In this episode I talk with one of my branding heroes, Michael Johnson, founder of Johnson Banks, author of Branding in five and a half steps and thought leader on brand strategy and design. We take a deep dive into brand strategy, design and how to bridge that gap.Michael's latest book: Now try something weirder is coming out by the end of may but you can get a chance to win an exclusive hand-signed copy before it releases. Join the give-away here.We talk about:Michael's agency: Johnson BanksThe Shelter rebrandMichael's book: Branding in 5 and a half stepsHow to move beyond jargon and talk about strategyThe difference between being a strategist and being a designerHow to inspire creative directionsHow design can affect the strategyMichael's new book: Now try something weirder. You can pre-order it here or join the give-away here to get a chance at winning an early copy.Where do idea's come from?A german stage and a series of penis pictures by Erik KesselsMichael's talk at typo BerlinWhy you need to try something weirderHow you can present design optionsWhy you need to learn how to writeTone of voice and messaging This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

I talk about:Business language and how it is used to 'fake' expertiseLearning the fundamentals of brand strategy before you can break the rulesHow I started using my designer skills in the strategy phaseHow we are different from business strategistsIf you have any questions about strategy, branding or design, feel free to answer your question here. I will try to answer all your questions in the monthly Q&A episode. Looking forward to hearing your voices! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

If you would like to get a chance at winning the book, join the give-away on letstalkbranding.be/douglas In this episode, we talk about:Douglas his story, working at multiple advertising agenciesThe end of the DOT.com bubbleDouglas plays the role as my therapist, where we talk about my dilemma being a designer that becomes more and more of a strategistFeatures, benefits, insightsThe article Douglas mentions: https://www.adweek.com/agencies/design-experts-weigh-in-on-ddbs-and-joans-new-visual-identities/What makes a good briefOvercoming the fear and doing the workAs always, if you would like to stay up to date, subscribe to the podcast and give me a rating. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

If you are interested in learning more about the business of expertise, I'm giving away a free copy of the book, signed by David. You can visit letstalkbranding.be/davidWe talk about:Positioning your creative businessThe 2bobs podcast PricingEntrepreneurshipStrategy vs executionTaking risksDavid's book: the business of expertise (affiliate link)David also recommended 4 sources on positioning:Blair Enns: https://www.winwithoutpitching.com/about/David C. Baker website Philip MorganTim Williams of Ignition consultingAs always I would appreciate a rating on Itunes and subscribe if you want to keep getting weekly updates and interviews. If you want to get more insights on brand strategy and design, subscribe to the newsletter on letstalkbranding.be This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

We talk about:Eli's studio: a hundred monkeysNaming mistakesThe importance of naming for logo designHow to protect your name, legallyHow to work with clients on namingEli's book : Don't call it thatIf you are interested in winning a free copy of the book, signed by Eli, visit letstalkbranding.be/eli This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

Some of the topics we discuss:A purpose is not a messageThe difference between marketing and brandingTwentyfirstcenturybrandCustomer researchThe competitive value of branding in Neil's whitepaperI would really appreciate it if your rate the show on Itunes. If you are looking for more weekly insights on brand strategy, please subscribe to the newsletter here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

We talk about:storytellingbranding and marketinginternal brandingrepeating the same message, over and over againlistening to your customershow to be innovativefinding your whythe role of designersidentity designYou can check out Wim's brand, Balls & Glory, here. If you wish to reach out to Wim, you can find him on LinkedIn This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

> Geoff was a former student of my online course on brand strategy: Activate your strategic brain. After he did the course we started talking and it was inspiring to me how Geoff started transforming his own business Studio Alumni and applying it in his own way.In this episode we take a deep dive into the challenges and benefits of transforming your business from a graphic design studio to a branding studio where strategy is at the essence of what you do.It's amazing to hear how Geoff is evolving his process and framework, client per client, project per project.If you are interested in learning more about brand strategy, you can now get the course at a 30% discount, this discount will end on monday the 4th of March. Check out some of the free lessons and course info here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

In this episode I talk with Leland Maschmeyer, chief creative officer at Chobani and co-founder at Collins. Leland is a widely celebrated designer, recognized as most influential designer by HOW magazine, he has worked with brands such as Chobani, Spotify, Instagram and much more. We talk about Leland's experiences when founding Collins, working in house at Chobani and Leland's vision on Systems thinking.Topics:The story of how Leland met Brian Collins and they co-founded CollinsThe rebrand at ChobaniThe Spotify redesignThe difference and similarities between strategy, systems thinking and design thinkingDesign thinkingThe future of designThe book on systems thinkingIf you liked this episode, please give me a rating on Itunes or subscribe to the newsletter on letstalkbranding.be This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com

In this episode, I talk with Adrian Belina, Partner & Executive Creative Director at Jam3, a studio that creates groundbreaking digital experiences. We talk about how to create work that is 'cutting-edge' and how to stay ahead, the recent Fyre festival doc, where he gets inspired, how to create immersive brand experiences and much more.Here are some of the topics and links:Jam3, Adrian's studioHow Adrian attracts new clientsHow to keep innovatingThe Fyre festival documentary (Netflix)How you need to convince clients to not copy others, but create work that others will copyThe Reformation storesSome of the examples Jam3 did and how they impacted a brand.You can connect with Adrian here on LinkedIn or on Twitter here.As always, I'd love it if you rate the podcast on Itunes. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit letstalkbranding.substack.com