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Branding Beyond Business

Branding Beyond Business

Written by: John Mediana
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About this listen

Branding Beyond Business isn't about fitting into boxes – it's about breaking them open. Uncover the brilliance that sets you apart, and watch as your authentic self becomes your most potent asset.


Your host, John Mediana believes that behind every brand and company there is a powerful personal brand leading the charge. Branding is more than just a logo or a tagline – it's a symphony of authenticity, passion, and purpose that resonates through every facet of your existence. In a landscape where attention drives commerce, this show is about breaking the rules of branding & marketing and going beyond the business.


Together, we will conquer the fear of the algorithm gods and smash expectations & outcomes in the face. I hope no one shares this. I hope every episode gets zero downloads. I want a good, much needed and brutally honest conversation. Deep breath. Let’s get it.

© 2026 Branding Beyond Business Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • What most Entrepreneurs get WRONG about their personal brand (How to fix that)

    What most Entrepreneurs get WRONG about their personal brand (How to fix that)
    Jan 26 2026

    Get access to the working google doc.

    Make a copy and drop your position statement in the comments.

    https://docs.google.com/document/d/1phpl0FSmm7Dk_lNz1kvEA-rrLzezaJ1h-wxkbYD7Mqc/copy


    Have you ever visited dozens of competitor websites and felt like they all blur together? You’re not alone. In this video of Brandy Beyond Business, I share my exact process I’ve used to help influential personal brands rack up over a billion views a month and drive multiple eight figures in revenue, by making their market positioning unmistakable.

    Why “Visibility” Isn’t Your Problem. Clarity Is
    Most entrepreneurs say things like “I help entrepreneurs grow their business” or claim to be “brand strategists for purpose-driven owners.” Sound familiar? The truth is, these statements are so generic they fail to communicate what truly makes you different. You’re not struggling with visibility; you’re missing clarity.

    Ready to Get Clear?
    Pull out a notepad, write your position statement using the formula above, and DM me or drop it in the comments for feedback.

    Here’s What Happens When You Nail This:

    • Your content starts converting way better
    • More clients find you… faster
    • Your prices rise naturally, powered by clear brand advantage
    • Clear brands always win over confused ones

    Level up your positioning today!

    Stay creative,
    John Mediana

    _______________________________
    Want weekly creative direction like this?
    I send real, tactical creative direction every week inside my Creative Direction Weekly Newsletter.
    No AI written fluff.
    No recycled advice.

    Just clear direction for creatives and founders building brands that actually stand out.

    Join here 👉 http://www.brandingbeyondbusiness.com

    ===========================
    Connect with me!
    =============================
    IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/johnmediana
    X: ➡︎ https://www.x.com/johnmediana
    Linkedin: ➡︎ https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%91%8B%F0%9F%8F%BEjohn-mediana-40966b19/

    ===========================
    Subscribe and Listen to Branding Beyond Business Podcast HERE:📱
    ===========================
    ➡︎YT: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandingBeyondBusiness
    ➡︎Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/branding-beyond-business/id1702698371
    ➡︎Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43SDL8FiGOLsUq9BRF5XoS?si=dda1f207700a4af9

    🔥 Join the Branding Beyond Business Newsletter ➡️ http://www.brandingbeyondbusiness.com
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    🤔Do you want to be on my show?
    📨 Email: yes@brandingbeyondbusiness.com
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    9 mins
  • Creative Director vs Art Director: What’s the Difference (And Why It Matters)

    Creative Director vs Art Director: What’s the Difference (And Why It Matters)
    Jan 19 2026

    The Real Difference Between Creative Directors and Art Directors Why It Matters for Your Brand

    Are you confused about the difference between a Creative Director and an Art Director? You’re not alone. These roles often get mixed up, and that confusion can cost companies time, money, and momentum.

    Let’s break it down:

    Creative Directors own the vision. They’re the architects behind your brand’s narrative and strategy, translating business goals into a cohesive creative direction. Think of them as the ones who connect marketing, design, content, and even paid advertising—all while keeping the brand’s tone, voice, and story consistent. Their focus? The BIG picture. If your brand is drifting, it’s often because this role isn’t properly filled.

    Art Directors make the vision visible. They’re hands-on, turning the big ideas into tangible visual experiences—designs, visuals, layouts, and all the details that make your brand look and feel put together. They direct photo shoots, pick typography, manage color schemes, and build visual systems that amplify brand consistency.

    How do they work together?

    • The Creative Director sets the North Star.
    • The Art Director charts the visual path.
    • One without the other creates imbalance—strategy without strong visuals falls flat, and great visuals without strategy are just noise with glitter.

    Common mistakes:
    Brands often hire an Art Director expecting strategy or promote designers without giving them authority. This leads to chasing trends instead of telling a cohesive story, and that’s how brands become busy but unmemorable.

    Here’s how to spot what your brand needs:

    • If your brand feels unclear or random, you need creative direction.
    • If your brand is clear but looks sloppy, you need art direction.
    • Scaling? You’ll need both roles working in tandem.

    The most successful brands need BOTH—vision and visual execution. Don’t skip one and break the chain.

    Let’s keep building your brand beyond business.

    ________________________________
    Want weekly creative direction like this?
    I send real, tactical creative direction every week inside my Creative Direction Weekly Newsletter.
    No AI written fluff.
    No recycled advice.

    Just clear direction for creatives and founders building brands that actually stand out.

    Join here 👉 http://www.brandingbeyondbusiness.com

    ===========================
    Connect with me!
    =============================
    IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/johnmediana
    X: ➡︎ https://www.x.com/johnmediana
    Linkedin: ➡︎ https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%91%8B%F0%9F%8F%BEjohn-mediana-40966b19/

    ===========================
    Subscribe and Listen to Branding Beyond Business Podcast HERE:📱
    ===========================
    ➡︎YT: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandingBeyondBusiness
    ➡︎Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/branding-beyond-business/id1702698371
    ➡︎Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43SDL8FiGOLsUq9BRF5XoS?si=dda1f207700a4af9

    🔥 Join the Branding Beyond Business Newsletter ➡️ http://www.brandingbeyondbusiness.com
    ======
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    🤔Do you want to be on my show?
    📨 Email: yes@brandingbeyondbusiness.com
    ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️
    ======
    ▶Subscribe 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@BrandingBeyondBusiness
    ======

    Leave a Review.
    Share it with a friend.
    Connect on Social.
    Email: yes@brandingbeyondbusiness.com

    Leave a Review.
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    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • When to Hire a Creative Team: Stages and Strategies for Every Business Owner

    When to Hire a Creative Team: Stages and Strategies for Every Business Owner
    Jan 13 2026

    Welcome back to Branding Beyond Business.

    This week, John Mediana and Logan Koch get painfully honest about a question every founder dodges until it hurts: when is the right time to hire help for your brand, podcast, or content?

    Here’s the truth. You do not need a massive budget to get started. You need leverage. One smart hire, like a solid editor, can easily triple your output and free your brain from busywork that’s quietly killing momentum.

    Before you hire anyone, you need clarity. Not vibes. Not desperation. Actual pain points. Are you stuck editing until 2 a.m.? Posting inconsistently? Confused about messaging? Hiring without answering this first is how people burn cash and blame freelancers.

    We break down what hiring actually looks like at every stage of business. From solopreneurs under $50k learning the ropes and avoiding the dummy tax, to early-stage businesses bringing on freelancers and VAs, to six-figure brands needing a true content shredder who can shoot, edit, and publish daily. Once you’re past seven figures, it’s not optional anymore. You need an in-house creative team, a project manager, and real creative leadership.

    Rule of thumb. If you want to scale, expect to reinvest 10 to 20 percent of your revenue into your creative team. Not ads. Not hacks. People.

    We also call out a fast track to burnout. Micromanaging one creative into five roles. Content, socials, ads, strategy, reporting. That’s not scrappy. That’s sloppy leadership.

    One more thing. Brand early. Be your own billboard. Wear the logo. Speak the values. Act like the brand before it feels official. That consistency compounds.

    Which brings us to the long game. Content rewards patience. Give it twelve months of consistent, quality output before you decide it “didn’t work.” Momentum is shy. It shows up late.

    If you’re stuck between stages, unsure who to hire next, or tired of guessing, this episode will save you time, money, and a few headaches.

    Build smarter. Hire cleaner. Brand beyond business.

    ________________________________
    Want weekly creative direction like this?
    I send real, tactical creative direction every week inside my Creative Direction Weekly Newsletter.
    No AI written fluff.
    No recycled advice.

    Just clear direction for creatives and founders building brands that actually stand out.

    Join here 👉 http://www.brandingbeyondbusiness.com

    Subscribe for more videos on:
    Creative direction
    Personal branding
    Working with high-profile clients
    Brand strategy
    Content that builds trust and authority

    New episodes weekly.

    ===========================
    Connect with me!
    =============================
    IG: ➡︎ https://www.instagram.com/johnmediana
    X: ➡︎ https://www.x.com/johnmediana
    Linkedin: ➡︎ https://www.linkedin.com/in/%F0%9F%91%8B%F0%9F%8F%BEjohn-mediana-40966b19/

    ===========================
    Subscribe and Listen to Branding Beyond Business Podcast HERE:📱
    ===========================
    ➡︎YT: https://www.youtube.com/@BrandingBeyondBusiness
    ➡︎Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/branding-beyond-business/id1702698371
    ➡︎Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/43SDL8FiGOLsUq9BRF5XoS?si=dda1f207700a4af9

    🔥 Join the Branding Beyond Business Newsletter ➡️ http://www.brandingbeyondbusiness.com
    ======
    ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️
    🤔Do you want to be on my show?
    📨 Email: yes@brandingbeyondbusiness.com
    ⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️⬆️
    ======
    ▶Subscribe 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@BrandingBeyondBusiness
    ======

    Leave a Review.
    Share it with a friend.
    Connect on Social.
    Email: yes@brandingbeyondbusiness.com

    Leave a Review.
    Share it with a friend.
    Connect on Social.
    Email: yes@brandingbeyondbusiness.com
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
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