On Brand with Nick Westergaard - podcast cover

On Brand with Nick Westergaard

Nick Westergaardonbrandpodcast.com
The On Brand podcast helps you tell stronger stories and build better brands. Each week host Nick Westergaard, author of Brand Now and Get Scrappy, interviews marketing and communication thought leaders or those working for innovative brands like Adobe, Ben & Jerry’s, HBO, Mastercard, Maker’s Mark, the Minnesota Vikings, Salesforce, and Whole Foods. For show notes and more, please visit http://onbrandpodcast.com.
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Episodes

Why Story and Authenticity Win on LinkedIn

Regina Dowdell is a Content Solutions Consultant at LinkedIn, where she helps organizations craft creative, effective content strategies that drive business impact. With over 15 years of experience spanning nonprofits, tech, and startups, Regina brings a digital-first, entrepreneurial mindset to every brand she supports. This week on On Brand, Regina joined me to talk about personal branding, thought leadership, and what it takes to stand out on LinkedIn today. About Regina Dowdell Regina is a d...

Jun 23, 202537 min

The Taboo Topics of Women Leaders

Nicole Johnston is a former global marketing leader turned transformational coach, with a career spanning Procter & Gamble, Hershey, and Newell Brands. Today, she helps women overcome career challenges as founder of innatePOWER™ and author of Taboo Topics: Things Women Should Talk About, But Don’t. This week on On Brand, Nicole joined me to talk leadership, authenticity, and the power of brave conversations. About Nicole Johnston Nicole is a passionate Executive and Leadership Coach. She pre...

Jun 16, 202528 min

Rethinking Research for a Noisy World

Heather O’Shea is Chief Research Officer at Alter Agents, where she helps brands like Netflix, Walmart, and Spotify solve tough business challenges through smart research. With nearly 20 years of experience across agencies, platforms, and publishers, she’s a leader in advertising insights and analytics. This week on On Brand, Heather joined me to talk curiosity, empathy, and what today’s smartest brands are getting right. More About Heather Heather O’Shea is a passionate insights leader with ove...

Jun 09, 202531 min

Marketing the Metaverse at Meta

Dave Kaufman is Senior Director of Global Marketing for MR, VR, and Metaverse at Meta’s Reality Labs, where he leads efforts for Meta Quest, Horizon Worlds, and Oculus Studios. His path includes stops at Google, Halo Neuroscience, and the U.S. Digital Service under President Obama. On this week’s On Brand, Dave joined me to talk immersive tech, branding in virtual worlds, and what’s next for the metaverse. More on Dave ... Dave Kaufman is Senior Director, Global Marketing of MR, VR, and Metavers...

Jun 02, 202532 min

How Album Design Shapes Brand Strategy

Mark Kingsley is the author of Universal Principles of Branding and the forthcoming Brands in the Age of AI. A Grammy-nominated designer turned brand strategist, he’s led work for Citi, Equinox, and Blue Note Records. Mark joined me on this week’s On Brand to talk about branding’s future—and how AI is changing the game. Mark Kingsley began his career designing album packages for legends like John Coltrane, Pat Metheny, and Quincy Jones—work that earned him a Grammy nomination in 2001 for Blue No...

May 26, 202533 min

Mastering the Pause in Everyday Conversations

Cynthia Kane is the author of the new book The Pause Principle: How to Keep Your Cool in Tough Situations. A leading voice in intentional communication, Cynthia has helped over 70,000 people become less reactive and more kind, honest, and helpful in how they speak to themselves and others. Through her bestselling books, DailyOM course, and the Kane Intentional Communication Training Program, she’s transforming the way we talk—and listen. Cynthia joined me to share how we can all communicate with...

May 19, 202529 min

The Hollywood Blueprint for Brand Storytelling

Anson Sowby is CEO and co-founder of Battery, a global creative company that mixes Hollywood storytelling with brand strategy and Silicon Valley speed. With offices around the world and clients like the Anaheim Ducks, Land O’Lakes, and Warner Bros Games, Battery has been named Ad Age Agency of the Year three times. Anson joined me to share how they built this bold, modern agency on this week’s On Brand podcast. Anson Sowby is the CEO and co-founder of Battery, a global creative company who devel...

May 12, 202527 min

Revitalizing Legacy Brands with Modern Strategy

Chris Cardetti is Chief Strategy Officer at BarkleyOKRP, where he’s spent the past decade shaping strategy into a creative force behind brand revivals for Planet Fitness, Motel 6, AMC Theatres, and more. Known for his journalistic curiosity and idea-first mindset, Chris and his team lead deep consumer research, upstream consulting, and thought leadership—earning top industry honors along the way. We dug into his approach this week on the On Brand podcast. About Chris Cardetti Chris Cardetti is t...

May 05, 202534 min

“Yes And” Thinking for Bold Brands

Kathy Klotz-Guest is Founder of Keeping It Human—a consultancy helping teams at Google, Amazon, and Wells Fargo ditch rigid thinking and spark bold breakthroughs with humor and improv. With 20 years in global tech and 25 years on comedy stages, Kathy brings laughs and innovation to business. We explored it all this week on the On Brand podcast. About Kathy Klotz-Guest Kathy Klotz-Guest, MA, MBA, is Founder of Keeping it Human (keepingithuman.com). She combines 20 years marketing and innovation l...

Apr 28, 202535 min

Why Brands Need to Be Entertaining (or Be Ignored)

Dan Salkey is Founder & Strategy Partner at Small World—a creative consultancy redefining industry norms with entertainment-first marketing. By curating bespoke teams from 200+ top talents in entertainment, art, and tech, Small World delivers unforgettable brand experiences. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Dan Salkey Dan Salkey, ex-Adidas, is the Founder and Strategy Partner of Small World, an innovative creative consultancy that’s redefining the in...

Apr 21, 202536 min

Where Beer Runs Meet Brand Strategy

Dana Hork, Founder & CEO of Beers With Friends, joins me to share how her agile creative agency helps challenger brands solve big problems in just five days. A brand leader, entrepreneur, and storyteller, Dana has held roles at Wonder, Walmart, Jet.com, PepsiCo, and JPMorgan—and has been featured in TIME, Forbes, and Ad Age. We discussed all of this and more this week on the show. About Dana Hork Dana Hork is the Founder & CEO of Beers With Friends, an agile creative agency that helps ch...

Apr 14, 202528 min

H&R Block on Reinventing Relevance for Gen Z

Jill Cress, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at H&R Block, is a visionary marketer with 30+ years of experience in financial services, media, and tech. She’s led brand transformations at PayPal, National Geographic, and MasterCard and now focuses on modernizing H&R Block, enhancing customer experience, and driving growth. Recognized as one of the world’s top CMOs, Jill excels at connecting brands with consumers in meaningful ways. About Jill Cress Jill Cress is an innovative market...

Apr 07, 202532 min

How to Connect with Red and Blue Customers

Chris Peterson, Co-Founder of Lifemind, is a marketing pioneer with over 30 years of experience shaping the digital landscape. Author of Red & Blue Customers, Chris has built and sold two innovative agencies, earning recognition from The Wall Street Journal and working with both Fortune 500 brands and fast-growth startups. In this episode of On Brand, we discuss his insights on the evolving digital landscape and how brands can better connect with customers in an increasingly divided world. A...

Mar 31, 202534 min

Growing Your Brand with Referrals & Relationships

Scott Grates is a visionary entrepreneur and expert in strategic relationship marketing, building multiple seven-figure businesses, including top insurance agencies and a real estate portfolio. He helps entrepreneurs grow through his Infinite Referral Advantage® system and is the bestselling author of Essential F-words for Teens and the upcoming Referrals Done Right. A podcast host and sought-after speaker, his upcoming TEDx talk, Silence That Voice, explores overcoming self-doubt for entreprene...

Mar 24, 202530 min

Talk to Your Customers, Transform Your Brand

Nicole Powell is a certified brand strategist and neuromarketer who blends science-backed insights with creative storytelling. As the founder of HALCON Marketing Solutions, she brings over 16 years of experience from Disney, ESPN, and Fox Networks. Born in Manila and raised in the Bronx, her multicultural background shapes her innovative approach to marketing and leadership. Now based in St. Louis, Nicole helps brands stand out by merging data-driven strategy with human psychology. We discussed ...

Mar 17, 202530 min

The Work Talk Show Returns (Kind of)

This week on On Brand, we’re shaking things up with a very special guest—DJ Waldow! Longtime listeners may remember that DJ and I co-hosted The Work Talk Show, a podcast all about how work gets done today. Tune in as we reminisce, share some laughs, and make a special announcement about the show. Subscribe to the Work Talk Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you like to listen. About DJ Waldow DJ Waldow is a freelance writer specializing in all things words. He's a father of 4 ...

Mar 10, 202546 min

Audience Strategy Hacks from Amazon and MrBeast

Adam Constantine is the Founder and CEO of ACE Creatives, a full-service social media agency helping brands maximize ROI and build meaningful audience connections. With a decade of experience crafting digital content for top creators and brands—including MrBeast, Amazon, and Champion—Adam understands what makes social media truly engaging. A 3x Telly Award winner, he joins On Brand to share insights on digital storytelling, content strategy, and the ever-evolving social media landscape. About Ad...

Mar 03, 202530 min

Timeless Leadership and the Power of Clear Communication

Scott Monty is an executive coach, advisor, and speaker who helps leaders find clarity and drive growth. A former executive at Ford, he merged technology with humanity to shape the company’s global social media strategy. Ranked by The Economist as a top social business leader, Scott focuses on timeless leadership principles to guide today’s leaders. He’s also the host of the Timeless Leadership podcast and writes the Timeless & Timely newsletter. Tune in for insights on navigating leadership...

Feb 24, 202531 min

From Startup to Standout: Winning in CPG

Dr. James Richardson, founder of Premium Growth Solutions, returns to On Brand to share more insights on scaling CPG brands. A cultural anthropologist turned business strategist, he has advised over 150 brands, including Dude Wipes and Dr. Squatch. He also hosts Startup Confidential and writes Homo Imaginari on Substack. With work featured in Inc. and Business Insider, James brings his sharp perspective on brand growth and strategy. About James Richardson Dr. Richardson is the founder of Premium...

Feb 17, 202530 min

Brand Storytelling Takes Flight at Southwest Air

Derek K. Hubbard is Manager of Public Relations for Southwest Airlines. In his role, Derek shares the story of Southwest with audiences across a variety of channels. For more than 10 years, Derek has been a sought after expert on how to craft compelling stories and influence audiences. He believes stories can change the world and everyone has one waiting to be told. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Derek K. Hubbard Derek K. Hubbard is the Manager of Publ...

Feb 10, 202536 min

Context is King: Designing with Purpose and Impact

Todd Bracher, founder of BRACHER, is a leading industrial designer and strategist with 25+ years of experience. He shares how he blends design, science, and business to drive innovation, launch groundbreaking products, and advise top brands on differentiation. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Todd Bracher Todd Bracher founded BRACHER, an Industrial Design and Advisory firm. With over 25 years of experience, Todd integrates design, science, and business t...

Feb 03, 202528 min

Revolutionizing Brand Storytelling with Superplastic

On this episode of On Brand, Jennifer van Dijk, CEO of Superplastic, shares how the company is redefining entertainment by turning animated characters into cultural icons. With 23+ million social media followers, Superplastic blends storytelling, commerce, and AI to create innovative experiences. Jennifer also reflects on her career leading brands like Dapper Labs, Hoonigan, the NBA, and more. About Jennifer van Dijk Jennifer van Dijk is the CEO of Superplastic, a leading entertainment company r...

Jan 27, 202529 min

How Crayola Champions Creativity & Connection

In this episode of On Brand, we’re celebrating creativity with Victoria Lozano, Executive Vice President at Crayola. As Crayola kicks off its annual Creativity Week, Victoria joins us to discuss the brand’s mission to inspire imagination and innovation in children and adults alike. From their iconic crayons to bold initiatives like the Campaign for Creativity, Crayola is more than a brand—it’s a champion for self-expression and connection through art. Tune in to hear how Crayola is fostering cre...

Jan 20, 202538 min

From President Clinton’s Office to Crisis Communication

Elie Jacobs is a Founding Partner at Purposeful Advisors. With a career that began in President Clinton's post-presidential office, Elie has worked for some of the world's leading public affairs and strategic communications consultancies helping clients navigate the increasingly crisis-fraught media landscape. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Elie Jacobs Elie Jacobs is a Founding Partner at Purposeful Advisors. Elie has more than two decades of experienc...

Jan 13, 202530 min

Pushing Creative Boundaries with Cannabis Advertising

Tommy Means is a Founding Partner & Chief Creative Officer at Mekanism. In his nearly twenty years in the industry, he has created award-winning campaigns for brands including Molson/Coors, Nike, Apple, The North Face, Pepsi, Disney, and 20th Century Fox. Tommy won a Cannes Lion for creating one of the first cannabis commercials. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Tommy Means Tommy Means is a Founding Partner & Chief Creative Officer at Mekanism, a...

Jan 06, 202530 min

Customer-Centric Brand Storytelling

Joe Wright is Co-Founder, Director, and Chief Creative Officer at Sibling Rivalry, a New York and Los Angeles-based brand studio and production company infusing insight with imagination to drive brand, business, and culture. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Joe Wright Joe Wright is Co-Founder, Director, and Chief Creative Officer at Sibling Rivalry, a New York and Los Angeles based brand studio and production company infusing insight with imagination to ...

Dec 30, 202432 min

The Naughty and Nice Brands of 2024

This week we have our annual holiday episode of the On Brand podcast with the “Naughty and Nice Brands of 2024.” The smart folks at Brand Federation developed this seasonally appropriate snapshot of brand behavior looking back on this past year and the year ahead at 2025. The consultancy’s Chief Growth Officer Matt Williams joined me to discuss which brands have been naughty and nice this year. About Matt Williams Matt Williams is chief growth officer for Brand Federation, a brand strategy consu...

Dec 23, 202438 min

Planning Your Media Strategy for the Year Ahead

Justin Goldstein is the Founder and Lead Strategist of PR72, an integrated communications agency that helps organizations like Uber, AARP, and General Motors unlock growth and build their brands. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Justin Goldstein Justin Goldstein is an award-winning public relations and marketing expert, and the Founder and Lead Strategist of PR73. This integrated communications agency helps brands build trust and unlock growth opportunit...

Dec 16, 202426 min

How to Build a Brand with Soul

Siew Ting Foo is a transformational growth leader who builds businesses and brands with soul. Building Brands with Soul is also the title of her new book. During her 25-year career, she's worked with brands including Unilever, Mars Inc, Diageo, and HP. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Siew Ting Foo Siew Ting Foo is a transformational growth leader who builds businesses and brands with soul. She has focused most of her 25-year career on this mission by in...

Dec 02, 202429 min

Why Authentic Brands Question Assumptions

Katie Cabanas has been called the Bilingual Brand Builder. In a career spanning diverse organizations such as AT&T, Coca-Cola and the University of Miami, Katie specializes in strategic planning and implementation of branding, marketing, and philanthropic campaigns. We discussed all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Katie Cabanas Katie Cabanas is the founder of Cabanas Consulting and has a rich history of connecting people to brands and causes, creating lasting value....

Nov 25, 202429 min
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