The hottest Branding Substack posts right now

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How DTC razor brand Billie built a $310M brand by showing body hair and bucking gender norms

the case for brand 💼 • 21 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💼 Business Branding Marketing Consumer Goods E-commerce Entrepreneurship
  1. Billie is changing the shaving game by showing that body hair is normal and celebrating women's choices. They make it clear that shaving should be a personal choice, not something women are pressured to do.
  2. Their success comes from offering products at fair prices without the 'pink tax'. They provide quality razors that don't charge more just because they are made for women.
  3. Billie uses clever marketing that connects with women, like campaigns that challenge beauty standards. They've built a strong brand that stands out from traditional competitors.

Startup Profile: Happy Patina

Startup Strategies • 57 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💼 Business Startups Entrepreneurship Product Design Branding Market Trends
  1. Oscar Arenas started a slipper brand to continue a family tradition. His grandfather made similar slippers since 1981, showing how family history can inspire new businesses.
  2. Happy Patina focuses on products that change over time. This idea can appeal to customers who appreciate items that evolve and tell a story.
  3. Switching from an IT career to launching a product can lead to success. It shows the value of following your passion, even if it means a big change.

What we don't talk about when we talk about quality...

The faintest idea • 319 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🪑 Design User Experience Visual Design Product Design Software Quality Branding
  1. Quality really matters in software because it makes products more valuable and worth paying for. Just like with clothes or furniture, better quality provides a better experience.
  2. Software isn't always compared just by quality since functionality plays a big role too. It's important to fix the small details that make a big difference for users.
  3. People will feel the difference in quality when using software, even if it doesn't show up in simple success metrics. That feeling can influence their choices and how much they are willing to pay.
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How to think about social effectiveness to protect creative budgets

The Social Juice • 24 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
💼 Business Marketing Social media Strategy Branding Analytics
  1. When discussing social media success, it's important to focus on effectiveness, not just creativity. You need to tell a complete story about how your ideas impact the brand and business.
  2. To have a strong approach, measure three key areas: channel effects, brand effects, and commercial effects. This way, you can show not only how many people saw your content but also how it influenced brand awareness and sales.
  3. Always establish clear success measures before starting a project. This helps everyone understand how to evaluate success and can lead to better budget support in the future.

Designing for a single purpose

Product Identity • 118 implied HN points • 07 May 24
🪑 Design Product Design User Experience Branding Software Design Cultural critique
  1. Focusing on one clear purpose can make products stand out and be more appreciated. For example, stores or brands that specialize in a single item often attract loyal customers.
  2. In tech, many products have become complex and cluttered by trying to do too much. This often leads to products losing their original charm and purpose.
  3. Going back to basics and simplifying can bring more joy to experiences, like reading on a Kindle without distractions. It helps us focus on what truly matters.

The Road to Hell, part 1 of 3

Thoughts on Writing • 459 implied HN points • 19 Jun 23
💼 Business Branding Ethics Marketing Capitalism
  1. Purpose in business, particularly social purpose, can lead to flawed ethical thinking and potentially negative outcomes.
  2. The concept of purpose emerged as a response to the reputational crisis faced by big businesses post-2008 financial crisis, aiming to portray them as 'good guys'.
  3. The purpose movement in business and marketing gained momentum in the 2010s but led to questionable outcomes, showcasing a gap between feel-good stories and harsh realities.

Cringe communication on LinkedIn. Yay, 🙌 or Nay? 🙅‍♀️

Business & Marketing with Nika • 19 implied HN points • 04 Aug 24
💼 Business Communication Social media Marketing Professionalism Branding
  1. Communication on LinkedIn has shifted from formal to casual. It’s now common to see memes and selfies, which can feel a bit cringe.
  2. Being informal can help break the ice, but it’s important to maintain a professional image. Be careful when being casual, especially with potential clients or employers.
  3. When using LinkedIn, think about the tone you want to use. Make sure it fits your audience, and be aware of how your communication style might affect future interactions.

10 rules of IP brands

The Sociology of Business • 438 implied HN points • 02 Oct 23
💼 Business Branding Marketing Retail Intellectual Property Fashion
  1. IP brands focus on monetizing their intellectual property through various means like merchandising, partnerships, and experiences.
  2. IP-focused retail brands position themselves at the intersection of fashion and popular culture, extending their brand beyond just products.
  3. Strategic rules for IP brands include interstitial storytelling, generating anticipation, creating repeatable narrative anchors, building fandom, and leveraging licensing for brand expansion.

On Non-Determinism // BrXnd Dispatch vol. 35

BrXnd Dispatch • 137 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Branding Marketing Predictions
  1. Computers operate deterministically, following specific algorithms to produce consistent results.
  2. Contrary to computers, AI models rely on probability to predict outputs, leading to non-deterministic behavior.
  3. The concept of hallucinations in AI highlights the uncertainties and associations generated by models, similar to how brands are perceived as bundles of ideas and associations.

Vol. 2, Issue 10 - Interview with Dave Hillenbrand

Johto Times • 99 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🎭️ Culture Pop culture Entertainment Interviews Retail Branding
  1. Dave Hillenbrand managed the Pokémon Center NYC, creating a fun shopping experience for kids. He wanted to make it as memorable as places like Disney.
  2. The opening of the store was a huge event just after 9/11, helping bring joy back to New York City. It involved a big marketing push and many excited Pokémon fans.
  3. Working with diverse teams taught Dave the importance of adapting to new challenges. He learned a lot about blending different cultures and teamwork to make things successful.

Good for nothing

Thoughts on Writing • 599 implied HN points • 18 Nov 22
💼 Business Marketing Ethics Branding Effectiveness Advertising
  1. The concept of purpose in branding can lead to purpose nihilism and moral grandstanding, creating a focus on image rather than genuine altruism.
  2. Critics of purpose-driven campaigns often focus on ethical concerns over commercial effectiveness, highlighting the tension between doing good and making profits.
  3. Effective altruism movements, while aiming for rational philanthropy, can sometimes lead to noble cause corruption, blurring ethical lines for the sake of perceived long-term benefits.

Thanks and Q&A

Optimally Irrational • 3 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Sales Finance Branding
  1. Paid subscribers are really appreciated because they allow more time for writing and creating content. Supporting through subscriptions shows value in the work being done.
  2. There is a desire for more engagement and interaction with subscribers, encouraging them to share their thoughts and suggestions. It’s a great way to build a community.
  3. Future plans for the platform include expanding topics and content based on subscriber interests, aiming for more relevant and meaningful discussions.

Why I love marketing

Tech Ramblings • 19 implied HN points • 10 Jul 24
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Branding Consumer behavior Digital marketing
  1. Marketing is much more than just advertising; it's everything a company does to connect with its customers. This includes building websites, social media, and promotional campaigns.
  2. Great marketing focuses on a company's values and what they mean to customers, rather than just the products. Successful ads often connect with deeper themes like community and enjoyment.
  3. Instead of viewing marketing as a hindrance, see it as a chance to communicate and engage with people. Good marketing can create lasting impressions and loyalty.

PR in the Spacetech Industry: The New Frontier

Space Ambition • 219 implied HN points • 08 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Space Tech Public Relations Innovation Branding Marketing
  1. Old Space companies stick to traditional PR methods like blogs and partnerships. They are slowly adapting to modern techniques but often play it safe.
  2. New Space companies are more creative in their PR. They use social media and unique events to connect with people and make their launches exciting.
  3. Billionaires like Elon Musk and Richard Branson use personal branding and bold PR stunts to grab attention. They focus on big, inspirational stories that resonate with the public.

What Martha Stewart can teach us about reinvention and career pivots.

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 23 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
💼 Business Entrepreneurship Marketing Branding Career development Personal Growth
  1. Martha Stewart shows that it's possible to reinvent yourself after a big setback. Her journey teaches us that you can bounce back and create something new, no matter the challenges.
  2. It's important to be true to yourself and let your passions guide you. Martha followed her curiosity and constantly sought new opportunities, which helped her build a successful brand.
  3. Being bold and ignoring criticism is key to achieving your goals. Martha had a strong vision for her life and career, and she didn't let negative opinions stop her from pursuing her dreams.

Call me Starbucks.

All Visible Objects • 118 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Literature History Coffee Branding Music
  1. Starbucks Coffee famously took its name from the character Starbuck in Moby-Dick, but the reason behind the choice remains somewhat mysterious and unexplained.
  2. The connection between Starbucks and Moby-Dick seems to stem more from a chain of coincidences and word associations rather than a deep literary appreciation or deliberate homage to the book.
  3. The original inspiration for the name Starbucks may have come indirectly from Ed Leimbacher, who named a film company Pequod after the ship in Moby-Dick, showing how literary influences can shape unexpected outcomes.

Can you conquer the world with your "faceless" brand? 🥷

Business & Marketing with Nika • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jun 24
💼 Business Marketing Branding Entrepreneurship Influencers Product Strategy
  1. You can succeed with a brand even if you are not famous. Many unknown brands can become popular with hard work and smart strategies.
  2. Having a product that solves a problem is very important. People value items that truly help them.
  3. Good storytelling and interesting branding can make a faceless brand more relatable. It's about connecting with people, even without a visible creator.

Bernbach to the future

Thoughts on Writing • 339 implied HN points • 06 Jan 23
💼 Business Branding Advertising Purpose Ethics Marketing
  1. The purpose vibe shift in the industry reflects a changing attitude towards corporate purpose and its impact on growth.
  2. Bill Bernbach's ethical stance on advertising, such as turning away cigaret accounts, highlights the importance of principles over profit.
  3. Purpose in business should be a human imperative, acting as a counterbalance to corporate excesses, rather than a marketing tool for profit.

Call for participation - The semiotics and politics of "Corporate Memphis"

On Looking • 159 implied HN points • 01 Jul 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Semiotics Politics Branding
  1. Julien Posture is seeking participants for a study on the semiotics and politics of 'Corporate Memphis'
  2. The project aims to understand the association of aesthetic features with the values of Tech Companies
  3. Interviews will involve discussions with illustrators, art directors, designers, and commenters linked to Corporate Memphis

FontDiscovery 🖼️ 154: New Year, New Name

FontDiscovery • 58 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Typography Design Branding Naming Creativity
  1. Create a naming matrix to help generate brand names based on word structure and types of names.
  2. Ensure to consider legal issues, domain availability, scalability, and cultural sensitivity when naming your brand.
  3. Naming is an important aspect of branding that involves creating an identity and should be done carefully with input from others.

#4: Premium vs Luxury Strategies in Travel

Bureau of Adventure • 99 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🏝 Travel Luxury Travel Branding Consumer behavior Market Analysis
  1. Luxury is really about a unique experience rather than just being expensive. It’s more about how brands market themselves to create a special image.
  2. There are two main business strategies for travel brands: a premium strategy focuses on quality and value, while a luxury strategy emphasizes exclusivity and unique branding.
  3. For high-end travel brands, knowing whether you're premium or luxury is key. Each path has its own marketing rules and customer expectations.

Brands, Ads, and the Persuadable You

From the Desk • 9 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
💼 Business Advertising Branding Marketing Consumer behavior Digital Media
  1. Not all ads are great, but repetition can make a brand stick in your mind. Some ads just need to inform rather than entertain.
  2. Good brands connect emotionally with their audience. They aim to show that using their products can help you feel like a better version of yourself.
  3. Positioning is key for brands. They need to clearly show who their products are for, helping certain shoppers feel more drawn to them.

Barbie and Meganets

Auerstack • 98 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🎭️ Culture Movies Marketing Branding Cultural impact
  1. Market saturation can still work in today's information-abundant world, like in Barbie's case.
  2. Barbie's success was due to unique advantages: branding a color and being a lifestyle brand.
  3. Building multi-platform brands will be more important than just focusing on the movie itself in the future.

The Anti-Brand-Builder’s Guide to Building Your Brand

Perspectives • 8 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Branding Marketing Personal Development Entrepreneurship Content creation
  1. Think of your life story in just a few words. Writing a six-word biography helps you see the key points of your journey and values.
  2. Identify what you’re really good at. Everyone has a unique skill, or 'superpower,' that they can share, and recognizing this can help you define yourself better.
  3. Start small by sharing what you know. You don’t need to do big things right away; even a simple social media post can be a good first step.

Don’t follow conversation leaders

Thoughts on Writing • 359 implied HN points • 22 Mar 22
🎭️ Culture Media Advertising Social media Public Discourse Branding
  1. Don't blindly follow conversation leaders - question their motives and the direction they steer the conversation.
  2. Brands often use conversations as a marketing tactic to boost engagement and brand awareness.
  3. Social media has distorted conversations, often for the benefit of advertisers, leading to polarized views and lack of meaningful dialogue.