On Brand with Nick Westergaard

Taylor's Version, Pt 1: Swift Strategy Secrets


Listen Later

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 PodcastsSpotifyYouTube, Amazon/AudibleTuneIn, 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

          ...more
          View all episodesView all episodes
          Download on the App Store

          On Brand with Nick WestergaardBy Nick Westergaard

          • 4.8
          • 4.8
          • 4.8
          • 4.8
          • 4.8

          4.8

          93 ratings


          More shows like On Brand with Nick Westergaard

          View all
          The Knowledge Project by Shane Parrish

          The Knowledge Project

          2,687 Listeners

          Daily Creative with Todd Henry by Todd Henry

          Daily Creative with Todd Henry

          516 Listeners

          Social Media Marketing Podcast by Michael Stelzner, Social Media Examiner

          Social Media Marketing Podcast

          1,444 Listeners

          The StoryBrand Podcast by StoryBrand.com

          The StoryBrand Podcast

          1,935 Listeners

          The Digital Marketing Podcast by Daniel Rowles and Ciaran Rogers

          The Digital Marketing Podcast

          114 Listeners

          Marketing School - Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips by Eric Siu and Neil Patel

          Marketing School - Digital Marketing and Online Marketing Tips

          1,264 Listeners

          10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

          10% Happier with Dan Harris

          12,713 Listeners

          The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett by DOAC

          The Diary Of A CEO with Steven Bartlett

          8,522 Listeners

          The Futur with Chris Do by The Futur

          The Futur with Chris Do

          857 Listeners

          Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel by LinkedIn

          Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel

          1,016 Listeners

          Nudge by Phill Agnew

          Nudge

          178 Listeners

          The CMO Podcast by vYve & Jim Stengel

          The CMO Podcast

          352 Listeners

          The Marketing Millennials by Daniel Murray

          The Marketing Millennials

          155 Listeners

          Marketing Against The Grain by Hubspot Media

          Marketing Against The Grain

          358 Listeners

          The CEO’s Guide to Marketing by Forbes

          The CEO’s Guide to Marketing

          26 Listeners