

He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast
Jaci Russo
The He Said, She Said, Razor Branding™ Podcast is hosted by Jaci and Michael Russo, covering topics like entrepreneurship, B2B marketing, messaging for your target audience, and of course, building your brand. Together, they provide branding insight, tips, and best practices from their combined 40+ years of experience. Special guests from various industries are welcomed to the podcast regularly to share their stories and how branding played a pivotal role in their success.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 9, 2024 • 54min
The Psychology of Branding Pt. 2 with Dr. Tricia Groff
In this episode of the He Said, She Said Razor Branding™ Podcast, hosts Michael and Jaci Russo continue their conversation with Dr. Tricia Groff, focusing on advanced empathy and its application in marketing and leadership. Following their previous discussion, this episode delves into how understanding people can enhance marketing strategies, foster better relationships with clients, and lead to more effective business practices – including the concept of “advanced empathy,” which involves inferring what others are feeling without explicitly stating it.
Dr. Tricia Groff is a licensed psychologist who provides executive coaching and consulting for high achievers and their organizations. With a PhD from Ball State University and a counseling and business psychology background, she specializes in optimizing human factors to drive tangible business results. Passionate about challenging the status quo, Dr. Groff helps clients navigate complex organizational dynamics and improve leadership effectiveness. When not in business mode, she enjoys living well, finding happiness in small things, and driving fast.

Aug 6, 2024 • 57min
Consumer Insights and Branding with Brett Townsend
In this episode of the "He Said, She Said" Razor Branding Podcast, Michael and Jaci Russo are joined by Brett Townsend, Senior Vice President of Strategy at Questor Strategy and Insights. The discussion dives into market research, consumer insights, and the importance of empathy in branding and marketing. Throughout the conversation, Brett shares anecdotes from his time at PepsiCo, illustrating the impact of empathy-driven market research on real consumer lives. He stresses the importance of narratives in consumer insights and how brands can harness these stories to better connect with their audiences. In addition, he also discusses his book, "Insights on the Brink," co-written with Tim Hoskins, which aims to revitalize the market research and analytics industry.

Jul 18, 2024 • 1h 1min
The Financial Side of Branding with David C. Barnett
Join Jaci and Michael Russo as they welcome David C. Barnett to the podcast. As an accomplished author, speaker, educator, and consultant, David brings a wealth of knowledge on buying and selling businesses, entrepreneurship through acquisition, and the current business landscape influenced by trends like the "silver tsunami" and internet "influencers."
Tune in to learn why business is tough, why it’s important to be realistic about business opportunities, and how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of buying and running a business. Don't miss David's practical advice and candid insights that could help you make better business decisions.
_______David Barnett graduated from the Williams School of Business and Economics at Bishop’s University in 1998 and from UNBSJ’s Electronic Commerce Management Program in 1999. Since the late ‘90s, Mr. Barnett has been building his profile as an expert in small and medium-sized enterprises.

Jul 9, 2024 • 43min
The Psychology of Branding with Dr. Tricia Groff
In this episode of the Razor Branding Podcast, hosts Jaci and Michael Russo welcome Dr. Tricia Groff, a licensed psychologist specializing in executive coaching and consulting for high achievers. The conversation delves into the critical intersection of psychology and branding, exploring how understanding human behavior can enhance business strategies. Dr. Groff shares insights on the importance of emotional connections in branding, the challenges of breaking away from herd mentality, and the need for businesses to communicate their unique competitive edges. Don’t miss this engaging episode that promises to leave listeners with thought-provoking ideas and practical takeaways for their own branding journeys.
Dr. Tricia Groff is a licensed psychologist who provides executive coaching and consulting for high achievers and their organizations. With a PhD from Ball State University and a counseling and business psychology background, she specializes in optimizing human factors to drive tangible business results. Passionate about challenging the status quo, Dr. Groff helps clients navigate complex organizational dynamics and improve leadership effectiveness. When not in business mode, she enjoys living well, finding happiness in small things, and driving fast.

Jun 24, 2024 • 35min
The Marriage of Branding and Relationships
In this episode of the "He Said She Said Razor Branding" podcast, hosts Michael and Jaci Russo dive into the intricate connections between branding and relationships, using their daughter's recent wedding as a backdrop. The discussion explores how marriage is a powerful metaphor for brand relationships, emphasizing the importance of commitment, trust, and understanding in personal and business contexts. The Russos also reflect on the legacy of Dutch Kepler, a key influence in their professional journey, and the evolving role of technology in branding and advertising. This episode offers valuable insights into the strategic and emotional aspects of building and maintaining strong brand connections.

Jun 11, 2024 • 49min
The Performance of Branding with Jason Friedman
Joining Jaci and Michael on this episode of the He Said She Said, Razor Branding Podcast is Jason Friedman, a theater nerd turned serial entrepreneur. Jason's passion lies in coaching, supporting, and championing other entrepreneurs in growing and scaling their businesses. His involvement in national theater tours helped him realize that the same principles used in show business to command standing ovations could be applied to every business (on or offline), regardless of industry or location.
Currently, Jason is the CEO of CXFormula, working with fast-growing, entrepreneurial companies to help them grow and scale businesses that give them stability, purpose, and energy to work smarter and live better using his proprietary Kinetic Customer Formula. He is also CEO of Spotlight Brand Services, a marketing and brand management agency, helping e-commerce businesses crush it on Amazon and other online marketplaces. His clients have ranged from Fortune 100’s to solopreneurs in industries as diverse as retail (Foot Locker, Adidas, Nike), hospitality (W Hotels, Universal Studios, Disney, Burger King), financial services (Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Fidelity), higher education (Stanford, Yale, Duke & Harvard Universities) and online services/information products such as ClickFunnels, Product Launch Formula, and ASK Method Company.

May 29, 2024 • 38min
Rebranding Made Simple with Jaci and Michael Russo
In this episode of the "He Said She Said Razor Branding" podcast, hosts Michael and Jaci Russo delve into the complexities of rebranding – clarifying that rebranding encompasses far more than just a new logo; it involves a comprehensive assessment of a company's visual identity, messaging, and audience. They discuss the importance of maintaining consistency and emotional connection in branding, emphasizing the significance of thorough research, strategic planning, and selecting experienced partners to avoid common pitfalls in the rebranding process. They also their new eBook, "Rebranding Made Simple," providing expert insights and actionable strategies to ensure your brand stays competitive, relevant, and razor sharp. Ideal for CEOs, marketing directors, and brand managers. Download your FREE copy of "Rebranding Made Simple." here.The He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast is hosted by Jaci and Michael Russo, covering topics like entrepreneurship, B2B marketing, messaging for your target audience, and of course, building your brand. Together, they provide branding insight, tips, and best practices from their combined 40+ years of experience. Special guests from various industries are welcomed to the podcast regularly to share their stories and how branding played a pivotal role in their success. Subscribe to the He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast and learn more about brandRUSSO at brandrusso.com.

May 13, 2024 • 55min
How Successful Brands Capitalize on Technology with Greg Brooks
Greg Brooks joins Jaci and Michael on this week’s episode of He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast to talk about the current and future state of SEO, and how businesses can thrive in an ever evolving digital marketing landscape. As Partner and CMO at SearchTides, a forward-thinking SEO agency, Greg provides his insight into how businesses can take advantage of technology, as well as tips on how to get the most out of AI.
Greg Brooks is a leader and prominent figure in the digital marketing landscape, serving as a partner at SearchTides, a forward-thinking SEO agency. His role is pivotal in shaping the future of effective SEO, leveraging Large-Language Models (LLMs), and navigating the AI-driven era of the internet. With an impressive track record, Greg has successfully collaborated with industry giants such as Home Depot, Zillow, Western Union, and FanDuel.

Apr 30, 2024 • 51min
The Evolution of Digital Marketing in the age of AI with Rachel Hernandez
Joining Jaci and Michael on this week’s episode of He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast is Rachel Hernandez, Director of Brand Strategy at Next Net Media. Known for her deep insights into brand strategy and SEO, Rachel discusses the evolution of digital marketing, emphasizing the impact of AI and the internet's dynamic landscape. Tune in to gain expert knowledge on enhancing your brand's digital footprint and leveraging AI for marketing growth and success.
Rachel Hernandez is the Director of Brand Strategy at Next Net Media. In this role, she spearheads the world’s largest global network of trusted media outlets, link partners, and global news websites, catapulting clients to online retailing success with high-authority backlinks and targeted organic visitors.With a decade-long career in digital content creation and strategy, Rachel initiated Next Net Media’s content department in 2016, overseeing in-house teams and a vast network of 700+ freelancers, generating thousands of premium content pieces weekly. Recognized as a finalist for Woman in Content Marketing of the Year, Rachel is a sought-after guest on marketing podcasts and an esteemed speaker at international events, sharing her expertise in content marketing, brand strategy, and SEO.

Apr 15, 2024 • 50min
SEO and Branding in Today’s Everchanging Marketplace
On this week’s episode of He Said, She Said: Razor Branding™ Podcast, Jaci and Michael are joined by Brandon Leibowitz, the founder and operator of SEO Optimizers, to talk about the often discussed, but rarely understood topic of SEO, and the importance it plays in branding.
Brandon Leibowitz runs and operates SEO Optimizers, a digital marketing company that focuses on helping small and medium-sized businesses get more online traffic and transform that traffic into leads. Brandon’s journey in digital marketing began in 2007, right after he graduated from college with a degree in Business Marketing. With limited digital marketing knowledge, Brandon dedicated himself to learning and mastering this new type of marketing. Today, Brandon and SEO Optimizers work with a wide variety of clients, ranging from small local businesses to Fortune 100 companies. Learn more about Brandon and SEO Optimizers at: https://seooptimizers.com/about/brandon-leibowitz/


