The Brandsmiths Podcast: Recent Episodes
Amy Swift Crosby & Hilary Laffer
Brand Strategists Hilary Laffer and Amy Swift Crosby tackle business questions with candid, (mostly) serious and definitely unscripted workshopping sessions. Guests – from small business owners to CEOs, executive directors and founders – bring their head-scratchers, hunches and conundrums to Hilary, the owner of a boutique creative agency in Los Angeles, and Amy, a copy writer.
“We recognize that each challenge is different and quality thinking doesn’t come in one size.”
Steering clear of prescriptions or templates, the hosts approach each 30-minute conversation with the benefit of a couple decades of experience helping brands express themselves with originality and authenticity. As entrepreneurs themselves, the pair shares honest and practical advice as to how a brand can best support a business.
This lively show features one business owner or team with a specific question. The hosts’ mission is to unpack the situation quickly and deliver real-time insight, feedback and recommendations designed to help move the needle, while also guiding listeners to better leverage their own brands for better business outcomes. Audiences benefit from hearing about how real businesses of all sizes in different industries avoid pitfalls, navigate challenges and make informed decisions.
Be a Part of the Show!
Got a question for Amy and Hilary about your business? We're taking business questions - anything that's keeping you up at night, that's puzzling your otherwise brilliant mind, that is slowing your pace in making decisions - or that poses a conflict between you and your team. We're here for it!
Email us at hello@thebrandsmithspod.com or DM us on Instagram @thebrandsmithspod and let's see if we can help! We'll tell you how to get your question answered on the show.
Like what you hear? Whether it's Apple or Spotify please, "Like," review and subscribe, it makes all the difference to us and our ability to keep doing this. Visit us at thebrandsmithspod.com
Be a Part of the Show!
Got a question for Amy and Hilary about your business? We're taking business questions - throw the show anything that's keeping you up at night, that's puzzling your otherwise brilliant mind, that is slowing your pace in making decisions - or that poses a conflict between you and your team. We're here for it!
Email us at hello@thebrandsmithspod.com or DM us on Instagram @thebrandsmithspod and let's see if we can help! We'll tell you how to get your question answered on the show.
Like what you hear? Whether it's Apple or Spotify please, "Like," review and subscribe, it makes all the difference to us and our ability to keep doing this. Visit us at thebrandsmithspod.com
Episode NotesBe a Part of the Show!
Got a question for Amy and Hilary about your business? We're taking business questions - throw the show anything that's keeping you up at night, that's puzzling your otherwise brilliant mind, that is slowing your pace in making decisions - or that poses a conflict between you and your team. We're here for it!
Email us at hello@thebrandsmithspod.com or DM us on Instagram @thebrandsmithspod and let's see if we can help! We'll tell you how to get your question answered on the show.
Like what you hear? Whether it's Apple or Spotify please review and subscribe, it makes all the difference to us and our ability to keep doing this. Visit us at thebrandsmithspod.com
Want to know more about the business discussed on the show?
Visit Souk Studios at https://soukstudio.com/ or on Instagram @souk.studio
Be a Part of the Show!
Got a question for Amy & Hilary about your business? We're taking business questions - throw the show anything that's keeping you up at night, that's puzzling your otherwise brilliant mind, that is slowing your pace in making decisions - or that poses a conflict between you and your team. We're here for it!
Email us at hello@thebrandsmithspod.com or DM us on Instagram @thebrandsmithspod and let's see if we can help! We'll tell you how to get your question answered on the show.
Like what you hear? Whether it's Apple or Spotify please review and subscribe, it makes all the difference to us and our ability to keep doing this. Visit us at thebrandsmithspod.com
Be a Part of the Show!
Got a question for Amy + Hilary about your business? Trying to figure out a new name, need a tag line, pondering a new product launch or wondering if your logo works? This is the tip of the iceberg for these hosts who bring decades of brand strategy to their work with business owners.
Email us at hello@thebrandsmithspod.com or DM us on Instagram @thebrandsmithspod and let's see if we can help! We'll tell you how to get your question answered on the show.
Like what you hear? Whether it's Apple or Spotify please review and subscribe, it makes all the difference to us and our ability to keep doing this. Visit us at thebrandsmithspod.com
Want to know more about the business discussed on the show?
Visit Qool Socks on Instagram @qoolsocks
Be a Part of the Show!
Got a question for Amy & Hilary about your business? Trying to figure out a new name, need a tag line, pondering a new product launch or wondering if your logo works?
Email us at hello@thebrandsmithspod.com or DM us on Instagram @thebrandsmithspod and let's see if we can help! We'll tell you how to get your question answered on the show.
Like what you hear? Whether it's Apple or Spotify please review and subscribe, it makes all the difference to us and our ability to keep doing this. Visit us at thebrandsmithspod.com
Want some free expertise? We're opening The Brandsmiths question hotline for anyone with a business challenge - you can be a brand new owner, an experienced entrepreneur, a creative with a dream or a successful founder with a brand-specific question. Email us you question or record your audio in the form of a voicemail. Ping us: hello@thebrandsmithspod.com. Help yourself while supporting other business owners because if you're asking, so are about 100 other people. Trust us!
Positioning
Advertising
Content Creation
Personality
Digital Marketing
Website Development
UX
mission statement
copywriting
audience
brand strategy
websites
artists
MTV
Bilingual
Spanish
English
Jon Favreau
Kye’s
copywriting
cosmetics
taglines
positioning
brand strategy
packaging
Ulta
beauty
marketing
messaging
brand strategy
copywriting
positioning
sales
marketing
digital marketing
membership model
customer service
bourbon
Naming & Naming conventions
Copy writing & messaging
Brand hierarchy
Brand experience
Typefaces and logotypes
Amy and Hilary take the mystery out of brand for master framer Keith Grayhorse. The Los Angeles craftsman calls in to ask a reasonable question, one that resonates with anyone who is mystified by the idea of branding or wonders if it is worth the effort. The Brandsmiths took the opportunity to talk through what branding really is (not what you may think) and how Keith’s digital marketing outlets – his website and Instagram – could be better used to showcase his brand. On this show: social media strategy, branding explanation and application. Got a question yourself? Hit us up at hello@thebrandsmithspod.com - you could be a guest!
Amy and Hilary work session with Seattle coffee guru Deming Maclise.
How can Caffe Vita evolve... without alienating the OG’s? Seattle’s favorite restaurateur phones in from the road where he’s shuttling between his 8 successful restaurants and handful of independent coffee shops. Caffe Vita (his secret favorite child) has gone through an ownership transition – and not everyone was in the mood for change. This is a great example of a business with a strong brand DNA (and loyal following), who could be leveraging it in an even more strategic way. Local hero (and Soundgarten’s favorite barista in the 90’s), Deming embodies the wisdom of a humble – but highly strategic – leader. On this show: Brand DNA, brand essence, positioning, culture as brand, ownership transition.
Amy and Hilary talk to Susan Glaser PhD and Peter Glaser PhD, renowned communications experts. Now that they can’t blow minds with live audiences, how do they maintain rockstar status...through a screen? The Glasers founded their communication consulting business a few decades ago, and have never had to market themselves to attract clients like Microsoft or the governments of the U.S., Scotland and New Zealand (how nice.) But now, with auditoriums, stadiums and many workplace venues off limits, they have to rethink how to land new clients virtually and help teams build trust through conflict (they really do that.). On this show: Copy writing, process, (re)positioning.
Here's a link to the website for The Learning Farm - looks like Christa has already incorporated some of direction given in this episode!
thelearningfarmjuicery.org