Author: Bryan Osuszek

  • Burt’s Bees Drops Swicy Lip Balm with Mike’s Hot Honey

    Burt’s Bees Drops Swicy Lip Balm with Mike’s Hot Honey

    When Burt’s Bees and Mike’s Hot Honey dropped a lip balm collab, I took a double take. And that’s exactly the point. On paper, it’s odd. A natural skincare staple teams up with a spicy honey brand? But in execution, it’s a calculated move. One part trend surf, one part sensory seduction, all wrapped in…

  • The Brand Ladder Up and Down

    The Brand Ladder Up and Down

    The brand ladder is an effective way for brands to communicate their benefits, sustain their positioning, and lean into their points of difference. In short, laddering is a communication strategy that links a product’s tangible features and attributes to its emotional or psychological benefits. The goal is to influence customers by expressing value on a…

  • The White Lotus Luxury Brand Strategy

    The White Lotus Luxury Brand Strategy

    Through scenes of sun-drenched resort paradises, decadent indulgences, and a glamorous cast of jet-setters, The White Lotus on HBO Max crafts a luxury fantasy drawing users into its alluring orbit. The show’s visual language builds a world so vivid, audiences instinctively want to step in. Season 3 has taken this world beyond the screen with…

  • Sustaining a Brand Position: How Coca-Cola Refreshed Every Generation

    Sustaining a Brand Position: How Coca-Cola Refreshed Every Generation

    How does a brand maintain its relevance for over a century while staying true to its core promise? Since 1886, Coca-Cola has mastered the art of sustaining its brand position by focusing on a single, powerful benefit—refreshment—while continually adapting how this benefit speaks to each new generation. This is no small feat. As society evolved…

  • Marketing to AI Shopping Assistants

    Marketing to AI Shopping Assistants

    Imagine a world where you never have to browse a website, compare products, or even think about making a purchase decision. Instead, your personal AI shopping assistant—trained on your preferences, budget, and values—handles everything. It books your appointments, restocks your household essentials, selects the best insurance plan, and even recommends entertainment tailored precisely to your…

  • The Brand Positioning Statement

    The Brand Positioning Statement

    A Brand Positioning Statement is your brand’s strategic foundation. Your brand’s DNA. A clear guide that aligns and directs all customer-facing decisions related to your brand. It clarifies who your brand is speaking to, how it fits into their lives, and what unique value it offers. It conveys to the customer what makes you different.…

  • Brand Differentiation

    Brand Differentiation

    Every industry suffers from the Red Ocean dilemma. Competition is stiff to the point where products and services get commodified, forcing companies to reduce prices and profits. In this type of environment its hard to succeed without some competitive edge. Companies need a way to communicate their unique value. To elevate their offering beyond a…

  • How Branding Influences Consumer Preference: Some Science Behind the Coke vs. Pepsi Debate

    How Branding Influences Consumer Preference: Some Science Behind the Coke vs. Pepsi Debate

    Why do people fiercely defend their preference for Coke or Pepsi when, chemically speaking, the fizzy beverages are almost identical? A study from the early 2000s, using brain scans, helps answer this question. The study, titled Neural Correlates of Behavioral Preference for Culturally Familiar Drinks, reveals that our choices aren’t just about taste. It demonstrates…

  • Brand Value: The Power of Perception

    Brand Value: The Power of Perception

    A strong, appealing brand is one of the most valuable assets a company can have. It shapes consumer perception, builds trust, and elevates a product beyond its basic function, allowing businesses to command premium pricing and long-term loyalty. Beyond selling their products, brands sell ideas, emotions, and experiences. Whether it’s a luxury name elevating the…

  • How Brand Perception Influences Value, Trust, and Loyalty

    How Brand Perception Influences Value, Trust, and Loyalty

    A study from Kansas State University and Pusan National University, titled Roles of Brand Value Perception in the Development of Brand Credibility and Brand Prestige, explores how perceived brand value shapes trust, prestige, and customer loyalty. The research, conducted in the coffeehouse industry, highlights that brand credibility and prestige significantly impact a consumer’s willingness to…

  • The Best Super Bowl Ads of 2025

    The Best Super Bowl Ads of 2025

    The Super Bowl’s commercial breaks are their own cultural phenomenon. A 30-second spot can generate as much buzz as the game-winning touchdown. Brands invest millions to take creative risks, hoping to capture America’s attention and create something memorable. It all makes for some amazing content. From Hollywood stars to internet-breaking humor here are a few…

  • Seal Flips “Kiss From a Rose” Into A Surreal Super Bowl Ad For Mountain Dew

    Seal Flips “Kiss From a Rose” Into A Surreal Super Bowl Ad For Mountain Dew

    Mountain Dew’s Super Bowl ad “Kiss From a Lime” transforms singer Seal into an actual seal, belting out a Baja Blast-themed spoof of his ’90s mega-hit “Kiss From a Rose.” The ad, directed by Taika Waititi, also stars Becky G and leans into over-the-top absurdity in the best way possible. Mountain Dew is no stranger…