On Brand with Nick Westergaard

The secret to great creative work isn’t just the idea — it’s knowing how to get there. Toby Wilkinson, co-founder of Ask Us For Ideas, has spent the last decade helping brands navigate the messy world of agencies, briefs, and creative partnerships to make the process smoother, smarter, and more successful. What You'll Learn Why choosing the right agency is just as important as the creative work itself How to align your team internally before starting the agency selection process The “head and heart” test for evaluating agency fit Common red flags and relationship pitfalls to watch for How to leverage agency networks and insights to make smarter selections Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:30) Welcome Toby Wilkinson (01:10) The story behind Ask Us For Ideas (04:18) Defining the perfect agency fit (08:40) The agency selection process step by step (12:07) Red flags in agency relationships (17:25) Navigating a shifting agency landscape (21:17) Favorite success stories and brands that inspire Toby Wilkinson is the co-founder of Ask Us For Ideas (AUFI), a company dedicated to helping brands find the right creative partners. Over the last decade, he has connected more than 2,000 brands — from startups to global companies — with agencies across branding, marketing, digital, social, and more. He is passionate about creating productive, long-term partnerships between brands and agencies and shares his insights through AUFI’s website, podcast, and Substack. What Brand Has Made Toby Smile Recently? Toby has been enjoying the meal kit delivery company Mindful Chef. He appreciates the quality of the ingredients, the variety of meals, and the shared cooking experience it brings him and his wife, making it a meaningful part of his daily routine. Resources & Links Connect with Toby on LinkedIn. As discussed, check out the AUFI website, podcast, and Substack. Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does the producer of Wedding Crashers, Serendipity, and Van Wilder know about building brands? Turns out—a lot. This week on On Brand, Andrew Panay shares how Hollywood storytelling principles shape not just hit movies but also unforgettable brand stories for companies like T-Mobile, Microsoft, and Anheuser-Busch. What You'll Learn Why originality—not imitation—is still the most powerful creative strategy How Hollywood storytelling principles can strengthen brand storytelling The fine line between risk and reward in brand work Why celebrating success starts with knowing your “why” How T-Mobile’s storytelling edge became a creative advantage Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:30) From Hollywood to branding (02:00) The disconnect between filmmakers and brands (03:30) What Wedding Crashers teaches us about 30-second storytelling (05:00) Capturing attention in seconds, not minutes (08:00) Creativity, evolution, and staying uncomfortable (10:40) Originality vs imitation in marketing (20:30) Balancing elegant risk with commercial success (25:00) The brand that made Andrew smile (27:30) Where to learn more about Panay Films Andrew Panay is the founder and CEO of Panay Films and a veteran Hollywood producer whose movies—including Wedding Crashers, Serendipity, and Van Wilder—have grossed more than $800 million worldwide. Beyond film and television, Panay brings his storytelling craft to branded content and advertising for companies such as T-Mobile, Microsoft, and Anheuser-Busch. His signature approach blends cinematic storytelling with strategic brand thinking, creating work that moves audiences—and the business forward. What Brand Has Made Andrew Smile Recently? Andrew pointed to Nike for a recent campaign during the World Series. The spot used a clever mashup of sound, attitude, and nostalgia—culminating with Ken Griffey Jr.’s signature backward cap and mischievous grin. For Andrew, it was the perfect example of creative “juj”—that mix of confidence, playfulness, and truth that makes great storytelling irresistible. Links and Resources Connect with Panay Films on Instagram. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it take to build one of the world’s top-rated social media management platforms—without a single dollar of outside funding? This week on On Brand, Emeric Ernoult, founder and CEO of Agorapulse, shares how he bootstrapped the company to over $20 million in revenue, pioneered ROI-tracking tools for social, and carved out a powerful niche in a crowded market. We talk scaling smart, making social media actually measurable, and where attribution is headed next. What You'll Learn How Agorapulse bootstrapped its way to $20M+ in revenue without outside funding Why most startups chasing VC money miss what matters most for sustainable growth How attribution has evolved—and why measuring ROI on social is harder than ever The three ways marketers can actually track what’s working (and what’s not) Why the future isn’t social media—it’s “interest media” Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:45) Bootstrapping Agorapulse the Hard Way (03:40) The Realities of Going Without Funding (07:20) Reinventing Through Growth and Churn (08:50) From Social Media to Interest Media (10:20) Why Attribution Is Broken (17:50) Three Ways to Track ROI That Actually Work (23:20) How Brands Can Win at Interest Media (29:00) The Brand That Made Emeric Smile About Emeric Ernoult Emeric Ernoult is the founder and CEO of Agorapulse, one of the world’s top-rated social media management platforms. Bootstrapped from the ground up, Agorapulse has grown to more than $20 million in annual revenue—without taking a single dollar of outside funding. A pioneer in ROI-tracking for social media, Emeric has built his career around helping brands not just manage their social presence, but measure its real business impact. He’s a frequent speaker and writer on marketing measurement, leadership, and scaling companies the sustainable way. What Brand Has Made Emeric Smile Recently? Emeric shared that Alex Hormozi—the entrepreneur and content creator—made him smile recently. After attending Hormozi’s workshop in Las Vegas, Emeric was struck by his unfiltered mix of humor and humility. Hormozi’s perspective—that we’re all small in the grand scheme of things, so we might as well do good and enjoy the work—resonated deeply, especially after Emeric’s trip to the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park reminded him of life’s scale and simplicity. Resources & Links Connect with Emeric on LinkedIn. Check out the Agorapulse website. Listen & Support Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do the most visible leaders stay trusted and relevant in a noisy world? Danielle Sabrina has spent her career helping them do exactly that. As founder of Society22 PR, one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing firms, Danielle has guided CEOs, athletes, and celebrities in building credibility that scales. Named Female Entrepreneur of the Year and one of CIO’s Top 20 Female Entrepreneurs to Follow, she joins me to unpack how smart brands turn trust into momentum. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why credibility is the new currency for brands and leaders How founder-led storytelling drives growth and trust What makes a story truly “media ready” in today’s crowded landscape How to balance authenticity with strategy when managing your public persona Lessons on scaling a creative business without losing your core Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:44) Credibility as the New Currency (03:25) Why Founder Stories Matter (05:03) PR Beyond Press Releases (07:57) Balancing Authenticity and Strategy (09:36) Finding the Right Story to Tell (17:16) Turning Vulnerability into Strength (21:25) Scaling with Integrity (27:06) Brand That Made Danielle Smile About Danielle Sabrina Danielle Sabrina is an award-winning publicist and the founder of Society22 PR, one of Inc. 5000’s fastest-growing companies and ranked among the Top 10 National PR Firms. With more than 25 years of experience, she’s helped CEOs, athletes, and celebrities build credibility that drives growth. Named Female Entrepreneur of the Year and one of CIO’s Top 20 Female Entrepreneurs to Follow, Danielle’s insights on trust, storytelling, and media strategy have made her a leading voice in how brands earn attention and stay relevant. What Brand Has Made Danielle Smile Recently? Danielle shared that Skims has been making her smile lately — especially their creative brand collaborations with partners like The North Face. She admires how the brand’s constant stream of collabs keeps them culturally relevant and seemingly everywhere, even if she’d love to see them slow down just enough for us all to appreciate each one. Resources & Links Connect with Danielle on LinkedIn and Instagram. Check out the Society22 PR website. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do brands really live in our minds? According to Ulli Applebaum, it’s all about associations — the complex web of meanings and emotions that define how people see your brand. This week on On Brand, the international strategy veteran and author of The Science of Brand Associations shares how we can use science, not guesswork, to build brands that stick. What You'll Learn Why brand associations are the “operating system” that shapes every strong brand How science explains the way memories form—and how marketers can build stronger ones The difference between positive and negative associations (and how to fix the latter) Why distinctiveness and focus matter more than ever for new brands Simple, science-backed tools to audit and strengthen your brand’s mental network Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:20) Why no one has written about brand associations—until now (03:40) The brain science behind how brands live in memory (06:20) Brand associations as your brand’s operating system (08:00) How associations drive purchase and brand preference (10:20) Managing negative brand associations (14:50) What small brands can do to stand out (23:50) The brand that’s made Ulli smile recently Ulli Appelbaum is an internationally recognized brand strategist, consultant, and author with more than 25 years of experience shaping business-building strategies for some of the world’s top brands. Before launching his consultancy First The Trousers Then The Shoes, he held senior strategy roles at agencies including BBDO Germany, Leo Burnett Chicago, Fallon Worldwide, and SapientNitro. Ulli’s work has earned seven Effies and an ARF Ogilvy Award for Excellence in Research. His latest book, The Science of Brand Associations: Win Minds, Win Markets, is a first-of-its-kind guide to understanding and building the mental networks that make brands thrive. What Brand Has Made Ulli Smile Recently? Ulli chose KitKat — a brand he’s admired for decades for its clever, humorous advertising and the enduring “Have a Break” positioning. He recalls a classic British TV spot where a photographer takes a break with a KitKat just as the panda he’s waiting to capture starts ice-skating behind him. It’s a moment that’s stuck in his mind for 25 years — proof, he says, of how powerful brand associations can be. Resources & Links Connect with Ulli on LinkedIn. Check out Ulli's new book, The Science of Brand Associations: Win Minds, Win Markets. You can also download the diagnostic tools we discussed on his website, First the Trousers. Want more of Ulli On Brand? Here’s his first visit back in 2023. And, for fun, here's that KitKat ad that was such a powerful brand association for Ulli. Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Geoff Cook’s career took off the night he met MoMA’s CMO—and helped create the iconic MoMA QNS brand. Since then, he’s shaped brands from MILK and NeueHouse to Times Talks, JFK Terminal 4, and the Prince Estate. Partner at Base, mentor at TechStars, and global culture expert, Geoff shares how bold branding can leave a lasting cultural impact. What You'll Learn in This Episode - How a single encounter can launch a career and define a creative trajectory - Why human connection is at the heart of every successful brand experience - The concept of “world-building” in branding and how it fosters community - How to balance AI as a tool without losing creative originality - Key considerations for branding early-stage companies and preserving cash Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:33) Geoff Cook’s career breakthrough at MoMA (02:10) Early lessons from DKNY and international branding (04:07) Culture-driven branding from Milk to global institutions (07:40) Translating cultural expertise to JFK Terminal 4 (10:09) World-building brands to foster human connection (12:19) AI in creative work: opportunities and guardrails (20:12) Mentoring early-stage companies and branding pitfalls (26:27) Brands that make Geoff smile About Geoff Cook Geoff Cook's career catapulted on the night he met MoMA’s CMO at a Base party in Manhattan, where he discussed developing the institution’s new branding for its temporary museum in Queens. The project, MoMA QNS, was the first in a string of iconic brands he has helped to create, including MILK, NeueHouse, JFK Terminal 4, Iconiq, The New York Times' Times Talks & Food Festival, the Prince Estate, and countless others. Geoff approaches branding with a sharp understanding of business strategy and a finger on the pulse of global culture (he speaks four languages and savors local flavor everywhere he travels). As a partner at Base, Geoff asks companies big questions and helps answer them with unexpected, visionary solutions. The result is very often a profound cultural impact. Geoff also puts his branding acumen to use as a mentor at renowned tech accelerator, TechStars, and serves as a board member at Sentral. What Brand Has Made Geoff Smile Recently? Geoff is impressed by On, a Swiss-based athletic brand. He admires how On builds a cohesive, coherent world through product design, store experiences, and creative campaigns that surprise and delight. The combination of Swiss precision and playful, culturally relevant marketing makes On a standout in his eyes. Resources & Links Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn. Check out the Base Design website and Instagram. Here's the Design Week article on AI we discussed. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus episode of On Brand: Taylor’s Version, now that The Life of a Showgirl is out in the world, we’re asking: what does this new era tell us about Taylor Swift? To explore, I’m joined by Joanna Weiss, editor of Harvard Magazine, journalist, and co-author of Taylor Swift: Album by Album, a deep dive into every era. Together, we’ll unpack how Showgirl fits into Taylor’s evolution and what this chapter reveals about her storytelling, strategy, and brand. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Life of a Showgirl fits into Taylor Swift’s evolution as an artist and storyteller Why some fans are divided on this album — and what that says about the expectations Taylor sets with each new era How Taylor balances real-life inspiration with fiction and character-driven songwriting What her creative process and relentless work ethic reveal about brand storytelling and reinvention Why Taylor’s storytelling genius is as much about community and connection as it is about the music Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:47) Welcome Joanna Weiss (04:24) How the book Taylor Swift: Album by Album came together (07:02) Early takes on Life of a Showgirl (11:04) What makes an “era” — and how Showgirl fits in (19:18) What Taylor’s saying with this album (25:23) Her creative process and work ethic (30:37) Money, power, and independence (33:20) The Taylor song that makes Joanna smile About Joanna Weiss Joanna Weiss is the editor of Harvard Magazine, a contributing writer for Politico Magazine, and a former columnist for The Boston Globe. Her work has appeared in The Atlantic, Slate, The Economist, and many other outlets. After chronicling her own Eras Tour experience for Boston’s NPR affiliate WBUR, Joanna dove deeper into the Swiftiverse as co-author of Taylor Swift: Album by Album (Quarto Books), which explores each of Taylor’s eras in detail. In addition to her journalism career, Joanna fronts a rock band she formed with five fellow moms — a story captured in her Boston Magazine feature “For Those Moms About to Rock,” now optioned for film by 20th Century Studios. What Taylor Era Has Made Joanna Smile Recently? When asked which Taylor song or era makes her smile, Joanna picked “Love Story.” Despite everything that has come since, she still returns to that song for its sheer emotional clarity — a bedroom-written, 20-minute burst of teenage storytelling that still captures the universal thrill of hope, love, and happily-ever-after energy that defines so much of Taylor’s work. Resources & Links Connect with Joanna on LinkedIn and her website Check out her new book, Taylor Swift: Album by Album Listen and Support Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a brand unforgettable instead of overlooked? Tom Miner knows. As Head of Global Social Media at Crocs, he helped drive one of today’s biggest brand turnarounds. Now author of Social First Brands, Tom shares how embracing productive tension, making personality your secret weapon, and riding trends that matter can turn comments into real community. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Crocs’ turnaround shows the power of leaning into brand polarity How to know if brand tension is productive instead of problematic What it really means to be a “social first” brand—and why fearlessness is key Why unhinged marketing works for some brands and flops for others The difference between comments, engagement, and true community Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:35) Welcome to Tom Miner (01:22) Crocs as a brand turnaround case study (04:41) Embracing polarity and productive tension (09:08) What it means to be a social first brand (13:21) Fearlessness and comfort levels in social strategy (15:32) Unhinged marketing and authentic brand personality (18:18) Comments versus true community (22:43) Liquid Death as a social first example (25:10) The brand that made Tom smile (27:10) Where to learn more About Tom Miner Tom Miner is a social media strategist and the author of Social First Brands. As the former Head of Global Social Media at Crocs, Tom helped lead one of the most remarkable brand turnarounds in recent years, taking the shoe from internet punchline to cultural icon. Based in Denver, Tom now consults with organizations worldwide—from household consumer names to international B2B enterprises—helping brands move beyond chasing trends to creating genuine, lasting connections with their audiences. What Brand Has Made Tom Smile Recently? Recently, Tom found himself impressed by PopSockets. Long known for their stick-on phone grips, the brand has reinvented itself with MagSafe-compatible products and a renewed sense of fun on social media. A standout moment was a TikTok reaction video where the founder surprised a customer who lost her phone in the ocean. The mix of humor, generosity, and leadership buy-in reminded Tom why surprise-and-delight marketing still matters. Resources & Links Connect with Tom on LinkedIn. Learn more about Tom Miner. Check out Social First Brands on Amazon. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of On Brand: Taylor’s Version, we’re joined by Ann Handley — Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Chief Content Officer of MarketingProfs, and one of IBM’s ‘7 people shaping modern marketing.’ Ann brings not just her marketer’s eye but also her mom’s heart to the Swiftiverse. We’ll explore how Taylor’s storytelling fuels parasocial relationships, why The Eras Tour transformed casual fans into rabid ones, and what smart marketers can learn from the savviest hitmaker of our time. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Taylor Swift’s storytelling makes the personal feel universal—and what marketers can borrow from that. Why parasocial relationships don’t have to be clinical, and how Taylor transforms them into community. The genius of anticipation, reveals, and Easter eggs in building long-term fan trust. What the Eras Tour can teach marketers about creating inclusive, unforgettable experiences. How Ann Handley’s own fandom grew from casual listener to full-on Swiftie devotion. Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:20) Swiftie Story Prompts and the Tortured Poets Era (03:14) Standing Up as a Swiftie (05:40) Taylor as Writer, Storyteller, and Cultural Icon (08:07) Making the Personal Universal (11:00) Marketing Lessons from Taylor Swift (19:25) The Eras Tour as Community Experience (29:41) The Taylor Songs and Albums That Make Ann Smile About Ann Handley Ann Handley is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, digital marketing pioneer, and Chief Content Officer at MarketingProfs. Named by IBM as one of seven people shaping modern marketing, Ann is a trusted voice on content, storytelling, and building authentic connections with audiences. She is the author of Everybody Writes, now in its second edition, and a frequent keynote speaker at marketing and business events worldwide. Through her popular newsletter, Total Annarchy, and her leadership at MarketingProfs’ B2B Forum, she continues to inspire marketers to approach their work with clarity, creativity, and heart. What Taylor Era Has Made Ann Smile Recently? Ann lights up when she talks about Taylor Swift’s most recent projects—The Tortured Poets Department and Midnights. She especially loves “Fortnight,” with its Post Malone collaboration and typewriter aesthetics (a nod to her own collection of typewriters), and “Mastermind” from Midnights, which she admires for its playful storytelling. For Ann, these albums are on constant repeat, blending artistry, narrative, and joy in ways that fuel both her fandom and her creative spirit. Links & Resources Connect with Ann on LinkedIn Check out her website and newsletter Speaking of connecting with community, don’t miss the MarketingProfs B2B Forum Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few business thinkers have shaped customer experience and marketing as profoundly as Jay Baer. A 7th-generation entrepreneur, best-selling author, and creator of six multi-million-dollar companies, he’s helped more than 700 brands, from Nike to the United Nations, grow and connect with customers in ways that matter. Now, he’s challenging everything marketers think they know about “owned” digital land, AI, and the future of content strategy. What You'll Learn Why the old rule of “never build on rented land” may be past its prime How AI is shifting marketers from search optimization to answer optimization Why breadth of authority matters more than backlinks in today’s landscape How to atomize your awareness across platforms and nodes of trust What AI can and can’t replace when it comes to creativity and customer experience Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:47) Welcoming Jay Baer back to On Brand (02:26) A dramatic reading of “Never build your house on rented land” (05:17) The declining importance of websites in an AI world (06:00) From search optimization to answer optimization (08:38) Atomizing awareness and saying yes to more opportunities (14:13) What AI can’t do—and why bold ideas matter more than ever (17:36) Customer experience, hyper-personalization, and efficiency gains (22:19) What to do with the capacity AI creates (23:29) Personal branding, tequila, and why authenticity wins (27:19) The AI dating app that made Jay smile (29:57) Where to find Jay online About Jay Baer Jay Baer is a business growth and customer experience strategist, author, and advisor who has helped more than 700 brands, including Nike, Oracle, IBM, and the United Nations. A seventh-generation entrepreneur, he has built six multimillion-dollar companies and written seven best-selling business books, earning recognition as a Professional Speakers Hall of Fame inductee and a Global Guru in marketing and customer experience. Beyond the stage and boardroom, Baer is also the world’s second most-popular tequila educator, blending sharp business insight with an engaging style that makes him one of the most sought-after voices in modern marketing. What Brand Has Made Jay Smile Recently Jay pointed to Valor, an AI-driven dating app that runs simulated dates between AI versions of potential matches before introducing people in real life. While he’s not on the app himself—he just celebrated his 33rd wedding anniversary—Jay says the concept makes him smile because it cleverly uses AI to cut through the awkwardness and false starts of early dating. Resources & Links Connect with Jay on LinkedIn. Check out his website JayBaer.com. And, of course, check out his work as the second-most popular tequila educator on Instagram. Listen and Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of On Brand Taylor's Version, we're joined by Stephanie Burt, poet, critic, and professor of English at Harvard University. Stephanie made headlines when she created and taught one of the very first college courses on Taylor Swift at Harvard, Taylor Swift and her world. We discuss what it means to study Taylor seriously at Harvard, why her storytelling resonates so widely, and what we can all learn from her profound cultural impact. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How Taylor Swift’s approach to storytelling parallels the way we relate to literature and life, making her English-teacher-like to her fans The narrative techniques and structural choices that make her songwriting resonate across diverse audiences How she revisits, rewrites, and evolves previous stories in her music to deepen character and theme The role of collaboration, marketing, and audience awareness in building a fan community that scales from niche to mainstream How joy, friendship, and shared experiences are expressed in her music, and why songs like 22 continue to resonate Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:12) Taylor Swift as an English Teacher: Literary Language and Fan Connection (05:30) Building Fan Communities and Shared Experiences (10:22) Storytelling Techniques: Point of View, Character, and Rewriting Songs (18:10) Revisiting and Evolving Previous Stories: Love Story and Forever & Always (25:12) Adult Love, Partnership, and Feminist Storytelling (32:01) Niche Fan Communities, Mainstream Appeal, and Marketing Savvy (38:22) Collaboration and Craft: Working with Musicians and Audiences (40:01) Guest’s Favorite Taylor Song: 22 and Closing Thoughts About Stephanie Burt Stephanie Burt is the Donald P. and Katherine B. Loker Professor of English at Harvard University. She specializes in 20th- and 21st-century poetry, science fiction, and the intersections of literature with other arts. Her work has appeared in The New York Times Book Review, The London Review of Books, Slate, and The Times Literary Supplement. Burt is the author of several acclaimed books of poetry and literary criticism, and her upcoming book, Taylor’s Version: The Poetic and Musical Genius of Taylor Swift, explores the artistry and cultural impact of Taylor Swift. At Harvard, she teaches courses including “Taylor Swift and Her World,” which has drawn widespread attention for its innovative exploration of music, poetry, and popular culture. She currently serves as co-editor of poetry for The Nation and is a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship. Resources & Links Check out Stephanie's new book Taylor's Version: https://www.amazon.com/Taylors-Version-Poetic-Musical-Genius/dp/154160623X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0 Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-brand-podcast-about-branding/id1113563080?mt=2 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2Hq9fjctcpm3YKlJFuXmRk YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/onbrandpodcast Amazon/Audible → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7f4fb055-1584-4037-a637-305c9b82ac3c/on-brand-with-nick-westergaard?refMarker=dm_wcp_af_r&ref=dmm_acq_mrn_d_ds_rh_z_-c_c_539036640611_g_127821134784 Google Play → https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I6xnjeogoyostq7pyu3xh3kqi4a Stitcher → https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-brand-with-nick-westergaard TuneIn → https://tunein.com/radio/On-Brand-p967623/ iHeart → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-on-brand-with-nick-westerg-90019102/ Rate and review on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-brand-podcast-about-branding/id1113563080?mt=2 Rate and review on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2Hq9fjctcpm3YKlJFuXmRk Share this episode — email a friend or colleague → mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20podcast%20episode&body=I%20thought%20you%20might%20like%20this%20podcast Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter → https://www.nickwestergaard.com/email/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What do Hot Wheels, Disney, Burton, and WWE have in common? They’ve all had Mark Michaylira driving their brand forward. With two decades of creative leadership behind some of the world’s most beloved names, Mark knows how to make work that’s not just bold and joyful but rooted in culture—and powerful enough to move business. What You’ll Learn in This Episode - How to build authentic brands by starting with humanity and understanding your audience - Why taking creative risks—and even failing—can move brands forward - What it means to create joy and edge in storytelling across very different industries - How Friends Everywhere is rethinking the agency model with cultural insiders and seasoned creators - The role of AI as a creative tool and why transparency matters in its use Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:35) Starting with humanity in brand building (03:15) Lessons from Cracker Barrel and Gap missteps (05:55) Leading creative teams through swings and misses (09:30) Creating joy and edge across brands like Hot Wheels, Disney, Burton, and WWE (12:18) The Friends Everywhere model of cultural insiders and seasoned creators (16:38) The role of AI as a creative tool, not a replacement (22:12) Advice for emerging creatives (24:31) The brand that’s made Mark smile About Mark Michaylira Mark Michaylira is Creative Director at Friends Everywhere, where he also leads agency growth for the independent partner to visionary teams building beloved brands. He previously led Global Brand Creative for Mattel’s vehicle portfolio, including Hot Wheels, Matchbox, and Disney Pixar Cars, overseeing disruptive, culture-driven campaigns for some of the world’s biggest toy brands. Earlier in his career, he built creative for Burton Snowboards, Disney, WWE, DreamWorks, Warner Bros., and Levi’s. With more than two decades of experience across creative direction, brand strategy, experience design, and integrated campaigns, Michaylira has shaped work that blends bold ideas with business impact. He is based in Long Beach, California. What Brand Has Made Mark Smile Recently? Mark shared Bug Assault, a quirky brand that sells salt-powered fly blasters. What made him smile wasn’t just the product—it was how the brand solved a real problem with humor, storytelling, and an unexpected creative twist. Their branding struck the right balance of playful and educational, proving that even pest control can be memorable when approached with imagination. Resources & Links Connect with Mark on LinkedIn → Friends Everywhere website → Bug Assault website → Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of On Brand: Taylor’s Version, we’re joined by Emily Campion — Henry B. Tippie Fellow and Associate Professor at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business. Emily’s research explores how organizations hire and develop talent. But today, she’s here to talk about something decidedly more human: Taylor Swift’s relentless work ethic, authentic leadership, grit in the face of setbacks, and her ability to balance it all with self-care. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why Taylor Swift is the ultimate case study in relentless work ethic and focus How authenticity fuels leadership and builds trust with fans — and employees What Taylor’s grit teaches us about resilience, reinvention, and leading through setbacks The role of self-care in sustaining high performance over the long haul Why leaders need to balance hustle with humanity Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (02:15) “Taylor Inc.” and the ultimate one-person company (04:40) Emily Campion on studying work ethic and leadership through Taylor Swift (08:30) Taylor’s relentless productivity and lessons for business leaders (14:05) Authenticity as strategy vs. sincerity (19:20) Grit, comebacks, and leading through setbacks (25:45) Boundaries, rituals, and Taylor’s approach to self-care (32:10) Leadership lessons leaders can apply today (38:15) Emily’s Taylor smile: Stay Stay Stay on ukulele About Emily Campion Emily Campion is a Henry B. Tippie Fellow and Associate Professor at the University of Iowa’s Tippie College of Business. Her research focuses on staffing procedures, the use of machine learning and natural language processing to improve these systems, and ways to mitigate employment discrimination. Her work has been published in leading academic journals, and she currently serves on the editorial boards of Journal of Applied Psychology and Personnel Psychology, where she recently co-edited a special issue on machine learning in selection. What Taylor Era Has Made Emily Smile Recently? For Emily, the Taylor song that’s made her smile recently is “Stay Stay Stay” from Red (Taylor’s Version). She first loved it while learning the ukulele, and even though she jokes she won’t be a famous ukuleleist, the song’s plucky energy and Taylor’s laugh at the end never fail to make her beam. Resources & Links Connect with Emily on LinkedIn. Check out Emily’s University of Iowa faculty page. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Few platforms have changed culture as quickly—or as globally—as TikTok. Khartoon Weiss, VP and GM of North America and Global Business Solutions, is at the center of it, helping brands and businesses connect with audiences in ways that are creative, authentic, and impactful. From scaling Spotify to leading top agencies, she’s built a career on turning bold ideas into cultural movements—and now she’s shaping the future of TikTok. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How TikTok has broken the traditional brand storytelling arc Why authenticity and “real production” outperform polish on the platform How content, commerce, and search converge on TikTok Why short form content can still drive loyalty and long-term brand love What brands like Chipotle, McDonald’s, and Gap are doing right on TikTok Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:38) Why TikTok has changed brand building (02:12) Stewarding TikTok’s brand and helping other brands grow (03:34) Unlearning traditional storytelling on TikTok (06:01) Authenticity over polish with examples from Chipotle and McDonald’s (10:20) Content, commerce, and the rise of search on TikTok (14:04) Can short form content build brand loyalty (21:08) Brand safety, trust, and TikTok’s uncertain future (24:48) Lessons from scaling brands at Spotify, agencies, and TikTok (27:09) The that made Khartoon smile recently About Khartoon Weiss Khartoon Weiss is the VP and GM of North America and Global Business Solutions at TikTok. She previously led global revenue at Spotify, served as Chief Marketing Officer and Managing Director at MDC Partners and Mediacom North America, and was a VP at iHeartMedia. She began her career at BBDO, Ogilvy, and Grey Worldwide. Weiss has been recognized by Campaign’s “40 Over 40,” AdAge’s “40 Under 40,” and AdWeek’s “Top 50.” She completed executive education at The Wharton School and lives in New York City with her husband and two rescued cats. What Brand Has Made Khartoon Smile Recently? Khartoon pointed to Gap as the brand making her smile lately. She praised the retailer for collaborating authentically with creators, staying true to its roots, and showing up on TikTok in ways that feel natural and culturally relevant. For her, Gap’s bravery and creativity prove that when brands lean into community and culture authentically, audiences instantly recognize it—even without the logo. Resources & Links Connect with Khartoon on LinkedIn. Learn more about TikTok for Business. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In our first episode of On Brand: Taylor’s Version, we’re joined by Sinéad O’Sullivan — aerospace engineer turned business strategist, former head of Strategy at Harvard Business School, professor, and co-founder of a global investment fund. She’s advised everyone from NASA to prime ministers … and she also happens to be in the top 0.01% of Taylor Swift fans worldwide. Her new book, Good Ideas and Power Moves: Business Lessons from Taylor Swift, hits shelves this week — and she’s here to share why Taylor isn’t just a pop star, but one of the sharpest strategists of our time. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why “doing strategy” is more than PowerPoints and wish lists How Taylor Swift creates interlinked universes across her albums What it means to be anti-fragile and thrive in chaotic environments How storytelling can be leveraged as a business strategy Why Taylor Swift is her own product and outperforms traditional companies Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:00) Getting Started with Taylor’s Version (01:35) Reputation Era Story Prompt and Misunderstandings (03:40) Doing Strategy the Taylor Way (08:10) Building Worlds Not Products (12:30) Lessons for Brands and Community (17:50) Fearless Era Story Prompt and Courage (24:20) Anti-Fragile Moves and Thriving in Chaos (28:10) Timing, Reverse Acquisitions, and Big Picture Strategy (38:30) Where to Connect with Sinéad About Sinéad O’Sullivan Sinéad O’Sullivan is an aerospace engineer turned business strategist, former head of strategy at Harvard Business School, professor, writer, and co-founder of a global investment fund. She has advised organizations from NASA to prime ministers and is the author of Good Ideas and Power Moves: Business Lessons from Taylor Swift. O’Sullivan has a BA in engineering, an MSc in finance, and a PhD in strategy. What Brand Has Made Sinéad Smile Recently? Sinéad shared that she’s been smiling at the creative universe built around Barbie. From specialty cars to Airbnbs, the way Barbie has expanded into a full cultural ecosystem reminded her of the worlds Taylor Swift builds with her albums—demonstrating creativity, collaboration, and clever brand storytelling. Resources & Links Connect with Sinéad on LinkedIn. Sinéad’s website. Sinéad’s Substack. Sinéad’s new book, Good Ideas and Power Moves: Ten Lessons for Success from Taylor Swift. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes an idea—or a person—truly remarkable? Guy Kawasaki has spent decades evangelizing some of the world’s most influential brands—from Apple to Canva—and helping ideas spread in ways that stick. In his new book, Wiser Guy, he shares the lessons, stories, and wisdom he’s gathered along the way, showing how to think remarkable, lead with purpose, and make an impact that lasts. What You’ll Learn in This Episode - Why Wiser Guy isn’t a memoir and what it is instead - The surprising truth behind Guy’s decision to publish this book with a traditional house - How evangelism has evolved from Apple’s Macintosh launch to Canva today - Why democratizing technology matters—and where AI fits into that story - The timeless wisdom Guy believes we shouldn’t wait too long to share Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:36) Welcoming Guy Kawasaki back to On Brand (03:08) Why Wiser Guy is not a memoir (05:08) From self-publishing advocate to Wiley author (10:45) Stories and lessons that rose to the top (15:12) Evangelism past and present (20:03) Is AI truly democratizing technology (27:02) A brand that’s made Guy smile recently (32:21) Where to learn more and closing gratitude About Guy Kawasaki Guy Kawasaki is the chief evangelist of Canva and the creator of Guy Kawasaki's Remarkable People podcast. He is an executive fellow of the Haas School of Business (UC Berkeley), and an adjunct professor of the University of New South Wales. He was the chief evangelist of Apple and a trustee of the Wikimedia Foundation. He has written Wise Guy, The Art of the Start 2.0, The Art of Social Media, Enchantment, and eleven other books. Kawasaki has a BA from Stanford University, an MBA from UCLA, and an honorary doctorate from Babson College. What Brand Has Made Guy Smile Recently? Guy shared that Liquid Death has been making him smile. Beyond simply selling water in a can, the brand has built a bold, countercultural identity around “killing thirst.” Guy admires how they’ve created something fun and meaningful while inspiring him to craft his own marketing mantra, “kill mediocrity.” Resources & Links Connect with Guy on LinkedIn. Guy Kawasaki’s website. Wiser Guy on Amazon. Remarkable People podcast. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-brand-podcast-about-branding/id1113563080?mt=2 Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2Hq9fjctcpm3YKlJFuXmRk YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/onbrandpodcast Amazon/Audible → https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/7f4fb055-1584-4037-a637-305c9b82ac3c/on-brand-with-nick-westergaard?refMarker=dm_wcp_af_r&ref=dmm_acq_mrn_d_ds_rh_z_-c_c_539036640611_g_127821134784 Google Play → https://play.google.com/music/listen#/ps/I6xnjeogoyostq7pyu3xh3kqi4a Stitcher → https://www.stitcher.com/show/on-brand-with-nick-westergaard TuneIn → https://tunein.com/radio/On-Brand-p967623/ iHeart → https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-on-brand-with-nick-westerg-90019102/ Rate and review on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/on-brand-podcast-about-branding/id1113563080?mt=2 Rate and review on Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/2Hq9fjctcpm3YKlJFuXmRk Share this episode — email a friend or colleague → mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20this%20podcast%20episode&body=I%20thought%20you%20might%20like%20this%20podcast Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter → https://www.nickwestergaard.com/email/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Brand: Taylor’s Version is a 4-episode mini-series exploring Taylor Swift’s brand brilliance — from storytelling and community to cultural hitmaking and reinvention. Guests include bestselling authors, top CMOs, and academic experts who break down what businesses and leaders can learn from the world’s ultimate hitmaker. New bonus episodes drop every Thursday through October 2nd, leading up to the release of The Life of a Showgirl. 👉 Follow On Brand so you don’t miss an episode of this special series: Apple Podcasts Spotify Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a brand experience unforgettable? Laura Parkinson, Global Head of Brand Experience at LinkedIn, has created standout experiences at Apple, Google, and now LinkedIn. She leads the team behind the company’s most influential moments—online and in person—and knows how to turn bold ideas into connections that inspire and stick. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why the most iconic brands focus on making people feel something, not just showing up consistently How LinkedIn uses experiences as a marketing channel to launch products and connect with audiences What it takes to scale brand experience inside a large organization while keeping it authentic Why in-person and digital experiences need to work together for a seamless brand presence How cultural moments and team culture fuel creative, “magical” brand experiences Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:31) Laura’s path into brand experience from SXSW to Apple and Google (02:00) Lessons from Apple on intuitive, human-centered experiences (04:20) Making digital brands tangible through real-life experiences (05:26) The role of brand experience at LinkedIn (07:10) Scaling brand experience across a large organization (10:23) Measuring success in brand experiences (13:12) Designing consistent yet localized global experiences (17:05) How AI is reshaping brand experiences (21:18) Building teams that deliver magical experiences (23:18) A brand that’s made Laura smile recently (25:16) Where to connect with Laura About Laura Parkinson Laura Parkinson is the Global Head of Brand Experience at LinkedIn. She specializes in brand marketing events and experiences for global organizations across consumer products, retail, entertainment, technology, and SaaS. Laura brings bold visions to life through strategic thinking and deep operational expertise, having created and managed internal and external programs from concept to completion. She is passionate about building and supporting teams that imagine and deliver magical brand experiences that drive both market and mind share. What Brand Has Made Laura Smile Recently? The brand that’s made Laura smile recently is Build-A-Bear. Beyond its surging stock price, she admires how the company creates magical in-store experiences that resonate with everyone—from kids to adults. With plans to expand dozens of new locations, Build-A-Bear shows the power and value of real-life, experiential branding. Resources & Links Connect with Laura on (surprise!) LinkedIn. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when the women who helped build Microsoft finally get their story told? In her new book, The Women of Microsoft, Miri Rodriguez—Senior Storyteller at Microsoft, CEO of Empressa.ai, and award-winning author—spotlights the pioneers who shaped both the company and the future of tech. Along the way, she shares powerful insights on storytelling, leadership, and how empathy and purpose can transform the way we work. What You'll Learn in This Episode How the new book, The Women of Microsoft, came together in honor of Microsoft’s 50th anniversary Stories of resilience, leadership, and innovation from women who shaped Microsoft over five decades Why telling both the highs and lows of women’s experiences in tech matters Practical lessons for women navigating promotions, resilience, and confidence in today’s workplace How empathy, compassion, and inclusion can shape the future of work—especially in the era of AI Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:09) How the book began (02:43) The mission behind The Women of Microsoft (04:33) Surprising and moving stories (06:35) Women’s impact on Microsoft’s innovations (09:10) Balancing celebration and hard truths (12:11) Lessons for women navigating tech today (19:14) The code of confidence and future generations (20:42) AI, Empressa.ai, and the future of work (26:35) A brand that made Miri smile Miri Rodriguez is the CEO of Empressa.ai, a groundbreaking AI company reshaping the future of work for women, and serves as Senior Storyteller at Microsoft, where she crafts narratives that resonate globally. An award-winning author of Brand Storytelling—translated into four languages—Miri is also a sought-after speaker and consultant known for her empathetic, purpose-driven approach. Beyond her professional work, she champions social advocacy by training leaders of social enterprises in Africa, mentoring students and professionals in the U.S., and sharing mindfulness and happiness through her platform Be Mindful Be Happy. Her global travels with her husband fuel both her storytelling and her belief in the power of human experience and technology to transform lives. What Brand Has Made Miri Smile Recently? Miri shared how the shoe brand Mephisto recently made her smile. While traveling in Spain, she rediscovered the brand her father had once introduced to her as a teenager. A local store gave her an unexpectedly personal, “white glove” experience—handwritten receipts, phone calls to the manufacturer, and even custom colors. For Miri, it was a powerful reminder that personal treatment and genuine customer care still win, even in a world dominated by mass retail. Links Connect with Miri on LinkedIn, Instagram, and her website. Check out her new book, The Women of Microsoft: Empowering Stories from the Minds that Coded the World. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How did Google become one of the most powerful forces in advertising—and what happens when that power crosses the line? Ari Paparo, ad tech veteran, Marketecture founder, and author of Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance, takes us inside the deals, innovations, and strong-arm tactics that reshaped the industry. From behind-the-scenes stories of the “Rocket Docket” antitrust trial to the coming AI disruption of search, Ari shares candid insights on market dominance, branding, and the future of digital advertising. How Google bought, built, and bullied its way to dominance in the ad tech industry — and why multiple governments have called its behavior monopolistic What happened inside the Virginia “Rocket Docket” antitrust trial that inspired Ari’s book Yield, including behind-the-scenes stories from the courtroom How Google’s market power has steamrolled smaller ad tech companies and shaped the open web — and what might change if regulators break it up Why AI and large language models could disrupt Google’s search dominance for the first time in decades, reshaping SEO, SEM, and marketing strategy The branding lesson Ari took from clothing retailer Buck Mason — and why a perfectly on-the-nose brand experience can leave a lasting impression Ari Paparo began his career in digital advertising during the early days of the internet and went on to shape how online ads work today. He has led product teams at AppNexus and Bazaarvoice, helped create industry standards including the VAST video specification and Nielsen’s Digital Ad Ratings, and founded the media company Marketecture to make sense of the complex ad tech world. A sought-after speaker and host of the Marketecture podcast, Ari is also the author of Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the rise of one of the most powerful forces in technology. Ari pointed to Buck Mason—a clothing store he stumbled into with his wife in New York. Despite describing himself as “not a big clothes person” who usually dresses like a slob, he was struck by how perfectly the brand nailed its vibe: black T-shirts, a classic car parked in the middle of the store, art books casually scattered yet deliberately placed, and even a liquor bar to loosen wallets. Founded less than a decade ago in Venice Beach, Buck Mason impressed Ari as a masterclass in creating a brand experience so spot-on it feels like it was built in a lab for its ideal customer. Connect with Ari on LinkedIn and the Marketecture website. Check out his new book, Yield: How Google Bought, Built, and Bullied Its Way to Advertising Dominance. Go down the internet rabbit hole on Ari’s Adland.tv — home to 80,000+ vintage TV ads. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! (00:00) Intro (00:29) Ari’s background in ad tech and industry standards (01:20) Breaking down Google’s strategy: bought, built, bullied (03:08) Conflicts of interest and antitrust cases against Google (05:10) Covering the “Rocket Docket” trial and stories from the courtroom (06:32) The impact of Google’s dominance on smaller ad tech companies (08:02) What might change if regulators break up Google (12:01) Google’s brand halo vs. behind-the-scenes behavior (16:12) Privacy, third-party cookies, and regulatory pressures (19:00) AI disruption and the future of search (21:08) Marketing implications: SEO, SEM, and influencer marketing (23:01) The buzzword Ari is tired of hearing (24:52) The brand that made Ari smile: Buck Mason (26:20) Where to learn more about Ari and Marketecture (27:32) Closing remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices