Brandwidth® Big Ideas on Small Business Marketing

Search is changing — fast! Thanks, AI.

In this forward-looking episode of The Brandwidth Podcast, Sam and Dean explore how AI is shaking up SEO — from search behaviour and algorithms to content creation and discoverability.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
• How tools like ChatGPT are reshaping how people search
• What AI means for your content strategy
• Why old-school SEO isn’t enough anymore
• How to blend classic SEO with modern AI-savvy tactics
• What Google’s AI-driven updates mean for marketers

Whether you’re a marketer, strategist, or small business owner, this episode will help you understand where SEO is heading, and how to stay ahead of the curve.
Tune in and future-proof your digital strategy.

Timestamps:
0:00 – AI’s Impact on Search Behaviour & Marketing Strategies
9:37 – Google’s Desperation to Balance Ad Revenue & User Engagement
11:37 – Google’s AI Evolution & Market Positioning
20:26 – The Battle for AI Search Dominance Between Google & Competitors
33:27 – The Evolving Landscape of SEO & AI-Driven Traffic
45:15 – AI’s Impact on Workload & Expectations
54:13 – AI Conversations & Speculations on Self-Awareness

Think brand health tracking is just for big brands with big budgets? Think again.

In this episode of The Brandwidth Podcast, Sam and Dean dive into how small and medium-sized businesses can measure and improve brand health — without expensive tools or complex metrics.

Here’s what you’ll learn:
• What brand health really means (and why it matters for SMBs)
• Practical ways to track performance without a massive spend
• How to use category entry points to understand your audience
• Why context matters for local and niche businesses
• Smart, scalable ways to build brand visibility and engagement

Whether you’re running a small agency, local firm, or niche product brand, this episode gives you the tools to track and grow with confidence.
Tune in and take your brand’s pulse, on your terms.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Exploring Brand Health Through Professor Jenni Romaniuk’s A to Z Framework.
10:12 – Challenges in Customer Retention & Survey Accuracy
15:46 – Strategies for Tracking Brand Health in Small B2B Firms
23:22 – Evaluating Brand Measurement & Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses
33:04 – Leveraging Brand Health Metrics for Small & Medium Businesses
38:10 – Exploring Small-Scale Brand Health Measurement & LinkedIn Strategies

Does where you advertise impact how your brand is perceived?
Spoiler: It absolutely does.

In this episode of The Brandwidth Podcast, Sam and Dean dive into the relationship between advertising medium and brand trust — unpacking how everything from Meta ads to TV spots shapes consumer perception.

Here’s what they explore:
• Digital vs traditional: Which mediums build more trust?
• Why digital retargeting can sometimes backfire
• The role of creativity in trust-building campaigns
• How media context shapes brand credibility
• The power of a strong multi-channel strategy

Full of insights and real-world examples, this episode is a must-listen for marketers and brand leaders navigating today’s fragmented media landscape.
Tune in and learn how to match your message to the right medium.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Exploring Marketing Perspectives: Digital Versus Brand Approaches
13:00 – The Art and Science of Effective Retargeting in Marketing
19:47 – Long-Term Marketing Strategies for Residential Builders
21:12 – Building Trust Through Diverse Advertising Strategies
28:46 – The Impact of Advertising Frequency and Medium on Audience Engagement
37:09 – Connecting with Branding Experts and Marketing Insights

What makes a rebrand actually work, and what happens when it tries too hard?

In this episode of the Brandwidth podcast, Sam and Dean break down two big auto campaigns — Jaguar’s latest rebrand and Mazda’s iconic Zoom Zoom — to explore the do’s, don’ts, and deeper strategy behind brand reinvention.

Here’s what they dig into:
• Why Jaguar’s sleek campaign fell flat with younger audiences
• Was it bold innovation or a misfire in brand substance?
• The power of brand heritage and perception
• How Mazda nailed the blend of nostalgia + modernity
• What every rebrand needs to get right (regardless of industry)

Smart, punchy, and full of takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for marketers, strategists, and brand builders navigating repositioning in any space.
Tune in and see what zoom-zooms… and what stalls.

Timestamps:
0:07 – Jaguar’s Rebrand and Agency Firing Controversy
3:22 – Marketing Insights from Mazda and Jaguar Campaigns
7:21 – Jaguar’s Controversial Rebranding Campaign Sparks Social Media Debate
9:22 – The Evolution of Car Brands Amidst the Electric Revolution
16:24 – Debate Over Jaguar’s Bold Rebranding Strategy
18:34 – Mazda’s Brand Revival Through RX7 Inspiration and Redesign
21:54 – Rebranding Jaguar: Lessons from Mazda’s Zoom Zoom Strategy
30:12 – Brand Resilience and the Power of Consumer Forgiveness
34:24 – Brand Insights, Drinking Games, and Case Study Collaborations

So naturally, everyone’s asking the question:
Is digital marketing dead?

Spoiler: nope. Then again, people said radio, TV, and print were dead too…
So, of course, digital marketing is not dead, but is today’s middle aged version of digital marketing starting to look a little flabby around the waist? Perhaps.

In this week’s Brandwidth podcast, Sam and Dean poke fun at the idea of a digital doomsday and dig into what’s really going on:
• Why the “digital-first” obsession is fading
• How privacy shifts and cookie deprecation are changing the playbook
• Why brand-building will always outlast CTRs
• The myth of “digital efficiency” (and what to measure instead)
• Why dusting off the marketing fundamentals isn’t regression — it’s smart strategy

If the ever-shifting digital landscape has you feeling like you’re chasing your tail, this episode helps you zoom out, laugh a little, and refocus on what actually works.

Tune in! It’s not a funeral. It’s a reset.

Timestamps:
0:00 – The Premature Declaration of Digital Marketing’s Demise
3:14 – Reevaluating Digital Marketing’s Role Amidst Evolving Challenges
8:26 – The Evolution & Challenges of Modern Digital Advertising
14:09 – Rethinking Digital Marketing Strategies & Audience Engagement
20:25 – The Flaws of ROI in Marketing Metrics
21:58 – The Impact of Regulation on Digital Marketing and Privacy
27:00 – Rethinking Digital Marketing Strategies for Long-Term Success

What if the secret to better branding isn’t doing more — but doing less (and avoiding the wrong things)?

In this thought-provoking episode of the Brandwidth podcast, Dean and Sam explore via negativa, a concept pulled from Nassim Taleb’s Antifragile, and how it might apply to modern brand strategy.

Here’s what they dig into:
• What “via negativa” means
• 10 rules of what not to do in brand strategy
• Why simplifying > complicating
• Why you shouldn’t let competitors define your positioning
• The myth that “more budget = better brand”

This one’s a fresh, counterintuitive take on how less noise, fewer mistakes, and clearer thinking can elevate your brand and marketing outcomes.
Tune in and learn what not to do.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Connecting Literature & Marketing Through Unique Perspectives
2:56 – The Power of Removing Rather Than Adding in Decision Making
10:03 – Ten Commandments for Effective Branding Strategies
19:28 – Debating the Positivity & Negativity of the Ten Commandments
21:00 – The Power of Simplicity & Brand Experience in Marketing

SEO not cutting it for your niche B2B biz? Time to think differently.
In this episode of Brandwidth, Sam and Dean unpack the power of Account-Based Marketing (ABM) — especially for complex sales and high-value customers.

Here’s what’s inside:
• What ABM is and why it works for B2B
• A real client story where ABM made more sense than SEO
• How to align sales + marketing for smarter targeting
• The case for quality over quantity in lead gen
• How personalised marketing drives bigger wins in niche markets

It’s a strategic deep-dive with practical takeaways for marketers, business devs, and founders navigating long, complex sales cycles.
Listen now and learn why ABM might be your next best move.

Timestamps:
0:00 – Choosing Between SEO & Account-Based Marketing for B2B Success
6:39 – Strategic Account Based Marketing for High Value B2B Sales
16:46 – Niche Accounting Services & Targeted Marketing Strategies
19:08 – Leveraging Account Based Marketing for Business Growth
23:51 – Choosing Between Traditional & Account-Based Marketing Strategies
29:51 – Account Based Marketing: Old School Meets New Strategies
32:17 – The Power of Account-Based Approaches in Problem Solving

Ever wondered what a real marketing insight is and why it matters?
In this episode of Brandwidth, Sam and Dean go deep into the world of insights and how they power creativity, strategy, and brand storytelling.

Here’s what’s inside:
• What insights actually are (and what they’re not)
• 11 different types of insights — from eureka moments to cultural currents
• Why “hidden truths” are just the beginning
• How great strategists turn insights into creative gold
• Real-world examples to bring it all to life

Whether you’re building campaigns, pitching ideas, or just want to sharpen your strategic thinking, this episode is a masterclass in making insights work for you.
Tune in and upgrade your insight game!

Timestamps:
0:00 – Exploring Insights in Branding & Marketing Discussions
2:14 – Understanding Insights in Advertising & their Varied Forms
6:41 – Uncovering Hidden Truths & Insights in Consumer Behaviour
8:44 – Eureka Moments & Universal Truths in Business Innovation
16:43 – Exploring Tension Points in Innovation & Market Strategy
19:34 – Cultural & Emotional Insights in Consumer Decision-Making
29:11 – Exploring Social Media Behaviour & Market Opportunities
35:03 – Symbolic Branding & Market Disruption Insights
43:44 – Brand Strategy: Positioning Against Industry Norm

Meta ads not hitting the mark? You’re not alone, this episode of Brandwidth is here to help.
Join Sam and Dean as they break down what really goes into a successful Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads campaign and what’s likely holding yours back.

Here’s what they cover:
• Why a “Buy Now” ad isn’t enough (and what to do instead)
• Building a full-funnel strategy (top, middle & bottom)
• Understanding your customer’s buying journey
• Targeting the right audience at the right time
• Balancing brand-building and direct response ads

Packed with real-world examples, clear takeaways, and a few laughs, this episode is perfect for small biz owners and marketers who want better ROI from their Meta spend.
Tune in and turn those ad dollars into real results!

Timestamps:
0:00 – Branding vs Digital Marketing for Small Businesses
1:57 – Creating Effective Meta Ad Campaigns through Audience & Ad Types
8:57 – Effective Meta Advertising & Brand Familiarity
15:30 – Understanding the Buyer Journey & Effective Ad Targeting
19:24 – Optimising Ad Funnels for Effective Targeting & Engagement
25:45 – Building Targeted Audiences through Strategic EBook & Competitions
30:19 – Building Effective Multi-Channel Marketing Campaigns for Business Growth
35:15 – Maximising Marketing Impact through Strategic Advertising & Engagement
40:48 – Exploring Practical Marketing Strategies

Ready to stop guessing what your customers want, and actually know?

In this episode of Brandwidth, Sam and Dean get real about what it means to be truly market-oriented, and why it’s a game changer for your brand.

They cover:
• Market vs. product vs. competitor focus (and why it matters)
• Breaking out of your own assumptions
• Real-world examples of brands doing it right
• Tools like customer interviews, surveys & Net Promoter Score (NPS)
• Simple steps to align your strategy with what your market actually wants

Fun, sharp, and packed with insights — this one’s for marketers, founders, and brand builders who want to win by listening smarter.
Tune in now and level up your customer game!

Timestamps:
0:00 – Exploring Market Orientation in Branding & Marketing
7:26 – Market Orientation vs Product & Competitor Focus in Business
15:29 – Exploring Market Orientation Through Customer Use & Value
19:55 – Perceptions of Wine Drinkers in Stock Photos vs Reality
22:28 – Understanding Wine Consumption Through Cases & Needs States
25:06 – Challenges & Strategies in Conducting Effective Customer Surveys
33:58 – Customer Feedback & the Value of Insightful Reporting
38:57 – The Power of Market Orientation & Customer Insights