On Brand is a glimpse into how we work to build brands and help them grow. For us, it’s always been about taking time to look outside our own P&Ls, consumer data, and competitive set to see what other brands are doing. You’d be amazed how much scrappy brilliance and expensive missteps are out there!
We’ve been “looking laterally” for over a decade and have pretty much mastered the art of cutting through the noise to discern what’s worth paying attention to, what’s not and why. There is so much going on in the world of branding today, but only some of it is truly on strategy, on cue and on point (aka “on brand”).
Whether you’re a marketer, C-suite executive, brand founder or consultant– all roles we’ve held in the course of our careers– On Brand has something to keep you savvy, smart and inspired.
Unpaid subscribers can enjoy the occasional free post.
Paid subscribers get…
All posts (including our deep-dive essays)
Full access to our archives.
Why Us?
We’ve been building brands together for over a decade. As agency colleagues, we worked on innovation, strategy, positioning and messaging for brands like Coca-Cola, Morton Salt, 3M, Mars-Wrigley and MolsonCoors. As co-founders of Nyssa, we invented and brought to market award-winning innovations that were credited with “revolutionizing the landscape of women’s wellbeing” (Forbes) and displayed in international museums including the Bill & Melinda Gates Discovery Center and the MoMa Design Store. We exited Nyssa in 2023 to focus on our independent consulting careers and next adventure— On Brand.
More About Mia & Ellen…
Mia is a naming guru and brand copy master (and former music journalist and indie band guitarist). Her strategic approach to crafting verbal identity has delivered ownable in-market names, taglines and tone of voice for some of the world's most powerful brands in finance, consumer goods and tech. After 15 years in the USA, Mia returned to the UK and now lives in London with her husband, daughter and stepson.
Ellen is a strategic and creative brand growth unlocker with over 15 years experience working in brand management and growth consulting for Fortune 500 companies, emerging brands, and start-ups. She is a contributor to Feminist Designer: On the Personal and Political in Design (MIT Press) and holds an MBA from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Business with a focus in Marketing and Entrepreneurship. Ellen lives in Chicago, USA with her husband and two children.
