JUST Branding
JUST Branding - by Jacob Cass & Matt Davies
The JUST Branding Podcast, hosted by Jacob Cass & Matt Davies, is the only podcast dedicated to helping designers & entrepreneurs grow brands.
Each episode goes deep into the details of the brand building process, with professional insights, actionable tips and resources to help you build better brands.
The focus is on helping designers & entrepreneurs bridge the gap between strategy and design. Branding professionals from around the world join Jacob & Matt in discussing the benefits of brand strategy, top tools, how to sell strategy, brand purpose, brand positioning, neuroscience, brand personality, messaging, storytelling, brand naming, tag lines, logo design, brand identity design and brand experience.
ABOUT JACOB CASS
Jacob Cass is a Sydney-based designer & strategist who runs JUST Creative, an award-winning branding & design firm that doubles as an industry leading blog. Jacob helps brands grow & get results by crafting distinctive logos & brand identities that are backed by a solid brand strategy.
He recently rebranded San Francisco and Puerto Rico, and also branded New York's Digital District. Other clients have included the likes of Disney, Nintendo and Jerry Seinfeld. Jacob has spoken at TEDx, been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur and has been awarded LinkedIn’s “Best of” for branding.
For him, design is a lifelong journey of continuously honing his craft, as well as educating other fellow designers & business owners to build on theirs, which has allowed him to build a large and loyal following, including his website which has been been viewed over 50 million times. Jacob is an avid traveler and has traveled to 87 countries.
ABOUT MATT DAVIES
Matt is a brand strategy specialist working with leaders to align around their brand and get it ready to connect deeply with those inside and outside of their organisations. His work enables you to grow your business faster and easier. Matt solves a variety of brand challenges, from strategy and positioning to naming and identity right through to company culture and product innovation.
Each episode goes deep into the details of the brand building process, with professional insights, actionable tips and resources to help you build better brands.
The focus is on helping designers & entrepreneurs bridge the gap between strategy and design. Branding professionals from around the world join Jacob & Matt in discussing the benefits of brand strategy, top tools, how to sell strategy, brand purpose, brand positioning, neuroscience, brand personality, messaging, storytelling, brand naming, tag lines, logo design, brand identity design and brand experience.
ABOUT JACOB CASS
Jacob Cass is a Sydney-based designer & strategist who runs JUST Creative, an award-winning branding & design firm that doubles as an industry leading blog. Jacob helps brands grow & get results by crafting distinctive logos & brand identities that are backed by a solid brand strategy.
He recently rebranded San Francisco and Puerto Rico, and also branded New York's Digital District. Other clients have included the likes of Disney, Nintendo and Jerry Seinfeld. Jacob has spoken at TEDx, been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur and has been awarded LinkedIn’s “Best of” for branding.
For him, design is a lifelong journey of continuously honing his craft, as well as educating other fellow designers & business owners to build on theirs, which has allowed him to build a large and loyal following, including his website which has been been viewed over 50 million times. Jacob is an avid traveler and has traveled to 87 countries.
ABOUT MATT DAVIES
Matt is a brand strategy specialist working with leaders to align around their brand and get it ready to connect deeply with those inside and outside of their organisations. His work enables you to grow your business faster and easier. Matt solves a variety of brand challenges, from strategy and positioning to naming and identity right through to company culture and product innovation.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 4, 2025 • 36min
S06.EP18 - Transforming Amazon: Behind the Brand Overhaul with Koto (James Greenfield)
James Greenfield, CEO and founder of Koto, discusses the monumental task of rebranding Amazon, a challenge that involved 18 months of work across 15 global markets. He highlights the need for brand simplification amid its complexity and the innovative strategies Koto employed, like creating a custom logotype system. James shares insights on collaborating with Amazon's in-house team and overcoming operational challenges. The rebrand led to doubled brand recognition and improved sentiment, emphasizing the importance of disciplined and consistent brand management.
Oct 21, 2025 • 44min
S06.EP17 - The Strategic Enemy: Why Great Brands Need a Villain with Laura Ries
In this episode, global branding expert Laura Ries joins Matt and Jacob to unpack her provocative new book Strategic Enemy: How to Build a Brand Position by Fighting Someone Else. Together they explore why great brands need a clear adversary, how to choose the right one, and how this approach sharpens focus, storytelling, and growth.
Expect iconic examples, practical frameworks, and fresh inspiration for your next brand strategy session.
20 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 42min
S06.E16 - De-Positioning: A Bold New Playbook for Brand Strategy with Todd Irwin
In this enlightening conversation, Todd Irwin, Chief Strategy Officer at Phaser and author of De-Positioning, challenges conventional branding wisdom. He argues that traditional positioning strategies are faltering and instead promotes attacking norms to find your edge. Todd shares insights on how addressing core customer pain points can lead to significant brand growth and ROI. He provides actionable advice for founders and strategists, emphasizing the importance of integrating problem-solving into brand strategy. Get ready to rethink your branding approach!
29 snips
Sep 1, 2025 • 55min
S06.EP15 - What Smart Brands Do Differently with David Aaker
Branding guru David Aaker, vice chairman of Profit and creator of the Aaker brand vision model, discusses what sets strategic brands apart in 2025. He emphasizes the necessity of brand relevance over mere visibility, pointing out how innovative strategies and community engagement can boost brand loyalty. Aaker highlights the evolving dynamics of brand communication, advocating for creative integration into cultural experiences. He also touches on the lasting impact of brand storytelling and corporate culture on an organization’s success.
12 snips
Aug 29, 2025 • 46min
S06.EP14 - Why Brands Shouldn’t Rely on Google (+ How to Actually Get Visibility) with Mordy Oberstein
Join Mordy Oberstein, a leading voice in SEO and former head of SEO branding at Wix, as he unpacks the shifting landscape of online visibility. He argues that brands should stop solely relying on Google and emphasizes the difference between being found and being genuinely known. Mordy discusses the impact of AI and large language models on content and reputation, suggesting that future visibility hinges on strong brand identity rather than just keyword rankings. It's a crucial wake-up call for marketers to rethink their strategies in this AI-first world.
8 snips
Jul 30, 2025 • 1h 5min
S06.EP13 - Branding in an Age of Autocracy: Marty Neumeier on Trust, Truth & Power
Join branding expert Marty Neumeier, author of influential works like The Brand Gap, as he navigates the evolving landscape of branding amidst rising autocracy and AI. He emphasizes how trust, openness, and shared meaning are essential in a world where truth is optional. The conversation highlights the risks of brand neutrality and the crucial role of brand builders as educators. Neumeier also discusses the importance of sustaining human values in business and how emerging MetaSkills can help navigate these challenges.
6 snips
Jul 10, 2025 • 57min
S06.EP12 - Creator Branding 101: How to Build a Creator Brand, Community & Business That Lasts with Jay Clouse
Jay Clouse, founder of Creator Science, is a leading voice in the creator economy, helping creators transform into professional entrepreneurs. He shares invaluable insights on building a brand-led creator business centered on clarity and community. The discussion includes the shift from audience to genuine community interaction, the significance of emotional connections in branding, and the pitfalls of focusing solely on size. Jay also highlights the importance of in-person events and authenticity in personal branding for sustainable growth.
23 snips
Jun 26, 2025 • 45min
S06.EP11 - Inside DixonBaxi: Building Brands That Matter with Simon Dixon
Simon Dixon, co-founder of DixonBaxi, a leading global brand and design consultancy, shares his insights into creating meaningful brand identities. He discusses the concept of Intelligent Identities™, which enables brands to scale emotionally and relevantly. The conversation covers the importance of collaboration between agencies and clients as well as the impact of technology and AI on brand innovation. Simon also reflects on the necessity of authenticity in branding, personal accountability in pursuing passion, and the evolving landscape of creativity in the digital age.
89 snips
Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 12min
S06.EP10 - Problem Framing: Rewire How You Think, Create, and Lead with Rory Sutherland
Rory Sutherland, Vice Chairman of Ogilvy UK and a TED speaker, dives into the art of problem framing and its impact on branding. He argues for rethinking marketing strategies by embracing uncertainty and adaptability. Highlighting the challenges of new technologies like electric vehicles, Rory discusses solutions for common consumer fears such as range anxiety. He also explores how the evolving dynamics of consumer trust and AI influence branding, advocating for innovative approaches that go beyond traditional measurement of success.
30 snips
May 29, 2025 • 1h 9min
S06.EP09 - Coaching for Brand Builders: Guide Clients to Clarity Without Burning Out
Join Michael Bungay Stanier, a best-selling author and coaching expert, as he dives into the transformative power of coaching in branding and business. He shares insights on the importance of asking the right questions to foster clarity and client empowerment. The discussion explores the nuances between group and one-on-one coaching experiences, emphasizing self-awareness and psychological safety. Michael also offers practical strategies for navigating professional relationships and avoiding burnout, making coaching an essential tool for creative leaders.
