If water is better sparkling, one could assume the same about milk, no? Honestly, no, but that didn't stop us from choosing sparkling milk as our latest fake product to create real branding for on this week's episode of Can They Brand That? As always, we raise the stakes by doing the creative exercise fully improvised, under a 20-minute time crunch, and LIVE on YouTube.

The result was so silly, it very well could turn sparkling milk into a cash cow: from brand name ideas like Cowabunga, Heifervescent, and Moo Juice to slogans like, "Udder madness," "Moooove over, water," and "Half milk, half magic". And we did it all with the help of loyal commenters in the live stream (This could be YOU! Next time!)

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.

Teat yourself by watching the whole thing! https://youtube.com/live/5zqNlmAW1oc

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Timestamps

00:00 Can They Brand Sparkling Milk? Intro
05:51 Let the Brainstorm Begin!
14:46 Creative Naming and Taglines
38:42 Mascot O'Clock
42:52 Funded or Done-ded?

Wisdom for the Road

• The creative brainstorming process is way more fun and exciting when humor plays a key role.
• Market research is essential to understand existing products and the competitive landscape.
• Branding should immediately differentiate from competitors so that you pop off the shelf and screen.
• Taglines and names play a crucial role in branding and set the whole brand identity in motion.
• Mascots can enhance brand identity and appeal.
• Fun in branding and marketing is a no-brainer.
• Understanding audience psychographics is key to success.
• Collaboration while brainstorming leads to innovative ideas.
• Bad ideas can lead to solid gold ones in the creative process.

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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/