Brands on Tap

As part of our Creative Sector Secrets series, we welcomed Mark Vallance, Creative Director of DuoDot Agency, to discuss the dos and don’ts of running a creative agency. In the episode, you'll learn: - How Mark went from freelancer to Creative Director at DuoDot, including key decisions and turning points in his career- The biggest dos of running a creative agency, from setting a clear vision to building strong client relationships.- The most common don’ts that hold agencies back, such as underpricing, scope creep, and weak positioning.- How to structure teams, processes, and roles so creative work stays high quality as the agency grows.- Practical tips for finding and keeping great clients, including what really builds long-term trust.- Lessons Mark wishes he’d known earlier in his career, so you can avoid the same mistakes. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon.Hosted by White Space Agency.Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

Photography and videography are no longer optional brand extras – they’re core to how your audience sees, understands and remembers you. In this episode of Brands on Tap, we unpack why strong photography and videography matter more than ever in a swipe-and-scroll world, and how to use them strategically to elevate your brand presence.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:​- Why up to 90% of the information we process is visual – and what that means for your brand content.- How considered photography and videography build trust, credibility and emotional connection.- The difference between generic stock, AI-generated visuals and bespoke brand imagery (and when each has a place).- Why lighting, composition and professional direction can transform “nice” visuals into genuinely powerful brand assets.- Practical tips for planning shoots, briefing photographers/videographers and keeping your brand visuals consistent across channels.- We also explore how photography and video have evolved over the last 10–20 years, the impact of social media and always-on content, and where AI imagery and video fit into a modern brand toolkit.If you’re a business owner, marketer or brand leader wondering whether it’s worth investing in better visuals, this episode is for you.Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon.Hosted by White Space Agency.Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

AI is changing SEO faster than most brands realise - and in 2026, we need to adapt our approach. In this episode of Brands on Tap, we break down how AI Overviews, chatbots and generative search are reshaping Google, and what that actually means for brands trying to grow online.By the end of this episode, you'll know:- What AI has actually changed in SEO (and what hasn’t)- The truth about AI content, penalties and “good enough” SEO- Practical SEO & GEO tips to consider in 2026 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon.Hosted by White Space Agency.Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

Our new series 'Creative Agency Secrets' dives into the truth about running a creative business from agency to videography business owners, and everything in between. Our first episode features Darren Graydon, owner of SPS Marketing Agency, who dives into the reality of running an agency, what it's like to buy an agency, and how to balance being a creative while being a business owner, and much more. 00:02:20 – Q1 What led you to start or buy into an agency, and what original problem were you trying to solve?00:06:20 – Q2 What was the biggest turning point in your agency's story that changed how you operated? 00:17:30 – Q3 How do you balance creativity with the practical demands of running a business? 00:28:00 – Q4 What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned from working with clients, good or bad?00:32:20 - Q5 What changes in the creative industry have most affected how your agency operates? How have you adapted? 00:54:00 - Q6 What advice or secrets would you share with other creative sector business owners? The do’s and don’ts! Take a look at SPS Marketing - https://spsmarketing.co.uk/Website - https://whitespace.agency/Linkedin -   / brands-on-tap  Instagram -   / brandsontappodcast  If you are interested in featuring on Brands on Tap, email [email protected]

Get ready for a festive deep-dive as we unwrap the most talked about Christmas TV Adverts of 2025 in our latest episode of Brand on Tap. We give our uncut, unfiltered, honest opinions on the Christmas TV adverts filling our screens this season. In this episode, we talk about the following Christmas TV adverts: 00:00 - 00:34 Intro 00:35 - 5:49 John Lewis05:50 - 07:36 Lidl07:37 - 14:44 M&S14:45 - 19:59 Asda20:00 - 24:29 Sainsbury's24:30 - 28:10 Morrisons28:10 - 33:34 Waitrose33:35 - 39:44 Aldi39:45 - 46:38 Boots (and a bit of Christmas digress!)46:39 - 50:07 Barbour50:08 - 52:01 Tesco52:02 - 53:49 James May 55:30 - 59:19 Least Favourites59:20 - 59:46 Outro

Is TV Advertising dead? In this episode of Brands on Tap, Paul and Rob chat through this controversial topic. Available now on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or Amazon.Hosted by White Space Agency. Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

In this episode, hear from Ella, the Marketing Lead at Little's Coffee, on how they're actively redefining the instant coffee market and riding the wave since being on this year's series of Dragon's Den!Tune in and find out what is working, what isn't, and find out more about the world of in-house marketing for a smaller global brand. Also available on YouTube, Apple and Amazon. Hosted by White Space Agency Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

Is social media a search engine? It’s a hotly debated topic, and in this episode of Brands on Tap, Jaz and Ellie dive right in.They unpack what defines a search engine vs social media, explore how AI and social platform adaptations are reshaping the landscape of organic search, and share nostalgic nods to platform throwbacks (remember the early days of Instagram and Facebook?). They round off with practical tips to help you boost your social media activity with search intent in mind.Brands on Tap is also available to listen to on Apple, Amazon, and YouTube. Hosted by White Space Agency: https://whitespace.agency/

In this episode of Brands on Tap, Paul talks us through the world of print advertising and its continued relevance in today’s digital-first landscape.From evolving techniques to the tactile power of physical media, find out why print still holds a unique place in the marketing mix. Paul explores the finer details that make print stand out including colour variations, binding options, substrates, and finishes, revealing how these creative elements contribute to memorable brand experiences.This episode offers fresh perspectives on how print and digital can complement each other to build stronger, more impactful campaigns.Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple.https://whitespace.agency/

Why does web design matter? In the latest episode of Brands on Tap, Paul and Rob get into the why behind great web design - breaking down the core principles that make a site stand out and exploring how purposeful web design can elevate your brand, build trust, and drive real results.This episode gives you the understanding to have a website designed with a purpose.Listen now on Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube → https://linktr.ee/brandsontapFor more on White Space Agency, visit → https://whitespace.agency