Future Brands

Brave Brands Break Rules. Safe Brands Break Even.

Tess Robinson
Brave Brands Break Rules. Safe Brands Break Even.

Why distinction beats perfection — every single time.

Let’s get one thing straight: brand bravery isn’t about being loud. Or weird. Or new-for-new’s-sake.

Brand bravery is about being unforgettable.

In a market drowning in pretty logos, polite copy, and founder-friendly design decks, the riskiest thing a brand can do right now… is blend in.

Because here’s the unfiltered truth: clarity cuts through. But distinctiveness sticks.

And in an economy built on sameness? Sticking is everything.

 

The Safety Trap

For years, branding was treated like the cherry on top. Something you slapped on once the product was ready. A garnish. A flourish.

But in 2025? Branding is the product.

It shapes perception. Drives preference. Builds equity long before a transaction happens.

Consumers aren’t just buying what you sell, they’re buying what you signal.

And signals need guts.

Continue reading on our Substack, Public Opinion.

https://smackbang.substack.com/p/the-cult-brand-formula-decoded

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