Co-Branded Podcast

In this conversation, Zuza Hicks and Joshua McCowen discuss the critical importance of brand consistency and the various touch points that contribute to a brand's identity. They emphasize how a reliable brand builds trust and how multiple interactions are necessary for customers to form a solid impression. The discussion also covers the costs associated with brand misalignment, the emotional aspects of branding, and the need for brands to navigate changes carefully to maintain consumer loyalty. Overall, the conversation highlights the intricate relationship between branding, consumer experience, and the importance of a cohesive brand strategy.-----Hosted ByZuza, Founder at Nicely Made, blends strategy and research to shape quietly rebellious brands with purpose—helping businesses stand out and leave their mark.Josh, Founder & Principal at Lofty Word, leads strategy, ideation, and creative execution for small to medium-sized businesses—empowering clients to build brands with confidence and clarity.Interested in collaborating and elevating your brand? Let’s Connect!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loftyword.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nicelymade.studio⁠

In this conversation, Joshua McCowen and Zuza Hicks discuss the nuances of brand evolution, focusing on the concepts of brand alignment, rebranding, and the implications of significant changes in brand strategy. They emphasize the importance of understanding when to adjust a brand and the challenges that come with rebranding, using the recent Jaguar rebrand as a case study to illustrate the complexities involved in shifting brand identity and audience targeting.-----Hosted ByZuza, Founder at Nicely Made, blends strategy and research to shape quietly rebellious brands with purpose—helping businesses stand out and leave their mark.Josh, Founder & Principal at Lofty Word, leads strategy, ideation, and creative execution for small to medium-sized businesses—empowering clients to build brands with confidence and clarity.Interested in collaborating and elevating your brand? Let’s Connect!⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.loftyword.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nicelymade.studio⁠

In this conversation, Zuza Hicks and Joshua McCowen discuss the differences between no-code and custom code websites, exploring the benefits and limitations of each approach. They emphasize the importance of understanding business needs when choosing between website builders like Squarespace and Shopify versus custom development. The discussion also touches on the significance of branding, performance, and client control in web development.-----Hosted ByZuza, Founder at Nicely Made, blends strategy and research to shape quietly rebellious brands with purpose—helping businesses stand out and leave their mark.Josh, Founder & Principal at Lofty Word, leads strategy, ideation, and creative execution for small to medium-sized businesses—empowering clients to build brands with confidence and clarity.Interested in collaborating and elevating your brand? Let’s Connect!⁠⁠⁠https://www.loftyword.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nicelymade.studio⁠

This conversation explores the multifaceted impact of AI on creative industries, particularly in design, copywriting, photography, and illustration. Joshua McCowen and Zuza Hicks discuss how AI is transforming workflows, enhancing efficiency, and challenging traditional creative processes. They emphasize the importance of human creativity and strategy in leveraging AI tools effectively while also acknowledging the potential risks and ethical considerations surrounding AI-generated content.-----Hosted ByZuza, Founder at Nicely Made, blends strategy and research to shape quietly rebellious brands with purpose—helping businesses stand out and leave their mark.Josh, Founder & Principal at Lofty Word, leads strategy, ideation, and creative execution for small to medium-sized businesses—empowering clients to build brands with confidence and clarity.Interested in collaborating and elevating your brand? Let’s Connect!⁠⁠⁠https://www.loftyword.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.nicelymade.studio⁠

In this conversation, Zuza Hicks and Joshua McCowen delve into the intertwined issues of perfectionism and procrastination, particularly in the context of creativity and business. They discuss how these concepts often stem from fear and self-doubt and emphasize the importance of separating one's self-worth from the work. The dialogue explores practical strategies for overcoming procrastination, the psychological barriers that hinder progress, and the necessity of embracing imperfection to foster growth and innovation. ----- Hosted By Zuza, Founder at Nicely Made, blends strategy and research to shape quietly rebellious brands with purpose—helping businesses stand out and leave their mark. Josh, Founder & Principal at Lofty Word, leads strategy, ideation, and creative execution for small to medium-sized businesses—empowering clients to build brands with confidence and clarity. Interested in collaborating and elevating your brand? Let’s Connect! ⁠⁠https://www.loftyword.com⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.nicelymade.studio⁠

In this conversation, Joshua McCowen and Zuza Hicks discuss the significance of brand guidelines, differentiating them from style guides and emphasizing their role in ensuring consistency across various touch points. They highlight the importance of investing in brand guidelines for businesses, as they save time, enhance brand trust, and streamline the creative process. The discussion also covers how brand guidelines should evolve with the brand and the emotional impact they can have on stakeholders. ----- Hosted By Zuza, Founder at Nicely Made, blends strategy and research to shape quietly rebellious brands with purpose—helping businesses stand out and leave their mark. Josh, Founder & Principal at Lofty Word, leads strategy, ideation, and creative execution for small to medium-sized businesses—empowering clients to build brands with confidence and clarity. Interested in collaborating and elevating your brand? Let’s Connect! ⁠https://www.loftyword.com⁠ ⁠https://www.nicelymade.studio⁠

In this conversation, Zuza Hicks and Joshua McCowen delve into the concept of brand archetypes, explaining their significance in establishing a brand's identity and emotional connection with its audience. They discuss the twelve main archetypes, how they can guide branding strategies, and the importance of consistency in brand messaging. The conversation emphasizes the need for brands to connect with consumers on an emotional level, using archetypes as a tool to create meaningful relationships and enhance brand experiences. ----- Hosted By Zuza, Founder at Nicely Made, blends strategy and research to shape quietly rebellious brands with purpose—helping businesses stand out and leave their mark. Josh, Founder & Principal at Lofty Word, leads strategy, ideation, and creative execution for small to medium-sized businesses—empowering clients to build brands with confidence and clarity. Interested in collaborating and elevating your brand? Let’s Connect! ⁠https://www.loftyword.com⁠ ⁠https://www.nicelymade.studio⁠

In this conversation, Joshua McCowen and Zuza Hicks delve into the foundational aspects of branding, emphasizing that branding extends far beyond just a logo. They discuss the importance of understanding branding is a perception held by others, the critical role of culture, and the necessity of defining a brand's purpose. The conversation outlines five essential elements for effective branding: defining the brand's Why, What, and How, establishing your brand narrative, understanding the primary audience, creating a messaging framework, and designing your visual language. ----- Hosted By Zuza, Founder at Nicely Made, blends strategy and research to shape quietly rebellious brands with purpose—helping businesses stand out and leave their mark. Josh, Founder & Principal at Lofty Word, leads strategy, ideation, and creative execution for small to medium-sized businesses—empowering clients to build brands with confidence and clarity. Interested in collaborating and elevating your brand? Let’s Connect! https://www.loftyword.com https://www.nicelymade.studio