The only dual-host podcast dedicated to helping designers, strategists, marketers & entrepreneurs grow brands.

Hosted by Jacob Cass & Matt Davies.

The JUST Branding Podcast

The JUST Branding Podcast, hosted by Jacob Cass & Matt Davies, is the only dual-host podcast dedicated to helping designers, strategists, marketers & 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.

Guests have included thought-leaders such as Chris Do, Marty Neumeier, David Aaker, Michael Johnson, Sagi Haviv, Andy Raskin, Alan Weiss, Byron Sharp, and more.

The podcast focuses on helping designers, brand builders & entrepreneurs bridge the gap between strategy and design. Branding professionals from around the world join Jacob & Matt in discussing the benefits of brand strategy, brand strategy tools, how to sell strategy, brand purpose, brand positioning, neuroscience, psychology, brand personality, messaging, storytelling, brand naming, tag lines, logo design, brand identity design, brand experience and much more.

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Meet Your Hosts

Jacob Cass

Jacob Cass is a brand 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.

Matt Davies

Matt Davies 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. Matt solves a variety of brand challenges, from strategy and positioning to naming and identity right through to company culture and product innovation.

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The Brand Builders Alliance™ is the ultimate membership for brand builders, providing support, guidance and resources to master branding & build a thriving creative business.

Season Six 2025

EP1: Go from Bland to Brand
with Steve Noss of Cooper Parry

EP2: Building Influence
with Lida Citroën

EP3: Brand Alignment
with Brandon Coleman Jr.

EP4: Politics in Branding
with Jeroen Reuven Bours

EP5: Branding is Dead & Other Marketing BS
with Mark Ritson

EP6: Unlocking Innovation: How Play & Creativity Drive Success
with Melissa Dinwiddie

EP7: Smarter Brand Growth
with Jennifer Mancusi

EP8: Making Brands Relevant
with Cyril Louis

EP9: Coaching for Brand Builders
with Michael Bungay Stanier

EP10: Problem Framing
with Rory Sutherland

EP11: Inside DixonBaxi
with SimonDixon

EP12: Creator Branding
with Jay Clouse

EP13: Branding VS Autocracy
with Marty Neumeier

EP14: Google VS Branding
with Mordy Oberstein

EP15: What Smart Brands Do
with David Aaker

EP16: De-positioning Brands
with Todd Irwin

EP17: The Strategic Enemy
with Laura Ries

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Press & Stats

#1 Design Podcast in Switzerland
#1 Design Podcast in Slovenia
#1 Design Podcast in Cyprus
#1 Design Podcast in Nigeria
#1 Design Podcast in Lebanon
#1 Design Podcast in Belize
#1 Design Podcast in Ghana
#1 Design Podcast in Tanzania
#1 Design Podcast in Bermuda
#1 Art Podcast in Serbia
#2 Design podcast in Austria
#2 Design podcast in Slovakia
#2 Design podcast in Croatia
#6 Design Podcast in Australia
#7 Design Podcast in UK
#6 Design Podcast in Canada
#25 Design Podcast in USA

The Charts

#1 Branding Podcast by Welp Magazine
#1 Branding Podcast by Feedspot
Top 10 Design Podcasts by ClearDesign
Top 10 Design Podcast by Goodpods
Top 10 Branding Podcasts on the web by Million Podcasts
Top 5 Brand Strategy Podcasts by Million Podcasts

Podcast Stats

4.9/5 Star Average Rating on Apple Podcasts (65+ Reviews)
15,000+ Monthly Downloads
5500+ Listens per episode
~22 Episodes per Season
~2 Episodes a Month

Listenership Location

64% USA
14% UK
9% Australia
8.5% Canada
4.5% India, China

5 Star Reviews

Season Six (2025)

S06.EP17 - The Strategic Enemy: Why Great Brands Need a Villain with Laura Ries

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.

S06.EP16 - De-Positioning: A Bold New Playbook for Brand Strategy with Todd Irwin

In this provocative episode, we sit down with Todd Irwin, Chief Strategy Officer at Fazer and author of the new book De-Positioning (Amazon), to challenge the status quo of brand strategy.

S06.EP15 - What Smart Brands Do Differently with David Aaker

Branding legend David Aaker returns to JUST Branding to unpack what separates truly strategic brands from the sea of sameness in 2025. We also spotlight the updated edition of Aaker on Branding and wrap with a fast-paced quickfire round you won’t want to miss.

S06.EP14 - Why Brands Shouldn’t Rely on Google with Mordy Oberstein

Google is shifting—and fast. Between AI Overviews, zero-click results, and the rise of LLMs like ChatGPT and Perplexity, traditional search isn’t what it used to be. We break down what these changes mean for brand builders, marketers, and strategists alike.

S06.EP13 - Branding in an Age of Autocracy: Marty Neumeier on Trust, Truth & Power

As truth blurs and trust erodes, branding enters uncertain ground. In this episode, Marty Neumeier joins us to explore how AI, media, and power shifts are reshaping perception—and what it means for brand builders. We unpack trust, neutrality, and why branding can’t sit on the sidelines. A sharp call for relevance and responsibility.

S06.EP12 - Creator Branding 101: How to Build a Creator Brand, Community & Business That Lasts with Jay Clouse

Jay Clouse joins us to share how he’s built Creator Science into a trusted brand by leading with clarity, community, and consistency. We explore the creator-brand connection, building in public, and scaling trust without shortcuts. A must-listen for creators, strategists, and brand builders who want to play the long game.

S06.EP11 - Inside DixonBaxi: Building Brands That Matter with Simon Dixon

We go inside the mind of Simon Dixon, co-founder of the global brand and design consultancy DixonBaxi. Simon shares how his team builds what they call Intelligent Identities™—living systems designed for scale, emotion, and relevance.

S06.EP10 - Problem Framing: Rewire How You Think, Create, and Lead with Rory Sutherland

Rory takes us deep into the world of problem framing, a powerful technique that flips business challenges on their head to reveal bold, creative brand solutions hiding in plain sight.

S06.EP09 - Coaching for Brand Builders: Guide Clients to Clarity Without Burning Out with Michael Bungay Stanier

If you’re a creative shifting into strategy, leading workshops, or simply trying to manage client relationships without losing your mind, this one’s for you.

S06.EP08 - Making Brands Relevant: How to Connect Culture, Creativity & Commerce with Cyril Louis

Whether you’re a strategist, creative, or entrepreneur, discover powerful ideas about branding—and how your brand can shape culture, not just sell into it.

S06.EP07 - Smarter Brand Growth: How to Align Marketing & Sales (with ABM/ABX) with Jennifer Mancusi

Learn Account-Based Experience (ABX) strategy that unites marketing, sales, and customer success to drive focused, sustainable brand growth.

S06.EP06 - Unlocking Innovation: How Play & Creativity Drive Success with Melissa Dinwiddie

Is creativity the key to unlocking innovation? Learn a three-step process designed to help teams embrace play, imperfection, and rapid learning.

S06.EP05 - Branding is Dead & More Marketing Bullsh*t with Mark Ritson

Marketing legend Mark Ritson drops the fluff and brings the fire. We break down marketing myths, brand strategy, performance vs. brand, AI hype, and more.

S06.EP04 - Should Brands Get Political? with Jeroen Reuven

In today’s polarized world, should brands take a stand on political and social issues—or is neutrality the smarter move? Learn more in this podcast!

S06.EP03 - How to Align Your Brand for Success with Brandon Coleman Jr.

Join branding legend Brandon Coleman Jr. as he shares 50+ years of expertise on brand alignment, growth, and success.

S06.EP01 - How to Build Influence with Lida Citroën

Discover Lida Citroën’s 10-step strategy for building influence beyond authority. Learn how storytelling, authenticity & trust elevate your leadership impact.

S06.EP01 - Go from Bland to Brand with Steve Noss

Build a standout brand in a crowded market! Learn from Cooper Parry’s bold strategy with their Creative Director, Steve Noss. Turn your business from bland to brand!

Season Five

S05.EP21 - Best of 2024 with Jacob Cass & Matt Davies

Join hosts Jacob Cass and Matt Davies as they highlight the best insights from 2024’s top branding experts on JUST Branding.

This episode features the brightest minds, including Byron Sharp, Andy Raskin, Alex Smith, Alexandra Watkins, Tom Roach, Nick Asbury, Maria Brasil, and more.

S05.EP20 - Bridging Strategy and Design with Richie Meldrum

Richie Meldrum, a renowned brand strategist, consultant, and educator with a unique ability to bridge strategy and design shares his journey from copywriting to leading transformative branding projects, revealing how aligning strategy with design creates impactful, cohesive brands.

S05.EP19 - Rethinking Brand Purpose with Nick Asbury

You’ve been sold a lie about brand purpose. Let’s unravel it. Tune in to hear from branding expert, Nick Asbury, author of Road to Hell, and learn how brands can strike a better balance between creativity, authenticity, and ethical responsibility without all the “save the kittens”.

S05.EP18 - Simplifying Strategy with Mark Pollard

Mark Pollard, founder of Mighty Jungle and host of Sweathead, shares his unique perspective on simplifying strategy in this insightful episode. Reflecting on his journey from creative to strategist, Mark explains his approach to strategy, highlighting the pivotal role of storytelling and empathy in shaping effective brand narratives.

S05.EP17 - Humour in Branding with Paddy Gilmore

From practical examples of brands nailing their humor to common pitfalls to avoid, Paddy shares insights that will help you use humor confidently and effectively in your messaging. Tune in for actionable tips and real-world examples on using humor to connect with your audience—and learn Paddy’s top strategies for creating an authentic, funny brand that resonates.

S05.EP16 - Brand & Performance Marketing with Tom Roach

We are thrilled to welcome Tom Roach, Vice President of Brand Strategy at Jellyfish and one of the most respected figures in the advertising world. With over 20 years of experience at top agencies like BBH, Leo Burnett, and AMV BBDO, Tom has become a leading voice in the fusion of brand and performance marketing.

S05.EP15 - Brand Positioning Models with Magdalena Adamska

We sit down with Magdalena Adamska, founder of BrandStruck and a seasoned freelance strategist, to explore the world of brand positioning. We’ll start by getting to know Magda and how she founded BrandStruck, a platform dedicated to brand strategy insights.

S05.EP14 - Brand Management with Raitis Velps

In this episode, we tackle the often-overlooked challenges of brand identity asset management and explore why traditional style guides might not be enough.

Joined by Raitis Velps, we dive into the common pitfalls brands face, from outdated assets to inconsistent branding across platforms.

Discover how these issues can dilute brand perception and hurt performance in competitive markets.

S05.EP13 - Building Brands with Soul with Maria Brasil

Maria Brasil discusses her shift from traditional branding to a strategy that aligns brand positioning with organizational culture, rooted in conscious capitalism’s four pillars: higher purpose, conscious leadership, culture, and stakeholder integration. She highlights the importance of brand authenticity and shares insights from her work with a fintech brand in Brazil’s favelas.

S05.EP12 - Logo Design Secrets with Ian Paget

Unlock “Logo Design Secrets” with Ian Paget of Logo Geek. Ian shares his journey, the value of logos, attributes of a good logo, and insights into the design process, trends, and AI’s role. Practical advice for entrepreneurs and designers included.

S05.EP11 - The No BS Guide to Strategy with Alex Smith

Alex Smith, author of “No BS Strategy,” shares his insights on strategy and branding, offering practical tips, common pitfalls to avoid, and a straightforward approach to crafting a winning strategy.

S05.EP10 - Rebranding Strategy: How to Rebrand Like a Pro with ShannaRea Dennis

Alexandra Watkins, a renowned naming expert and author of ‘Hello, My Name Is Awesome: How to Create Brand Names That Stick,’ shares her insights on brand naming. Alexandra emphasizes that anyone can create memorable brand names with the right approach.

S05.EP09 - Rebranding Strategy: How to Rebrand Like a Pro with ShannaRea Dennis

In this episode, we tuck into the subject of what a rebrand is, why a business might need a rebrand, what that entails, and what the benefits are. We also review what business leaders should expect from a strategy-led rebrand and what pitfalls they should avoid.

S05.EP08 - How to Use Strategic Narrative for Brand Growth with Andy Raskin

Andy walks through how to create a narrative which positions your brand as the front runners in a movement and how this cuts through noise and galvanises companies around a powerful purpose. If you want help punching up your brand positioning, this episode is not to be missed.

S05.EP07 - Experiential Branding with Matt Clutterham

Level up your understanding of experience design with this enlightening episode. We sit down with Matthew Clutterham who has been creating experiences for global brands for over 20 years. We discuss the power of lighting to effect mood and how using it can enhance the way brands are experienced by customers.

S05.EP06 - B2B Marketing with Jade Tambini

Jade takes us on a journey through the evolution of B2B marketing and generously shares her expertise by unveiling the four pillars of B2B marketing, offering a robust framework for businesses navigating the intricate world of B2B marketing.

S05.EP05 - Brand Strategy Frameworks with Sarah Robb

Sarah meticulously analyzed 181 leading global brands, uncovering the strategic nuances that drive their market dominance. We discuss her findings plus explore her revolutionary “Unselfish Framework,” a tool designed to empower brand builders.

S05.EP04 - Brand Identity (+ Brand Architecture) with Rob Meyerson

We deep dive into Alina Wheeler’s seminal work, “Designing Brand Identity,” with a special emphasis on Brand Architecture where we clarify the various models—branded house, house of brands, endorsed brands, and hybrids.

S05.EP03 - How to Launch a Brand in 10 Days with Brand Sprints with Eden Vidal

Sick of long winded brand building processes that take months and loose momentum? Then you need to know about “Brand Sprints”! We tuck into the benefits of sprints, how to conduct them, where the pitfalls lie and how to overcome them.

Get ready to reframe your thinking, reimagine your process, push the boundaries and embrace the scrappy nature of brand sprinting!

S05.EP02 - How Brands Grow with Professor Byron Sharp

Byron, renowned for his groundbreaking book “How Brands Grow,” which has significantly influenced the marketing sphere over the last decade, joins us to unravel the scientific principles behind brand growth.

S05.EP01 - The State of Brand 2024

Prepare to embark on an insightful exploration of the branding industry’s ever-changing landscape in State of Brand 2024, hosted by Jacob Cass and Matt Davies. This special episode promises to provide a deep dive into the core of the branding world as it stands today.

Season Four

S04.EP18 - Best of 2023 (Season 4)

We dive into the most insightful and transformative ideas in branding and marketing from 2023. Take a curated journey through the minds of industry leaders, innovators, and rebels, each offering unique perspectives on branding’s evolving landscape.

S04.EP17 - Brand Storytelling with Miri Rodriguez

Discover the art and science of brand storytelling through the experiences and insights of Miri Rodriguez, a celebrated storyteller and branding expert with an impressive history at Microsoft.

S04.EP16 - How to Uncover Genuine Insights with Chris Kocek

Tune in as we explore the transformative role of insights in branding and marketing with subject matter expert, Chris Kocek.

S04.EP15 - How to Develop BIG Brand Ideas (Secrets Revealed!)

Let the sparks of BIG Brand Ideas ignite your brand’s future! Tune in to discover what it takes to craft a brand idea so compelling, it becomes a rallying cry!

S04.EP14 - Balancing Facilitation & Strategy w/ Rachel Davis

When collaboratively building a brand, how does a strategist balance both the facilitation of workshops and the task of creating the strategy. What are the key challenges? How can they be overcome? This is the topic of this value-packed episode.

S04.EP13 - Mastering Brand Guidelines with Hamish Smyth

Join us and Hamish Smyth as we unravel the crucial role of brand guidelines in achieving brand consistency, recognition, and trust. We’ll explore the key elements of successful guidelines and gain insights from renown brands, plus learn how to avoid common pitfalls and create brand guidelines that people actually use.

S04.EP12 - Distinctiveness & Differentiation with Jenni Romaniuk

We explore the significance of distinctiveness in branding and its role in a brand’s success. Jenni shares key elements for building distinctive brands with examples. Plus the concept of differentiation and its importance in establishing a brand’s competitive edge. Tune in to dive deep into the world of marketing science and consumer behaviour.

S04.EP11 - How to Build Big Brands on Small Budgets with Ian Barnard

We dive into the world of brand performance and its distinction from performance marketing, exploring the positioning process (4Cs) and the significance of creating future demand. Ian shares valuable insights on how small brands can grow when competing against larger market leaders.