Everything is brand

S2E10 - The sound of brand

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:00:00 -0400

This week, we're talking about voice, audio and new audio-based social media platforms - and how they enhance brand.

Since 27% of the global online population is using voice search on mobile, how important is sound to brand overall? Are brands taking advantage of the full spectrum of benefits that sound and audio can bring? Are partnerships important? Maybe we should ask Alexa!

Join our Zync brand experts as we discuss these questions - and more - in this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand. For more on brand, connect with us through zync.ca

This episode was recorded on March 19th, 2021.

S2E09 - Trademarking your brand | Special guest: Andrew Di Lullo

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 14:00:00 -0500

This week, the Zync team talks about trademarks with a special guest: Andrew Di Lullo - managing principal of Listrom Di Lullo (listromdilullo.com)

We'll explore what a trademark is and why it's important. What can brands trademark - just their name or logo? Should trademarks be registered in Canada/North America or globally? And finally, what are the best ways to proceed to get a trademark - and what are some of the potential issues?

Join us as we discuss these questions - and more - in this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand. For more on brand, connect with us at zync.ca

This episode was recorded on March 5th, 2021

S2E08 - The cost of content

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 12:00:00 -0500

This week, the Zync team talks about the cost of content. Some countries around the world are implementing legislation on how social media platforms should be paying for the content they publish. Australia is spearheading these efforts, with Canada and the UK on their way as well.

Should digital behemoths like Facebook and Google be paying for the content they post? Does news belong to the organizations that are publishing it? Are news outlets just using these platforms as distribution channels? And, most importantly, what is the societal cost of where news reporting is heading?

Join us as we discuss these questions - and more - in this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand. For more on brand, connect with us at zync.ca

This episode was recorded on February 26th, 2021

S2E07 - Brand wars: Facebook vs Apple | Special guest: Chris Barret

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -0500

This week, the Zync team is joined by Chris Barret, CEO of Operatic Agency to talk about the current conflict between Facebook and Apple and the new iOS privacy settings change. Is this a positive change or not? What's the difference between opting in and opting out? How will this affect small and medium businesses versus big corporations? Is Apple on the right side of history or is Facebook right in fighting back?

Join us as we discuss these questions - and more - in this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand. For more on brand, connect with us at zync.ca

This episode was recorded on February 19th, 2021.

S2E06-When brands become the standard

Tue, 16 Feb 2021 10:00:00 -0500

This week, we're talking about brands becoming the standard - when their names become generic or they become something much bigger than where they started.

Are brands like Kleenex or Google at the top of the "branding process"? Is this the ultimate brand goal? Is it positive that people "google" things, or "windex" their windows (even if they’re using Bing or NoName)? Or are there negative aspects as well?

Join our Zync brand experts as we discuss these questions - and more - in this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand. For more on brand, connect with us through zync.ca

This episode was recorded on February 12th, 2021.

S2E05 - Who does your brand belong to?

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 11:00:00 -0500

This week, we're talking about brand ownership - who does your brand belong to? To you? To your customers/clients? To the general public?

There's a lot of different opinions on this and we’ll discuss many of them. In the end, is it not about ownership at all, but more of a partnership between the brand and its supporters?

Join our Zync brand experts as we discuss these questions - and more - in this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand. For more on brand, connect with us through zync.ca

This episode was recorded on February 5th, 2021.

S2E04 - Can brands build community?

Mon, 01 Feb 2021 13:00:00 -0500

This week, we explore a range of questions: Can brands build community? Do they have a responsibility to reach out to the communities they are in? Is community building good business?

Whether it’s the community that brands are in, their online community, or their social community how far does their influence go?

Are big brands like Walmart, TD Bank and Twitter doing enough with their communities? Can the current community building going on with Reddit and GameStop change the game in the financial world?

Join our Zync brand experts as we discuss these questions - and more - in this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand. For more on brand, connect with us at zync.ca.

This episode was recorded on January 29th, 2021.

S2E03 - The good, the bad and the ugly

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 12:00:00 -0500

This week, we're talking about the good, the bad - and the ugly - when it comes to branding or rebranding.

For example, have you seen Burger King's new brand? Is it a "hit" or a "miss"? What about General Motors, Pfizer or Kia? What's the strategy and where are they going with their new brands?

Join our Zync brand experts as we discuss these questions - and more - in this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand. For more on brand, connect with us through zync.ca

This episode was recorded on January 22nd, 2021.

S2E02 - Who owns social?

Mon, 18 Jan 2021 13:00:00 -0500

This week’s question is “who owns social?”- is it the platforms themselves, local governments or the entire global community? What do you think? Join our Zync brand experts to find out our thoughts in this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand.

This episode was recorded on January 15th, 2021.

For more on brand, connect with us through zync.ca

S2E01 - Are you in the Clubhouse?

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 10:00:00 -0500

Welcome to our first #podcast of #2021 and the start of the second #season of Everything is Brand! This week, we talk about the new app in the house: #Clubhouse! Are you in the club? What do we know about it? What's the #buzz? This new, private, invite-only social media platform is built on a couple of foundational elements: Exclusivity and fleeting content.

Is exclusivity a good thing? Is this audio-only concept rife for discrimination or bullying? Is saying what you want without any record a positive direction? Is this a space where a different kind of content can transcend?

What are your thoughts? Listen to this week's episode of #EverythingIsBrand

This episode was recorded on January 8th, 2021.

For more on brand, connect with us through zync.ca

S1E33 - Brand spotlight on 2021

Thu, 17 Dec 2020 17:00:00 -0500

The last episode of #2020! This week we are talking about what we see coming up for #2021. Building your ECommerce presence, diversification, inclusion, efficiency, customer focus; these were some of the great lessons 2020 left brands.

What should brands focus on 2021? And what could they do to transition back into a little bit of normalcy? Should brands be bolder? What about co-branding and partnerships? Is this a good time to review/align their #digitalfootprint?

Listen to the last #EverythingIsBrand of 2020 and learn more!

S1E32 - 2020 brand review

Fri, 11 Dec 2020 11:00:00 -0500

2020 is almost over –or so we think– and it has been quite the ride! So this episode is all about what happened during the #year2020. Of course, #COVID was one of the biggest influences on brand that we had this year, but besides a global pandemic, there were other lessons that we learned on the way.

Join us for this weeks discussion to find out more!

S1E31 - When brands collide

Mon, 23 Nov 2020 17:00:00 -0500

Do brands purposely create rivalries to increase attention? How important is it to enhance the overall story so that all brands benefit? From #Coke and #Pepsi to #Playstation and #Xbox, brand wars have been going on for a long time - and the truth is everybody wins.

Join us for this weeks discussion to find out how!

S1E30 - Branding with heart

Wed, 04 Nov 2020 17:00:00 -0500

This week, the Zync team talks about building emotion into your #brand. What does emotional branding mean? What are the most important elements? Does every brand need to find a way to build emotion into their strategy to be authentic? Is it possible to have too much emotion?

Listen to this week's podcast and find out more about #branding with #heart

S1E29 - Brand. Humble or arrogant

Mon, 26 Oct 2020 17:00:00 -0400

This week the Zync team talks about whether your brand is humble or arrogant. Where do you fall on the spectrum? What does a humble or arrogant brand even mean? What side is your brand on - and is having an arrogant brand always negative? Is being humble always positive? In the end, you have to define where your brand needs to be.

Listen to this week's # EverythingIsBrand to learn more!

S1E28 - Flipping the brand switch for 2021

Wed, 14 Oct 2020 10:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about preparing your brand for next year. Considering the ups and downs we’ve had in 2020, everyone has their sights set on 2021. What do you need to be doing now in order to get ready? Do we really know what to expect? Are we just living a new normal? How have audiences changed?

These are some of the things we'll discuss during this week's #EverythingIsBrand.

S1E27 - Finding the right brand name

Wed, 07 Oct 2020 15:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about brand naming. What's in a name? How do you find the right one? And, what are the key considerations - do you invent a word, describe your service, combine words, or is there more to it than that?

For most, domain availability and social media handles are key factors in the decision, but we also discuss the other factors brands need to consider when choosing a name. Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E26 - The right platform for your brand | Special guests: Blair Mlotek and Irina Lerner

Fri, 25 Sep 2020 15:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team is joined by Blair Mlotek and Irina Lerner from CleoSocial.com to talk about mapping the right platforms for your brand - including social media, Google and YouTube. Which ones work best? What if you're B2B or B2C, product or service based? How can you monetize? Join us for this week's discussion with our special guests!

S1E25 - Rethinking brand engagement

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 14:00:00 -0400

This week the Zync team talks about rethinking brand engagement, as we continue to go through a COVID-19 pandemic. How do we come up with fresh ideas to connect to our stakeholders? What kinds of decisions do brands need to make before thinking of solutions? Do brands need to reevaluate their goals and plans? Have audiences changed? What about budgets?

Listen to this week's Everything Is Brand to find out more!

S1E24 - Is brand at social media fake?

Tue, 15 Sep 2020 10:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team asks the question "Is branded social media authentic?". With the rise of influencers and more targeted brand placement, social media is becoming a more important part of the marketing plan. But, can we believe what we see and hear? Is content being compromised? And, are influencers just looking to make money? Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E23 - Is trust connected to brand?

Tue, 08 Sep 2020 17:00:00 -0400

This week, we talk about trust - and how it’s connected to brand. We reference the 2020 Gustavson Brand Trust Index from the University of Victoria to discover the most trusted brands in Canada. Are brand and trust closely related? Can trust be bought? And, what is its relationship with brand awareness? Join us for this week's discussion to learn more!

S1E22 - Building an internal brand

Fri, 28 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0400

This week, we take last week's topic to the next level and talk about building an internal brand. What are the important elements of an internal brand? How important is involving the whole team? Is an internal brand launch plan really necessary? Why are internal brand ambassadors so important? Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E21 - How does internal culture accelerate brand?

Tue, 18 Aug 2020 10:00:00 -0400

This week, the team talks about how employee engagement levels help accelerate and support brands in the marketplace. How does internal culture drive that engagement? How important are employees to the brand equation? How aligned is management and the front line team? Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E20 - Your brand UX is more than digital

Wed, 12 Aug 2020 15:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about why your brand UX is more than digital. Does the user experience go beyond a device? What about picking stuff up from the store, the call center experience, or even getting some furniture delivered to your home? Do brands need to look beyond their legacy systems? Can a pen bring down a brand? Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E19 - How does UX affect your brand?

Thu, 06 Aug 2020 15:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about user experience - and how UX affects your brand, considering it's a huge part of how we interact with audiences. What do you need consider when it comes to brand and developing UX for your digital properties? Is it really that important? Can a bad UX have a negative impact on a brand? Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E18 - Getting phygital with your brand

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 11:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about expanding the experience of your brand by getting phygital with it. What does phygital mean? It's where the physical and digital interconnects. So, how can the phygital experience impact the customer journey? We discuss a range of elements, from curb side pickup, to VR, AR and mobile experiences. If you want to evolve your brand, you must ensure you are considering phygital journeys as part of your strategy. Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E17 - Is your brand accessible to everyone?

Thu, 23 Jul 2020 13:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about accessibility. Is your brand accessible to everyone? And, what exactly does that mean, beyond just regulations? If you want to connect - to be successful as a business - you have to ensure that your brand can reach everyone that is your potential client or customer. Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E16 - What do analytics mean to brand?

Wed, 08 Jul 2020 16:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about the importance of analytics to your brand - and how insight is based not only on the numbers, but on the context as well. Monitoring your dashboard is not enough, defining the "why" of your metrics is key if you want your brand to thrive. Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E15 - Delivering your brand in digital

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 13:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team elaborates on the role of digital related to brand. How important is it in the whole brand equation? Is digital at the forefront of how brands are seen in the marketplace? We talk about what it really means to brand - and how digital experiences can also have a huge impact on perception. Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E14 - Why everything is brand

Tue, 23 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team takes a step back and discusses why everything is brand. Is it about having a nice logo or the best visual identity? Is it about blending in with your industry and considering "best practices"? Or is it more than that? Is it opposite to that? We talk about what brand really is - and how emotion-based experiences can have a huge impact on your brand's perception. Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E13 - Is your brand ready for what's next?

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 12:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about being ready for what comes next - taking a look at a wide range of scenarios. Is your brand ready to rise after a crisis situation? What about societal changes? Economic shifts? Environmental issues? Your ability to communicate and sell to customers in any kind of environment is crucial to your brand's success. Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E12 - Can b2b brands sell online?

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 13:00:00 -0400

This week we wanted to expand on the topic we discussed in our last podcast, and specifically talk about b2b organizations: Not only about selling online, but also operating online. Is your company up to speed? Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E11 - Can all brands sell online?

Tue, 26 May 2020 10:00:00 -0400

With the recent uptick in e-shopping and people trying to find new ways to purchase their favourite brands, this week, the Zync team talks about online commerce. Can all brands sell online? What new terms are being added to our marketing vocabulary? Are audiences changing their shopping habits? Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E10 - Brand value in the time of Covid | Special guests: Elizabeth Monier-Williams / Ramy Saleh

Tue, 19 May 2020 11:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team welcomes 2 very special guests: Dr. Ramy Saleh, Founder and CEO of Airmed Trials, and Elizabeth Monier-Williams, VP of Marketing for Think Research. Both were invited to talk about their newest project: The Covid Trials initiative (covidtrials.ca) and the value of brand in the time of Covid-19. How can healthcare organizations be nimble in times like this? Is it important to have a strong brand in the healthcare industry? How do you make an impact with all of the communication around the coronavirus?

S1E09 - The future of work and brand | Special guest: Cheryl Cran

Mon, 11 May 2020 18:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team welcomes Future of Work expert Cheryl Cran (nextmapping.com) to discuss what work will look like going forward - and how brands and marketing will need to change to support the new reality. Are we ready for what comes next? What will determine success in building for this next phase? How will employees and consumers drive the actions of businesses and brands? Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E08 - Is TikTok the future of brand channels?

Tue, 05 May 2020 16:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about brand channels. Are platforms like TikTok or House Party the future of brand communication and messaging? Are audiences changing? What are the factors that are driving brand channels in a new direction? Join us for this week's discussion!

S1E07 - Do people care about brand?

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 10:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team considers whether people really care about brand and does brand even matter? There are several examples we discuss about what brands are doing right now and how they are setting up for brand engagement in the future. Is brand a promise? Is it a responsibility? or do brands need to dig deep and find out where they fit? Join us for this week's discussion.

S1E06 - Keeping mental health on brand | Special guest: Dr. Marie Helene Pelletier

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 15:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team talks about mental health - and we're thrilled to introduce our very first special guest: Dr. Marie Helene Pelletier (drmhpelletier.com). In order to deliver on our brands, we have to ensure our minds are in good shape - now and after the pandemic when we continue working remotely. Dr. Pelletier has some great advice and insights for all of us.

S1E05 - Keep calm and brand on

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team gets personal. Our discussion focuses on what it's like for each of us working from home under quarantine - and dealing with a range of issues. What are we going through? How are we balancing work and family? What is adding to or decreasing our stress levels? Listen in on how we're coping with this overwhelming experience, as we share some insights and tips on how we're living through it.

S1E04 - Is your brand online enough?

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 10:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team discusses how to evaluate if your brand is online enough. Is a website the only thing you need? Are you taking advantage of all social channels? And how are you interacting with customers and supporting your employees online? Now more than ever, people expect your brand experience to be as online as possible - so make sure you're taking full advantage of the opportunity to connect.

S1E03 - Pivoting your brand when things change

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 12:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team discusses how to consider your brand as you pivot your business. We're in a time where your biggest considerations have to be about what's going on in the world instead of just following your business plan. How can you shift in the best way? How can you adapt your brand to go through this global pandemic? All businesses need to make some key decisions that will affect where you and your clients go next - make sure your brand is supporting those decisions.

S1E02 - Building brand while working remotely

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 10:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team discusses the new reality as we manage this unprecedented event: Working from home while continuing to build brand. What will it mean to your brand's mission, vision and values? How does it change the way teams and organizations will operate going forward? If you want to learn more or get insights that help you embrace remote work while helping your brand to thrive, listen now!

S1E01 - Managing your brand through chaos

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 16:00:00 -0400

This week, the Zync team discusses how to deal with the unique, unsettling and uncertain situations we've all been put in because of COVID-19. How do we continue to not only manage our brands, but be great corporate citizens? How do we respect each other and keep our businesses going through a global pandemic? And, most importantly, how do we continue to connect with our customers/clients and stakeholders when we're social distancing? We hope our conversation and insights help answer some of these questions - and help you continue to manage your brand and maintain momentum for when the pandemic is over.