Ever ordered something online that didn’t quite match what showed up on your plate? In this episode, Amy Jackson serves up a story about a not-so-authentic pizza joint to unpack what authenticity really means in branding.

From mismatched promises to undercooked brand experiences, Amy explores how trust and consistency define whether audiences truly believe in your brand—or feel misled. Using her signature wit (and a few cheese-laden metaphors), she breaks down why your logo is only one slice of the bigger picture.

You’ll learn:

• Why being “authentic” is harder than it sounds—and why it matters more than ever
• How your logo, messaging, and customer experience all work together (or don’t)
• What truly influences your brand beyond marketing: people, culture, community, and even your competitors
• How authenticity builds measurable business value—from loyalty to longevity

Mentioned in This Episode

• Michael Eisner’s quote on brand as a “living entity”
• Building Better Brands by Scott Lerman
• Brand promise, marketing, and experience alignment
• Examples from Apple, Verizon, and the “Easy Button” Staples campaign
• How logos build recognition, trust, and financial value
• A fresh metaphorical take on pizza and cattle branding (yes, really)

Brand Hack: Survey Your Brand Reality

One of the best ways to discover how authentic your brand really is? Ask the people who experience it every day.

This episode’s Brand Hack is a quick survey exercise:

1. Ask your team, customers, and partners what adjectives they’d use to describe your brand.
2. Gather insights on how your logo, messaging, and customer experience make them feel.
3. Compare their perceptions to your intended brand character.

The gaps you uncover are gold—revealing where your authenticity shines and where it needs work.

Connect with Amy:

Website: brandisnotafourletterword.com

Portfolio: amyjdesigns.com

Instagram: @brandisnotafourletterword

LinkedIn: Amy Jackson