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Description
The JUST Branding Podcast, hosted by Jacob Cass & Matt Davies, is the only podcast dedicated to helping designers & entrepreneurs grow brands.
Each episode goes deep into the details of the brand building process, with professional insights, actionable tips and resources to help you build better brands.
The focus is on helping designers & entrepreneurs bridge the gap between strategy and design. Branding professionals from around the world join Jacob & Matt in discussing the benefits of brand strategy, top tools, how to sell strategy, brand purpose, brand positioning, neuroscience, brand personality, messaging, storytelling, brand naming, tag lines, logo design, brand identity design and brand experience.
ABOUT JACOB CASS
Jacob Cass is a Sydney-based designer & strategist who runs JUST Creative, an award-winning branding & design firm that doubles as an industry leading blog. Jacob helps brands grow & get results by crafting distinctive logos & brand identities that are backed by a solid brand strategy.
He recently rebranded San Francisco and Puerto Rico, and also branded New York's Digital District. Other clients have included the likes of Disney, Nintendo and Jerry Seinfeld. Jacob has spoken at TEDx, been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur and has been awarded LinkedIn’s “Best of” for branding.
For him, design is a lifelong journey of continuously honing his craft, as well as educating other fellow designers & business owners to build on theirs, which has allowed him to build a large and loyal following, including his website which has been been viewed over 50 million times. Jacob is an avid traveler and has traveled to 87 countries.
ABOUT MATT DAVIES
Matt is a brand strategy specialist working with leaders to align around their brand and get it ready to connect deeply with those inside and outside of their organisations. His work enables you to grow your business faster and easier. Matt solves a variety of brand challenges, from strategy and positioning to naming and identity right through to company culture and product innovation.
123 Episodes
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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.
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.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/richiemel/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richie-meldrum/
Bare Brand Strat
www.barebrandstrat.comhttps://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!
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This podcast episode with Ian Paget on logo design is fantastic! It really dives into the subtleties of creating logos that not only stand out but also remain relevant over time. Ian’s insights on balancing simplicity with uniqueness were spot-on. For anyone looking to make their logo timeless, I’d also recommend reading https://blogalmariaplus.com/designing-a-logo-that-transcends-time-evergreen-logos/ Designing a Logo That Transcends Time: Evergreen Logos. It offers practical advice on crafting designs that don’t fall victim to passing trends and can adapt with your brand as it grows.