But What About the Brand!

Discover how trust and authenticity are reshaping the influencer landscape with Sondra Clark, co-founder of Urban Legend. In this episode, Sondra discusses the importance of message authenticity, the rise of independent journalists, and why real human connection is more valuable than ever in an AI-driven world.

Delta isn’t just flying planes — it’s flying past the old rules of marketing. From award-winning original content to cutting-edge virtual production, and from 30,000 feet all the way to Tribeca, this episode is a masterclass in how brand, business, and bold storytelling collide.

This is the conversation most comms firms won’t have—and the one every C-suite needs to hear.Josh Culling, President of Dezenhall Resources, reveals how reputation is won or lost when the stakes are highest. We cover why crisis management is a survival discipline, how brand value can vanish overnight, and why—if you think it’s a game of spin—you’ve already lost.

In this episode, I sit down with Justin Landis, co-founder of Bolst, a mission-driven real estate brokerage redefining the industry. We explore how Bolst is positioning itself as the Patagonia or Chick-fil-A of real estate, the business impact of values-based branding, and lessons on brand differentiation and audience engagement through mission-driven business.Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, or business leader, this episode unpacks actionable branding insights to help you build a purpose-driven brand that increases customer loyalty, drives growth, and stands out in a crowded market.

Bud Light’s fall from market dominance wasn’t just a marketing failure—it was a case study in brand misalignment, corporate governance, and shifting consumer dynamics. In this episode, Anson Frericks, former President of Sales & Distribution at Anheuser-Busch InBev and co-founder of Strive Asset Management, discusses his book Last Call for Bud Light and the deeper lessons for businesses navigating today’s evolving marketplace. How do brands lose touch with their customers—and what does it take to win them back?As companies reassess their strategies in a rapidly changing market, this conversation examines the challenges of rebuilding trust, leading through uncertainty, and connecting authentically with your core customers.

Every year, brands spend millions on a single Super Bowl ad. But who actually makes that decision? And why?In this episode of But What About the Brand!, Professor Kim Whitler (UVA Darden School of Business) takes us inside the C-suite to break down:How brands decide to invest in a Super Bowl adWhy the Super Bowl audience is different from a typical marketing campaignWhat history tells us about winning and losing ad strategiesKey takeaways from this year’s commercialsSuper Bowl ads aren’t just commercials—they’re high-stakes brand moves. If you want to understand how brands think at the highest level, this episode is a must-listen.Follow But What About the Brand! wherever you get your podcasts.

Most brands think they’re speaking to their audience. Most are wrong.They’re missing them, ignoring them, or worse—pushing them away. And when that happens, it’s not just ineffective—it’s a risk.Welcome to But What About the Brand!—a podcast about the decisions behind branding, audience connection, and what makes messaging stick.In this short preview, Matthew Mazzone introduces the show, why it matters, and what to expect in the episodes ahead.Follow But What About the Brand! wherever you get your podcasts. First episode drops soon.