Making the Brand | Marketing with a Pop Culture Twist

We all have that friend who gives us closet envy because of their amazing sneaker collection 😍 On this episode, we hear from my from Azad Yakatally about how Nike built a tribe of customers who don't just want their shoes, they NEED them.  We discuss: Sneakerhead culture and marketing power  The impact of scarcity on product sales Enthusiast brands like Nike and Fender The effects of no...

Just like the rest of the world, I’ve been doing some reflection on the people of color who have made an impact on my life. Aside from the incredible people I’ve come to know personally, there are a number of famous Black people who sparked my interest in music. I didn’t realize it until now, but some of my earliest memories of music are thanks to Black musicians. On this episode, I get personal a...

The ESPN documentary, The Last Dance, came at a time when the world craved sports. And with it's premiere came tons of memes to circulate on social media!  In this episode, I chatted with Jared Gaon, the creator of one of the hottest new meme accounts, @JordanJamming . If you've ever wondered what it's like to build on a pop culture moment and run your own meme account, you have to tune in to...

Beyoncé is a force of incredible branding. In fact, she's built such a strong brand, that the queen hardly has to do any branding anymore. Her loyal tribe, the #BeyHive, does all of her marketing for her. For this episode, I chatted with my resident Beyoncé superfan, Kimberly Gordon, to talk about what we can learn from the brand and empire Beyoncé has built throughout her career.  We touch o...

In this episode, I had the chance to chat with Wes Gay, about a show we both love: Songland.  If you’re unfamiliar with Songland, it’s a songwriting competition where four unknown songwriters present their original songs to superstar artists. The artist then chooses three of the songwriters to move on to the next round, where they work with professional songwriters to tweak and improve their...

Personal branding doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's just in what you wear! Here are some fashion statements that have become signature identifiers for these celebrities.  Transcript: www.briannefleming.com Join the Making the Brand Groupies Facebook Group!

It's no secret that Janice from Friends wasn't everyone's favorite person to be around, but she certainly was a fan favorite!  From her nasally voice, to her unpleasant cackle, and signature catchphrase (OH. MY. GOD), Janice was always unapolegetically herself.  Here are some things about Janice that make her a shining example of how to build a personal brand. Transcript: www.brianneflem...

I’m pretty sure anyone growing up in the '90s adored the sitcom, Boy Meets World. The show was such a hit that it was later rebooted in 2014 on Disney with Girl Meets World. In this episode, I'm talking with my friend and fellow copywriter, Terry Schilling, about what content creators can learn from Boy Meets World. He shares helpful advice on how to build a strong brand foundation, leverage nosta...

In the marketing and social media field, we always hear the term “authenticity.” This speaks to presenting your true self with your audience, rather than portraying a facade. Jessica Simpson exemplifies authenticity in her new memoir, Open Book . She lets herself be vulnerable and bravely puts everything out there. No topic is too personal or humiliating to address. Whether you simply want to impr...

Ryan Reynolds is certainly a successful fixture in popular culture. You may love him for his movies, his looks, or his charm, but I love him for something more: his creative genius. In February 2018, Ryan Reynolds acquired a stake in the liquor brand, Aviation American Gin . Along with a small but mighty marketing team, he has helped take the company to new heights with some of the most clever mar...

I don’t advise brands to brush up on popular culture or trending topics just because it’s fun to chime in with a cheeky meme, remark about celebrity news, or contribute to a viral dance challenge. I do it because this approach is one of your strongest marketing strategies. In this episode, I break down the benefits of incorporating popular culture into your social media content and share lots of e...

Fangirls aren't just for boy bands. Nope, BRANDS need them too. Cultivating your audience to become passionate superfans will grow your company faster than chasing down leads. Here are six steps to turn ordinary customers into passionate groupies. Read more on BrianneFleming.com Join the Making the Brand Groupies Facebook Group!

If you didn’t make up dances with your friends, did you even have a childhood? Well, kids these days are making dances, posting them on TikTok and becoming viral sensations. But why? Is it really that simple? In this episode, we break down why TikTok is such a huge success and what makes it different than every other social media platform we've known to date. Join the Making the Brand Groupies Fac...

Social media encompasses several different platforms that we all know and love, but for your strategy to succeed, you can’t treat them all the same.  From Facebook to Instagram, Twitter to YouTube, and LinkedIn to now TikTok, each channel has their own considerations when it comes to content, voice, and audience expectations.  To explain the need-to-knows for these social media channels...

Just when you thought you were in full-on Christmas vacation mode, I’m reminding you that marketing lessons are always around us. It turns out there’s even a takeaway from the Christmas cards adorning your refrigerator. In this episode, we discuss break down the Christmas card trend and why it's effective. You can apply the same learnings to your marketing message. See full post: www.brianneflemin...

It seems like I can’t go a Sunday morning without seeing a Boomerang of clinking mimosas on Instagram. As much as I love mimosas, this bothers me.  Look, I’m not here to rain on anyone's parade — if you’re on social media to have fun and cheers to living your best life, I support that. But if you are a person or brand that actually wants to be compelling, Boomerangs aren’t doing you any favor...

I consider this a public service announcement!  Every time I see another small business in my community shut its doors, I think about the 1998 modern classic, You’ve Got Mail . Remember when Meg Ryan's character, Kathleen Kelly, was forced to close The Shop Around the Corner because of corporate takeover? Well, Instagram wasn't around in 1998 and small business owners have the power of Instag...

I admit, Elle Woods is probably not the most scholastic example of a successful person. For starters, she’s a fictional character, but it turns out there is a lot we can apply from her story in Legally Blonde . The entire premise of Legally Blonde is rooted in goal setting and proving yourself, despite doubt or lack of experience. If you’re trying to advance in your company, position yourself as a...

Ariana Grande said it first... happiness is the same price as red bottoms. In these lyrics, she is of course referring to Christian Louboutin luxury shoes. At $800 and up, why are these heels such a cultural phenomenon? It's not because people like the color red. It turns out, there's a scientific reason that the rich and famous, and everyone in between, is obsessed red bottoms. In this episode, I...

Before there were bloggers, there was Carrie Bradshaw and her column in the fictitious publication, The New York Star . I like to think that Carrie’s character on Sex and the City paved the way for women to be unapologetically themselves and write about how they see the world. I sat down with my good friend Gina to discuss Carrie and Sex and the City’s influence on marketing, blogging, and social...

If you think Dancing With the Stars is for washed up celebrities, you're wrong. It turns out there's a huge lesson we can learn about personal branding from the brave contestants who appear on the show.  www.briannefleming.com @brianne2k

Contrary to popular belief, there's nothing basic about the pumpkin spice latte. In fact, it is the most successful seasonal drink of ALL TIME!  In this episode, we discuss the pumpkin phenomenon and how brands can create a frenzy of their own.  Join the Making the Brand Groupies Facebook Group!

Grab a box of tissues! If you're a fan of NBC's This Is Us , you're going to want to hear how you can take these pointers from the show to upgrade your brand's storytelling. This episode also features tips from the book called Stories That Stick by Kindra Hall .  Join the Making the Brand Groupies Facebook Group!

It seems as if there is a song to overcome every personal obstacle — a breakup, low self-esteem, a tough workout, or even the loss of a loved one. There is inspiration in lyrics everywhere you turn. But sometimes, songs can even help us navigate challenges in the workplace. At first listen, you might think “As Long As You Love Me” by the Backstreet Boys is about a romantic relationship, but if you...

Perhaps Phoebe Buffay is the most enterprising character in Friends . With an unconventional education background, Phoebe worked some odd jobs in her career. Before becoming a masseuse, she mugged people on the street. She also had brief stints as a telemarketer, Monica’s waitress and catering partner, and an extra on the set of Days of Our Lives . But Phoebe’s true passion is her music, and altho...