Brands on Tap

As part of our Creative Sector Secrets series, we welcomed Mark Vallance, Creative Director of DuoDot Agency, to discuss the dos and don’ts of running a creative agency. In the episode, you'll learn: - How Mark went from freelancer to Creative Director at DuoDot, including key decisions and turning points in his career- The biggest dos of running a creative agency, from setting a clear vision to building strong client relationships.- The most common don’ts that hold agencies back, such as underpricing, scope creep, and weak positioning.- How to structure teams, processes, and roles so creative work stays high quality as the agency grows.- Practical tips for finding and keeping great clients, including what really builds long-term trust.- Lessons Mark wishes he’d known earlier in his career, so you can avoid the same mistakes. Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon.Hosted by White Space Agency.Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

Photography and videography are no longer optional brand extras – they’re core to how your audience sees, understands and remembers you. In this episode of Brands on Tap, we unpack why strong photography and videography matter more than ever in a swipe-and-scroll world, and how to use them strategically to elevate your brand presence.By the end of this episode, you’ll know:​- Why up to 90% of the information we process is visual – and what that means for your brand content.- How considered photography and videography build trust, credibility and emotional connection.- The difference between generic stock, AI-generated visuals and bespoke brand imagery (and when each has a place).- Why lighting, composition and professional direction can transform “nice” visuals into genuinely powerful brand assets.- Practical tips for planning shoots, briefing photographers/videographers and keeping your brand visuals consistent across channels.- We also explore how photography and video have evolved over the last 10–20 years, the impact of social media and always-on content, and where AI imagery and video fit into a modern brand toolkit.If you’re a business owner, marketer or brand leader wondering whether it’s worth investing in better visuals, this episode is for you.Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon.Hosted by White Space Agency.Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

AI is changing SEO faster than most brands realise - and in 2026, we need to adapt our approach. In this episode of Brands on Tap, we break down how AI Overviews, chatbots and generative search are reshaping Google, and what that actually means for brands trying to grow online.By the end of this episode, you'll know:- What AI has actually changed in SEO (and what hasn’t)- The truth about AI content, penalties and “good enough” SEO- Practical SEO & GEO tips to consider in 2026 Available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube and Amazon.Hosted by White Space Agency.Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

Our new series 'Creative Agency Secrets' dives into the truth about running a creative business from agency to videography business owners, and everything in between. Our first episode features Darren Graydon, owner of SPS Marketing Agency, who dives into the reality of running an agency, what it's like to buy an agency, and how to balance being a creative while being a business owner, and much more. 00:02:20 – Q1 What led you to start or buy into an agency, and what original problem were you trying to solve?00:06:20 – Q2 What was the biggest turning point in your agency's story that changed how you operated? 00:17:30 – Q3 How do you balance creativity with the practical demands of running a business? 00:28:00 – Q4 What’s the most valuable lesson you have learned from working with clients, good or bad?00:32:20 - Q5 What changes in the creative industry have most affected how your agency operates? How have you adapted? 00:54:00 - Q6 What advice or secrets would you share with other creative sector business owners? The do’s and don’ts! Take a look at SPS Marketing - https://spsmarketing.co.uk/Website - https://whitespace.agency/Linkedin -   / brands-on-tap  Instagram -   / brandsontappodcast  If you are interested in featuring on Brands on Tap, email [email protected]

Get ready for a festive deep-dive as we unwrap the most talked about Christmas TV Adverts of 2025 in our latest episode of Brand on Tap. We give our uncut, unfiltered, honest opinions on the Christmas TV adverts filling our screens this season. In this episode, we talk about the following Christmas TV adverts: 00:00 - 00:34 Intro 00:35 - 5:49 John Lewis05:50 - 07:36 Lidl07:37 - 14:44 M&S14:45 - 19:59 Asda20:00 - 24:29 Sainsbury's24:30 - 28:10 Morrisons28:10 - 33:34 Waitrose33:35 - 39:44 Aldi39:45 - 46:38 Boots (and a bit of Christmas digress!)46:39 - 50:07 Barbour50:08 - 52:01 Tesco52:02 - 53:49 James May 55:30 - 59:19 Least Favourites59:20 - 59:46 Outro

Is TV Advertising dead? In this episode of Brands on Tap, Paul and Rob chat through this controversial topic. Available now on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or Amazon.Hosted by White Space Agency. Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

In this episode, hear from Ella, the Marketing Lead at Little's Coffee, on how they're actively redefining the instant coffee market and riding the wave since being on this year's series of Dragon's Den!Tune in and find out what is working, what isn't, and find out more about the world of in-house marketing for a smaller global brand. Also available on YouTube, Apple and Amazon. Hosted by White Space Agency Visit our website: https://whitespace.agency/

Is social media a search engine? It’s a hotly debated topic, and in this episode of Brands on Tap, Jaz and Ellie dive right in.They unpack what defines a search engine vs social media, explore how AI and social platform adaptations are reshaping the landscape of organic search, and share nostalgic nods to platform throwbacks (remember the early days of Instagram and Facebook?). They round off with practical tips to help you boost your social media activity with search intent in mind.Brands on Tap is also available to listen to on Apple, Amazon, and YouTube. Hosted by White Space Agency: https://whitespace.agency/

In this episode of Brands on Tap, Paul talks us through the world of print advertising and its continued relevance in today’s digital-first landscape.From evolving techniques to the tactile power of physical media, find out why print still holds a unique place in the marketing mix. Paul explores the finer details that make print stand out including colour variations, binding options, substrates, and finishes, revealing how these creative elements contribute to memorable brand experiences.This episode offers fresh perspectives on how print and digital can complement each other to build stronger, more impactful campaigns.Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple.https://whitespace.agency/

Why does web design matter? In the latest episode of Brands on Tap, Paul and Rob get into the why behind great web design - breaking down the core principles that make a site stand out and exploring how purposeful web design can elevate your brand, build trust, and drive real results.This episode gives you the understanding to have a website designed with a purpose.Listen now on Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube → https://linktr.ee/brandsontapFor more on White Space Agency, visit → https://whitespace.agency

In this epsiode of Brands on Tap, Paul and Rob delve into the evolution of typography, the detailed process behind selecting and designing typestyles, and why typography matters significantly to your brand's success. Listen now to elevate your typography expertise. Available now on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or Amazon → https://linktr.ee/brandsontap⁠https://whitespace.agency/⁠

Curious about what a marketing agency actually does, why your business needs one, the different types available, and how to choose the perfect fit for your specific needs? If the answer is yes, this episode of Brands on Tap s exactly what you're looking for.Join Jaz and Ellie as they explore the true value of investing in a marketing agency. They'll provide insightful tips and expert advice on how to confidently select an agency that genuinely delivers the results your business deserves.Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. ⁠https://whitespace.agency/⁠

With the ever-changing online world, Rob and Ellie chewed over what marketing consent looks like in 2025 and how this could affect your business. With so many unknowns, remaining reactive and informed about the consent you need for your marketing will be essential, positioning you in the best place to maximise your results and ensure compliance. Brands on Tap is available on Youtube, Spotify, Amazon or Apple Podcasts.Find out more about us > ⁠https://whitespace.agency/⁠

In the age of rising AI content and tools to help you do-it-yourself, are we becoming more accepting of lower quality content from brands? In this episode, Paul and Rob chat all about the implications of using AI or DIY content tools which could be allowing your brand to fade and change in the eyes of your audience. Got thoughts to share? We'd love to hear your thoughts over on our socials. Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. ⁠https://whitespace.agency/⁠

This week, Jaz and Ellie chatted about all things marketing funnel as they took things back to basics and shared why understanding your audience's journey is so vital to the success of your business's marketing efforts. It's no secret that understanding your audience is one of the basic criteria for brand success. Beyond understanding your audience's drives, the marketing funnel allows you to pull this understanding into meaningful and actionable steps for conversion, tailoring your marketing efforts to users of all phases in a multi-channel approach. Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. ⁠https://whitespace.agency/⁠

Which web platform is right for your business? In this episode, we dive into the pros and cons of web platforms, from WordPress and Shopify to custom-built sites. Choosing the right web platform can make all the difference to your online success in the short and long term, so tune in to learn more about which may be most suitable to meet your objectives.Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. ⁠https://whitespace.agency/⁠

In this episode of Brands on Tap, Rob and Ellie chatted about all things landing pages, what makes the perfect landing page, and why they're so important to ensuring your campaign is a bop, not a flop!Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. https://whitespace.agency/

Keen to hear what will be trending in marketing in 2025? Jaz and Ellie predict what we'll see marketing-wise and how you can work to keep your brand on top! From evolving Ai technology, UGC content, and influencers to authentic, people-first marketing - we tackle all the hot topics everyone is talking about.Available on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple.https://whitespace.agency/

We're back with a festive treat. In this episode, we provide a very honest review of this year’s trending Christmas adverts, exploring the creativity, storytelling, and marketing strategies behind them. From narratives that hit you hard in the feels to bold brand statements, we break down what works, what doesn’t, and what makes these ads stand out in the crowded holiday season - all from the perspective of seasoned marketers and creatives.Don’t forget to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below. Do you agree or disagree?Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. https://whitespace.agency/

Join Paul and Rob as they break down the 9 essential stages of building a successful website. From strategy and design to launch and beyond, they’ll guide you through each step needed to create a website that delivers tangible results for your brand and maximise its opportunity as a digital sales tool.Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. https://whitespace.agency/

Business plan? KPIs? Split-testing? Tracking? Analytics systems? Cookies? Key metrics? Channels? This episode breaks down all the key components you need to put in place to measure your marketing effectively to ensure no valuable insights slip through the cracks. Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. https://whitespace.agency/

To mark Care Leavers Week, we’re bringing you a special bonus episode focused on something close to our hearts - supporting local authorities in recruiting foster carers. We hope this episode sheds light on foster care and offers actionable tips to help you market fostering more effectively.Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. https://whitespace.agency

In this episode, we explore what a brand truly is, the components that make a brand, and how important it is to get right and enable you to set yourself apart. We hope you enjoy!Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. https://whitespace.agency/

Welcome to our brand new podcast (or should we say pubcast?) - Brands on Tap. We’ll be diving head first into all things brand-related, perfect for business owners, industry experts, or anyone who’s just thirsty for knowledge. Whether you’re looking for a fresh perspective, insights, or just a great conversation to spin on, this one’s for you.Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon & Apple. https://whitespace.agency/