Bark twice if you had to read that subject line twice to make sure you weren't hallucinating. We regret to inform you that the featured brand on this week's new episode of Can They Brand That? truly is "doggy high heels". No, that's not a real product, but yes, it is a real branding challenge, and who better to take it on than two experts who have never met any product they can't creatively outwit?

To further humiliate, err, challenge ourselves, we went live on YouTube to perform our 20-minute improvised brainstorm for the entire world wide web (and its pets) to see. From brand name ideas like Yips, Haute Diggity Dogs, and Fetch to campaign activations like a Tennis Ball gala and a Doggy Style fashion magazine, to brand slogans like "Sit, stay, heels," we built this farcical, fido-tastic brand from tip to tail—all with the help of loyal commenters on the live stream.

ICYMI, this show exists 1) to champion originality and creativity in a sea of AI slop, 2) to show potential clients the power and value of fun as a consumer-converting strategy, and 3) to offer some much-needed levity to the world.

Find a sun spot and listen to or watch the whole thing!

—

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the Live Show!

02:21 Humor Branding in a Nutshell

05:06 AI Slop in Branding

08:00 Let the Improvised Branding for Dog High Heels Begin!

31:12 Mascot O'Clock

48:49 Hired or Fired / Funded or Done-ded

51:45 Wrap-Up and Future Plans

Wisdom for the Road:

• The importance of humor in branding.
• Improvised branding allows for spontaneous creativity.
• Human touch is essential in a tech-driven world.
• How brands can stand out in a saturated market.
• The process of brainstorming and how it leads to unexpected ideas.
• Engaging with the audience enhances the experience.
• Creative naming is crucial for product identity.
• Taglines should resonate with the target audience.
• Product design can be both functional and fashionable.
• The absurdity of ideas can lead to innovative branding solutions.
• Creative storytelling can enhance product appeal.
• Dog fashion events should absolutely be a thing.
• Custom dog shoes could fill a unique market niche.
• Effective branding requires catchy taglines and strong messaging.
• Mascots can play a crucial role in marketing strategies.
• The pet industry is a lucrative market to explore.
• Innovative ideas can lead to successful product launches.
• Humor and playfulness can attract customers.
• Understanding your audience is key to effective branding.
• Collaboration and brainstorming can yield exciting concepts.

—

As the world's first humor branding agency, Semiserious has worked its magic for industry darlings like Clif Bar, Native, Waterboy, Blue Bunny, Yogi Tea, JOI, Alleyoop, The University of Chicago, Hilton, and Pie. But they would never brag about it in their episode description.

Say hi or snoop around: https://semiseriousagency.com/