Brand Champions

How do challenger brands win? In today's episode of Brand Champions, Jeff discusses leadership and strategy lessons from the late, great Bill Walsh.

Walsh was a legendary NFL coach. He helped the 49ers win five Super Bowls and wrote an incredible book on leadership, "The Score Takes Care of Itself." Three great lessons from Bill:

- Create a standard of excellence: Excellence is achievable if you seek perfection in every granular aspect of a business.

-Put the ball where the other team isn't: Look for the moments that are important to your audience, but that your competition isn't leveraging.

-Have patience for exponential curves: Building a winning brand often has flat initial results. It requires patience and persistence to get to the vertical part of the curve.

Jeff and Jordan are suckers for a great ad – and in this episode, they break down which brands won the US Open, from the campaigns that cut through to the moments that captured attention beyond the court. They explore what made these brands stand out, why some ads resonated more than others and what marketers can learn from the biggest brand moments of the tournament.

Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com.

A QUESTUS PRODUCTION

Website: https://www.questus.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus/

Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/

Jordan Berg's Socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

Jeff and Jordan kick off Season 2 by unpacking what it really takes to turn advertising into a growth engine. From the problem with short-term metrics to why relevance is the ultimate budget multiplier, they explore how brands can better understand unmet consumer needs and create content that moves people through the entire customer journey. They break down the relationship between brand and demand, why always-on campaigns can outperform seasonal thinking and how a strong hook can make or break an ad in the first few seconds. Along the way, they challenge the industry’s obsession with reach, awards and last-click attribution – and share the lessons they’ve learned from decades of building brands. If you lead marketing, strategy or creative teams, this episode will change how you think about advertising, relevance and growth.

Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com.

A QUESTUS PRODUCTION

Website: https://www.questus.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus/

Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/

Jordan Berg's Socials:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

Jeff and Jordan kick off Season 2 by unpacking what it really takes to turn advertising into a growth engine. From the problem with short-term metrics to why relevance is the ultimate budget multiplier, they explore how brands can better understand unmet consumer needs and create content that moves people through the entire customer journey. They break down the relationship between brand and demand, why always-on campaigns can outperform seasonal thinking and how a strong hook can make or break an ad in the first few seconds. Along the way, they challenge the industry’s obsession with reach, awards and last-click attribution – and share the lessons they’ve learned from decades of building brands. If you lead marketing, strategy or creative teams, this episode will change how you think about advertising, relevance and growth.Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com.A QUESTUS PRODUCTIONWebsite: https://www.questus.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus/Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/Jordan Berg's Socials:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

Jeff and Jordan break down the messy, magical process behind advertising’s biggest ideas—and how AI is changing the creative game. From cognitive dissonance to alpha waves, they unpack how true innovation comes from silence, routine, and intuition—not conference-room brainstorms. Jordan explains why he runs multiple ChatGPT accounts to stay creatively fresh and how AI can fuel, but never replace, human imagination. Along the way, they share stories from Christopher Nolan, J.J. Abrams, and the real-world campaigns that shaped their own careers. If you lead marketing, strategy, or creative teams, this episode will completely reframe how you think about generating ideas.

Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

A QUESTUS PRODUCTION 

Website:

https://www.questus.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus 

Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/ 

https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/ 

Jordan Berg's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/ 

https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

We pull back the curtain on one of the most overlooked—and inspiring—industries in America: credit unions. Jeff and Jordan explore how these member-owned, not-for-profit institutions are quietly disrupting traditional banking: through trust, transparency, and empowerment. They discuss three strategy pillars to help credit unions stand out in a noisy financial services landscape, from leading with empowerment, to owning the moments that matter, to connecting brand to demand. Along the way, they reveal how marketers can build authentic connections by turning brand purpose into real impact. Whether you work in financial services, marketing, or just believe in brands that put people first, this conversation will change how you see credit unions—and how you think about advertising.

Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

A QUESTUS PRODUCTION 

Website:

https://www.questus.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus 

Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/ 

https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/ 

Jordan Berg's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/ 

https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

Apple just bought exclusive Formula 1 rights and relaunched the Vision Pro—but what does that really mean? Jeff and Jordan break down Apple’s long game: a future where live sports, entertainment, and hardware merge into one seamless experience. From immersive Vision Pro sports broadcasts to the end of the fragmented streaming era, this episode dives into how Apple could finally own the living room. We debate whether Tim Cook can lead that transformation—or if the next visionary is already waiting in the wings.

Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

A QUESTUS PRODUCTION 

Website:

https://www.questus.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus 

Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/ 

https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/ 

Jordan Berg's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/ 

https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

AI is opening up an entirely new creative toolkit for advertisers—storyboarding, concepting, and generating hundreds of variations for rapid testing. In this week's Brand Champions, Jeff and Jordan go behind-the-scenes to show how AI is transforming the work that Questus does every day for Fortune 1000 brands. AI tools are reshaping workflows, cutting costs, and giving creatives more room to focus on the fun, high-value parts of the job. But does the AI renaissance come at a cost? What happens to trust, inspiration, and social media itself when audiences can’t tell what’s real? This episode explores the opportunities and risks of AI-driven creativity, and why the best brands will embrace the tools without losing the human spark that makes their work believable.

Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

A QUESTUS PRODUCTION 

Website:

https://www.questus.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus 

Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/ 

https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/ 

Jordan Berg's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/ 

https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

Artificial Intelligence will fundamentally change every industry around the globe. But we’re all suffering from a version of digitally-fueled ADHD, so how do we fully leverage these new tools? In a world where attention spans are shortening by the second, Jeff’s eternally restless brain has put him ahead of the curve. In this episode, Jeff explores how AI tools are transforming the way we work, learn, and create. Starting with a behind-the-scenes Fortune 500 brand example, Jeff reveals how we can use our hyperactive thought processes to create an unstoppable team when combined with the instant iterations of AI. Full of tips and hacks, this episode is a must-listen for everyone who’s wondering how their own human intelligence fits in a brave new world.  

📩 Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

A QUESTUS PRODUCTION 

Website: https://www.questus.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus 

Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/ 

https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/ 

Jordan Berg's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/ 

https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

Great creative is built on great strategy. In this week's Brand Champions, we dissect the underlying strategies of the ads that are currently blowing our minds. Hosts Jeff Rosenblum and Jordan Berg analyze Nike's "Why Do It?" pivot with Tyler, the Creator; Ram's patriotic anthem with UFC's Dana White; a "Succession" stealth spinoff courtesy of Uber Eats and actor Brian Cox; and CeraV's dryly hilarious collaboration with actor Michael Cera and podcaster Bobbi Altoff. These wildly different campaigns demonstrate a central truth: it's not enough to be entertaining. You have to understand your audience, your category, and the cultural moment. When you lead with strategy, the result is break-through creative.

📩 Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

A QUESTUS PRODUCTION

Website:

https://www.questus.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus 

Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/ 

https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/ 

Jordan Berg's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/ 

https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

The heyday of the big seasonal campaign is over. To win today, brands must be “always-on”: in market 24-7, across all channels, with a constant stream of fresh creative. Brand Champions co-host Jordan Berg explains how the Meta algorithm prioritizes new content, which creates a better experience for its users. This makes iterative testing essential. Listeners will learn how the latest analytics and AI tools are reshaping campaign production, from hook testing to regenerating assets. The result is a powerful case for continuous marketing that drives performance and long-term brand growth.

📩 Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

A QUESTUS PRODUCTION 

Website:

https://www.questus.com/ 

https://www.instagram.com/questusagency/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/questus 

Jeff Rosenblum's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-rosenblum/ 

https://www.instagram.com/thejeffrosenblum/ 

Jordan Berg's Socials:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-berg-4ba458/ 

https://www.instagram.com/jordan_questus/

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff Rosenblum uses his expertise as a devoted New York Jets fan to reveal powerful lessons about marketing. Jeff examines the Jets' 14-year playoff drought—a result of consistently ignoring the data—to show how brands can avoid similar pitfalls. He explains why hope is not a strategy and demonstrates how winning brands turn data into competitive advantages. Jeff also examines why the best companies foster environments where team members challenge each other. This episode is essential for marketers who want to turn data into insights and build winning brands.

There’s a big misconception about AI: that it replaces human creativity. In this week’s episode of Brand Champions, Jeff and Jordan explore how AI actually amplifies creativity by sparking new ideas, sharpening insights, and elevating the creative process.

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff reveals how two coaching legends—Joe Moglia and Vivek Ranadivé—transformed sports and made championships through analytics and fresh thinking. Jeff draws parallels between these wins and modern marketing challenges, exploring how brands can move beyond outdated strategies to find data-driven moments that matter.

The marketing landscape is evolving faster than ever, with AI reshaping our relationships, controversy driving consumer attention, and influencers claiming half of major brand budgets. In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff and Jordan explore why American Eagle's recent campaign strategy worked and what Unilever's massive influencer investment means for the industry. They also unpack Apple’s struggle to keep up in the AI arms race. This episode delivers the insights you need to stay ahead.

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff and Jordan break down the power of transparency in modern marketing, drawing lessons from some of the week’s biggest sports stories. From Scottie Scheffler’s humble PGA Championship win and Nike’s advertising response to the WNBA’s push for pay fairness, Jeff and Jordan explore how authenticity builds trust and how challenger brands are leveraging transparency to take on legacy players.

The conversation also explores the evolving role of AI in influencer marketing, unpacking how the industry’s pursuit of efficiency can backfire when it comes at the cost of authenticity. As audiences become more empowered, marketers must lean into transparency across every brand touchpoint to build real, lasting value.

If you’re building a modern brand, this episode is a must-watch.

In this episode of Brand Champions, you'll discover exactly what it takes to deliver a winning pitch. Drawing from years of experience on both sides of the table, Jeff Rosenblum and Jordan Berg share their insights into what makes a presentation truly effective. You'll learn how to immediately grab your audience’s attention, why authenticity matters more than flawless delivery, and how simplifying your message can significantly boost your impact.

Whether you're pitching an idea internally or competing to land major business, this episode will help you develop compelling stories that resonate, engage, and persuade.

In this Brand Champions mailbag episode, Jeff Rosenblum answers your biggest questions—from building courageous brands to the future of AI in advertising.Jeff dives deep into what really drives exponential growth for modern brands: courage, creativity, and content that actually serves your audience. He breaks down how the best agencies go beyond briefs, why incrementalism is the enemy of greatness, and how emotional storytelling can create massive impact, backed by real-world examples.You’ll also hear his unfiltered thoughts on AI's impact on the ad industry, how consumers are gaining the upper hand with smarter tools, and why removing friction from the customer journey is more critical than ever.Whether you’re a CMO, agency leader, or strategist looking to grow your brand for the future, this episode is packed with practical insights and honest perspectives.📩 Got a question for the next mailbag? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

In this special episode of Brand Champions, we’ve pulled together the greatest hits from Q1—no fluff, just the most valuable insights and standout moments. From building brand champions to winning in the mid-funnel and using journey mapping to unlock consumer-driven strategies, these are the boldest ideas and sharpest insights from the conversations that defined the start of the year. Whether you're catching up or looking for a quick hit of inspiration, this episode delivers the best of Brand Champions so far.

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff Rosenblum and Jordan Berg discuss the explosion of AI-generated spam, what it means for brands, and how marketers can stand out in an era of endless noise. From hyper-personalized influencer content to host-read ads, they explore what actually breaks through the cognitive spam filter and why novelty and strategy matter more than ever.📩 Got a question for a future episode? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

Nearly half of holding company agency employees want out, with only 32% reporting positive morale compared to a majority at independent agencies. In this Brand Champions episode, advertising agency founders Jeff Rosenblum and Jordan dive into new research that reveals a stark employee morale gap between indie and holding company agencies. They discuss how large holding company structures create communication breakdowns, explore the ongoing impact of remote work policies on agency culture, and uncover what truly drives team satisfaction beyond surface-level office perks. Whether you're at an independent agency, work for a holding company, or considering an advertising career change, this episode offers data-driven insights into what really drives employee satisfaction, retention, and performance in today's advertising industry.

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff and Jordan break down the small moves that build big brand love.

They unpack what it means to win in the consideration economy — where a single campaign isn’t enough, and trust is built one touchpoint at a time.

From Chewy’s flowers to GANT’s New York story series, Sundays for Dogs, and Duolingo’s chaotic owl, they explore:

If you’re trying to earn real customer advocacy — not just attention — this one’s for you.

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff and Jordan unpack the latest advertising headlines to explore which brands are winning and which are falling behind. From Jaguar cutting ties with their agency to HBO reversing its Max rebrand, and major holding company mergers reshaping the landscape, they examine what these moves reveal about brand strategy, agency culture, and the future of marketing.

More than just a recap, this is a candid look at the dynamics shaping modern advertising. What happens when legacy brands shift course? What role does culture play in agency success? And how should marketers respond when the industry resets?

Whether you're leading a brand, building an agency, or just trying to stay ahead, this episode delivers sharp takes and real lessons from today’s biggest stories.

Most travel brands still think in “campaigns.” But today’s traveler is dreaming, planning, and researching all year long.

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff Rosenblum and Jordan Berg do a deep dive on what actually works in travel and hospitality marketing — and why “always-on” content isn’t optional anymore. From Instagram folders to creator partnerships, content volume to data-powered creative briefs, this episode is a playbook for modern marketers trying to stay relevant in a social-first, research-heavy world.

You’ll learn:

If you’re in travel, hospitality, or any high-consideration category — this one’s for you.

Legacy brands keep trying to win with expensive, once-a-year campaigns—and it’s not working. In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff and Jordan break down why 85% of ads are ignored, why mid-funnel content is where the real leverage lives, and how direct-to-consumer brands are beating the Fortune 1000 with agile, data-driven creative.

They unpack the rise of “always on” marketing, explain why repurposed TV spots flop on social, and share examples of brands driving exponential growth by thinking like publishers, not advertisers.

If you’re still trying to win attention the old way, this episode will change how you see your entire content strategy.

AI isn’t coming for marketing. It’s already here — and it’s changing everything.

In this episode, Jeff and Jordan dive deep into how AI is reshaping marketing and creative work in real time:

Plus: real examples, brutal honesty, and a framework for how marketing teams can survive (and win) in the AI age.

If you’re serious about the future of marketing, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

Welcome to another no-BS Mailbag episode of Brand Champions—aka “Sh*t They Don’t Teach You at Harvard”.

In this solo Q+A, Jeff Rosenblum takes on big career questions with real, hard-earned lessons from the trenches. No theory. No ivory tower nonsense. Just tactical advice from someone who built one of the top agencies in the world without ever stepping foot in one first.

Inside this episode:

Whether you’re 24 or 54, this episode is packed with practical advice for anyone who wants to build a better career in modern marketing.

Send your questions to: brandchampions@questus.com

Subscribe for weekly deep dives into the future of brand-building.

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff and Jordan break down the marketing playbook behind golf's most prestigious tournament, The Masters. Augusta National built its legendary brand on one powerful principle: Everything is important. From their limited commercials and strategic partnerships to the carefully crafted viewing experience, The Masters shows how exceptional marketing comes from attention to detail. We'll analyze the exclusive brands who advertise during this iconic event and share practical insights your business can use to create more meaningful advertising and stronger connections with your audience.

Financial brands love TV spots and white papers. But here’s the problem: neither of those show up where the real decisions get made.

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff Rosenblum and Jordan Berg expose the biggest blind spot in financial services marketing—the mid-funnel—and explain how to build content that actually drives consideration, trust, and conversion.

From B2B to B2C, banking to insurance, they break down:

- Why the same three plays (ads, events, PDFs) are no longer enough

- How to build a full-funnel strategy using real signals and life-stage data

- What creators, custom audiences, and retargeting can unlock

- How to sequence content that informs, inspires, and converts

Whether you work in finance or any high-consideration category—this is your playbook for smarter strategy and better results.

Subscribe for weekly insights from the front lines of brand-building.

Do customers really have the attention span of a goldfish? Or is your content just boring?

In this episode of Brand Champions, Jeff and Jordan break down how today’s most beloved brands—like Yeti, Rivian, and G/Fore—are winning not by saying more, but by saying less.

They explore:

✅ Why long-form video is back (yes, even on social)

✅ How the best brands ignite imagination instead of overwhelming with info

✅ The problem with forcing one message for every customer

✅ What legacy brands can learn from DTC storytelling

✅ Why Rivian’s showroom beat out every luxury car dealership on 11th Ave

If you want to build a brand that people actually care about, this episode is your playbook.

🎯 Learn how to:

What makes a brand champion? Are Super Bowl ads worth it? Is traditional advertising dying?

In this special Mailbag episode of Brand Champions, Jeff Rosenblum answers 7 big questions from listeners, tackling everything from word-of-mouth marketing to the future of advertising.

Topics covered:

✅ What is a brand champion—and why do they matter more than ads?

✅ Super Bowl ads vs. precision marketing—which actually works?

✅ The Wonder Woman moment—how streaming changed advertising forever.

✅ The one marketing book Jeff swears by.

✅ Why most brands are stuck in an outdated playbook—and how to fix it.

If you want to learn how to build a brand that people actually care about, this episode is for you

.📩 Got a question for Jeff? Email us at brandchampions@questus.com

In this episode of Brand Champions, hosts Jeff and Jordan explore how journey maps help brands drive exponential growth by understanding the entire consumer decision-making process. They discuss why traditional marketing funnels fall short, how to create effective journey maps, and the importance of removing friction points to improve conversion. The conversation reveals how brands can create the right content at the right time to meet consumers' needs throughout their buying journey.Timestamps:0:00 Introduction and the 13-hour car buying journey4:47 What is a journey map and how it differs from marketing funnels8:32 Understanding consumer mindset vs. marketer perspective11:17 How journey maps create mathematical leverage for brands14:33 The power of identifying friction points in the consumer journey17:16 Balancing emotional and functional content throughout the journey23:52 How journey maps help break down silos between creative and media teams26:24 Using journey maps to turn customers into brand champions29:15 Leveraging AI and custom GPTs to create more effective journey maps33:06 Sorting and prioritizing content opportunities from journey maps36:59 Making journey maps CFO-friendly by demonstrating ROI

Brand Champions reveals how top brands drive exponential growth. Hosted by lifelong best friends, Jeff Rosenblum and Jordan Berg, this podcast follows their journey from outsiders with no advertising experience to industry leaders. With a bold vision for blending data and creativity to deliver real value, they turn decades of experience into actionable lessons in Brand Champions.