Mark It 2 Me Podcast

Mark It 2 Me
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Mark It 2 Me is a bi-weekly podcast about branding, design, and the business behind creative work. Hosted by Joe Baron of Branded Baron, each episode features real conversations with designers, illustrators, marketers, founders, and fellow creatives who’ve been in the trenches. From logo marks to market strategy, we break down what actually works when building brands, creative careers, and businesses that last. From brand marks to market moves, it's real conversations on design, branding, and creative business.

  1. 3d ago

    Ep. 16 How Free Content Turned Into Brand Deals

    Anderson Bluu returns to Mark It 2 Me for a conversation that covers more ground than most guests manage in a first appearance. We get into the creator economy in real, operational terms: how content has replaced the billboard, what “invisible hours” mean for building a loyal audience, and why the brands that reach out to Anderson usually do it because of a video he posted years earlier without expecting anything from it. Anderson breaks down his new YouTube channel (built specifically for the beginning digital artist) and why he started it in secret, without telling anyone. We dig into his Adobe Fresco partnership, what it looks like when a brand that size shows up in your inbox, and the debate we promised in episode one: Fresco vs. Procreate vs. Illustrator. On the business side: how Anderson tests new art prints at Comic Cons the way a comedian road-tests jokes, why limited edition beats open edition for urgency, and where sports art is heading. Key TakeawaysContent is today’s billboard. The device in your pocket reaches more of the right people for free.“Invisible hours” build the most loyal fans. Someone can spend twenty hours with your content before you ever speak. By the time they reach out, they’re already bought in.Brand deals come from content you made for free. Adobe and Posca both reached out because of videos Anderson posted with no expectation attached.Packaging beats quality. 1 video got a thousand views while the repackaged version got 10 million. Timestamped Chapters0:00 — Cold open montage/Intro1:09 — The new YouTube channel: starting from zero & in secret3:26 — “You’re in the content business”4:47 — What content does for a small business: the plumber and evergreen content7:27 — Invisible hours: the fans you don’t know you have9:44 — Building an audience without negativity or clickbait10:10 — Start in secret, find a coach, learn the packaging15:58 — Why today’s billboard is your phone17:25 — Graphic designer or illustrator?23:40 — How the Adobe Fresco partnership happened26:00 — Brands really do watch28:25 — User generated content and what brands actually want30:30 — Where brand collaborations are heading32:30 — Is the creator economy oversaturated?36:25 — Super fans are real40:19 — Be Yoda, not the hero41:37 — Newsletters are the most profitable way to scale content50:08 — Rapid fire Questions51:47 — Biggest client red flag55:31 — Limited edition vs. open edition1:03:22 — Five years from now: what future Anderson thanks present Anderson for1:04:15 — Where to find Anderson Find Anderson: Instagram: @anderson_bluuYouTube: Anderson Bluu / Anderson Bluu ArtShop: bluudreams.com Find the show: MarkIt2Me.comInstagram: @mark_it_2_me_podcast Find Joe: brandedbaron.com — branding, marketing campaigns, illustrationNewsletter: sign up at brandedbaron.comInstagram / Threads / YouTube: @brandedbaron

    Ep. 16 How Free Content Turned Into Brand Deals

  2. Jul 14

    Ep. 15 The Brand Gut-Check: Refresh, Rebuild, or Leave it Alone

    Most people rebrand because they're bored — the worst reason there is. In this solo episode, Joe gives you the gut-check he runs before touching anyone's brand: six signs, scored honestly, so you stop guessing about whether it's time. Then the line most owners cross — an intentional refresh vs. blowing up equity you spent years building. In this episode • The one job every brand has — and how to tell when it's failing • The six signs: storytelling, positioning, consistency, logo, age, and color • How to score yourself: hold steady, drifting, or rebuild • Refresh vs. reinvention — Gap, Tropicana, Dunkin, and the chameleon rule Chapters 00:00 Intro 01:05 Your brand has one job 01:10 Sign 1 — Storytelling 01:25 Sign 2 — Positioning 01:35 Sign 3 — Consistency 01:45 Sign 4 — Logo 02:03 Sign 5 — Outdated design 02:48 Sign 6 — Color 03:55 How to Tally your score 04:37 Confusing Refresh and rebuild (Gap, Tropicana, Dunkin) 05:26 Next Steps Notable quotes "A brand has one job. Match the business." "Relics belong in museums, but only if they have value." Links & CTA Score yourself with the free Brand Refresh Checklist: GET THE BRAND CHECKLIST Want a real read on your brand? Let's have a conversation: https://www.brandedbaron.com/contact Read — Your Brand Needs to Evolve and Adapt: https://www.brandedbaron.com/blog/2025/6/25/your-brand-needs-to-evolve Mark It 2 Me website - https://markit2me.com/ Instagram account - https://www.instagram.com/mark_it_2_me_podcast Branded Baron Website - https://www.brandedbaron.com/ Follow on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron/ Follow on Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/brandedbaron

    Ep. 15 The Brand Gut-Check: Refresh, Rebuild, or Leave it Alone

  3. Jul 7

    Ep. 14 Stop Posting, Start Strategizing

    Mariah MacInnes journalist turned content strategist, host of 300+ episodes, came on to talk about what most businesses get wrong before they ever hit post. The conversation covered the foundations of a real content strategy, how storytelling and selling can coexist without feeling forced, why she takes a TikTok-first approach even for clients who hate TikTok, and what consistency actually means when we throw the word "authenticity" around like it solves problems. Key TakeawaysStorytelling isn't a trend. It's the oldest way humans have shared informationThe content marketing funnel still exists: awareness, consideration, conversion and stories map to all three depending on their intentTarget audience → business goals → platform selection — in that order. Not the other way aroundTikTok-first strategy: what works on TikTok usually works on Instagram. The reverse is not trueBuild an email list.12-month calendar with seasonal activations lets you plan ahead Timestamps / Chapters00:00 — Intro01:05 — Mariah's background: journalism, PR, internal comms03:51 — Is storytelling a buzzword or a real shift?08:27 — How to balance storytelling with selling without it feeling forced13:55 — Know your brand. Know your platform. Not everything translates.14:22 — Where to start when building a content strategy (audience → goals → platforms)19:46 — Repurposing, amplification, and when to actually expand channels25:38 - The Power of relatability and storytelling in virality 31:56 - Authenticity versus consistency 38:25 - Common content mistakes and strategic pitfalls42:20 — Virality: when it works, when it doesn't, and what to actually focus on49:56 — YouTube: discovery tool or hosting platform?52:47 — Why businesses still chase trends (and what to do instead)53:57 — Does timing still matter for posting?56:10 — Rapid fire Questions CONNECT WITH US MARIAH MACINNES - a.k.a. Content Queen Mariah is a content marketer and strategist based in Australia. She approaches marketing with a storytelling-first lens, focused on organic strategies that build real audience connection without relying on trends or paid traffic. She hosts The Content Queen Podcast, works with clients across industries on full content strategy and execution. Website: contentqueenmariah.comSocial: @contentqueenmariahPodcast: The Content Queen Podcast JOE BARON - Founder of the New York creative design agency Branded Baron and the host of Mark It 2 Me. Website: brandedbaron.comSocial: @brandedbaron MARK IT 2 ME - Website: https://markit2me.com/Social: https://www.instagram.com/mark_it_2_me_podcast

    Ep. 14 Stop Posting, Start Strategizing

  4. Jun 23

    Ep. 13 Murals, Brand Work, and Building Authority

    Host Joe Baron sits down with Cleveland muralist and illustrator Lisa Quine for a conversation about how she built a mural business that actually works and what she's doing now to get back to the creative work that fills her up. From landing the Cleveland Guardians to writing a book to designing a Phantom of the Opera cover, Lisa's career has never followed a straight line. That's kind of the point. What we cover: How Lisa went from chalkboards and lettering to 150+ murals and countingThe Cleveland Guardians mural trilogy — and how Progressive Insurance got involvedWhy she invested nearly five figures in SEO and how it's paying offHer approach to presenting one concept (and why it works)Balancing commercial work with the creative identity underneath itWhat makes a truly great art director or creative director to work withThe solo art show coming in November — A to Z, every letter a chapterRapid fire Questions: favorite books, paint markers, and more! Timestamps / Chapters 0:00 — Intro1:52 — Lisa's reaction to the intro2:13 — The Third Cleveland Guardians mural5:25 — Balancing two brands in one mural8:18 — Painting a Cleveland Guardians mural than T-shirt9:05 — Throwing out the first pitch. Twice.11:31 — From chalkboards to murals: how it happened13:25 — Outdoor vs. office murals15:18 — How Lisa actually gets work19:04 — Staying current without chasing trends24:21 — Presenting one concept vs. multiple directions27:19 — What clients are like when they've never worked with a mural artist30:50 — What makes a great art director to work with33:47 — What people don't expect about painting murals38:04 — Smart business cards40:34 — Big Magic, ideas, and the cost of not executing43:26 — The Dreamy Castles deck of cards (still in progress)47:32 — Lisa Quine, published author of Vintage Hand Lettering51:44 — Designing the cover of Our Strange Duet for Andrew Lloyd Webber's team55:09 — ABC Around CLE: painting letters with Posca markers on canvas57:30 — Speaking at conferences and building authority (or not)1:01:15 — The November solo show: A to Z, the full story1:04:06 — Craft but Struggling1:06:11 — Rapid Fire Follow Us Lisa Quine is a Cleveland-based muralist, illustrator, and author known for bringing strategy, joy, and bold design to blank spaces. Named Best Artist in Cleveland in 2024, she's completed over 150 murals across the US and internationally, collaborated with brands including the Cleveland Guardians, Cleveland Cavaliers, DoorDash, Meta, Mercedes-Benz, and the Holiday Inn, and authored Vintage Hand Lettering. Website: lisaquine.comInstagram: @lisaquineLinkedIn: Lisa QuineTikTok: @lisaquine Joe Baron - Creative Director of the design and marketing New York boutique agency Branded Baron and host of Mark It 2 Me • Website: brandedbaron.com Instagram: @brandedbaron Mark It 2 Me Website https://markit2me.com/

    Ep. 13 Murals, Brand Work, and Building Authority

  5. Jun 21

    Ep. 12 Leadership Lessons Learned from Jalen Brunson

    In this episode, Joe Baron speaks directly to the listener and breaks down eight lessons gathered from Jalen Brunson's postseason, covering how confidence is built, what pressure is really telling you, why sacrifice is the strategy, and the 0-0 mindset that carried the Knicks to a championship. These lessons were there when Jalen Brunson walked into his post-game interview especially after Game 4 in the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history. It wasn't about basketball. It was a leadership philosophy.   Whether you're managing a team, running a creative business, or just trying to grow your career these principles apply. Brunson demonstrated every single one of them under the highest pressure possible. Here's what you can take from it.   Topics covered: — Confidence comes from work ethic, not the moment — Pressure as a signal, not just a feeling — How the best leaders think about worst-case outcomes — Chasing wins over accolades — Sacrifice as a leadership strategy — Work ethic across roles and titles — Why doubters don't deserve your energy — The 0-0 mindset and what it looks like professionally Chapters 0:00  —  Intro — A Leadership Manual, Not a Basketball Story 0:33  —  Who Is Joe Baron / Branded Baron + Mark It 2 Me 1:13  —  Setting the Scene 2:12  —  Lesson 1: Confidence Comes From Your Work Ethic 2:35  —  Lesson 2: Pressure Means You Stopped Preparing 3:03  —  Lesson 3: Think About the Worst Outcome — Then Move On 3:32  —  Lesson 4: Stop Chasing Accolades. Chase Wins. 4:00  —  Lesson 5: Sacrifice for Your People Pays Off 4:52  —  Lesson 6: Your Work Ethic Doesn't Change With Your Role 5:17  —  Lesson 7: The Doubters Don't Deserve a Response 5:53  —  Lesson 8: You Never Know What's Possible If You Keep Working 6:46  —  The 0-0 Mindset 7:29  —  Branded Baron Insight + Outro   CONNECT WITH US: Connect with Joe Baron: BrandedBaron.com Sign Up to the Newsletter: https://eepurl.com/iT2gyY Mark It 2 Me Website: https://markit2me.com/ Key Takeaways • Confidence is the byproduct of preparation • Pressure that paralyzes you is almost always a preparation problem. • The best leaders absorb friction, pass the credit, and take the blame. That's the job. • The 0-0 mindset means resetting after every win and every loss and only the next task exists. • Most creative careers stall not from lack of talent but from a premature stop. Keep chipping away.

    Ep. 12 Leadership Lessons Learned from Jalen Brunson

  6. Jun 9

    Ep. 11 What Design School Doesn’t Teach About the Real World

    Jason Frostholm is a graphic designer, educator, and former podcast host based in Mobile, Alabama. He did his undergrad at the University of South Alabama, went back for his master's during the pandemic, and spent several years teaching design full-time at a local Jesuit institution. His thesis focused on integrating business principles into design education — and it shows in how he structures his courses. He's worked in-house at an engineering firm, run a referral-based freelance practice, and attended Creative South (where he and Joe first crossed paths). He's still designing, still teaching, and still thinking hard about how to set the next generation of creatives up for the real thing. Guest Info & Links Website: jasonfrostholm.com Studio: ildisdesign.com Social: @jfrostholm Chapter Timestamps 00:00 Cold open — production work & the reality of design jobs 00:15 Welcome to Mark It 2 Me + intro of Jason Frostholm 01:13 What made Jason want to teach 03:45 Teaching to each student differently 06:22S ketching — paper vs. digital, and why it still matters 10:44 Students as clients — why that framing is wrong 13:27 Writing creative briefs (and making students write them) 16:4 8What design schools are missing: the business side 21:43 What new designers don't understand about the job 23:59Being proactive, following up, and not waiting for work to appear 29:27 Tools don't make the designer — the Canva debate 33:50 Presenting work: why students hate it and how to fix it 36:44 Production work, in-house reality, and entry-level truth 39:27 Advice for landing your first design job 42:27 Conferences, workshops, and always be learning 43:57Rapid fire Questions Notable Quotes "Most design jobs out there are either production or in-house. Landing a huge client and becoming the next Draplin is few and far between." — Jason Frostholm "My job is to facilitate an environment where they can discover [their process] for themselves. There's no right or wrong process." — Jason Frostholm Find Jason at @jfrostholm on social and jasonfrostholm.com. His studio is at ildisdesign.com. Mark It 2 Me is hosted by Joe Baron of Branded Baron. BrandedBaron.com Follow the show, leave a review, and if this episode hit — share it with someone who's still in school or just starting out.

    Ep. 11 What Design School Doesn’t Teach About the Real World

  7. May 26

    Ep. 10 - Lettering, Design, & Building a Niche Career

    OverviewJason Carne has been doing lettering professionally for two decades. His client list reads like a mashup of a record store, a sports bar, and a spirits cabinet — and that range isn't accidental. It's the result of staying a student of lettering long after most people would've gotten comfortable. In this conversation, Jason and Joe get into how that career actually gets built: the early days doing hardcore merch, the pivot toward packaging and branding, the Stanley Cup project that came in during COVID and somehow still landed, and the ongoing challenge of positioning yourself without losing what makes your work yours. Key TakeawaysJason started in design through the NJ hardcore and metal scene ( making flyers, album art, and MySpace layouts for friends' bandsThe Stanley Cup project came through Fan Brandz (via a conference connection with Mike Sulik), got shelved when COVID hit, and was quietly approved once sports resumedWhen he works with big names (Harley-Davidson, NHL, Wu-Tang ) he's rarely talking directly to them. There's always a layer between. Know what you're claiming and how.Closer and Closer reps him; roughly 50% of his work comes through them, the rest directHe's currently repositioning his site to focus on two things: high-end spirits packaging and logo/branding workCarmel Type Co fonts (including Botanist, Railroad Company)The Lettering Library to preserve lettering and design from the past.His ideal art director gives some guardrails, then trusts the creative like the positive experience working with Joe BaronWhen work slows down: focus on personal work, fill gaps with less glamorous jobs, and reach back out to clients you already have relationships with "Give me some guardrails, but trust me enough to do my thing." - Jason Carne 0:00 - Preview 0:04- Intro 1:19 - Influence of the Hardcore Scene on Design 2:34 - Tom was everyone's 1st friend 3:01 - Creative Challenges in High-Stake Projects 4:12 - The Stanley Cup Project 5:45 - Working with Smaller Agencies vs. Big Brands 7:50 - Navigating Client Relationships and Expectations 8:52 - Lettering is Easy 12:52 - Relationships in the Creative Industry 16:57 - Quality Work and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome 19:45 - Client Needs vs. Personal Vision 22:19 - Marketing Yourself as a designer 25:10 - Art Representation 28:26 - Navigating NDAs 30:07 - Jason Carne's Type Foundry 33:08 - The Business of Fonts 35:57 - Preserving Design History with the Lettering Library 40:02 - Art Directors nailing it like Joe Baron 44:46 - Adapting to Slow Periods 45:18 - Rapid Fire Questions Connect with US https://markit2me.com/ Jason Carne http://jasoncarne.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasoncarne Behance: https://behance.net/jasoncarne Joe Baron https://www.brandedbaron.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandedbaron/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/brandedbaron

    Ep. 10 - Lettering, Design, & Building a Niche Career

  8. May 12

    Ep. 9 - This Brand Doesn’t Sell T-Shirts - It Sells an Experience

    Anthony “Biggie” Bencomo — Owner and CSO (Chief Sandwich Officer) of Deli Fresh Threads — joins Mark It 2 Me to talk about building a concept-driven apparel brand rooted in nostalgia, packaging experience, and real-world community. From launching KnightMare Apparel at the University of Central Florida in 1997 to founding Deli Fresh Threads in 2013, Biggie shares lessons learned from nearly three decades of entrepreneurship. He breaks down how turning a sandwich into a brand universe led to restaurant partnerships, monthly SandwichEatUp events, and a loyal following built through connection — not just content. We dive into: • Why packaging is marketing • The power of community over paid ads • Hard lessons in production and inventory • Expanding beyond parody into sports-inspired designs • Transparency in small brand building • What it really means to measure success This episode isn’t about sandwiches, it’s about turning a product into a place. CONNECT WITH US Guest Info Anthony "Biggie" Bencomo Website: http://delifreshthreads.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/delifreshthreads/ Host Info Joe Baron Website: https://www.brandedbaron.com/ Mark It 2 Me Website: http://markit2me.com/ instagram -   / markit2me

    Ep. 9 - This Brand Doesn’t Sell T-Shirts - It Sells an Experience
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About

Mark It 2 Me is a bi-weekly podcast about branding, design, and the business behind creative work. Hosted by Joe Baron of Branded Baron, each episode features real conversations with designers, illustrators, marketers, founders, and fellow creatives who’ve been in the trenches. From logo marks to market strategy, we break down what actually works when building brands, creative careers, and businesses that last. From brand marks to market moves, it's real conversations on design, branding, and creative business.

Information

  • Creator
    Mark It 2 Me
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Mark It 2 Me
  • Show Website
    Mark It 2 Me Podcast