Must Reads. Office Hours. Let's Get Reacquainted.
A look back before we look ahead.
We’ve received a lot of new subscribers lately, so wanted to take this opportunity to say “Hi from London!” (Mia), “Hey from Chicago!” (Ellen) and tell you a bit about us and our pub.
We met at a brand design and innovation agency in Chicago over a decade ago and immediately became one another’s “yin to their yang.” If you’ve been lucky enough to find this in your career— your perfect partner, the one who stretches your thinking, puts legs under your ideas, colors what you’ve left dull, and tells you straight-up when something is crap (or “rubbish” as Mia likes to say)— then you know the power of this bond.
We went on to launch a wear therapy brand together with two other women, exited years later, and then both started new chapters in brand and business consulting, each from our respective home bases in London and Chicago. Despite our physical distance, we remained deeply in sync. What’s App became our outlet for sharing ideas, market spottings, brand musings, and cultural insights. Now, On Brand is where we share this inspirational fodder and dual-market/perspective gut-checking with the world.
Our pub has three main components, delivered at random on a weekly basis:
LDN | CHI Quick Takes: Images and commentary on some of the more eye-catching and thought-provoking brand happenings in our respective markets. Stuff that’s both interesting and indicative of a smart branding play or sad misstep.
Deep Dive Essays: Once monthly essays about a current branding topic that either our work or awareness has prompted us to investigate. Written through a strategic (but fun and feisty) lens specifically for brand owners and builders.
Short Podcast Interviews: Under 30-minute (targeting 15-20) speed interviews with our friends in the industry who are particularly bold, smart, and experienced in an aspect of branding that’s a mystery to many (turn-arounds, AI, leadership and more!).
**Paid Subscriber Perk**
Our paid subscribers are the first and sometimes only ones to receive our Deep Dive Essays. They also get access to our full archives and monthly Office Hours, where we stand by for your branding questions and do our best to respond to every single one in an actionable way. Upgrade to paid and…
And now, here’s a round-up of some of our favorite On Brand and across-Substack posts. We made sure they’re all unlocked for your reading and pondering delight!
From Mia
One that makes a case for whittling down the wit.
One of my favourite essays by Ellen (so far).
One that discusses dog butts, Ina Garten and the semiotics of colour in a single post.
One that I turn to frequently for guidance as I build my own portfolio career. To Build an Unconventional Life, Abandon Conventional Thinking by Anna Mack, Anna Mack’s Stack
I love hearing fellow brand namers discuss their craft. Caitlin Barrett has an insightful podcast interview with John Elliot, a linguistics researcher and naming strategist based in Honolulu, on her Substack, Naming for Everyone
From Ellen
The post that made Mia call me “snarky”. (I can’t help it— when I STILL see the Poppi merch in Target, my blood boils.)
One that says it’s “ok” to break the rules.
One of our most passed-around and viewed.
One that a former colleague wrote that’s refreshingly honest.
Nike: Just Do It… Unless You’re A Woman, Then You Must WIN.
by Kristine Campbell, trainingwrecked
One that went directly into my “Saves” folder and I still re-read.
interview by Anne Helen Petersen, Culture Study, with Emily Mester
Our next Office Hours for paid subscribers is FRIDAY, 3/14 at 10-11:30a CT.
Drop your questions in the comments section (or send us a DM), and we’ll add them to the agenda. Come Friday, we’ll be live on Chat with answers and insights. Hope to see you there!
Upgrade to paid for access.
Thank you for including me in your wrap-up, what a lovely surprise!