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
14 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.
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.
14 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.
79 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.
21 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.
7 snips
May 6, 2025 • 44min
S06.EP08 - Making Brands Relevant: How to Connect Culture, Creativity & Commerce with Cyril Louis
Explore the essence of brands in culture beyond just trends. Discover the fine line between cultural resonance and culture-washing. Learn how to engage authentically with cultural movements while avoiding pitfalls. Unpack practical frameworks for aligning brands with the right cultural moments. Understand the critical importance of global and local nuances in branding. Plus, delve into the role of emerging tech like AI and Web3 in shaping brand relevance in today's fast-paced market.
12 snips
Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 3min
S06.EP07 - Smarter Brand Growth: How to Align Marketing & Sales (with ABM/ABX) with Jennifer Mancusi
In this episode of JUST Branding, we unpack Account-Based Experience (ABX) which is a strategic approach that unites marketing, sales, and customer success to drive focused, sustainable brand growth.
Learn more at justcreative.com/podcast
Our guest walks us through their 7 Steps to ABX Success, offering a clear, practical framework to move from scattered tactics to shared results.
Together, we explore:
• Why ABX is more than a rebrand of ABM—and why it matters
• How to align company strategy with marketing strategy
• The power of a well-defined Ideal Customer Profile (ICP)
• How to build a target account list that fuels real opportunities
• Ways to create content that resonates (and converts)
• How to run omnichannel campaigns that feel intentional, not intrusive
• What metrics matter when it’s time to measure and scale
If you’re tired of misaligned teams, generic marketing, or chasing leads that go nowhere, this episode will shift your thinking and sharpen your strategy.
11 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 58min
S06.EP06 - Unlocking Innovation: How Play & Creativity Drive Success with Melissa Dinwiddie
In this engaging discussion, Melissa Dinwiddie, an innovation strategist and author of The Creative Sandbox Way, shares her unique journey from artistic endeavors to corporate consulting. She highlights how playfulness and experimentation can serve as catalysts for innovation. Melissa offers a three-step framework for fostering creativity and emphasizes the importance of structured workshops for enhancing collaboration. Through personal anecdotes, she underscores the power of empathy and communication in teamwork, transforming self-doubt into artistic success.
