S06.EP15 - What Smart Brands Do Differently with David Aaker

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 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.

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.

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.