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!

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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.

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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/

This week, we had a nightmare that the newest trend in men's sleepwear was old-timey nightshirts, and we were hired to ideate ways to get the word out. And we only had 20 minutes. And we had to do it live on YouTube in front of everybody. Oh wait, that wasn't a nightmare, that was yesterday's new episode of Can They Brand That?! Turns out, the brainstorm was more of a dream than a nightmare (a fever dream, perhaps, but a dream nonetheless) as we improvised creative ideas like The Slumber Bowl (with NFL-branded nightshirts), a Buffalo Wild Wings collab called Buffalo Wild Thighs, a "Honk Shoo" brand of nightshirts, a Slumberjack mascot, and a "Nightcaps & Nightcaps," New Year's Eve after party—all with the help of live Youtube comments from viewers.

Don't sleep on this one! https://youtube.com/live/CtjQEPyZE-E

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.

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Timestamps

00:00 Welcome to the Show

05:14 Meet the Nightshirt & Nightcap

17:14 Let the brainstorm begin!

45:28 Mascot O'Clock

47:26 Hired or Fired

52:10 2026 Business & Personal Resolutions

Wisdom for the Road

• The show is a live brainstorming session for branding ideas.
• Humor is a key element in strong branding.
• Creative freedom in brainstorming is essential.
• The importance of creative freedom in brainstorming is emphasized.
• Nightshirts and the NFL should collab for a 'Slumber Bowl' collab.
• The hosts aim to make nightshirts trendy again.
• They highlight the role of humor in engaging audiences.
• Collaborations between food brands and fashion can create unique marketing opportunities.
• Humor plays a significant role in branding and product promotion.
• Imagining mascots for nightshirts can add a playful element to marketing campaigns.
• Hired and fired segments can help refine ideas for brand pitches.
• Resolutions can focus on personal growth and experiences, such as attending live shows.
• Live performances provide a unique and irreplaceable experience compared to digital content.
• The concept of 'gown guys' can challenge traditional notions of masculinity in fashion.
• Creative brainstorming can lead to unexpected and humorous ideas for branding.

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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/

We put our noggins to work this week, rebranding the most North Pole-arizing beverage of the holiday season, eggnog. And we did it live in just 20 minutes, proving that it truly is a miraculous time of year.

From a Nogclub with bottle service (full of eggnog), to an influencer-led Nog Vlog initiative, to a winter ice cream truck that serves only eggnog (complete with a special eggnog anthem), we brainstormed all of the ways to give consumers a reason (for the season) to incorporate this often-overlooked drink into their family traditions. We went nog wild on new folklore as well as mascot ideas; all with the help of live YouTube comments from viewers (our workshop elves). As a holiday bonus akin to Jelly of the Month Club, we stuck around for a few Q&As and got into how we met, how we started Semiserious, and trends we've spotted in the biz. Watch the full, brainstorm + Q&A here: https://www.youtube.com/live/SREk9I3-8QQ

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.

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Timestamp

00:00 Introduction to the Show

05:53 The Concept of Pizza Pie

11:29 Improvised Branding and Show Ethos

14:36 Let the Brainstorm Begin!

44:41 Mascot O'Clock

46:28 Brand Collaborations & Spokespeople

49:36 Hired or Fired: Eggnog Marketing Strategies

52:28 Q&A: Building a Business Partnership

58:16 Trends in Branding: Offline Experiences

Wisdom for the Road

• Every toddler has an unhinged step in their bedtime routine.

• The importance of humor in branding and marketing.

• Eggnog is a polarizing holiday staple.

• Creating new traditions can enhance holiday experiences.

• Improvised branding can lead to creative breakthroughs.

• The power of creativity in a world dominated by AI.

• Holiday drinks can be marketed as part of family traditions.

• The tradition of drinking eggnog can be creatively expanded.

• Innovative campaigns can make eggnog more appealing to younger generations.

• The history of eggnog reveals its roots in wealth and accessibility.

• Mascots can play a significant role in branding eggnog.

• Building rituals around eggnog can create lasting traditions.

• The importance of offline experiences in today's digital world.

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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/