Where Brands Get Their Edge

NickelBronx
  • 5.0 (1)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Cutting-edge marketing news and advice for (and from) brands, founders, and marketing executives.

  1. FEB 10

    Super Bowl Ads, Celebrities, and the Death of Surprise

    Send a text Forget the game. This episode is all about what really mattered during the Super Bowl: the ads, the halftime show, and what they reveal about where brand, creativity, and culture are headed. Borzou Azabdaftari and Amanda Fisher break down why this year’s Super Bowl leaned harder than ever on celebrity over creativity, why surprise has quietly disappeared from advertising’s biggest stage, and which brands still managed to stand out anyway. They unpack Bad Bunny’s record-breaking halftime show and the cultural backlash around it, debate Coinbase’s polarizing karaoke ad, compare DoorDash and Instacart’s celebrity plays, and question why pharma brands felt especially strange during the broadcast. This episode is a sharp, honest look at what brands are afraid of right now—and what they need to relearn if they want to actually earn attention. Connect with us Borzou – ⁠Instagram⁠ & ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Amanda – ⁠LinkedIn⁠ And give some love to our sponsor ⁠NickelBronx⁠ Brand strategy, websites, and content for companies that want a real edge. Some of the ads we mentioned: Coinbase  Shatner  BudLight  Dunkin Thanks for tuning in to Where Brands Get Their Edge, brought to you by Nickel Bronx. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review—it helps other brand builders like you discover the show. Want more insights? Visit nickelbronx.com for brand strategy tips and tools to help your business stand out.

    24 min

  2. FEB 5

    Block Party: How South Block Built a Cult Brand (with Amir Mostafavi)

    Send us a text What does it really take to build a cult brand in a trend-driven industry? In this episode of Where Brands Get Their Edge, Borzou and Amanda sit down with Amir Mostafavi, founder of South Block, to unpack how a local smoothie shop grew into a 21-location brand by obsessing over product, culture, and community. From pioneering açaí bowls on the East Coast to building a leadership-first company culture, Amir shares the real lessons behind scaling without losing the vibe. They talk about why aesthetics now matter as much as macros, how Gen Z “eats with their eyes,” why data can ruin good marketing, and how purpose needs to be lived, not marketed. If you’re a founder or marketer trying to grow without becoming generic, this episode is for you. Guest Amir Mostafavi Founder, South Block Website: https://southblockjuice.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southblock Topics Covered How South Block grew from one shop to 21 locationsWhy product alone isn’t enough to build a lasting brandCommunity-first branding and culture at scaleGen Z, Instagrammable food, and visual-first marketingProtein, creatine, and functional food trendsLeadership mistakes founders make when scalingWhy grassroots marketing beats pure data-driven decisionsConnect with us: Borzou – ⁠Instagram⁠ & ⁠LinkedIn⁠ Amanda – ⁠LinkedIn⁠ And give some love to our sponsor ⁠NickelBronx⁠ Brand strategy, websites, and content for companies that want a real edge. Thanks for tuning in to Where Brands Get Their Edge, brought to you by Nickel Bronx. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review—it helps other brand builders like you discover the show. Want more insights? Visit nickelbronx.com for brand strategy tips and tools to help your business stand out.

    33 min

  3. JAN 12

    Why Founders Are Choosing Bermuda (And Why It’s Not for Everyone)

    Send us a text Bermuda isn’t a tax haven, a loophole, or a shortcut—and that’s exactly why serious founders are paying attention. Connect with our Hosts: Borzou:   https://www.instagram.com/bronxzou/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/borzou/ Amanda: LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/akfischer/ And give some love to our sponsor: https://nickelbronx.com/ In this episode of Where Brands Get Their Edge, Borzou Azabdaftari and Amanda Fisher sit down with Anthony Howell, Bermuda’s Overseas Representative and Director of the Washington, DC Office, to break down what actually makes Bermuda a credible global business hub. We cover: What “regulatory clarity” really means in plain EnglishWhy Bermuda attracts fintech, insurance, and digital asset companiesWhy Bermuda is intentionally not for underfunded or bad-actor startupsHeadquarters vs subsidiary vs satellite office strategiesHow Bermuda compares to Dubai, Singapore, and other global hubsThe lifestyle, talent, and long-term trust advantages founders care aboutAnd yes—the truth about the Bermuda TriangleIf you’re a founder thinking globally and building for the long term—not looking for shortcuts—this episode is for you. Thanks for tuning in to Where Brands Get Their Edge, brought to you by Nickel Bronx. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review—it helps other brand builders like you discover the show. Want more insights? Visit nickelbronx.com for brand strategy tips and tools to help your business stand out.

    27 min

  4. 11/18/2025

    Did Domino’s Play It Too Safe? Breaking Down Their “New” Rebrand

    Send us a text Domino’s just dropped a new logo, new packaging, and a fresh jingle… but did they actually take a risk or just turn the saturation up a notch? In this episode of Where Brands Get Their Edge, Borzou and Amanda break down Domino’s latest brand evolution: the brighter blues, the refined logo, the “mmm” sonic branding, and the Shaboozey jingle that lasts about as long as a TikTok. They debate whether this is a smart, subtle refresh for a brand with massive equity—or a missed opportunity to tie real brand change to real product or experience upgrades. Connect with our Hosts: Borzou:   https://www.instagram.com/bronxzou/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/borzou/ Amanda: LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/akfischer/ And give some love to our sponsor: https://nickelbronx.com/ They also get into: The thin line between evolutionary and way too safe rebrandsHow Domino’s used to compete with Pizza Hut—and who they’re really competing with nowWhy packaging and boxes might be doing more storytelling than the logoThe missed chances around using actual dominoes (hello, falling tile visuals)Why the best rebrands are tied to real operational or product improvementsIf you care about fast food, big brands, or how to evolve your logo without tanking your brand equity, this one’s for you. You’ll learn: When a subtle brand evolution makes sense—and when it’s a cop-outHow color shifts and packaging design change consumer perceptionWhy jingles and sonic branding matter more than everHow to launch a rebrand so it doesn’t just… quietly existFollow Where Brands Get Their Edge for more real-talk brand breakdowns, not agency fluff. Thanks for tuning in to Where Brands Get Their Edge, brought to you by Nickel Bronx. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review—it helps other brand builders like you discover the show. Want more insights? Visit nickelbronx.com for brand strategy tips and tools to help your business stand out.

    16 min

  5. 10/14/2025

    How to Build a Business That’s Actually Worth Selling (with Jessica Fialkovich)

    Send us a text Whether you plan to sell your company or die at your desk, you’re going to exit one way or another. In this episode, Borzou sits down with Jessica Fialkovich, founder of Exit Factor and author of Getting the Most for Selling Your Business, who’s overseen more than 1,500 business sales. They break down: Why 95% of exits are unplannedHow burnout kills business valueThe 3 things every company should give you: time, money, and freedomThe “four roles” founders need to replace to stop being the bottleneckHow revenue is vanity and profit is sanityWhat really drives your company’s valuationThis one’s a masterclass in building a business that gives you freedom today and value tomorrow. Grab Jessica’s book The Exit Factor and connect with her on Insta and LinkedIn. The Exit Factor Book:  Connect with our Hosts: Borzou Amanda:  Thanks for tuning in to Where Brands Get Their Edge, brought to you by Nickel Bronx. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review—it helps other brand builders like you discover the show. Want more insights? Visit nickelbronx.com for brand strategy tips and tools to help your business stand out.

    31 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    Same Fits, Different Brains: Generational Style & How to Market to Each Age Group

    Send us a text From Reality Bites to Lululemon logos—style used to signal subcultures. Now algorithms and fast fashion flattened the look. What didn’t flatten? How generations buy. In this episode, we map platforms and messaging that convert Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha—without watering down your brand. Connect with the Hosts! Borzou: Instagram & LinkedIn Amanda: LinkedIn And give some love to our sponsor: NickelBronx In This Episode: Why fashion looks the same—and how culture moved from tribes → trendsPlatforms that matter by generation (and how often to show up)Copy & creative that land: status/benefit framing vs purpose/community invitationsThe underrated workhorses: email, FAQs/objections, and consistent brand voiceAction Steps: Choose one channel per target generation and commit for 90 daysBuild a 10-item FAQ that mirrors real objections by cohortAudit your handles/biography/offer → unify naming + voice across platformsTags/Keywords: generational marketing, Gen Z marketing, Millennial buyers, brand purpose, community marketing, email marketing, platform strategy Thanks for tuning in to Where Brands Get Their Edge, brought to you by Nickel Bronx. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review—it helps other brand builders like you discover the show. Want more insights? Visit nickelbronx.com for brand strategy tips and tools to help your business stand out.

    14 min

  7. 10/07/2025

    AEO & GEO Explained: How to Show Up in AI Search (Future of SEO)

    Send us a text Search is changing — and it’s changing fast. Instead of endless Google results, AI tools are delivering one answer. If your brand isn’t optimized for AEO and GEO, you risk disappearing. In this episode, Borzou and Amanda unpack: The rise of AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization)Why traditional SEO still matters — and how it overlaps with AI search3 actionable steps to take today:Google yourself & clean up your top resultsUnify your brand across all platforms (same handles, same voice)Add FAQ-style content to your website for AI and voice searchPlus, we share bonus tips on schema markup, social proof, and PR that can elevate your brand in AI-driven search engines. If you’re serious about being found in 2025 and beyond, this episode is a must-listen. Thanks for tuning in to Where Brands Get Their Edge, brought to you by Nickel Bronx. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review—it helps other brand builders like you discover the show. Want more insights? Visit nickelbronx.com for brand strategy tips and tools to help your business stand out.

    10 min

  8. 09/08/2025

    Consistency Wins: Email, Community, and AI with Joe Fuld

    Send us a text Marketing in 2025 is noisy, but there’s one thing that still works: consistency. In this episode, Borzou and Amanda talk with Joe Fuld, founder of The Campaign Workshop, about what’s really working for businesses, advocacy groups, and entrepreneurs trying to reach their audience. Joe has been running smart campaigns since 2013, building an email list with a 65% open rate, and experimenting with everything from webinars to interactive content. We cover: Why smaller, engaged lists beat vanity metrics.How to keep your community hooked with personality and authenticity.The surprising power of webinars and interactive assessments.Where LinkedIn outshines Instagram (and why Facebook ads still sneak through).How to think about AI—not as a shortcut, but as a strategic tool.Joe also shares candid insights on stand-up comedy, authenticity in marketing, and why being thoughtful and consistent beats chasing every trend. 🔗 Connect with Joe at thecampaignworkshop.com 🔗 Follow Borzou & Amanda for more insights on building brands that scale: Borzou:  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/borzou/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bronxzou/ Amanda on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/akfischer/ Thanks for tuning in to Where Brands Get Their Edge, brought to you by Nickel Bronx. If you enjoyed today’s episode, follow or subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, and leave us a review—it helps other brand builders like you discover the show. Want more insights? Visit nickelbronx.com for brand strategy tips and tools to help your business stand out.

    51 min
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About

Cutting-edge marketing news and advice for (and from) brands, founders, and marketing executives.

Information

  • Creator
    NickelBronx
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Where Brands Get Their Edge
  • Show Website
    Where Brands Get Their Edge