Brand Retro with Cyberdogz

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike Brevik talks with Hazel Imogen, a brand-focused designer and creative director based in Los Angeles, about creating meaningful brands that connect with audiences. They discuss Hazel's approach to brand design, why her work resonates with ambitious go-getters, and her perspective on transition and growth in a creative career. Highlights Who is Hazel Imogen? - 0:32...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike Brevik talks with entrepreneur, toy collector, and NerdinOut founder Brad Vigesaa about branding, nostalgia, and the business perspective of collecting. They discuss how NerdinOut got started and what it looks like to build a brand and marketing approach around a culture that many people feel is disappearing. Highlights How Brad Vigesaa got started. - 0:36 Buildin...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike Brevik sits down with artist and designer Ryan Wheaton, the creator behind Craft Brew Creative and host of the Branding Brews Podcast. Ryan shares how he followed his gut to carve out a niche in the craft brewing industry, what it took to build his business over time, and what drives the connection between craft beer artwork and branding. Highlights How he got sta...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike Brevik talks with Brisa Byford, Senior Strategist at CivicBrand, about research, branding, consulting, design, and marketing that help small towns and cities create impact. They discuss how CivicBrand supports communities and how small businesses in small towns can craft their stories and build identities that help their communities grow. Highlights What is CivicB...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike Brevik talks with food brand strategist and Real Food Brands Podcast host Katie Mleziva about branding and marketing strategy for food businesses. They discuss common customer pitfalls, whether hiring a brand strategist is worth it, and how Katie brings brand strategy "recipes" to the food industry to help brands grow. Highlights What Katie Mleziva does with Real...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike Brevik sits down with Mary Ann Pruitt, President and CEO of Mosaic Media, to challenge the marketing myth that traditional media is dead. They discuss how digital and traditional tactics can work together, why "old school meets new school" can be powerful, and how to think strategically to get the biggest impact from your marketing efforts. Highlights Is tradition...

In this Brand Retro episode (Part 2), Mike Brevik reconnects with Manny "Cartoon" to talk about how an art style evolves through experience and projects. They discuss building and working together for a co-branded event in Miami, managing creative projects, and how changes in Manny's art style reflect his growth. Manny also shares an honest take on fear when starting out—and why small failures are...

In this Brand Retro episode (Part 1), Mike Brevik talks with artist Manny "Cartoon" about creative entrepreneurship, collaborations, and what it takes to go 100% solo as an artist, creative, and business owner. They have a real conversation about taking a leap of faith, moving forward, and navigating the challenges that come with building your own path. Highlights What does fear look like for Mann...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike Brevik sits down with voiceover actor and Audio Branding Podcast host Jodi Krangle to talk about audio branding and why sound is often overlooked in the branding process. They discuss how voice and audio consistency shape brand positioning, and how businesses can use audio—like podcasts or radio—to support brand awareness and marketing. Highlights Audio branding i...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike Brevik interviews Bethany Wall of the Wall Street Property Group about real estate branding and the role a personal brand can play in starting and growing a company. Bethany shares how the business began and how branding helped them stand out—even in a category many creatives overlook. If you're building a company and want more confidence in your brand, this episo...

In this Brand Retro episode (Part 2), Mike continues the conversation with Craig Kausen—President of The Chuck Jones Gallery and Chuck Jones' grandson—about the Chuck Jones legacy and the work happening behind the scenes to keep it alive. They touch on creativity, brand experience, and the branding process, along with how The Chuck Jones Gallery ecosystem continues to grow through its galleries, c...

In this Brand Retro episode (Part 1), Mike talks with Craig Kausen—President of The Chuck Jones Gallery and Chuck Jones' grandson—about all things Chuck Jones. They discuss Chuck Jones history, the love of creativity, brand experience, and how the team continues to keep the legacy alive through The Chuck Jones Galleries, the Chuck Jones Center for Creativity, and Chuck Jones Art Publishing. Highli...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike sits down with artist Fabio Napoleoni to talk about creativity, emotion, and building a distinct artistic style. They discuss how Fabio's work stands out through vivid color, character, and heart—and what it looks like to develop your craft over time. Highlights He started in 2008 - 8:28 You have to treat people well - 9:50 What's successful for him is not success...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike welcomes storyteller, adventurer, and idealist Marc Gutman to talk about how brands can stand out and get noticed. Marc shares how his career evolved from screenwriting to helping brands outmaneuver competition, and they dig into prioritizing marketing efforts, the difference between brand vs. marketing, and why slowing down to ask more questions can change your s...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike talks with Cyberdogz team member Hannah Herrig about creating a lifestyle brand and why brand standards matter. They discuss how design, branding, photography, and video work together to help brands stand out—and what it takes to build a cohesive, recognizable lifestyle brand. Highlights Having a design background - 3:10 Creating a lifestyle brand - 3:59 Using pri...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike catches up with Tate ("The Summer Intern") to talk about what he's been learning during his first weeks interning with Cyberdogz. This is part two of a four-part series following Tate's progress—what he's working on, what they're learning along the way, and how the experience is helping him level up before heading back to school. Highlights What Tate has been lear...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike sits down with prolific comic book artist Ken "Ledkilla" Lashley to talk about his creative journey and how he built a career working across some of the most recognizable franchises. Ken shares how he got started, why he always wanted to be an artist, and what it's like working in high-profile creative environments. Highlights How he started his career - 0:42 Alwa...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike welcomes artist Ben Olson to talk about creativity, career growth, and what it looks like to combine art with a business mindset. Ben shares how he got started, how being business-savvy impacts opportunities, and why staying true to who you are can help you close more deals. Highlights He started out in 2008 - 1:04 A creative with a business mind - 5:28 Closing mo...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike sits down with Heather Leeds Greenfield, Founder and CEO of Element Brand Group, to talk about creating and executing brand strategies at scale. Heather shares her experience with media relations, influencer programs, partnerships, and brand activations—plus what it takes to work with major, household-name brands. Highlights Heather's background - 0:50 Her decisio...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike is joined by Administrative Companion Kira Nyland to break down marketing titles—what they really mean, what roles typically sit under them, and why vague titles create confusion. They also talk about the pitfalls of not being specific enough and how clearer wording can improve understanding and expectations. Highlights Think about defining marketing and how to de...

In this Brand Retro episode (Part 1 of a series), Mike talks with Tate about starting his internship—why he chose Cyberdogz, what the initial goals are, and how to get real value from an internship experience through learning, projects, and growth. Highlights Getting into an internship - 1:14 Why an internship at Cyberdogz? - 4:17 There's no wrong question to ask - 5:25 You need to learn how to as...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike sits down with Blood & Vampira to talk TikTok strategy—why creators make videos on the platform, how short-form content is planned, what kinds of videos to create, and how long production can really take. Highlights Why produce videos on TikTok - 1:19 Making short one-minute videos - 3:18 Videos to watch - 6:12 Time to complete a video - 7:43 Coming to TikTok just...

In this Brand Retro episode, Mike talks with Pete Dankelson from Pete's Diary about what it's like to build momentum on TikTok—from starting as a creator, to defining your audience, to using content to make a positive impact. Highlights Getting on TikTok and becoming a content creator - 0:55 Defining the audience on social media - 3:04 Making a difference for kids like Peter in schools - 4:01 Inte...

In this bonus Brand Retro episode (Part 2), Mike and Kira continue the Cyberdogz origin story—covering key turning points, lessons from Mike's background, and the choices that helped shape the thinking behind Cyberdogz. Highlights Knowing when it's time to walk away from comfort - 2:04 His background and experience - 4:05 Being in printing for 9 years - 4:20 Applying for a local retailer - 6:25 Mo...

In this bonus Brand Retro episode (Part 1), Mike and Kira Nyland dig into Mike's career path—the key stops, early influences, and experiences that shaped his approach and helped lay the foundation for Cyberdogz. Highlights What we wanted to do when he was young - 2:50 Different projects for people - 5:02 The fundamentals of painting - 7:53 The best illustrator that he has ever seen in his life - 1...