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November 4, 2025 21 mins

Is showing your brand’s “behind the scenes” essential to business success—or just a passing trend? On this episode of Cover Brand, host Ethan Decker sits down with Bishop Fox’s Michele Blazier and Arissa Kirkland for a lively discussion at the crossroads of authenticity, professionalism, and marketing effectiveness. They dive into real-world examples, from Taylor Swift’s unfiltered album documentaries to the disciplined polish of iconic brands like Nike and Prada.

If you’re wondering whether your company should pull back the curtain and get real with your audience, you’ll gain actionable insight on what works (and what doesn’t!) for B2B and B2C brands alike. This episode will help you determine when to leverage raw, human storytelling versus when to maintain a refined, polished image—plus how to test what feels right for your customers. Tune in to learn how to make your brand both memorable and trustworthy.


Main Topics Covered

  • The pros and cons of behind-the-scenes content for brands
  • Authenticity vs. professionalism: Striking the right balance
  • Are “unfiltered” moments a must-have or a marketing lever?
  • Real-world brand case studies: Taylor Swift, Nike, Salesforce, Prada, Fenty
  • How to decide if less-polished content fits your brand and audience
  • The importance of getting feedback and testing new content formats
  • The role of consistency and authenticity in brand marketing
  • Key marketing “laws” and “levers” to help your business grow


Links to Additional Resources


Ready to level up your brand strategy? Try experimenting with authentic, behind-the-scenes content—and measure your audience’s response. Think about where your brand sits on the spectrum between raw storytelling and polished professionalism, then test what resonates. Want expert help? Head over to appliedbrandscience.com to dive deeper into proven brand science principles!


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 editing with human eyes, ears and hands. Produced by BiCurean.com


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