Branding for Builders

After 5 years building in consumer, a huge learning is that “creating a feeling” is the most inportant thing for building a resonant brand. Product and services end up being interchangeable but the feeling in a customers mind is not. The best brands are the best storytellers with the most authentic messaging. To action this, we’ve seen success buil... See more

To me, brands are like software. A brand is made up of a finite number of input variables (product form factor, color schemes, tone, personality, aspirations, price, ingredients/inputs) that are its source code. These values and aesthetics are programmed, but unlike software they are not deterministic. Each consumer transacts with a brand based on ... See more

The difference between Amazon, Netflix, Google, Facebook, and the legions of large but slowly dying companies is usually exactly that: product leadership.

Silicon Valley first mastered the craft of building technology, then product, then design. It is now learning the craft of brand and brand marketing. As technology markets become more competitive, brand matters more, and those who can build brand are better placed to win.

A brand is not an object. It’s not something you can simply define in words or pictures, put away and take out to reference every so often. A true brand is a living thing—like a person. A fusion of motivations and beliefs, personality and purpose, appearance and actions, that continually defines and reveals itself through every interaction and poin... See more

I often think and write about the importance of “world building” in today’s mixed-media reality: Brands have more control than ever over where and how consumers experience their point of view, from digital feeds and properties to packaging design and retail merchandising. And with that comes many new opportunities to build emotional texture.

I think everyone would agree that brands are still very important, but today you communicate your brand through experiences, not ads. The best sales pitch for Netflix is binge-watching a great Netflix show. The same principle applies to buying glasses from Warby Parker. Or conducting a Google search. Or looking up a prospect on Salesforce. At the s

... See more

And a strong brand has to be rooted in something accessible. Something consumers can relate to either by association or by aspiration. Something that makes them feel that by supporting the brand, they are part of a community or tribe of like-minded consumers and fans. This is as true for toothpaste as it is for a cookie or, in this book’s case, a l

... See more