The hottest Branding Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

Seven Powers in Life Sciences

axialdaily • 58 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. Scale Economies in business help reduce costs as production volume increases
  2. Network Economies create value as more customers join, creating barriers for new entrants
  3. Counter-Positioning involves pursuing a business model that incumbents cannot copy without damaging their existing business

David Tran and Sriracha's $1B+ Journey

SatPost by Trung Phan • 95 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
💼 Business Branding
  1. David Tran, a Vietnamese refugee, transformed a simple chili sauce recipe into a $1B brand called Sriracha. He started with just some hidden gold bars after fleeing Vietnam.
  2. Sriracha became popular without traditional marketing, relying on word of mouth and maintaining a simple production process. The brand does not spend much on ads and has no sales team.
  3. Despite facing challenges in supply and competition, Tran remains focused on his original recipe and is not concerned about trademarking 'Sriracha.' He believes in keeping the sauce spicy and authentic.

📈 How Tracksuit built a B2B brand valued at $142.9 million AUD to take the brand tracking world by by becoming champions of brand building with tracksuits, drinks and case studies 🧢

the case for brand 💼 • 72 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Tracksuit is changing the B2B game by making brand tracking easier and more affordable for businesses. They offer a fun and approachable way to connect brands with their customers.
  2. Their brand strategy focuses on building a supportive community for marketers, making them feel less alone in their roles. They do this through friendly events and a casual, relatable style.
  3. Tracksuit shows that B2B marketing can be exciting! By mixing in real-life events and a more relaxed atmosphere, they make brand tracking engaging and meaningful.
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Creativity in an Age of AI.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 27 implied HN points • 22 Jun 25
🎭️ Culture Branding
  1. AI can empower creativity by allowing everyone to be more involved in the creative process. It's not just a tool; it's a partner that helps unlock new ideas.
  2. Brands need to focus on storytelling and connection rather than just data-driven promotion. Many brands are failing because they're not nurturing their long-term identity and culture.
  3. Creativity comes in two types: pure and applied. Pure creativity is about self-expression and groundbreaking ideas, while applied creativity is improving existing creations. Both are important for innovation and growth.

Apple Intelligence and the Quiet Shift in AI Branding

philsiarri • 22 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Branding
  1. Apple Intelligence is a new set of AI tools that helps users with tasks like writing and image generation. It's designed to work seamlessly with existing apps on iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
  2. New branding for these AI tools emphasizes user privacy and control. By calling it 'Apple Intelligence,' they want users to see it as a supportive feature rather than just another product.
  3. Apple focuses on making AI tools about user assistance, not replacing human judgment. They prioritize security by keeping user data safe and processing it efficiently.

The copywriter must be four people.

Creative Samba • 119 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. A good copywriter should embody multiple personas.
  2. Snackable copywriting tips include hitting confirmation bias, expanding claims in first paragraph, and making distinctive claims.
  3. Avoid using superlatives and instead make distinctive claims supported by evidence.

Let's talk purpose branding

Thoughts on Writing • 79 implied HN points • 06 Mar 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. Brand audits are valuable but often overlooked
  2. Humor and creative thinking in advertising stand out, even amidst a purpose-driven landscape
  3. Speaking engagements and conferences are great opportunities to share insights and ideas

❄️ How Deer Valley turns $329 lift tickets into a love letter to skiers and the romance of the West ⛷️

the case for brand 💼 • 58 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Deer Valley Ski Resort focuses on providing a luxury experience by offering premium services and a limited number of tickets. This makes their skiing experience feel exclusive.
  2. Their marketing emphasizes storytelling and nostalgia, which helps them connect with their guests on a deeper level. They want visitors to feel like they're part of a special tradition.
  3. Deer Valley stays true to its unique identity by avoiding snowboards and promoting an image of an independent, family-owned resort, even though it's part of a larger corporation.

How Building A Brand On Morals Signifies Greed.

Day One • 519 implied HN points • 23 Apr 20
💼 Business Branding
  1. Being ethical in business can be seen as a form of long-term greed because it leads to trust and fair deals over time.
  2. Prioritizing good morals and honesty in dealings may seem naive in the short term, but it builds a reputation for fairness in the long run.
  3. Having a positive attitude can often trump skill in attracting opportunities and success, so building a brand with the future consequences in mind is crucial.

FontDiscovery 🖼️ 143: Perfect Font for Reading

FontDiscovery • 39 implied HN points • 27 Oct 23
🪑 Design Branding
  1. The featured font for the week is Alegreya, perfect for text-heavy projects like blogs and newsletters.
  2. Alegreya has multiple styles including serif and sans serif versions, making it versatile for various design projects.
  3. Alegreya is recommended for logos, branding, marketing graphics, and publishing projects due to its different weights and styles.

Quality time

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 79 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. To find out what's new and important in products, look at meta-influencers. They help spot future trends better than big influencers who have a large following.
  2. Quality means different things to different people. It changes over time as new product features and consumer interests evolve.
  3. Watch the patterns among consumers to identify emerging groups that care about similar quality markers. This will help you understand potential future market segments.

Jumping the fence

Nate is Learning • 39 implied HN points • 25 Apr 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. Jumping the fence refers to when a brand grows to reach a wider market beyond its initial target audience.
  2. Notable examples include Mr. Beast and Joe Rogan who expanded their reach to become influential figures in various industries.
  3. Companies in both consumer and B2B sectors can successfully jump the fence by adjusting their offerings to appeal to a broader audience.

Musk just destroyed $billions worth of branding

The Misinfo Hellscape • 39 implied HN points • 25 Jul 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. A company's brand is a crucial asset that holds a significant part of its value.
  2. Building a successful brand involves combining aspects of high-end luxury goods and mass-market goods.
  3. Maintaining an unfair advantage over competitors is essential for business survival, with branding being a key factor that cannot be easily replicated.

How To Market Like Seth Godin (Part Two)

Day One • 359 implied HN points • 21 Jul 20
💼 Business Branding
  1. Building a strong personal brand is essential for marketing success. Identify what you excel at and focus on teaching that to others.
  2. Be open to pivoting in your marketing strategies based on what will best serve your audience. Making a different promise when necessary can lead to more impactful results.
  3. Start before you feel ready. Taking action and learning along the way is crucial for progress. You don't need to have everything figured out from the beginning.

Startup Profile: Happy Patina

Startup Strategies • 57 implied HN points • 08 Nov 24
💼 Business Branding
  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.

Having expertise isn’t the same as communicating it

The Ask Newsletter — by Ellen Donnelly • 10 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Having expertise is not enough; you need to communicate it effectively to be recognized and succeed. It's about how you connect with your audience, not just what you know.
  2. Turning your knowledge into income is both emotional and practical, and it requires navigating both aspects. You need to love what you do to stick with it.
  3. To grow your authority, carve out a specific niche and don't fall for the myth of overnight success. It takes consistent effort and experimentation to see real results.

Introducing Makers : A Community Driven Blueprint To Achieving Your Goals

Day One • 279 implied HN points • 04 Apr 20
💼 Business Branding
  1. The Makers Community provides coaching, resources, and a community for individuals to work on their goals
  2. The community targets those struggling with procrastination, consistency, and lack of access to the right people for accountability
  3. A limited number of people can join the community at a reduced investment cost, making it accessible for those in need of support

When Personalization Feels Fake: Starbucks’ Cup Messages, AI, and the Quest for Genuine Connection

Gad’s Newsletter • 26 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Starbucks' new initiative to have baristas write messages on cups seemed nice but felt forced and scripted. Customers want genuine interactions, not corporate mandates.
  2. Personalization in marketing works best when it's real and meets customer expectations. If customers feel it's fake or too much, it can harm trust and satisfaction.
  3. AI can help personalize experiences, but it can also make customers uneasy if they feel their privacy is being invaded. The key is to balance tech use with genuine human connections.

What Are You Selling Online? (Plus WhatsApp Attention Guide)

Day One • 259 implied HN points • 01 Jun 20
💼 Business Branding
  1. To succeed in making money online, focus on providing value rather than just seeking income. Value delivery is key.
  2. Consider leveraging social media platforms to create and extract value, even without a website or ads. Identify needs and offer solutions.
  3. Engage in classes or courses to learn and implement strategies for monetizing platforms like WhatsApp, focusing on building attention and providing value.

What happened in brand and agency: WPP struggles, Instagram & AdTech vs Sensitive Content and Fashion Week

The Social Juice • 22 implied HN points • 02 Mar 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. WPP is facing tough challenges, highlighting the pressures in the advertising industry. This might mean changes for many companies and advertisers in how they operate.
  2. Instagram recently dealt with backlash over graphic content on its platform. This shows the ongoing struggle between user experience and ad tech, as brands seek engagement without alienating users.
  3. Building a strong community around a brand is key. Companies should nurture their audiences, allowing them to engage and share value, making the community feel connected to the brand itself.

Meta's surrender, Walmart brand refresh and Heineken's brand genius

The Social Juice • 26 implied HN points • 14 Jan 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Meta's recent changes haven’t affected most businesses because their content moderation was already lacking. Many users are concerned about hate speech and adult content getting out of control as Meta steps back.
  2. Walmart is refreshing its brand with small changes to appear more friendly, but it's more about their recent collaborations and less about a big transformation. This reflects the trend of brands wanting to look welcoming without really changing much.
  3. Heineken is working hard to connect with Gen-Z by addressing loneliness and promoting a positive drinking culture. Their creative campaigns are helping them stay relevant, even as younger audiences trend towards less alcohol consumption.

VGS: Security and branding

The Product Person • 19 implied HN points • 01 May 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. VGS ensures data security by providing aliases for sensitive information, protecting companies from hacks.
  2. VGS simplifies the process of achieving PCI compliance, a requirement for handling card data.
  3. VGS's strong branding and focus on data security have led to significant growth and partnerships with big players like Visa and Amazon.

Brief thoughts on advertising

Logos • 19 implied HN points • 29 Aug 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. Advertising helps people find products they didn't know they needed. For example, a drain declogger can come to mind when you see an ad.
  2. Ads send messages about brands. Brands like Nike signal excellence, and people may buy their products to show they value that quality.
  3. People often buy products to tell themselves a story about who they are or who they want to be. Ads can inspire us to reach for something we aspire to, like wearing running gear to start exercising.

Branding You

The Intersection • 19 implied HN points • 22 Jul 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. To build a personal brand as a designer, focus on relevance by offering something unique and valuable that stays relevant over time.
  2. Differentiate yourself by having fresh ideas, articulating them well, and giving them simple and memorable names.
  3. Pay attention to your presentation by consistently showcasing your brand, both visually and through your work, to establish recognition.

To Rebrand or Not to Rebrand?

The Intersection • 19 implied HN points • 27 Mar 23
💼 Business Branding
  1. When considering rebranding, it is essential to have a clear trigger such as a change in the business direction or a product update for successful outcomes.
  2. Rebranding efforts should not be triggered by superficial reasons like a new CEO or CMO, but rather by substantial changes in the company's core.
  3. A successful rebranding requires a thoughtful integration with the product or service, not just a surface-level change for the sake of change.

The Forgotten Text

Tigerfeathers! • 10 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
💼 Business Branding
  1. Using clever writing in unexpected places can really enhance a brand's identity. Brands should treat every point of communication as an opportunity to connect with their audience.
  2. Companies are moving towards shorter, more engaging content instead of long articles. This shift helps maintain interest and keeps the conversation flowing.
  3. Memorable experiences, like special welcome emails or unique packaging designs, can create an emotional connection with customers. It's the small touches that often leave a lasting impression.

How to think about social effectiveness to protect creative budgets

The Social Juice • 24 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
💼 Business Branding
  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.