The Experience/Brand Strategy Dance with Catherine Clark

Experience Strategy and Branding Strategy sometimes reference similar ideas and frameworks, but often don’t complement one another in execution, for the good of the customer. Catherine is the Co-Founder of the branding agency, clarkmcdowall. Catherine has been a thought leader in brand strategy, architecture and innovation since the 90’s. Her work is built on the fusion of art and science, left and right brain… or what she calls “intelligence and imagination”. Her work has helped shape some of the world’s biggest and most innovative brands. Today, we look at the possibilities and pitfalls of these two approaches, and the magic that is possible when they find their rhythm and dance in harmony. KEY TAKEAWAYS  Successful brand strategy helps you define the character of your company. Successful experience strategy helps you define the needs of your customer. The two have the potential to work in partnership, or end up creating confusion for customers. Empowered employees enable the brand and experience dance to be harmonious. (Spoiler alert: it’s not just about consistency, but about actually supporting employees with the technology to support customers. See @southwestairlines for more on this point.) GUEST BIO  Catherine is the Co-Founder of independent NYC-based branding agency, clarkmcdowall. A true pioneer in the business of branding and innovation, Catherine came to New York in the late 90s and quickly established her reputation as a thought leader in brand strategy, architecture and innovation. She joined forces with Paul McDowall in 2001, creating clarkmcdowall – an original agency built on the fusion of art and science, left and right brain… or what they call “intelligence and imagination”. Together, they have built a powerful team of talented individuals and helped shape some of the world’s biggest and most innovative brands. Catherine leads the strategic direction for the agency’s work and oversees the business. She is committed to supporting women in the pursuit of their ambitions, and is proud to have a long fostered women-majority leadership group. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theexperiencestrategist.substack.com/subscribe