S05.EP11 - The No BS Guide to Strategy with Alex Smith

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!

ShannaRea Dennis is an expert in "rebranding". In this episode, we tuck into the subject of what a rebrand is, why a business might need a rebrand, what that entails and what the benefits are. 👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast We also review what business leaders should expect from a strategy led rebrand and what pitfalls they should avoid. This episode is a must for anyone involved in or seeking to undertake a rebrand soon.

In this episode Matt and Jacob sit down with the master of 'Strategic Narrative' Andy Raskin. 👉 Learn more: https://justcreative.com/podcast Andy walks through how to create a narrative which positions your brand as the front runners in a movement and how this cuts through noise and galvanises companies around a powerful purpose. If you want help punching up your brand positioning, this episode is not to be missed.