken to unpack how brands can become culturally relevant and commercially effective.

We explore:

    •    What “brands in culture” really means (hint: it’s more than just riding trends)

    •    The difference between cultural resonance and “culture-washing”

    •    How to authentically engage with cultural movements without getting burned

    •    Practical frameworks to align your brand with the right cultural moments

    •    Why the future of branding depends on understanding global and local nuance

    •    The role of emerging tech (like AI & Web3) in shaping brand relevance

In this episode of JUST Branding, we unpack Account-Based Experience (ABX) which is a strategic approach that unites marketing, sales, and customer success to drive focused, sustainable brand growth.

Learn more at justcreative.com/podcast 

Our guest walks us through their 7 Steps to ABX Success, offering a clear, practical framework to move from scattered tactics to shared results.

Together, we explore:

• Why ABX is more than a rebrand of ABM—and why it matters

• How to align company strategy with marketing strategy

• The power of a well-defined Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)

• How to build a target account list that fuels real opportunities

• Ways to create content that resonates (and converts)

• How to run omnichannel campaigns that feel intentional, not intrusive

• What metrics matter when it’s time to measure and scale

If you’re tired of misaligned teams, generic marketing, or chasing leads that go nowhere, this episode will shift your thinking and sharpen your strategy.

Is creativity the key to unlocking innovation?

In this episode of JUST Branding, we sit down with Melissa Dinwiddie — innovation strategist, keynote speaker, and author of The Creative Sandbox Way.

Learn more at https://justcreative.com/podcast

Melissa’s journey from calligraphy and jazz to corporate consulting has given her a unique perspective on creativity in business.

She shares her Create the Impossible™ framework, a game-changing three-step process designed to help teams embrace play, imperfection, and rapid learning. We’ll explore why play isn’t just for kids, how artistic thinking fuels innovation, and how to bust through creative blocks that hold businesses back.

Get 50 Free Pages of the The Creative Sandbox Way Book

If you’re looking to boost creativity, enhance collaboration, and drive innovation—this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

Buckle up—this is our most unfiltered episode yet. Mark Ritson joins us for a no-BS conversation on branding, marketing myths, and why so many marketers still miss the point.

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast/

No fluff. Just straight-up marketing truth from one of the sharpest minds in the game.

We discuss:  

▶︎ Marketing Myths & Industry Bullsh*t

▶︎ The Biggest Problem with Brand Education (and why it’s broken)

▶︎ Branding vs. Performance Marketing (Are marketers still missing the point?)

▶︎ Positioning & Brand Strategy (+ Mark’s deep love for Kit-Kat)

▶︎ The ROI of Branding (Can you actually measure it?)

▶︎ AI & Branding—Beyond the Hype (Including the rise of RitBot)

▶︎ Mark’s Take on Branding Thought Leaders

▶︎ Differentiation AND Distinctiveness (Why the debate still won’t die)

▶︎ Rapid-fire Q&A madness

Warning: If you’re easily offended, maybe sit this one out.

Tune in now!

With the rise of the social justice movement, the debate over if, when, and how brands should engage with politics has never been more relevant. In this episode, we sit down with Jeroen Reuven Bours, founder of Darling Agency in New York, to break down this complex and high-stakes topic.

We explore:

✅ The pros and cons of brands getting involved in political discourse

✅ Real-world examples of brand activism—both successful and catastrophic

✅ How companies can navigate political engagement without alienating their audience

✅ Jeroen’s expert take on when it makes sense for brands to take a stand

With over 50 years (!!) of experience and a track record of building one of the US’s most successful mid-sized branding firms, Brandon shares his passion for helping entrepreneurs unlock the transformative power of brand alignment.

We explore what it means to be “Brand ON,” why alignment is critical for growth, and practical strategies to achieve it.

We sit down with Lida Citroën, an award-winning expert in reputation management, renowned keynote speaker, and author of The New Rules of Influence.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a leader in the making, this episode is packed with tips to help you step into your full leadership potential.

Key Topics:

• The shift in influence: Why traditional authority isn’t enough anymore

• Lida’s 10-step process for building influence and why “why” matters

• How storytelling can help leaders build trust and connection

• Practical advice for increasing confidence and authenticity as a leader

Tune in to learn how to lead with purpose and influence in today’s rapidly changing world!

If you are looking to build a standout brand in a comoditised marketplace then this is the episode for you!

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

Cooper Parry is a UK accountancy firm like no other. They are famous for being "the rebels of accountancy" and zigging when everyone else is zagging.

They epitomise many of the principles brand strategists speak about in theory. Using brand and culture they have become one of the fasted growing professional services businesses in the UK.

Join us from the front lines as we speak with their Creative Director (yes thats right an accountancy firm with a CD!) to unpack the story and secrets of their brand building success.

Use these same principles, so you can take your business from bland to brand, you rebel!

Join hosts Jacob Cass and Matt Davies as they highlight the best insights from 2024’s top branding experts on Just Branding.

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

This episode features the brightest minds, including Byron Sharp, Andy Raskin, Alex Smith, Alexandra Watkins, Tom Roach, Nick Asbury, Maria Brasil, and more.

From brand positioning models to strategic narratives, purpose-driven branding, and the future of strategy, we explore actionable advice and thought-provoking ideas to help you grow your brand.

Discover:

• Differentiation vs. distinctiveness

• Humour in branding

• Brand naming secrets

• Streamlined strategy frameworks

Whether you’re a strategist, designer, or brand leader, this “best of” episode distills the key themes that shaped branding in 2024.

Tune in and get inspired!

We’re joined by Richie Meldrum, a renowned brand strategist, consultant, and educator with a unique ability to bridge strategy and design.

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

Richie shares his journey from copywriting to leading transformative branding projects, revealing how aligning strategy with design creates impactful, cohesive brands.

Richie also offers invaluable advice for designers and strategists striving to collaborate effectively.

Connect with Richie:

• Website - www.richiemeldrum.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/richiemel/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richie-meldrum/

Bare Brand Strat

• www.barebrandstrat.com
• https://www.instagram.com/barebrandstrat/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/bare-brand-strat

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In this episode of Just Branding, we sit down with creative writer and branding expert Nick Asbury, author of The Road to Hell.

Nick challenges the widely accepted notion that brands can simply ‘do well by doing good,’ arguing that purpose-driven marketing often leads to unintended consequences.

Tune in to learn how brands can strike a better balance between creativity, authenticity, and ethical responsibility.

Mark Pollard, founder of Mighty Jungle and host of Sweathead, shares his unique perspective on simplifying strategy in this insightful episode. Reflecting on his journey from creative to strategist, Mark explains his approach to strategy, highlighting the pivotal role of storytelling and empathy in shaping effective brand narratives.

We explore the delicate balance between creativity and analytical thinking, with Mark providing real-world examples of strategies that drive impactful results. He underscores the importance of simplicity in strategy, offering practical guidance on how to create clear, actionable brand strategies through his 4 Point Framework.

Mark also dives into the biggest challenges facing strategists today, offering advice on avoiding common pitfalls and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.

Make your brand unforgettable with humour! Jacob Cass & Matt Davies sit down with branding expert Paddy to explore how adding a dash of humor can make brands more relatable, engaging, and memorable!

Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

Paddy shares his journey into humor-driven branding and why he believes humor is a powerful tool for standing out in today’s crowded market.

Discover when and where humor works best, along with Paddy’s step-by-step guide for crafting humorous copy that hits the mark.

From practical examples of brands nailing their humor to common pitfalls to avoid, Paddy shares insights that will help you use humor confidently and effectively in your messaging.

Tune in for actionable tips and real-world examples on using humor to connect with your audience—and learn Paddy’s top strategies for creating an authentic, funny brand that resonates.

If you’re ready to make your brand stand out, this episode is a must-listen!

In this episode of JUST Branding, we are thrilled to welcome Tom Roach, Vice President of Brand Strategy at Jellyfish and one of the most respected figures in the advertising world.

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

With over 20 years of experience at top agencies like BBH, Leo Burnett, and AMV BBDO, Tom has become a leading voice in the fusion of brand and performance marketing.

Join us as Tom shares his journey from traditional agencies to his current role at Jellyfish, where he’s reshaping the future of branding in a digital-first landscape. We’ll dive deep into his unique approach to bridging the often-divisive gap between brand strategy and performance marketing, explore the power of creativity for long-term brand growth, and hear his vision for the future of brand planning.

Whether you’re in branding, marketing, or advertising, this episode is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to build sustainable, high-performing brands. Tune in!

In this episode, we sit down with Magdalena Adamska, founder of BrandStruck and a seasoned freelance strategist, to explore the world of brand positioning.

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

We’ll start by getting to know Magda and how she founded BrandStruck, a platform dedicated to brand strategy insights. Then, we dive into the essentials of brand positioning—what it is, why it’s crucial for businesses, and how it helps shape a company’s market presence.

Magda shares insights into popular brand positioning models, weighing their pros and cons, and offering practical tips for selecting the right approach. We also discuss common mistakes businesses make when positioning their brands and how to avoid them.

Whether you’re building a brand or refining an existing one, this episode provides actionable strategies to position your brand effectively. Tune in to learn from an expert and discover where you can follow Magda for more branding wisdom!

In this episode, we tackle the often-overlooked challenges of brand identity asset management and explore why traditional style guides might not be enough.

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

Joined by Raitis Velps, we dive into the common pitfalls brands face, from outdated assets to inconsistent branding across platforms.

Discover how these issues can dilute brand perception and hurt performance in competitive markets.

We also examine where static brand guidelines fall short and introduce innovative tools like Corebook Studio, which offer dynamic, real-time solutions for modern brand management.

Learn how digital-first brand guidelines can streamline consistency, improve collaboration, and elevate your brand’s value.

Whether you’re an agency or a brand leader, this episode provides actionable insights to rethink how you manage brand assets in today’s fast-paced world.

Tune in and explore the future of brand management!

The episode features a compelling discussion with Maria Brasil, founder of Essence Branding and a champion of conscious capitalism.

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

Maria shares her journey from working in traditional branding agencies to pioneering a brand strategy approach that emphasizes aligning brand positioning with organizational culture.

She explains the concept of conscious capitalism, which revolves around four pillars: higher purpose, conscious leadership, conscious culture, and stakeholder integration.

Maria and the hosts delve into the importance of building brands “from the inside out,” stressing that true brand authenticity stems from the company’s core values and culture, not just external marketing efforts. Maria shares insights from her work, including a project with a fintech company in Brazil’s favelas, where she helped develop a brand that resonates deeply with its community by addressing their unique needs and challenges.

The episode also explores the challenges of integrating conscious capitalism into business practices, emphasizing the need for leaders to take the time to understand and authentically embody the brand’s values. Maria concludes by encouraging companies to consciously build brands that are not only profitable but also meaningful and aligned with their internal culture.

Conscious Capitalism is a business philosophy that emphasizes the importance of aligning business practices with social and environmental responsibilities. It advocates for a business model that serves all major stakeholders, including customers, employees, investors, communities, suppliers, and the environment, rather than solely focusing on maximizing shareholder value. 

In this episode of JUST Branding, we unlock “Logo Design Secrets” with the esteemed Ian Paget, the creative mastermind behind Logo Geek.

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

Ian, a celebrated logo designer and author, has made a notable impact in the branding world through his visually stunning and memorable logo creations.

Our conversation begins with Ian sharing his journey into logo design, then we delve into the intrinsic value of logos, their role in business success, and examine real-world examples of impactful logos.

Ian provides insights into the attributes of a good logo, common pitfalls, and how to choose the right logo designer for your business.

We explore the logo design process, current trends, and touch on the future of logo design, including Ian’s thoughts on AI’s role in the field.

Finally, the episode offers practical advice for entrepreneurs on leveraging logos for brand success and for designers on building a successful career and personal brand in the industry.

Join us for this insightful discussion that bridges the perspectives of both business owners and designers in the world of logo design.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of strategy with Alex Smith, the author of the insightful book “No BS Strategy.”

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

We start by exploring Alex’s background and what inspired him to write “No BS Strategy.”

Alex then defines strategy and branding in his unique, straightforward style.

We then discuss what makes a great strategy and the typical processes involved in creating one, plus Alex shares invaluable tips to sense check your strategy and highlights common pitfalls to avoid.

Tune in for practical insights and no-nonsense advice on crafting a winning strategy with Alex Smith!

In this episode, Alexandra Watkins, a renowned naming expert and author of ‘Hello, My Name Is Awesome: How to Create Brand Names That Stick,’ shares her insights .

👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast

Alexandra emphasizes that anyone can create memorable brand names with the right approach.

She discusses the emotional impact of names, the pitfalls of overly descriptive ones, and the importance of testing using the SMILE & SCRATCH method which outlines key brand naming principles.

Alexandra also delves into challenges like trademark availability, domain names and the future of brand naming in the age of AI.

Tune in for practical tips on how to create brand names that stick!