Episodes

Search is changing — fast! Thanks, AI. In this forward-looking episode of The Brandwidth Podcast, Sam and Dean explore how AI is shaking up SEO — from search behaviour and algorithms to content creation and discoverability. Here’s what you’ll learn: • How tools like ChatGPT are reshaping how people search • What AI means for your content strategy • Why old-school SEO isn’t enough anymore • How to blend classic SEO with modern AI-savvy tactics • What Google’s AI-driven updates mean for marketer...

Think brand health tracking is just for big brands with big budgets? Think again. In this episode of The Brandwidth Podcast, Sam and Dean dive into how small and medium-sized businesses can measure and improve brand health — without expensive tools or complex metrics. Here’s what you’ll learn:• What brand health really means (and why it matters for SMBs)• Practical ways to track performance without a massive spend• How to use category entry points to understand your audience• Why context matte...

Does where you advertise impact how your brand is perceived? Spoiler: It absolutely does. In this episode of The Brandwidth Podcast, Sam and Dean dive into the relationship between advertising medium and brand trust — unpacking how everything from Meta ads to TV spots shapes consumer perception. Here’s what they explore: • Digital vs traditional: Which mediums build more trust? • Why digital retargeting can sometimes backfire • The role of creativity in trust-building campaigns • How media con...

What makes a rebrand actually work, and what happens when it tries too hard? In this episode of the Brandwidth podcast, Sam and Dean break down two big auto campaigns — Jaguar’s latest rebrand and Mazda’s iconic Zoom Zoom — to explore the do’s, don’ts, and deeper strategy behind brand reinvention. Here’s what they dig into: • Why Jaguar’s sleek campaign fell flat with younger audiences • Was it bold innovation or a misfire in brand substance? • The power of brand heritage and perception • How ...

So naturally, everyone’s asking the question: Is digital marketing dead? Spoiler: nope. Then again, people said radio, TV, and print were dead too… So, of course, digital marketing is not dead, but is today’s middle aged version of digital marketing starting to look a little flabby around the waist? Perhaps. In this week’s Brandwidth podcast, Sam and Dean poke fun at the idea of a digital doomsday and dig into what’s really going on: • Why the “digital-first” obsession is fading • How privacy ...

What if the secret to better branding isn’t doing more — but doing less (and avoiding the wrong things)? In this thought-provoking episode of the Brandwidth podcast, Dean and Sam explore via negativa, a concept pulled from Nassim Taleb’s Antifragile, and how it might apply to modern brand strategy. Here’s what they dig into: • What “via negativa” means • 10 rules of what not to do in brand strategy • Why simplifying > complicating • Why you shouldn’t let competitors define your positioning • T...

SEO not cutting it for your niche B2B biz? Time to think differently. In this episode of Brandwidth, Sam and Dean unpack the power of Account-Based Marketing (ABM) — especially for complex sales and high-value customers. Here’s what’s inside: • What ABM is and why it works for B2B • A real client story where ABM made more sense than SEO • How to align sales + marketing for smarter targeting • The case for quality over quantity in lead gen • How personalised marketing drives bigger wins in niche...

Ever wondered what a real marketing insight is and why it matters? In this episode of Brandwidth, Sam and Dean go deep into the world of insights and how they power creativity, strategy, and brand storytelling. Here’s what’s inside: • What insights actually are (and what they’re not) • 11 different types of insights — from eureka moments to cultural currents • Why “hidden truths” are just the beginning • How great strategists turn insights into creative gold • Real-world examples to bring it al...

Meta ads not hitting the mark? You’re not alone, this episode of Brandwidth is here to help.Join Sam and Dean as they break down what really goes into a successful Meta (Facebook/Instagram) ads campaign and what’s likely holding yours back.

Ready to stop guessing what your customers want, and actually know? In this episode of Brandwidth, Sam and Dean get real about what it means to be truly market-oriented, and why it’s a game changer for your brand. They cover: • Market vs. product vs. competitor focus (and why it matters) • Breaking out of your own assumptions • Real-world examples of brands doing it right • Tools like customer interviews, surveys & Net Promoter Score (NPS) • Simple steps to align your strategy with what your ma...

What’s the deal with marketing funnels? We hear the term everywhere, but what actually is a marketing funnel? Does it have a place in a sophisticated marketing machine or should it be left to marketing bros and youtubers. Join Dean and Sam as they unpack, unravel, and dejargon the world of the marketing funnel and get the scoop on: Consumer buying funnels vs. marketing funnels -What about value ladders, are they funnels too? How AIDA fits into the equation Real-world examples from Apple and M...

Marketing attribution f@#*ed! In this Brandwidth® episode, Sam and Dean dive into one of the biggest challenges facing modern marketers—accurately measuring what’s driving results. From the flawed multi-touch models to the rise of walled gardens like Google and Facebook, it’s time to ask: Are we focusing on the wrong metrics? Or more to the point, is the whole attribution game rigged? Would we be better off with no attribution at all than what we have today? Listen in as we unravel the mess o...

How well do you know your marketing influencers? Can you tell Gary Vee quotes from Simon Sinek? These are exactly the question Sam asked Dean in this entertaining episode of the Brandwidth® podcast. Dean takes on a quiz featuring quotes from the biggest names in the biz: Gary Vee, Rory Sutherland, Mark Ritson, Byron Sharp, and more! Whether you’re a marketer, brand strategist, or just love a good laugh, this episode is packed with trivia, surprises, and who know’s you might even learn somethin...

Struggling to win over customers or clients? What if the key to changing minds isn’t about saying more—but doing less? If you’re a business owner, understanding the art of persuasion can make all the difference. But here’s the twist—it’s not always about giving more information. Sometimes, the secret lies in removing the roadblocks holding people back from saying “yes.” In this episode of the Brandwidth® podcast, Dean and Sam reveal powerful strategies from Jonah Berger’s “Catalyst: How to Ch...

We’ve all heard the famous 60% brand-building, 40% activation rule, but most of the research behind it comes from B2C. So what happens when we apply this to B2B? In this episode of Brandwidth®, Sam and Dean dig deep into the data,

Did you know that smart marketing decisions during a downturn can change your business forever? During the Great Depression, Kellogg’s dominated the market with one bold move: they doubled down on their marketing budget when others were cutting back. But how can small businesses with limited budgets thrive during a recession? In this episode of the Brandwidth® podcast, Dean and Sam explore innovative strategies for creating demand, even when the market is slow. Tune in to find out how to gene...

Is your brand ready for the online-only marketplace? In this episode of the Brandwidth® Podcast, Sam McEwin and Dean Millson shine the light on “InstaBrands.” The rise of these online-only brands opens doors of opportunities and profitability, but it also raises an important question: Should the branding approach for Insta Brands differ from traditional methods? Tune in now to discover the essential elements of creating and sustaining a thriving Insta Brand. #branding #marketing #onlinebusin...

Purpose-Driven or Perilous? Brands are increasingly under pressure to take a stand on social issues, known as purpose-driven branding. But high-profile cases like Bud Light, Target, and Gillette highlight the potential for significant financial loss when things go wrong. How, then, can brands support social causes without risking significant backlash and revenue loss and should truly purpose led brands even care? Tune in to Brandwidth® as Dean and Sam tackle the tricky world of purpose-driven...

In this episode of the Brandwidth podcast, Sam McEwin and Dean Millson discuss the topic of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and its potential impact on branding and marketing. They approach the topic with curiosity and explore how AI can be used as a creative partner and a new creative medium. They emphasise the importance of asking the right questions and using AI to generate ideas and insights. They also discuss the potential risks and ethical considerations associated with AI. Key Takeaways: A...

Sam McEwin and Dean Millson discuss the importance of branding for small businesses. They explain that branding is not just for big companies, but can also be beneficial for small brands. They outline a methodology that they use to help small businesses grow and succeed. They emphasize the importance of balancing activities that drive initial consideration and brand awareness with activities that enable the brand to be found during active evaluation. They also discuss the challenges that small b...

Sam McEwin and Dean Millson are the hosts of the Brandwidth podcast. They are experienced marketers and brand strategists who share their insights and expertise on branding and marketing topics.​ **Summary:**​Sam and Dean discuss the different stages of brands and the priorities at each stage. They start with new brands, emphasizing the importance of focusing on product or customer experience and getting noticed. They suggest using a mix of channels to increase visibility and provide reasons fo...

Sam McEwin and Dean Millson are the hosts of the Brandwidth podcast. They are marketing and branding experts who bring their knowledge and insights to the show. Summary: Sam and Dean discuss the power of visual assets in marketing and branding. They reference a chart from Ipsos that ranks different visual assets based on their effectiveness in grabbing attention. They highlight the importance of using visual assets beyond just a brand name in ads. They also discuss the effectiveness of jingles,...

Sam McEwIn and Dean Millson discuss the importance of attention in advertising and the findings of Professor Karen Nelson Field’s research on attention. They explore the impact of attention on memory and brand recall, as well as the different channels that attract attention, such as television, catch-up TV, and mobile phones. The conversation highlights the potential of optimising ads and media plans to maximize attention and the need for a unified metric to measure attention across different ch...

Summary: Dean and Sam discuss the decline of jingles in advertising and the reasons behind it. Reflecting on their favourite jingles from the past and the effectiveness of these catchy tunes in creating brand recall, they uncover why jingles have become less popular in recent years and why they may potentially be making a comeback. The hosts also discuss the importance of effective advertising and the role of jingles in conveying key messages to consumers. Key Takeaways: Jingles are highly eff...