Brand Chops Podcast

In this episode of Brand Chops, Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime dive deep into the polarizing world of politics and its undeniable impact on branding. From Trump’s iconic red hat to Ben & Jerry’s activist messaging, they explore real-world examples of how political alignment (or avoidance) can shape brand identity, attract or repel customers, and ultimately affect the bottom line. Whether you’re...

Trust is everything in cannabis—and most brands aren’t earning it. In this episode, Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime discuss teh top ten do’s and don’ts of cannabis branding.  Tune in and learn how to: Define a strong, premium positioning Use education to become the go-to expert Avoid regulatory landmines Design packaging that actually sells Build a community around more than just your product Whethe...

Most small businesses stop at demographics. 😬 The smart ones dig deeper. In this episode, we show you how to tap into the 12 brand archetypes to connect with what your audience actually cares about — and why that changes everything.   🎙️ If you don’t know your brand’s archetype, you’re leaving trust, loyalty, and sales on the table. In this episode, we break down Carl Jung’s 12 archetypes — and h...

How do you turn one funny ad into triple the engagement and a spot on a podcast? Honest Brothers Painting shares the creative risk that made their brand unforgettable — and why leaning into who you are is the real secret to growth. In this episode of Brand Chops, Zack Lemear sits down with Shawn P and Shawn R Kelleher of Honest Brothers Painting — the local NH company that blew up their engagement...

Learn how to build effective personas that resonate with your target audience, the importance of understanding who your ideal clients are, and the necessity of market research. In this episode of Brand Chops, Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime delve into the significance of ideal client profiles and personas/avatars in marketing. The conversation also explores psychological archetypes and their role in...

Summary   Learn how small businesses can strategically position their brand to maximize valuation, identify potential red flags in branding during M&A, and the importance of aligning mission and vision. In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime discuss the critical role of branding in the merger and acquisition process with expert Laura Sauter. The conversation also c...

Summary   Learn the importance of storytelling in branding, the need to understand and communicate effectively with the target audience, and the evolving landscape of marketing in the digital age. In this episode, Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime engage with James Kwon, founder and CEO of Figments, to explore the intricacies of branding and marketing strategy. The conversation emphasizes the signific...

Learn how clear core values can attract and retain employees, the importance of aligning employees with brand values, and practical tips for small businesses to build a positive culture. In this episode, Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime discuss the critical role of core values in shaping a strong internal culture within organizations. They are joined by Rachel Platt of Plattinum Consulting that speci...

Learn how strong brand identity can enhance sales effectiveness, the importance of coordination between sales and marketing efforts, and the tools that can facilitate this integration. In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime discuss the critical relationship between sales and marketing teams with guests Tim McNeil and Rob Rogers. The conversation also emphasizes the sig...

Explore how core values, effective communication, and team engagement contribute to business growth and differentiation in a competitive market. In this episode, Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime discuss the significance of building a strong brand foundation with Matt Mercier, owner of Acapella Technologies. Matt shares insights on the importance of aligning team members with core values and how these...

Summary Learn about the psychological impact of branding on children and the phenomenon of mini brands with Norah Lemear, a 12 year old that loves the toy despite the fact that it isn’t really anything you can play with, use or eat. In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime explore the appeal of these miniature products, the psychology behind brand recognition, and the em...

Keywords Super Bowl ads, advertising critique, brand analysis, marketing trends, storytelling in ads, emotional advertising, creative advertising, ad winners and losers, brand alignment, innovative advertising, Brand chops, Pivot Creative Summary In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime dissect the Super Bowl ads from 2025, highlighting the successes and failures of vari...

In this episode, Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime discuss the evolution of Snoop Dogg's brand, highlighting his ability to stay relevant and authentic over the years. They explore how Snoop has successfully expanded his brand into various markets, including the Olympics, and compare his strategies to those of other celebrities like Shaquille O'Neal. The conversation emphasizes the importance of authe...

In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime discuss essential branding resolutions for 2025. They emphasize the importance of clarity, focus, and customer experience in building a successful brand. The conversation covers six key resolutions, including gaining clarity in brand purpose, prioritizing customer experience, building consistency through a brand book, investing in...

In this episode of Brand Chop, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime engage with Shawn Walsh, a former CEO of an IT managed service company and now an author and owner of Encore Strategic Services. They discuss the critical elements of building a strong brand foundation, the importance of differentiation in a saturated market, and the role of core values in shaping a company's identity. Sean shares...

Summary In this episode of Brand Chops, Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime delve into the significance of core values in business. They discuss how core values should be unflappable, align with the reality of the business, and evolve with changing social norms. The conversation emphasizes the importance of developing core values from both positive and negative experiences, identifying trends through cu...

Summary In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime engage with brand strategist Beth Carr to explore the essential steps small businesses should take to develop a strong brand strategy. They discuss the importance of understanding one's audience, the significance of a brand's core values, and the transition from being a technician to a business owner. The conversation delv...

Summary In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime discuss the importance of leveraging LinkedIn for personal branding with expert Angela Dunz. They explore key elements of optimizing LinkedIn profiles, including the significance of profile photos, crafting an effective about section, and leveraging existing networks. Angela shares insights on common mistakes users make, t...

In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime delve into the critical concepts of vision and mission in branding. They discuss how a well-defined vision serves as an aspirational goal that guides a brand's mission, which outlines the strategies to achieve that vision. The conversation emphasizes the importance of clarity, alignment with core values, and the need for a unified...

Summary In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime welcome Michael Haynes, a business growth specialist with over 25 years of experience. The conversation delves into the intricacies of go-to-market strategies, emphasizing the importance of market research, client engagement, and providing valuable insights to decision-makers. Michael shares his framework for success, whic...

In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime engage with Walter Crosby, CEO of Helix Sales Development, to explore the critical role of branding in the sales process. They discuss how effective branding empowers sales teams, the importance of aligning marketing and sales messaging, and the necessity of establishing a structured sales process. Walter emphasizes the need for a...

In this episode, Diane Chubb, Trademark Lawyer for over 25 years, discusses the significance of trademarks for small to medium-sized businesses, emphasizing the importance of branding and the strategic process of trademark registration. She highlights common mistakes made by businesses, the necessity of legal protection, and the role of trademark attorneys in navigating the complexities of intelle...

Summary In this episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime discuss the recent rebranding of Jaguar, the controversy surrounding Coca-Cola's AI-generated holiday ads, a marketing mishap with the Wicked movie dolls, and the creative strategies employed by Pepsi in their latest commercials. The conversation delves into the implications of these branding decisions and their impact on...

In this conversation, Chris Duhaime and Zack Lemear discuss how aligning a company's purpose with community impact can enhance brand identity and foster a positive social responsibility. The discussion emphasizes the importance of understanding one's purpose in business, the trickle-down effects of purposeful actions, and the role of community engagement in building a strong brand. They also touch...

In the inaugural episode of Brand Chops, hosts Zack Lemear and Chris Duhaime explore the multifaceted nature of branding, emphasizing that it extends beyond mere logos to encompass experiences, reputations, and the core values of a business. They discuss the critical importance of understanding one's brand identity, the role of storytelling in branding, and the necessity of knowing the audience to...