On Brand with Nick Westergaard

Derek K. Hubbard is Manager of Public Relations for Southwest Airlines. In his role, Derek shares the story of Southwest with audiences across a variety of channels. For more than 10 years, Derek has been a sought after expert on how to craft compelling stories and influence audiences. He believes stories can change the world and everyone has one waiting to be told. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast.About Derek K. HubbardDerek K. Hubbard is the Manager of Public Relations for Southwest Airlines, where he helps share the airline’s story across a variety of channels. This year, he served as a jury member for Brandstorytelling 2025, a sanctioned event of the Sundance Film Festival, evaluating top films, podcasts, and episodes. With a background as a television producer in Dallas and experience in financial communications in London, Derek’s expertise spans media, storytelling, and brand strategy. He’s been recognized as a PR News 30 and Under Rising PR Star and has contributed to outlets like The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Today Show. An avid communicator and entertainment enthusiast, he’s even made an appearance on Carpool Karaoke!From the ShowWant more on that Herb Kelleher Malice in Dallas arm-wrestling match? Check out the full story on the Southwest website!What brand has made Derek smile recently? “During my time at (Sundance's) Brand Storytelling (Festival), I had the pleasure of watching and and an episode of a series called Celebrity Substitute, which I believe is streaming on YouTube. What was really cool about about this series is that they went into classrooms and highlighted education, highlighted teachers and the incredible work that they are doing within our classrooms.”Connect with Derek on LinkedIn and check out Southwest’s social channels and their website.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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

Todd Bracher, founder of BRACHER, is a leading industrial designer and strategist with 25+ years of experience. He shares how he blends design, science, and business to drive innovation, launch groundbreaking products, and advise top brands on differentiation. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast.About Todd BracherTodd Bracher founded BRACHER, an Industrial Design and Advisory firm. With over 25 years of experience, Todd integrates design, science, and business to drive sustained growth. He has launched over 200 products, secured two dozen patents, and a three-time International Designer of the Year recipient. Known for guiding strategic differentiation and navigating disruption, Todd is a sought-after advisor for top brands and startups. In 2022 he launched Betterlab to champion science-based design. Residing in New York, Todd is a dedicated father committed to making a positive impact.From the ShowWhat brand has made Todd smile recently? Todd shared the smiles that came from both him and his sons as a result of his new Baggu laptop sleeve. Guess what the sleeve features? Smiley faces — more smiles!Connect with Todd on LinkedIn or his website.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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

On this episode of On Brand, Jennifer van Dijk, CEO of Superplastic, shares how the company is redefining entertainment by turning animated characters into cultural icons. With 23+ million social media followers, Superplastic blends storytelling, commerce, and AI to create innovative experiences. Jennifer also reflects on her career leading brands like Dapper Labs, Hoonigan, the NBA, and more.About Jennifer van DijkJennifer van Dijk is the CEO of Superplastic, a leading entertainment company renowned for transforming animated characters into engaging content, immersive experiences, and innovative products. With over 23 million social media followers and counting, Superplastic successfully monetizes across digital media, gaming, television, and experiential platforms. Jennifer excels in next-gen entertainment, seamlessly merging content and commerce through beloved intellectual properties, AI, and pioneering revenue streams. Before Superplastic, Jennifer was President of Dapper Labs North America, CEO of Hoonigan, and roles as EVP of Digital & Content Partnerships at Wasserman, Chief Strategy Officer for the LA Clippers, and VP of Team Marketing & Business Operations at the NBA.From the ShowWhat brand has made Jennifer smile recently? Jennifer pointed to a recent Gap ad that represents a throwback to the brand's iconic OG ”dance ads.”Connect with Jennifer on LinkedIn and learn more about Superplastic on their website and YouTube.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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

In this episode of On Brand, we’re celebrating creativity with Victoria Lozano, Executive Vice President at Crayola. As Crayola kicks off its annual Creativity Week, Victoria joins us to discuss the brand’s mission to inspire imagination and innovation in children and adults alike. From their iconic crayons to bold initiatives like the Campaign for Creativity, Crayola is more than a brand—it’s a champion for self-expression and connection through art. Tune in to hear how Crayola is fostering creativity across generations and empowering us all to think outside the lines.About Victoria LozanoVictoria Lozano is the Executive Vice President of Brand Marketing at Crayola LLC, where she oversees brand activation, digital strategy, consumer communications, partnerships, education marketing, and location-based entertainment (LBE), as well as leading Crayola Studios, which creates family-focused content to inspire creativity. Previously, she was Vice President of Marketing at Cadbury North America, managing the $1.2B Gum and Mints Portfolio, and held marketing roles at Miller Brewing Company, Warner-Lambert, and Pfizer. Victoria holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance and a BS in Marketing and Classical Studies (summa cum laude) from New York University. She also serves on the board of The Children’s Home of Easton in Pennsylvania.From the ShowWhat brand has made Victoria smile recently? Victoria shared the recent holiday ad from Coca-Cola centered on the story of “The New Guy.”Connect with Victoria on LinkedIn and learn more about Crayola Creativity Week and their Campaign for Creativity.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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

Elie Jacobs is a Founding Partner at Purposeful Advisors. With a career that began in President Clinton's post-presidential office, Elie has worked for some of the world's leading public affairs and strategic communications consultancies helping clients navigate the increasingly crisis-fraught media landscape. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast.About Elie JacobsElie Jacobs is a Founding Partner at Purposeful Advisors. Elie has more than two decades of experience as a public affairs and strategic communications professional. He began his communications career as a press aide in the post-presidential office of President Bill Clinton, handling Clinton’s briefing materials and working with the news media. He has worked for some of the world’s leading public affairs and strategic communications consultancies, including Brunswick Group, Public Strategies, Sloane & Company, Glover Park Group, and Kivvit.Elie has served as a Senior Advisor to a leading global strategic advisory firm and is a sought-after advisor for political candidates and elected officials. He’s a Political Partner with the Truman National Security Project, a member of Chatham House, and frequently provides expert media commentary on American and Israeli politics and national security.From the ShowWhat brand has made Elie smile recently? Elie told the story of Gaggenau based on their curiosity-building ad “For Those Who Know” in the Harvard Business Review. Connect with Elie on LinkedIn and the Purposeful Advisors website.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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

Tommy Means is a Founding Partner & Chief Creative Officer at Mekanism. In his nearly twenty years in the industry, he has created award-winning campaigns for brands including Molson/Coors, Nike, Apple, The North Face, Pepsi, Disney, and 20th Century Fox. Tommy won a Cannes Lion for creating one of the first cannabis commercials. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast.About Tommy MeansTommy Means is a Founding Partner & Chief Creative Officer at Mekanism, a creative advertising agency with offices in San Francisco, New York, and Seattle. Under his creative leadership, Mekanism has been named a Top 10 Most Effective Independent Agency in the US by the Effie Index, and Independent Agency of the Year by The Drum. In his nearly twenty years in the industry, he has created award-winning campaigns for brands including Molson/Coors, Nike, Apple, The North Face, Pepsi, Disney, and 20th Century Fox. Tommy won a Cannes Lion for creating one of the first cannabis commercials with Academy Award-winning director Spike Jonze.From the ShowWhat brand has made Tommy smile recently? Tommy shared a smile from AirBNB.Connect with Tommy on LinkedIn or the Mekanism website.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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

Joe Wright is Co-Founder, Director, and Chief Creative Officer at Sibling Rivalry, a New York and Los Angeles-based brand studio and production company infusing insight with imagination to drive brand, business, and culture. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast.About Joe WrightJoe Wright is Co-Founder, Director, and Chief Creative Officer at Sibling Rivalry, a New York and Los Angeles based brand studio and production company infusing insight with imagination to drive brand, business, and culture. Joe is a meticulous craftsman, who designs every detail to impact the greater story of his films. As a co-founder and chief creative officer of Sibling Rivalry, Joe’s work brings the audience on a journey of striking imagery and authentic storytelling. He’s collaborated with brands such as Cadillac, Calvin Klein, Samsung, and HPE. He has won numerous industry awards and accolades, directed Super Bowl campaigns, and he has work that is featured in the permanent collection of the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York.From the ShowWhat brand has made Joe smile recently? Joe said he would be unabashedly self-promotional (LOL!) and share Sibling Rivalry's recent work for the steaming service Philo, which brings smiles to faces both internally and externally.Connect with Joe on LinkedIn and the Sibling Rivalry website.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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

This week we have our annual holiday episode of the On Brand podcast with the “Naughty and Nice Brands of 2024.” The smart folks at Brand Federation developed this seasonally appropriate snapshot of brand behavior looking back on this past year and the year ahead at 2025. The consultancy’s Chief Growth Officer Matt Williams joined me to discuss which brands have been naughty and nice this year.About Matt WilliamsMatt Williams is chief growth officer for Brand Federation, a brand strategy consultancy in Richmond, Va. Prior to joining Brand Federation in 2019, Williams was CEO of the Martin Agency, one of the world’s most recognized advertising agencies, where he managed strategy development for world-class brands like GEICO, OREO, UPS, Discover Financial, Walmart, and more. Williams also is Clinical Professor in the marketing department at the Mason School of Business at William & Mary. He teaches in the MBA program and is the developer and Faculty Director of the school’s Online Masters in Marketing.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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

Justin Goldstein is the Founder and Lead Strategist of PR72, an integrated communications agency that helps organizations like Uber, AARP, and General Motors unlock growth and build their brands. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast.About Justin GoldsteinJustin Goldstein is an award-winning public relations and marketing expert, and the Founder and Lead Strategist of PR73. This integrated communications agency helps brands build trust and unlock growth opportunities. He has reshaped industry practices through his work with leading organizations like Uber, AARP, Clinton Global Initiative, General Motors, and many more. Justin’s mission? To empower brands to develop trust at every touchpoint. Justin’s journey and personal story testify to the power of resilience and resourcefulness.Born with a cyst on his kidney, Justin learned early on to recognize his limits and adapt strategically—a lesson he now applies to business. Just as he used a kidney protector belt as a child, Justin advocates for understanding your bandwidth and being resourceful to avoid overextending yourself and your clients.From the ShowWhat brand has made Justin smile recently? Justin shared the consistent smiles he gets from real estate brokerage SERHANT.Connect with Justin on LinkedIn and the PR73 website.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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

Siew Ting Foo is a transformational growth leader who builds businesses and brands with soul. Building Brands with Soul is also the title of her new book. During her 25-year career, she's worked with brands including Unilever, Mars Inc, Diageo, and HP. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast.About Siew Ting FooSiew Ting  Foo is a transformational growth leader who builds businesses and brands with soul. She has focused most of her 25-year career on this mission by infusing human-centric growth strategies into brands including Unilever, Mars Inc. Diageo, Fonterra, and, most recently, HP Inc. As a female leader who has worked in global business and marketing roles, Siew Ting shares her experiences in her new book: Building Brand with Soul — from creating value for shareholders, humanizing growth strategies for global brands or leading groundbreaking initiatives that set industry benchmarks.Siew Ting has received recognition as a transformational business leader across the region who helped build businesses and brands with soul.  She was named consecutively 6 times as Asia’s most purposeful and influential CMO and named Asia/China top women leader. The book is her continuous commitment to inspire and nurture the next generation of marketing leaders.From the ShowWhat brand has made Siew Ting smile recently? Siew Ting shared two — e.l.f. Cosmetics and Jaguar!Connect with Siew Ting Foo on LinkedIn and her website.As We Wrap … Listen and subscribe at  Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon/Audible, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn, iHeart, YouTube, and RSS. Rate and review the show—If you like what you’re hearing, be sure to head over to Apple Podcasts and click the 5-star button to rate the show. And, if you have a few extra seconds, write a couple of sentences and submit a review to help others find the show. Did you hear something you liked on this episode or another? Do you have a question you’d like our guests to answer? Let me know on Twitter using the hashtag #OnBrandPodcast and you may just hear your thoughts here on the show. 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