On Brand: A Podcast About Branding For Brand Builders, By Brand Builders

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 digital-minded, marketing creative with an entrepreneurial spirit focused on helping individuals and companies change the world. Through effective communication, thought leadership, and a strong digital presence, Regina has supported forward-thinking organizations across all industries, from non-profits to technology to start-ups, in spreading their messages and scaling for over 15 years. As a Content Solutions Consultant at LinkedIn, Regina helps organizations craft impactful content strategies that are creative, e

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 previously held senior Sales & Marketing roles at Procter & Gamble, Hershey Foods, and Kimberly-Clark, leading billion-dollar businesses to success. Nicole excels in capturing whitespace opportunities. Her true joy lies in providing positive support to her teams, leading with kindness, inspiring others, and making a transformative impact. Driven to make a difference, Nicole transitioned from corporate to coaching, founding innatePOWER™ to support women in overcoming obstacles and achieving their potential. innatePOWER™ i

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 over 18 years of experience, including a focus on advertising research, digital analytics, and media landscape. She has held leadership positions at media agencies, publishers, tech platforms, and research companies. She is currently the Chief Research Officer of boutique market research consultancy Alter Agents, where she oversees the research functions within the company, partnering with brands such as Netflix, Walmart, Gatorade, and Spotify to address tough business challenges. She received her M.B.A. in marketing

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 Metaverse at Meta within the Reality Labs division. He leads global marketing efforts for Meta Quest, Horizon Worlds, and Oculus Studios. Before joining Meta, Dave headed up marketing at Halo Neuroscience, led brand strategy at the United States Digital Service (founded by President Barack Obama), and worked in product marketing at Google. He’s earned recognition from Ad Age’s 40 Under 40 list and honors at Cannes Lions, Clio, and The One Show. A graduate from Cornell University, Dave is now based in San Francisco. What br

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 Note Records—before transitioning into corporate branding, where he led major initiatives at Landor and Collins for clients such as Citi, Ogilvy, and Equinox. Through his studio, Malcontent, he serves a diverse mix of clients from indie filmmakers to Pulitzer Prize winners. Mark teaches in the SVA Masters in Branding program, previously held the Melbert B. Cary Professorship at the Rochester Institute of Technology, and is currently Head of Brand for the fashion label Oumlil. His book Universal Principles of Branding

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 more intention on this week’s On Brand podcast. Cynthia Kane helps people enhance their lives and relationships by teaching them how to become less reactive in difficult conversations and speak to themselves, others, and their environment in a kind, honest, and helpful way. She has taught over 70,000 people how to change the way they communicate through her books, including her latest, The Pause Principle: How to Keep Your Cool in Tough Situations, Bestselling DailyOM Course, and the Kane Intentional Communication Tr

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 developed a unique working model that’s part Hollywood storytelling mixed with classic brand principles done the Silicon Valley way. The company has been celebrated as a three-time Ad Age Agency of the Year with offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, Toronto and Shanghai, and works with forward-thinking clients like the Anaheim Ducks, Land O’Lakes, Royal Bank of Canada, and Warner Bros Games. What brand has made Anson smile recently? Anson shared a fun smile from the brand Trust & Will, which is in the business of ... well, exa

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 the Chief Strategy Officer at BarkleyOKRP, where he’s spent the past decade building the strategy, intelligence, and communications planning disciplines to be the art and science behind the agency’s model for building whole brands. His recent experience includes a series of brand and business revitalization efforts for Planet Fitness, Motel 6, AMC Theatres, Smoothie King, and Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Over the course of his career, Chris has zeroed in on a recipe for strategy that mixes journalistic insig

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 leadership in Global Tech with 25 years of storytelling on improv and comedy stages. When companies and leaders at places including Google, Amazon, or Wells Fargo want to bust rigid thinking, fear, perceived limits and experience bold creative breakthroughs while laughing, they call Kathy. A top selling Amazon author ("Stop Boring Me") and comedian, Kathy is a professional speaker and expert in improv and humor in business and life. And you can still catch her on comedy stages. From the Show What brand has made Kathy

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 industry standard. Dan specializes in entertainment-first marketing and the creative tactics necessary to build an entertainment-first brand. At its core, Small World is pioneering a new creative model. By assembling bespoke teams from a curated roster of 200+ top-tier unstandard talent across entertainment, art, and technology, the company creates marketing experiences that feel as intrinsic and memorable as the products themselves. From the Show What brand has made Dan smile recently? Dan tweaked my question by providing

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 challenger brands solve high-stakes problems in just five days. A brand leader, entrepreneur, and storyteller, Dana partners with CMOs and marketing leaders to deliver impactful brand solutions quickly and without the bureaucracy of traditional agencies. She has held leadership roles at Wonder, Walmart, Jet.com, PepsiCo, and JPMorgan. Dana holds an MBA from Harvard, an MPA from Columbia, and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. A frequent speaker and podcast guest, she has been featured in TIME, Forbes, and Ad Age. From t

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 marketer and strategist who pushes boundaries as the Chief Marketing and Experience Officer for H&R Block. She leads a dynamic team invested in transforming customer experience, modernizing and infusing its brand into highly relevant channels, and amplifying strategic marketing and communications efforts to deliver growth. For more than 30 years, Cress has honed her skills as a strategic and passionate consumer, B2B marketer, and experience strategist with deep expertise in financial services, media and technology. She has held le

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. About Chris Peterson Chris Peterson is the Co-Founder of Lifemind, an AI-agent platform designed for national, local, and regional marketers. With over 30 years as a marketing pioneer and entrepreneur, Chris has founded two digital marketing agencies, working with fast-growing startups and Fortune 500 companies. In the 1990s, he launched one of the first digital direct marketing agencies, earning recognition from The Wall Street Journal. Publicis Groupe later acquired the agency. Chris later established an early content ma

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 entrepreneurial success. About Scott Grates Scott Grates is a visionary entrepreneur and expert in strategic relationship marketing, having built multiple 7-figure businesses, including nationally recognized insurance agencies and a thriving real estate portfolio. A firm believer in the power of personal connections over digital noise, Scott helps entrepreneurs grow through his innovative Infinite Referral Advantage® system. He is the bestselling author of Essential F-words for Teens and the upcoming Referrals Done Right, as we

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 all of this and more this week on the On Brand podcast. About Nicole Powell Nicole Powell is the founder of HALCON Marketing Solutions and a certified brand strategist with 16 years of experience at Disney, ESPN, and Fox Networks. Born in Manila and raised in the Bronx, this St. Louis entrepreneur balances running her agency with raising two toddlers while empowering businesses to thrive through her unique blend of instinct and creative flair. Nicole Powell is a certified brand strategist and neuromarketer who brings

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 (including twins), husband to one, and an alum of the University of Michigan. DJ is a self-proclaimed giphy master and #HashtagAddict. For 100 (or so) episodes, he was my co-host on my very first podcast The Work Talk Show! From the Show What brand has made DJ smile recently? DJ pointed us to client experience platform Boulevard—a consistent and human source of smiles for DJ in the digitally disconnected world we find ourselves in. Connect with DJ on LinkedIn and, of course, find the Work Talk Show on Spotify, Apple

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 Adam Constantine Adam Constantine is the Founder and CEO of ACE Creatives, a full-service social media agency crafting digital content to maximize ROI and brand affinity. With a decade of experience, Adam has curated captivating content for creators, brands, and Fortune 500 companies, including MrBeast, Amazon, and Champion. Since founding ACE Creatives in 2017, Adam has created digital strategies, social media, and full-scale productions across the retail/e-commerce, hospitality, and automotive industries. A 3x Telly A

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 in a fast-changing world. About Scott Monty Scott Monty is an executive coach, advisor, and public speaker who  helps companies and executive teams in flux, positioning leaders who are new or stuck to find a clear vision, collaborate, and communicate better to drive growth. A Fortune 10 leader whose background in classics positioned him to see through the shiny objects, Scott focuses on timeless human nature that drives everyone. He was ranked by The Economist as #1 atop the list 25 Social Business Leaders and Alan Mulal

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 Growth Solutions, a strategic planning consultancy for emerging consumer packaged goods brands. As a professionally trained cultural anthropologist turned business strategist, he has helped over 150 CPG brands with their strategic planning, including: Dude Wipes, Once Upon a Farm, Dr. Squatch Soap, Trü Frü, Earth Breeze, Dr. Bronner’s, Happy Egg, Made Good and many others. James also hosts his own business podcast—Startup Confidential —on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and most major podcast platforms. And he writes a Subs

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 Public Relations for Southwest Airlines, where he helps share the airline’s story across a variety of channels. This year, he served as a jury member for Brandstorytelling 2025, a sanctioned event of the Sundance Film Festival, evaluating top films, podcasts, and episodes. With a background as a television producer in Dallas and experience in financial communications in London, Derek’s expertise spans media, storytelling, and brand strategy. He’s been recognized as a PR News 30 and Under Rising PR Star and has contributed