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!

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.com
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/richiemel/
• LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/richie-meldrum/

Bare Brand Strat

• www.barebrandstrat.com
• https://www.instagram.com/barebrandstrat/
• https://www.linkedin.com/company/bare-brand-strat

Mention 'JACOB' for special discount.

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.