#24: Pass/Fail—Breaking Down the Best and Worst in Branding
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Jun 16, 2025
Discover how messaging shapes brand perception and builds trust. The hosts grade impactful marketing moments, from bold branding in the beverage industry to a controversial NFL draft statement. Learn why confidence needs a touch of humility in branding and the power of user-generated content. They explore the risks of provocative messaging and how engaging audiences with reality show-style campaigns can enhance credibility and connection. Tune in for insights on turning messaging into a trust-building tool!
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insights INSIGHT
Arrogance vs. Confidence in Messaging
Arrogance and selfishness harm a brand's trust more than confidence does.
Effective messaging should show how you benefit and serve the team or audience, not just yourself.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Use Provocative Messaging Wisely
Add drama and provocation to your brand messaging to capture attention.
Ensure provocative messaging still clearly communicates value and matches your target audience.
insights INSIGHT
User vs. Employee Content Trust
User-generated content usually builds more trust than employee-generated content.
Customers perceive user content as more authentic due to lack of vested interest.
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Messaging can make or break a brand. Whether you're launching a campaign, building a personal brand, or responding in real time, what you say and how you say it matters. One wrong sound bite can sink your credibility, while one clear, compelling message can unlock massive opportunity. The stakes are high, and yet most people treat messaging like an afterthought. So how do you know if your message is building trust or breaking it?
In this new “Pass/Fail” segment, Don and Kyle grade recent moments in marketing and culture through the lens of what worked and what flopped. They dig into Shedeur Sanders’ controversial NFL draft comments, the bold branding of Liquid Death, and the rise of user and employee-generated content. You’ll learn why arrogance isn’t confidence, what makes provocative branding effective, and how to turn your messaging into a trust-building asset. Listen in to learn what great messaging sounds like and how to avoid a fail.
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Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai 