Episode 239: I'm With The Brand (unpacking how brands influence our brains), part one

This episode is part one in an ongoing series about brands and how they influence our identities and drive consumerism.

In this episode:

• We’re going to break down what brand and branding mean, using fizzy water and boxed macaroni and cheese as examples
• We will walk through the history of “brands” and “branding” leading up to this century, where it evolves from a little brand on a jug to full-on marketing teams and brand theory
• Why it's so wild that food brands got obsessed with masked taste tests in the 70s and 80s
• How Amanda teaches brand and branding to her small business clients and students (and why that matters for them)
• And Amanda will shares some brands that aren’t really who you think they are any more (or maybe never were)

Additional reading:

"Meet the Man Who Made a Fortune Bringing Brands Back to Life," Suzanne Kapner, The Wall Street Journal.Authentic Brands Group brand portfolioLevi Strauss & Co. Enters into Definitive Agreement to Sell Dockers to Authentic Brands Group"JCPenney Joins SPARC to Form Catalyst Brands," David Moin, WWD.Catalyst Brands"Shein signs deal with Forever 21 owner as fast-fashion majors look to boost reach," Arriana McLymore, Reuters.

Learn more about the San Pedro Apparel Mart in episode 231 of Clotheshorse!

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Slow Fashion Academy is a size-inclusive sewing and patternmaking studio based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Designer and fashion professor Ruby Gertz teaches workshops for hobbyists and aspiring designers, so that anyone can learn the foundational skills of making, mending, and altering their own clothes. Ruby also provides professional design and patternmaking services to emerging slow fashion brands, and occasionally takes commissions for custom garments and costume pieces. She has also released several PDF sewing patterns for original designs under her brands Spokes & Stitches, and Starling Petite Plus. Check the schedule for upcoming works