On Brand with Nick Westergaard

Nick Westergaard
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Marketing
  • Updated weekly

On Brand helps you tell stronger stories and build better brands. Each week, host Nick Westergaard, author of Get Scrappy and Brand Now, interviews marketing and communication thought leaders and innovators from brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Meta, Crayola, Beats by Dre, Southwest Airlines, Reddit, Spotify, and MailChimp. Watch the full, in-depth conversations and get actionable insights to help you and your brand stand out in a crowded, distracted world. For show notes and more, please visit http://onbrandpodcast.com.

  1. 5 days ago

    Emergent Leadership Beats Overwhelm

    Leaders have more advice, tools, and resources than ever. So why are so many still overwhelmed? Don Gregori says we've been missing the bigger picture. He's the COO of First Factory and author of The Emergent Leader, a book about leadership, self-mastery, and building a strong brand. We're talking about what it takes to become a leader and build something that really lasts. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How building yourself and building a brand are the exact same project Why empathy needs to be treated as a hard skill for managers What separates "emergent" leadership from static management models How to avoid getting overwhelmed by the sheer volume of new tech tools Why AI should serve the individual rather than replace human judgement Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:46) Building Yourself vs Building a Brand (04:30) Empathy as a Core Management Skill (06:08) Defining the Emergent Leader (09:34) Navigating Modern Information Overload (12:32) Managing Stress and Fear in Leadership (18:33) The Theater and Business Connection (22:34) Managing AI and the Human Element (28:44) A Brand That Made Don Smile About Don Gregori Don Gregori is the Chief Operating Officer of First Factory, a nearshore software development firm, and the author of The Emergent Leader. With a background spanning technology, strategy, and the performing arts, he focuses on self-mastery, organizational culture, and navigating rapid industry change through empathetic leadership. What Brand Has Made Don Smile Recently? During a recent trip to Maine, Don was brought a smile by Gelato Fiasco—a local favorite in Brunswick—and Middle East Coast, a regional brand making exceptional tahini-forward hummus. Resources & Links Connect with Don on LinkedIn. Check out his book, The Emergent Leader. Learn more on his website. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Listen & Support the Show Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 24 Aug

    The Woman Behind the Aflac Duck

    What can happen in 30 seconds? For Linda Kaplan Thaler, quite a lot. She’s the creative force behind some of the advertising world’s most unforgettable ideas, from the Aflac duck to “I don’t want to grow up, I’m a Toys R Us kid.” Now, in her new book, My Life in 30 Seconds, Linda looks at the small moments that can change a career or even a life. She’s here to talk about creativity, resilience, leadership, and why sometimes the smallest ideas can make the biggest impact. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How distilling complex messages into 30-second constraints drives massive brand awareness Why adopting an improv “yes, and” mindset unlocks breakthrough team creativity How taking bold, fearless pitches to conservative clients can rescue dying brands Why replacing standard networking with “nice working” yields long-term career returns How human creativity retains its edge in an era of rapid AI adoption Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:49) Welcome Linda Kaplan Thaler (02:42) The Power of 30-Second Distillation (03:43) Pitching Herbal Essences and Bold Ideas (06:46) Writing the Iconic Toys R Us Jingle (10:55) Applying Improv Rules to Business Creativity (11:51) Creating the Aflac Duck (16:23) Building Agency Culture Through Kindness (18:13) Human Creativity in the Age of AI (23:12) The Difference Between Networking and Nice Working (24:28) A Brand That Made Linda Smile About Linda Kaplan Thaler Linda Kaplan Thaler is a legendary advertising executive, author, and speaker responsible for some of the most iconic pop-culture campaigns in history, including the Aflac duck and the Toys R Us jingle. As the co-founder of the Kaplan Thaler Group, she helped build one of the fastest-growing agencies in the United States, scaling it from scratch to over a billion dollars in billings. A master of message distillation and creative leadership, her latest book, My Life in 30 Seconds, explores how micro-moments and rapid insights shape extraordinary careers. What Brand Has Made Linda Smile Recently? Recently, Linda has been smiling at Progressive Insurance for their long-running campaign warning homeowners not to turn into their parents. She loves the humor and stand-up performance driving the spots, pointing out that even when an ad makes you laugh before you remember the exact name, the sheer joy and entertainment value make it stand out in a low-interest category. Resources & Links Connect with Linda on LinkedIn. Check out her book, My Life in 30 Seconds. Learn more on her website. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. 17 Aug

    Why AI Is a Mirror and Not a Tool

    Most conversations about AI focus on the technology. David Dean thinks we're looking in the wrong place. In his new book, An Inbox Between Us, AI and the Reality of Modern Work, he argues that AI is acting like a mirror, revealing the hidden workarounds, decision-making, and human judgment that have always kept organizations running. Today, we're talking about what leaders can learn from that reflection. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why AI functions as an organizational mirror that exposes hidden workarounds and human judgment How the majority of workers operate as AI survivalists rather than power users The hidden cost of the retry tax when over-relying on automated outputs Why human intuition and lived consequence remain irreplaceable in critical decision-making How to avoid industrializing existing workplace dysfunction with new technology Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:36) AI as an Organizational Mirror (05:11) Navigating the Productivity Maxing Trait (09:01) The AI Survivalist and Adoption Realities (11:19) Understanding the Hidden Retry Tax (13:21) How Organizations Rely on Workarounds (17:20) Tech Problems versus Behavioral Problems (19:56) Why Human Judgment Outlasts Automation (23:40) Authenticity as the Ultimate Leadership Skill (25:19) A Brand That Made Him Smile About Bill Sherman David Dean is an author, productivity solution designer, and change management practitioner focused on the intersection of human behavior and emerging technology. In his book, An Inbox Between Us: AI and the Reality of Modern Work, he examines how enterprise technology impacts ground-level teams across HR, finance, and operations. Drawing on years of experience analyzing workplace workflows, David helps organizational leaders navigate digital transformation by focusing on human judgment, authentic leadership, and practical operational discovery. What Brand Has Made David Smile Recently? A brand that made David smile recently is Marvel. After taking his son to see the newest Spider-Man movie, he appreciated how the brand continues to craft engaging experiences that bring families together and build lasting memories. Resources & Links Connect with David on LinkedIn.Learn more on his website. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. 10 Aug

    Five Thought Leadership Avatars for Scaling Ideas

    What does it really take to turn expertise into influence? My guest this week has spent the last two decades answering that very question. Bill Sherman is the COO of Thought Leadership Leverage and co-author of the Thought Leadership Handbook. His journey into thought leadership began with a simple question from a Fortune 500 executive. How do I scale the ideas in my book? Since then, he's helped organizations and experts transform ideas into impact. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why practice matters more than how in thought leadership The five distinct avatars of thought leadership How the growth-minded CEO opens new doors Why silence in a noisy world is never neutral How to simplify complex concepts so they stay memorable Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:35) The Five Thought Leadership Avatars (05:13) Breaking Down the Avatars from CEO to Legacy (08:25) Matching Strategy to Your Personal Brand (14:03) Why Ideas Can't Speak for Themselves (17:49) Creating a Platform Identity for Your Work (23:43) Why Silence is Never Neutral in Turbulent Times (29:32) A Brand That Made Bill Smile About Bill Sherman Bill Sherman is the COO of Thought Leadership Leverage and co-author of the Thought Leadership Handbook. Over the last two decades, he has helped organizations, Fortune 500 executives, and independent experts scale their ideas, transform insights into strategy, and build sustainable impact. He also co-hosts the Thought Leadership Podcast, where he explores the mechanics of turning deep expertise into widespread influence. What Brand Has Made Bill Smile Recently? Bill recently smiled at Pirate Ship, an online shipping service that simplifies sending author copies of his book right from his front door. He loves their delightful, pirate-themed user interface and how effortlessly the service eliminates the hassle of traditional post office runs. Resources & Links Connect with Bill on LinkedIn. Learn more on his website. Check out his book, The Thought Leadership Handbook. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. 3 Aug

    The AI Brand Speed Trap

    What if AI isn't just changing marketing, but changing what a brand actually is? Melissa Jackson-Parsey has spent her career helping some of the world's most recognizable organizations reinvent themselves at the intersection of strategy, creativity, technology, and experience. As Global Chief Strategy Officer at RGA, She leads a worldwide team shaping brands for the intelligence age, from rebooting Android to launching the new sports streaming brand from ESPN, Fox, and Warner Brothers Discovery. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why building brands for AI agents requires context over cleverness How to shift marketing focus from single campaigns to generating intelligent systems The critical difference between bottom line efficiency and top line growth in the AI age Why modern talent needs to evolve from T-shaped to M-shaped expertise How the craft of human taste prevents brand slop Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (00:45) What Endless Tech Evolution Hasn’t Changed About Brand Building (02:06) Encoding Brands for Machines, Agents, and Markdown Files (06:05) How AI is Changing What a Brand Actually Is (08:36) Moving from Making Campaigns to Making Intelligent Systems (12:08) Human Value, Critical Thinking, and the Role of Taste (16:33) The Biggest Strategic AI Mistake Brands Make Today (20:12) Cultivating M-Shaped Talent and the Future of Skillsets (24:41) A Brand That Made MJP Smile About Melissa Jackson Parsey Melissa Jackson Parsey is the Global Chief Strategy Officer at R/GA, having worked at the forefront of brand, innovation, and experience design across three continents. She leads a global team of strategists, designers, coders, and writers, accountable for shaping brands and experiences that add value to people and businesses. In the past year, they’ve rebooted the world's largest operating system brand, Android, and created the much-anticipated live sports streaming brand from ESPN, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Over the course of her career, she’s led brand transformation initiatives for a broad array of organizations, including Microsoft, Under Armour, Google, IBM, the UN, and for Dwayne (The Rock) Johnson’s portfolio. What Brand Has Made Melissa Smile Recently? Melissa shared her appreciation for the brand identity work created for the Amazon rainforest. The team mapped the literal curvature of the Amazon River to craft a custom typeface and visual identity system, blending deep environmental context with exquisite design craft. Resources & Links Connect with Melissa on LinkedIn. Check out the R/GA website. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. 27 Jul

    Uncommon Leadership in Times of Change

    What if the qualities we call “uncommon leadership” are actually the ones that should be ordinary? After leading at IBM, AT&T, Pitney Bowes, SuperValu, and Walmart through decades of transformation, Keith Wyche argues that the leaders who endure aren't simply the smartest or the most innovative—they're the ones who consistently lead with integrity, humility, and trust. His new book, Uncommon Leadership, is both a call to higher standards and a practical guide for leading people through change. What You'll Learn The four Rs required to guide teams through rapid industry transformation Why trust equals character times competency times consistency How to distinguish real character from captivating charisma in executive selection The simple question frontline associates need to be asked during store visits How managing imbalance replaces the impossible myth of work balance Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:10) Leading Through Decades of Corporate Transformation (01:52) The Four Rs of Navigating Organizational Change (03:04) The Steep Decline of Trust in Modern Leadership (04:49) The Simple Formula for Building Real Trust (06:05) Why True Leadership Demands Character Over Charisma (11:10) Moving Beyond Results to Value Human Capital (12:38) How Vulnerability and Listening Transform Team Culture (18:17) Simplifying What Matters Most in Strategic Communication (20:27) Managing Imbalance to Protect Energy and Prevent Burnout (22:25) Planting Trees and Building a Lasting Leadership Legacy About Keith Wyche Keith Wyche is a seasoned corporate executive and author who has led major operational transformations across global organizations, including IBM, AT&T, Pitney Bowes, Supervalu, and Walmart. With decades of executive leadership experience, he focuses on helping leaders navigate disruptive change, cultivate authentic trust, and build cultures grounded in character, humility, and human capital. His latest book, “Uncommon Leadership,” provides a practical guide for modern leaders striving to elevate organizational standards and leave a lasting legacy. What Brand Has Made Keith Smile Recently? Walmart recently made Keith smile by launching an upskilling initiative that retrains hourly associates for skilled trades such as electrical work, HVAC, and plumbing. By creating clear pathways for associates to transition into high-demand technical roles as automation evolves, the brand demonstrates how major employers can invest directly in human capital and long-term economic mobility. Resources & Links Connect with Keith on LinkedIn, Instagram, Substack, and his website. Listen and Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. 20 Jul

    Mortal Kombat Madness Over Mediocrity

    How do you go from producing Dirty Dancing to building the global Mortal Kombat franchise? Today’s guest, legendary producer Larry Kasanoff, has raised over a billion dollars by embracing what others call a little bit crazy. He has shaped the entertainment landscape by constantly fighting the current of mediocrity. Today, we are breaking down how to lead through massive industry shifts and build brands that stand the test of time. What You’ll Learn in This Episode How to identify the core essence of a brand so you can stretch it across different media successfully Why fostering a state of play is essential for leading creative teams and sparking innovation The importance of asking anyone anything to advance your projects and overcome creative barriers How to balance emerging technologies like AI with the enduring human elements of storytelling Why embracing a touch of the madness helps you fight the pull of mediocrity in your work Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:08) Finding the Essence of Enduring Global Brands (04:41) Protecting the Brand and Knowing When to Say No (06:24) Embracing a Touch of the Madness in Leadership (08:13) The Create Ask Play Framework (10:20) The Origins of a Touch of the Madness (14:08) Balancing New Technologies with Timeless Storytelling (16:49) Leading Like a Visionary and the Value of Play (26:51) The Brand That Made Our Guest Smile About Larry Kasanoff Larry Kasanoff is a legendary producer who has raised over a billion dollars and shaped the entertainment landscape. He is known for building enduring global franchises across movies, video games, theme parks, and music, including the massive Mortal Kombat brand. Beginning his career as head of production at Vestron, he greenlit the Academy Award-winning film Platoon and has since led major tech shifts in the industry. Larry is the author of A Touch of the Madness, where he shares his philosophy on fighting mediocrity and taking bold creative risks. What Brand Has Made Larry Smile Recently? Larry recently smiled thinking about Sennelier, a historic French brand of pastels. As someone who enjoys drawing, he visited their store in Paris and was captivated by the brand’s enduring story. Now, whenever he sees his Sennelier pastels on his work table, it brings a smile to his face. Resources & Links Connect with Larry on LinkedIn and his website. Learn more about Larry’s company, Threshold Entertainment Group. Check out his new book, A Touch of the Madness. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. 13 Jul

    Positioning in Eight Words (or Fewer!)

    What makes you different? Do you have a concise and compelling answer to that question? When it comes to positioning, less is more. But too often, companies get wordy and convoluted, losing the plot in a sea of text. Emma and Adam Ketterer argue that true clarity comes from radical constraints. In their new book, Eight Words or Fewer, this marketing duo shares how to distill your difference into a single line that sticks: a micropitch. What You’ll Learn in This Episode Why B2B companies naturally fall prey to the instinct that more must be better when defining their value proposition The strategic breakdown that occurs during the last mile of the positioning process and how to build for brevity from day one Tactical ways to overcome the anxiety of leaving things out by showing your stakeholder work and mapping customer journeys How to use a homeopathic distillation framework to create a micropitch that infuses everything from sales decks to homepages The creative and editorial realities of writing a pocket guide on concision as a married couple Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:34) Why We Struggle with Brevity (03:27) Losing the Plot in the Positioning Process (06:44) Overcoming the Anxiety of Distillation (09:59) The Subline and Structure of Eight Words or Fewer (12:08) How to Kill Your Darlings (15:27) The Micropitch as a Brand Strategy Anchor (17:26) Collaboration and Constraint as a Married Couple (22:57) Finding Your Point of View and Conviction (25:38) Brands That Make Us Smile (27:50) Where to Connect with Emma and Adam About Emma and Adam Ketterer Emma Ketterer and Adam Ketterer are seasoned marketing professionals specializing in positioning, messaging, and content strategy for B2B technology companies. Emma brings extensive experience from both the agency and corporate sides, currently serving as the Global Lead Editor at Celonis. Adam is a co-founder of Beneath, a specialized B2B marketing agency. As a married couple, they blended their strategic and creative insights to co-author Eight Words or Fewer: Distil your difference into the perfect micropitch, a pocket guide exploring the critical intersection where strategic brand positioning meets ultra-concise writing. What Brands Have Made Emma and Adam Smile Recently? Emma found recent inspiration in the B2B tech space through GitHub's smart, witty, and exceptionally well-produced explainer videos. Adam pointed to the timeless, iconic print campaigns of The Economist, noting how the brand's playful, minimalist approach continues to inspire creative professionals to riff on its memorable format across digital and physical signage. Resources & Links Connect with Emma and Adam on LinkedIn. Check out their new book, Eight Words or Fewer. Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I’ll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See All (631)

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

About

On Brand helps you tell stronger stories and build better brands. Each week, host Nick Westergaard, author of Get Scrappy and Brand Now, interviews marketing and communication thought leaders and innovators from brands like Ben & Jerry’s, Microsoft, LinkedIn, Meta, Crayola, Beats by Dre, Southwest Airlines, Reddit, Spotify, and MailChimp. Watch the full, in-depth conversations and get actionable insights to help you and your brand stand out in a crowded, distracted world. For show notes and more, please visit http://onbrandpodcast.com.

Information

You Might Also Like