In this episode of Cover Brand, Ethan sits down with Eric Forsyth—a seasoned marketing strategist and agency leader—to unpack the real challenges facing creative teams today. Whether you’re working on mega-brands like Oreo and Star Wars or turnarounds for unsexy products, Eric explains why building strong internal dynamics and nurturing honest client partnerships is now more important than ever.

Discover how agencies can thrive even with tight budgets, and why “safe” work might actually be costing your brand millions. Learn actionable approaches to forging genuine human connections, fostering creative bravery (without recklessness), and keeping high-pressure teams inspired. If you want to revolutionize how your agency or brand approaches marketing, this episode is packed with the actionable insights you need.

Main Topics Covered:

• The power of great cover songs (and why Eric recorded them in his bathroom!)
• The art of instrumental covers and honoring creative originals
• How to build and nurture client-agency relationships under pressure
• Why strong internal culture matters—and how it leads to better work
• Breaking down the myth of “safe” creative: the high cost of dull advertising
• The importance of human connection in fast-paced, high-stakes marketing
• Actionable strategies for agency and brand leaders to foster innovation on tight budgets
• Using data and science to make a case for creative, effective work
• The critical balance of empathy for clients and consumers at every stage

Links to Additional Resources:

• The Cost of Dull Report – Eat Big Fish & System1
• Warren Berger – A More Beautiful Question
• Little Horse Vintage Books & Records – Boulder, CO

Ready to break through the noise and create memorable, effective marketing? Take Eric and Ethan’s advice: invest in your people, ask better questions, and choose creativity over “dull” every time. Start by strengthening your client and team relationships—today!Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science. Your success starts here!

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Struggling to unite your many passions under one compelling brand? You’re not alone! In this episode, Ethan Decker welcomes Amelia—an innovator, storyteller, and founder of The Z Tasty Life—who shares her journey from the structured world of corporate and academia to launching a soulful, multifaceted personal brand. Discover actionable strategies for clarifying your brand identity, finding your “icebreaker” focus, and transforming diverse skills into a cohesive message that resonates with your ideal audience. Whether you’re a creator, consultant, or entrepreneur wrestling with defining your brand, this conversation reveals how powerful storytelling and myth-making elevate both personal and business growth. Tune in to learn how to communicate your true value, attract clients who align with your unique story, and build a brand that’s as multidimensional as you are.

Main Topics Covered:

• Amelia’s transition from corporate innovation to multifaceted personal brand
• How to unite diverse talents under one brand umbrella
• The difference between personal brands and corporate brands
• Discovering your “icebreaker” skill to build brand recognition
• Storytelling as a business foundation and emotional connector
• Practical examples: Crafting multimedia storybooks for clients
• The “Jobs to Be Done” framework: Understanding why clients hire your brand
• Balancing creative passion with strategic business thinking
• Action steps for clarifying your brand’s message and audience

Additional Resources:

• Brene Brown’s TED Talk on Vulnerability
• Joseph Campbell: The Hero’s Journey

Are you ready to clarify your brand and transform your story into an unforgettable identity? Take Amelia’s advice: Choose one powerful skill or story as your starting point, and let everything else build from that solid foundation. Test your messaging, connect with your audience’s core needs, and watch your brand come alive.

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science. Your success starts here!

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Struggling to get your B2B brand noticed by the right people without a huge marketing budget? This episode is your blueprint! Host Ethan Decker sits down with Jack and Justin from The Caisson Company to address every small business’s million-dollar question: How do you break through the noise to reach the real decision-makers—especially in specialized industries like construction?

You’ll learn why 95% of your audience isn’t ready to buy from you today—and why planting your brand in their minds before they’re in-market is crucial for future growth. Discover actionable strategies for building recognition and trust, from sticky taglines to targeted swag. Whether you’re in construction or any B2B field, this conversation will inspire you to make your marketing dollars work smarter, not harder.

Listen in to uncover how memorable, creative branding (even on a modest budget) can set your business up for long-term wins!

Main Topics Covered:

• The biggest challenge for niche B2B companies: reaching key decision-makers
• The “95/5 Rule” and why most of your market isn’t ready to buy yet
• Smart branding for modest budgets—why consistency and creativity matter
• How memorable taglines (think “Strong Arm of the Law”) beat big ad spends
• The role of direct mail, local advertising, and standout swag in B2B
• Practical ideas for sticky, industry-specific branding
• Building top-of-mind awareness even when clients aren’t actively searching
• Testing and scaling what works to maximize results

Check out:

• LinkedIn – Ehrenberg Bass Institute: Research on B2B marketing effectiveness
• Cover Brand Podcast Archive: Listen to more episodes

Try out:

Ready to make your B2B brand unforgettable, even with a limited budget? Implement these strategies to boost your company’s visibility and position yourself top-of-mind for the contracts that matter most. Try a unique piece of swag, brainstorm a sticky tagline, or simply start reaching out to prospects with creativity and confidence. The groundwork you lay today will pay off when buyers are ready tomorrow!

Subscribe to Cover Brand for more insights into the world of branding and marketing. Share this episode with a friend who could benefit from these strategies, and head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into the principles of brand science.

Castmagic and Descript used to create drafts and then edited with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.