From Madison Avenue to Main Street — Benjamin Hawk on Brand Strategy That Actually Works
What do BMW, American Express, and small-town coffee shops have in common? They’ve all benefited from Benjamin Hawk’s sharp creative mind and brand-building expertise. In this episode, I sit down with Benjamin Hawk — a seasoned creative strategist, brand whisperer, and self-proclaimed “couples therapist for brands” — to unpack what enterprise brands get right about marketing, and how small businesses can apply the same principles to scale without the bloat.
With 20+ years in the advertising world, Ben has worked with everyone from global giants like Verizon and Mini to solo entrepreneurs trying to turn passion into profit. His advice is grounded, clear-eyed, and full of the kind of practical wisdom you wish more marketing gurus gave.
We cover:
- The #1 reason most entrepreneurs sabotage their own growth
- Why branding is business hygiene — and what it has to do with deodorant
- What big brands know about customer experience that small businesses miss
- Why community and "brand citizenship" matter more than ever post-COVID
- How to do more with less — and why your strategy needs to start before your ad spend
🎯 Key takeaways:
- You are not your customer. You are also not your brand. Understand that early, and build accordingly.
- Don’t skip strategy. Without a playbook, you’ll work harder and spend more to go nowhere fast.
- Marketing is not an expense — it's an investment in relationships, recognition, and revenue.
- AI is a tool, not a strategist. Use it for speed and research, but don’t hand it your brand voice.
- Brand is behavior. It shows up in every touchpoint — your pricing, your tone, your actions in the world.
This episode is for entrepreneurs who’ve hit a wall, brand builders chasing clarity, and anyone who believes great marketing starts with knowing who you are — and who you're talking to.
Connect with Benjamin:
Follow Us:
📸 Instagram: Uncomplicate It!
▶️ YouTube: Uncomplicated Marketing - YouTube
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