# Blah, Blah, Blah
> Writing about brands, bands and creativity. Skim through for a quick read, or dive in properly, it's all here to browse at your own pace, whenever you like.
Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. Use `/llms-full.txt` for consolidated page and post context.
Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`).

## Pages
- [Account](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/account.md)
- [Archive](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/archive.md) - Explore every story, Quick PINT, and reflection from Blah, Blah, Blah — all in one place.
- [Membership](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/membership.md)
- [Log In](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/signin.md)
- [Sign Up](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/signup.md)
- [Hello](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/welcome.md) - The home for brands, bands, and the weekly Quick PINT

## Posts
- [Do I need a personal brand?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/do-i-need-a-personal-brand.md) - It's all about me! Or is it?
- [Good sale? Any sale?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/good-sale-any-sale.md) - Is your sales strategy a bit hit or miss?
- [Extra! Extra! Extra! July; Epic O, CEO, TechnÖ](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/extra-extra-extra-july-epic-o-ceo-techno.md) - A twelve thousand line Greek poem, an AI that already knows your business, and a New York duo you can't say the name of out loud. This month's Extra! Extra! Extra!
- [LLM or SLiM](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/llm-or-slim.md) - Are you training AI with your content? Maybe you should think about it.
- [Your brand doesn't need to tell epic stories](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/your-brand-doesnt-need-to-tell-epic-stories.md) - Suddenly every brand has to have a story. They don't.
- [The Prepared CEO](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-prepared-ceo.md) - Building an AI system that understands your business before the conversation starts
- [Penthouse-piano and pavement slabs of dirty electro](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/penthousepiano-and-pavement-slabs-of-dirty-electro.md) - Fcukers; Ö (Technicolour/Ninja Tune, 2026), the sound of someone phoning you from a party that's rapidly losing control
- [It's silly season](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/its-silly-season.md) - Phew, wot a scorcher! Scorchio! Scorchio! Scorchio! 2026, hottest year on record.
- [Why I'm bringing back a format I'd had enough of five years ago](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/why-im-bringing-back-a-format-id-had-enough-of-five-years-ago.md) - In-person, online. It doesn't really matter as long as you keep meeting people.
- [One Harry Kane](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/one-harry-kane.md) - At the moment, England has no Prime Minister, no James Bond, no Doctor Who, and no cricket captain. But we do have a football captain. Maybe we just give Harry Kane the rest. Originally posted on LinkedIn #leadership #harrykane #worldcup2026 | Nigel Davies | 55 commentsAt the moment, England has no…
- [Work isn't glamorous everyday](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/work-isnt-glamorous-everyday.md) - Even a humble template can be a moment to make creativity shine.
- [Do you have a vision? Are you a visionary?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/do-you-have-a-vision-are-you-a-visionary.md) - Even if you're not a visionary yet, your vision is still important
- [That's England Alright](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/thats-england-alright.md) - Yeah we’ll play the game, til it’s Auf Wiedersehen.
- [I don't know when it started](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/i-dont-know-when-it-started.md) - Maybe I've never had a career, just a passion that I get paid for.
- [I made a client cry this week.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/i-made-a-client-cry-this-week.md) - If you don't love your brand, how can you expect your audience to?
- [Are you a content creator or a content avoider?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-a-content-creator-or-a-content-avoider.md) - You probably don't need more content. You just need to find what you've already got.
- [I started a Substack](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/i-started-a-substack.md) - I’m nearly ten years late to the Substack party, but I’ve finally decided to jump in.
- [Endeavour. Your mission to be more human.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/endeavour-your-mission-to-be-more-human.md) - Human achievement keeps pushing us to move technology forward, but maybe our real mission is simply staying human.
- [Be prepared, for the unprepared](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/be-prepared-for-the-unprepared.md) - What can we learn from space exploration? Everything.
- [How To Win At Work](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/how-to-win-at-work.md) - Without a clear vision, progress is guesswork.
- [Keep on spinning???](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/keep-on-spinning.md) - Does it really matter if you sometimes can't keep all the plates spinning?
- [Untangle your brain](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/untangle-your-brain-quick-pint-27-february.md) - Reward your brain, not your tools.
- [Multi-content-dominating-cultural brand](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/multi-content-dominating-cultural-brand-quick-pint-20-february-2026.md) - A powerful core idea can transcend time, format and audiences.
- [It's so easy to fall in love](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/its-so-easy-to-fall-in-love-quick-pint-13-feb.md) - Are you feeling the brand love???
- [Who's writing your content?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/whos-writing-your-content-quick-pint-6-feb-2026.md) - Is AI writing your content, or are you writing your content for AI?
- [Are you chasing relevance?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-chasing-relevance-quick-pint-30-jan.md) - You might already be relevant, but your audience may not have discovered you yet.
- [How had I never seen this flag before?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/how-had-i-never-seen-this-flag-before-quick-pint-23-jan.md) - A week is a long time in today's world.
- [Have you lost sight of your vision?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/have-you-lost-sight-of-your-vision-quick-pint-16-jan-2026.md) - When systems, tools, and scaffolding slowly obscure what originally mattered most.
- [Brandwich?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/brandwich.md) - Tracing a career through the choices of lunch and the habits that shape how we work.
- [2026, the year to stop explaining](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/2026-the-year-to-stop-explaining-quick-pint-9-january.md) - You don't need to explain everything, give people space to enjoy more
- [No more Latin. No more French.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/no-more-latin-no-more-french.md) - An early lesson about the power of disruption and creating a campaign that most people didn't see
- [Untangle Your Christmas](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/untangle-your-christmas.md) - A Christmas story.
- [Be Social](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/be-social.md) - Reflecting on my student days and why being social still shapes careers long after university.
- [Changing a typeface doesn’t change your brand](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/changing-a-typeface-doesnt-change-your-brand.md) - A typeface change at the US State Department made headlines this week. Why all the fuss?
- [Still dreaming the impossible dream](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/still-dreaming-the-impossible-dream.md) - I missed my impossible goal, but this year shaped me for the better for next year
- [Turn your brand into an experience, just like Radiohead](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/turn-your-brand-into-an-experience-just-like-radiohead.md) - Epic when needed, quiet when right, your brand becomes something truly memorable
- [Halo and goodbye](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/halo-and-goodbye.md) - The problem is not the pink. The problem is not listening.
- [Untangling my brand](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/untangling-my-brand.md) - Twenty years of work. One thread. Now, one site.
- [Code vibing and other things we didn’t say in 2025 until now](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/code-vibing-and-other-things-we-didnt-say-in-2025-until-now.md) - New words arrive daily, but clarity still beats jargon, even in 2025.
- [Can't draw? Neither can I.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/cant-draw-neither-can-i.md) - "It's just a concept," I said. "We like it. Can you do more?" They said.
- [Finding your core](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/finding-your-core.md) - What’s the difference between a brand core and a strapline?
- [The Art of the Mixtape](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-art-of-the-mixtape-quick-pint-friday-31-october.md) - A good mixtape, like a good brand, needs focus, rhythm and restraint.
- [The power behind the power of music](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-power-behind-the-power-of-music.md) - Why the best brands evolve, not reinvent.
- [Are you saying too much?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-saying-too-much.md) - When every audience creates another message, clarity shrinks. .
- [Black(out) Monday](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/black-out-monday-quick-pint-friday-24-october.md) - When the cloud crashes, what’s your plan for life without web services?
- [The end of the funnel](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-end-of-the-funnel-quick-pint-friday-17-october.md) - Funnel marketing or content marketing, which approach fits you, your business, and your audience best?
- [Hello](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/hello.md) - The home for brands, bands, and a weekly Quick PINT
- [Happy first birthday](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/happy-first-birthday.md) - A year of Quick PINT — proof that showing up each week builds rhythm, not pressure.
- [Pandora's box of names](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/pandoras-box-of-names.md) - Naming for a Saas AI tech business that unlocks the potential in your content.
- [Untangle your cables](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/untangle-your-cables.md) - A drawer full of old cables and a opportunity to clear out the waste.
- [Zest November; The Secret to Creativity](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/zest-november-the-secret-to-creativity.md) - Creative Business Networking
- [The ice cream test](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-ice-cream-test.md) - Why the best brand insights often come from the everyday.
- [56. Is it just a number?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/56-is-it-just-a-number.md) - There are songs for youth and songs for age, but not many for the in-between.
- [Values made easier](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/values-made-easier.md) - Three simple steps to define the values that shape your brand and work.
- [Is your pricing clear, distinct, and valuable?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/is-your-pricing-clear-distinct-and-valuable.md) - I'm not a pricing strategist. I’m not even sure what a pricing strategist is. But I do buy things. Records. Guinness. Other stuff too. I tend to avoid sales. They’re usually just trying to shift what no one else wants. I’ll often buy the more expensive option if it’s from a store I trust. If there’…
- [Ten years or tin years?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/ten-years-or-tin-years.md) - Ten years of marriage.
- [The New Year starts here.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-new-year-starts-here.md) - Autumn’s shift brings sharper air, clearer focus, and a quiet invitation to begin early, resolutions don’t need a calendar, just intent.
- [Can you make a change for someone else?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/this-changed-everything-for-me-could-you-make-the-change-for-someone-else.md) - Luck is often just preparation meeting opportunity. I was given a chance that changed everything, now it’s time to pass it on.
- [What is a brand model? Why do you need one?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/what-is-a-brand-model-why-do-you-need-one.md) - Every brand needs a framework. Whether it’s a pyramid, house, onion or doughnut, a clear model brings structure and meaning.
- [I want it. How much is it?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/i-want-it-how-much-is-it-collaboration-that-sells-itself.md) - The best collaborations sell themselves.
- [Branding or Marketing?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/branding-or-marketing.md) - Branding or marketing? It’s not a choice, it’s a collaboration. When purpose meets promotion, everything connects. The best results come when ideas and actions work together, not apart.
- [It’s back.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/its-back.md) - Football’s back, loud, endless, impossible to ignore. But bigger isn’t always better.
- [Swat the Bots: Do you have good AI meeting etiquette?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/swat-the-bots-do-you-have-good-ai-meeting-etiquette.md) - AI bots now join our meetings as quietly as colleagues, but manners still matter. Ask before recording, respect the room, and remember, trust builds better notes than any transcript.
- [Untangle your brand name](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/untangle-your-brand-name.md) - A simple test to help you decide between a corporate or personal name.
- [You are a Lioness. Roar.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/you-are-a-lioness-roar.md) - You don’t have to play football to show resilience. Every founder, every leader, every person still pushing forward belongs with the Lionesses, strong, determined, and ready to roar.
- [How to work with me](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/untangle-your-brand.md) - Whether you need a quick steer, a plan of action, or a full rebrand, Untangle Your Brand helps you make sense of where you are and what to do next.
- [AltaVista: The Life-Changing Website](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/altavista-the-life-changing-website.md) - From AltaVista to AI, the tools keep changing, but the feeling’s the same, that first spark of possibility when technology helps you make something new. Fast isn’t always better, but discovery still is.
- [AI-fel Tower](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/ai-fel-tower.md) - An early experiment with AI image making that turned curiosity into creative direction.
- [Do you know where your brand is tangled?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/do-you-know-where-your-brand-is-tangled.md) - If your brand feels stuck, it’s probably just tangled. The Untangle Your Brand Check helps you see what’s working, what’s not, and where to focus next, a few small shifts can change everything.
- [Computer art maths prize](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/computer-art-maths-prize.md) - A childhood prize that shaped my craft and still drives me.
- [Would you put Wallace and Gromit, David Bowie or a pint of Guinness on a bank note?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/would-you-put-wallace-and-gromit-david-bowie-or-a-pint-of-guinness-on-a-bank-note.md) - When design meets democracy, things can get wonderfully strange. From cartoon icons to musical legends, a reminder that public taste and branding share a knack for chaos and charm in equal measure.
- [Which is the bigger meeting fail: on mute or on the wrong train?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/which-is-the-bigger-meeting-fail-on-mute-or-on-the-wrong-train.md) - A meeting mishap that turned into a reminder about connection. Zoom is efficient, but real conversations still matter, even if they come with delays, detours, and a very good sausage sandwich.
- [The secret to creativity? There isn't one.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-secret-to-creativity-there-isnt-one.md) - Creativity isn’t magic, it’s method. Gather, think, forget, connect, craft. James Webb Young nailed it in 1940, and it still holds true, ideas come from doing the work, not waiting for lightning.
- [Take time out. Take time off. Lazy days. Not crazy days.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/take-time-out-take-time-off-lazy-days-not-crazy-days.md) - Breathe, drift, and let good ideas surface in the quiet.
- [Our friends in the North](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/our-friends-in-the-north.md) - Financial literacy for young creatives
- [Cluedo personas](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/cluedo-personas.md) - Tone of voice becomes clearer when you cast it like characters.
- [Is your brand hot?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/its-hot-hot-hot-hot-hot-hot-hot-is-your-brand-hot.md) - Heat fades, but energy lasts.
- [Pulp; More (2025)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/pulp-more-2025.md) - Pulp never chased the Britpop crown, they wrote the soundtrack to real life.
- [Who’s really in charge: you, or your Imposter Monster?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/whos-really-in-charge-you-or-your-imposter-monster.md) - We all have an Imposter Monster, that voice that says you’re winging it.
- [Which festival is your brand appearing at this summer?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/which-festival-is-your-brand-appearing-at-this-summer.md) - If your business was a festival, which would it be?
- [Every cut counts](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/every-cut-counts.md) - Why customer research is the most underrated part of brand building
- [Organise, rationalise and clarify your offer](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/organise-rationalise-and-clarify-your-offer.md) - Every brand needs structure. Whether you’re consistent like Oasis, curated like Blue Note, or expansive like Virgin.
- [Untangle your brand with the power of AI](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/untangle-your-brand-with-the-power-of-ai.md) - The Brand Doughnut just got smarter. You can still download the guide, but now there’s an AI-powered version.
- [Which flavour of crisps is your brand selling?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/which-flavour-of-crisps-is-your-brand-selling.md) - Brand architecture is like a crisp shelf — one brand, many flavours, or a full house of snacks?
- [Are you fuelled by perspective or biscuits?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-fuelled-by-perspective-or-biscuits.md) - Creativity doesn’t run on empty.
- [Childish things???](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/childish-things.md) - An old childhood drawing shows how early obsessions shaped the work I do today.
- [Blow your own trumpet, before someone else does](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/blow-your-own-trumpet-before-someone-else-does.md) - If you don’t say what you’re good at, no one will know.
- [What happens when you don't trust the process](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/what-happens-when-you-dont-trust-the-process.md) - Skipping the process might save time, but it costs clarity.
- [Colour, color, or C(olo)r — how perception influences](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/colour-color-or-c-olo-r-how-perception-influences.md) - What looks calm to one person can feel cold to another.
- [The Horrors; Primary Colours (XL Recordings, 2009)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-horrors-primary-colours-xl-recordings-2009.md) - The Horrors found their soul in noise. Primary Colours turned chaos into beauty, proving that reinvention can come from decay. It’s messy, magnetic, and still hauntingly alive.
- [An Easter Egg for a really Good Friday](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/an-easter-egg-for-a-really-good-friday.md) - The best brands reward curiosity. Like Easter eggs in design, small moments of discovery make people feel part of the story.
- [Soapbox. Letterbox. Big fish.Little fish. Cardboard box.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/soapbox-letterbox-big-fish-little-fish-cardboard-box.md) - You’re not shouting into the void, you’re building trust with the right people, even when it feels quiet. Keep showing up.
- [I read the news today oh boy…](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/i-read-the-news-today-oh-boy.md) - News can feel heavy, constant, impossible to escape. Yet without it, the silence would be stranger still.
- [Now That’s What I Call a Quick PINT](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/now-thats-what-i-call-a-quick-pint.md) - Six months, twenty-one Quick PINTs, and a reminder that good ideas shouldn’t vanish down the scroll.
- [Look now, look all around, there's no sign of life](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/look-now-look-all-around-theres-no-sign-of-life.md) - Meeting Duran Duran’s John Taylor reminded me how powerful a shared vision between client and designer can be.
- [FSB Bootcamp](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/fsb-bootcamp.md) - Unleash your business potential this Spring
- [Toon Toon](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/toon-toon.md) - Loyalty isn’t measured in wins but in faith that endures through the years.
- [Insta(gram)Karma is going to get you](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/insta-gram-karma-is-going-to-get-you.md) - I started an Instagram account. Not Tik Tok...yet.
- [FKA Twigs; EUSEXUA (2025)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/fka-twigs-eusexua-2025.md) - FKA Twigs builds worlds, not trends. Her music reminds us that standing out means creating something only you could make..
- [Give it away. Give it away. Now!](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/give-it-away-give-it-away-now.md) - True generosity builds deeper loyalty than any discount ever could.
- [Brands are all about the experience](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/brands-are-all-about-the-experience.md) - Great brands don’t just sell, they shape experiences. When the feeling fades, even nostalgia can’t save them.
- [Is creativity the missing link in your business strategy?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/is-creativity-the-missing-link-in-your-business-strategy.md) - Creativity isn’t decoration, it’s direction. When innovation, imagination, and strategy align, they help businesses adapt, stand out, and move forward with purpose.
- [What's the story, and what can business brands learn?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/whats-the-story-and-what-can-business-brands-learn.md) - Whether you’re an author or a business owner, your story is what makes you stand out.
- [Alter ego vs. super ego. What’s the difference?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/alter-ego-vs-super-ego-whats-the-difference.md) - The goal isn’t to pretend but to amplify what’s already true.
- [I'm looking for a client in technology…](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/im-looking-for-a-client-in-technology.md) - Defining your audience isn’t just demographics, it’s psychology.
- [I still don’t know who killed Laura Palmer](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/i-still-dont-know-who-killed-laura-palmer.md) - Some stories work best when they stay unfinished.
- [Are you looking for a Sunday Kind of Love?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-looking-for-a-sunday-kind-of-love.md) - After a frantic week, Etta James reminds us to take time to pause, reset, and find rhythm again.
- [Are you dreaming the impossible dream?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-dreaming-the-impossible-dream.md) - Goals don’t need perfect timing or easy targets. Set the impossible ones, then become the person who can achieve them.
- [Quick PINT Wrapped for 2024](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/quick-pint-wrapped-for-2024.md) - Looking back helps you see patterns, but looking forward keeps things fresh.
- [Good luck, bad luck, or just Friday the 13th?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/good-luck-bad-luck-or-just-friday-the-13th.md) - Luck isn’t random; it’s the meeting point of preparation and opportunity.
- [Spotify Wrapped 2024](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/spotify-wrapped-2024.md) - Dua Lipa, Yard Act, Olivia Rodrigo, Idles, Sabrina Carpenter, Chapel Roan, the dare, Charli XCX... they’re all there.
- [Quick, read this before it runs out.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/quick-read-this-before-it-runs-out.md) - Guinness proves that scarcity, relevance, and timing can turn a product into a phenomenon.
- [Why Blue Monday beats Black Friday every time](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/why-blue-monday-beats-black-friday-every-time.md) - Lasting value beats quick wins. Forget discount culture—revisit what you’ve already created and build on it. Quality content and consistency will outlast any short-term sale.
- [Are you channelling the power of serendipity?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-channelling-the-power-of-serendipity.md) - Sometimes the best ideas appear by chance.
- [Wait, did you just offer illegal services on a sales call?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/wait-did-you-just-offer-illegal-services-on-a-sales-call.md) - Not every sales call should feel like a pitch. The best ones start with curiosity, respect, and purpose..
- [Are you making the same mistake as political parties?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-making-the-same-mistake-as-political-parties.md) - Colour carries meaning, but not always the same meaning everywhere.
- [Did you make pumpkins angry yesterday?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/did-you-make-pumpkins-angry-yesterday.md) - Seasonal gimmicks fade fast, but genuine creativity lasts.
- [Are you fishing or catching???](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-fishing-or-catching.md) - Building a business isn’t about grabbing every opportunity.
- [Branding isn’t about colour and fonts](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/branding-isnt-about-colour-and-fonts.md) - A black suit, white shirt, and Helvetica can say more than any logo when it’s done with intent and consistency.
- [Les Paul Guitars, hiking boots and more dog emojis](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/les-paul-guitars-hiking-boots-and-more-dog-emojis.md) - A flexible brand gives room for individuality without losing coherence. Loosen the rules just enough to let personality shine through.
- [Is your branding a bit Heath Robinson?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/is-your-branding-a-bit-heath-robinson.md) - Branding doesn’t need to be complicated. Simplicity always wins. Like making pancakes, the right mix of ingredients and a clear process can create something memorable without all the extra machinery.
- [Is the 'brat' summer over already?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/is-the-brat-summer-over-already.md) - Brat borrows punk's attitude, messy, bold, honest, a neon-hearted reaction to now.
- [No logo, no brand???](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/no-logo-no-brand.md) - How patterns and visual themes can build a stronger brand identity.
- [Three Little Words](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/three-little-words.md) - Clarity, rhythm and recall. Why three little words can make a message simple, human and unforgettable.
- [Winner; best self-employed business award, 2024](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/winner-best-self-employed-business-award.md) - Untangle Your Brand wins FSB’s best self-employed business award for London region
- [Accident or influence](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/accident-or-influence.md) - The creative brain never really stops. It just needs something good to feed on.
- [Extra Extra Extra; September – Can't forget the motor city](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/extra-extra-extra-september-cant-forget-the-motor-city.md) - Reflections on global rebrands, bold decisions, and why small design shifts can change how a brand is understood.
- [Why you should DIY](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/why-you-should-diy.md) - The strongest brands often start with what you already have.
- [Extra Extra Extra; August – News of the World](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/extra-extra-extra-august-news-of-the-world.md) - How we consume news, why print still matters, and what brands can learn from a world of endless headlines.
- [Simplifying the creative brief](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/simplifying-the-creative-brief.md) - Sometimes the best creative brief isn’t a page of words, it’s a pair of pictures.
- [Extra Extra Extra; July – Apocalypse X Pink](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/extra-extra-extra-july-apocalypse-x-pink.md) - A sharp look at Threads, X, Barbenheimer and how bold decisions shape brands, business and culture.
- [What's your favourite band?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/whats-your-favourite-band.md) - How favourite bands reveal emotional truth, and why brands need the same clarity and feeling.
- [Hello, pleased to meet you](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/hello-pleased-to-meet-you.md) - Finding the thread between brands and bands.
- [God Save The Queen](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/god-save-the-queen.md) - Punk wasn’t rebellion for rebellion’s sake, it was honesty wrapped in noise. Watching Lydon challenge the establishment reminded me that sometimes brands, like people, need a little anarchy to stay alive.
- [Marketing. Sales. Branding. Which is most important?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/marketing-sales-branding-which-is-most-important.md) - Some brands build such trust that we buy without question. That’s the power of branding. It creates desire long before marketing or sales begin, turning decisions into instincts and curiosity into loyalty.
- [The Goldilocks pricing trap](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-goldilocks-pricing-trap.md) - Why your pricing should reflect real needs, not neat tiers.
- [Brand Action](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/brand-action.md) - Brands often have cinematic origin stories hidden in plain sight. A single name change or design tweak can shift culture forever. Imagine watching those moments unfold on screen — the spark that made ideas iconic.
- [Can AI create kitsch art?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/can-ai-create-kitsch-art.md) - AI can copy style but not sentiment. It can make something that looks like art, but not something that feels like it.
- [Global error](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/global-error.md) - Perfection often hides in mistakes.
- [Happy another year](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/happy-another-year.md) - Three years on, sharing what I know, showing up, and mixing music with branding have shaped more than my work—they’ve shaped me. Progress takes time, but the tune always finds its rhythm.
- [Logo must go here. Why?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/logo-must-go-here-why.md) - If people recognise your work without seeing your logo, you’ve built a true brand.
- [The power of recall](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-power-of-recall.md) - Why the best brands stay in your head long after you’ve seen them.
- [Invest in your brand](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/invest-in-your-brand.md) - A strong idea needs a story before it needs a logo.
- [Which came first?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/which-came-first.md) - The real answer to “which comes first — product or brand?” is neither. It’s the audience. Build something people want and a brand that connects, and they’ll love both. Everything else follows.
- [Symbol for Ukraine](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/symbol-for-ukraine.md) - Good design demands empathy. Always ask the audience, especially when the message is not yours to own.
- [Get a life](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/get-a-life.md) - No single app does it all, and that’s fine.
- [Ideas that stick](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/ideas-that-stick.md) - Why the best ideas sometimes start on a yellow square.
- [Take some AIR](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/take-some-air.md) - A simple way to cut through overwhelm by noticing it, naming it, and easing the pressure.
- [Thanks. Giving. Thanks.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/thanks-giving-thanks.md) - Gratitude builds stronger networks than strategy ever could. This year’s collaborations reminded me that generosity, trust, and shared purpose drive business forward more than any campaign or plan.
- [Are you ready for Black Friday?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/are-you-ready-for-black-friday.md) - Discounts grab attention, but loyalty comes from value. The best brands don’t chase price cuts; they build trust, quality, and desire that lasts long after the sale signs come down.
- [Making plans for…](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/making-plans-for.md) - Running out of toilet rolls is one thing.
- [Equality for entrepreneurs](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/equality-for-entrepreneurs.md) - A reminder that equality isn’t decoration, it’s the foundation of meaningful work.
- [How do you keep on generating content?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/how-do-you-keep-on-generating-content.md) - Ideas don’t run out if you keep paying attention. Read, listen, notice what moves you. Curiosity feeds creativity. Keep showing up and the next idea will meet you halfway.
- [The Sales Rush](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-sales-rushexcitement-combined-with-an-element-of-uncertainty-and-risk-you-start-nervously-but-know-it-will-bring-you-satisfaction-and-warmth-followed-by-invigoration-its-exciting-it.md) - The best results come from rhythm, not reaction.
- [This is real life](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/this-is-real-life.md) - Never thought I'd miss in-person networking.
- [Unsung heroes; Alan Hawkshaw (musician)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/unsung-heroes-alan-hawkshaw-musician.md) - Alan Hawkshaw shaped our soundtrack without ever chasing fame. His melodies lived in living rooms and memories, proving that quiet craft and consistency can leave a louder legacy than hype ever could.
- [GA-20; Does Hound Dog Taylor (2021)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/ga-20-does-hound-dog-taylor-2021.md) - A blues trio I’d never heard of playing songs by a guitarist I’d never heard of, and I loved it. GA-20’s ‘Try It…You Might Like It’ proves good design, simple messaging, and honest rhythm still sell the story.
- [Unintentional parenting](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/unintentional-parenting.md) - Becoming an unintentional parent wasn’t planned, but it’s been one of the most meaningful roles I’ve had.
- [Squid; Bright Green Field (2021)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/squid-bright-green-field-2021.md) - Squid call their sound “the Coronation Street theme tune played on flutes by angry children”. It’s chaotic, clever, and completely theirs. Post-punk might be overused, but Squid remind us it’s still evolving.
- [Human League; Travelogue (1980)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/human-league-travelogue-1980.md) - Before pop perfection, there was experimentation. The Human League’s early work on *Travelogue* shows how stubborn vision and creative change can coexist, proof that sometimes failure tunes the next hit.
- [Mind Blown](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/mind-blown.md) - That rush between doubt and discovery is where creativity lives.
- [A vision to keep all families safe](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/a-vision-to-keep-all-families-safe.md) - When CAADA became SafeLives, a hard-to-say name turned into a clear, memorable promise, “We won’t stop until every family is safe.” A strong vision only works when the brand helps people believe it.
- [Will monkeys create your brand name?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/will-monkeys-create-your-brand-name.md) - AI name generators might churn out thousands of options, but meaning still needs a human. Good names, like SafeLives, come from clarity, empathy, and purpose, not algorithms or chance.
- [Numb or dumb?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/numb-or-dumb.md) - A misheard line can reveal more truth than the official version ever could.
- [The not-so-super league](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/not-so-super-league.md) - What happens when you don't do your research?
- [Travel time](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/travel-time.md) - Why rebuilding small moments of pause can make work feel human again.
- [South; From Here On In (2001, re 2021)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/south-from-here-on-in-2001-re-2021.md) - South were never the next Stone Roses, just a band with their own echoey, jangly charm. *From Here On In* still sounds fresh — proof that influence can inspire without imitation.
- [Haircut at last](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/haircut-at-last.md) - My head feels lighter
- [Heroic work](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/heroic-work.md) - How a single photograph sharpens what meaningful work really looks like.
- [Lockdown life](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/lockdown-life.md) - Sixteen weeks of small rituals that kept things steady while the world stood still.
- [The sales process](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-sales-process.md) - Amid the noise of funnels and acronyms, the real moment is when a lead becomes a client.
- [It's a new dawn, it's a new day](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/its-a-new-dawn-its-a-new-day.md) - A new business year always brings reflection and gratitude. After challenge and change, I’m thankful for the people who kept me moving forward, and like Nina said, I’m feeling good.
- [Kings of Leon; Only By The Night (2008)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/kings-of-leon-only-by-the-night-2008.md) - Kings of Leon turned vinyl nostalgia into crypto novelty with their NFT release, but the real value still lies in the music. Formats change, songs endure — that’s the investment worth keeping.
- [Why would you ask a brand consultant to design a book cover?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/why-would-you-ask-a-brand-consultant-to-design-a-book-cover.md) - Designing a book cover isn’t just about visuals, it’s about connection. Gill Whitty-Collins asked a brand consultant because a powerful message deserves a cover that speaks to everyone it’s meant to reach.
- [The Smiths, The Smiths (1984)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-smiths-the-smiths-1984.md) - Every record collection is complete if it’s yours. The Smiths’ debut doesn’t need extras or approval to be essential — what matters is what you choose to keep, not what others tell you to own.
- [Love your brand](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/love-your-brand.md) - A brand isn’t built by agencies or consultants, it’s built by love.
- [Black Country New Road; For the first time (2021)](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/black-country-new-road-for-the-first-time-2021.md) - Six tracks, forty minutes, no filler. Black Country, New Road prove that less can still mean more. Tight, textured, and brave, their debut delivers depth without indulgence, reminding us what an album can be.
- [Hello, my name is David Attenborough](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/hello-my-name-is-david-attenborough.md) - Even the most recognisable people introduce themselves. Do you?
- [Prince Charming](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/prince-charming.md) - A reminder that small words of encouragement land deeply, whether spoken to heroes or friends close by.
- [Going back to school](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/going-back-to-school.md) - Learning again reminds me that curiosity is a muscle, not a phase. Studying art history offers a new lens on creativity and culture, sharpening how I see, think, and nurture both work and self.
- [Blues Licks in A](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/blues-licks-in-a.md) - Learning late still counts, and confidence grows the moment you decide to try again.
- [Class of '78](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/class-of-78.md) - Why students deserve credit for resilience, not labels or comparisons.
- [Insight. Story. Engage.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/insight-story-engage.md) - How to create a brand, in three steps.
- [Great Chefs](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/great-chefs.md) - The mentors who shaped my career by teaching far beyond the craft.
- [Why ask a brand consultant?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/why-ask-a-brand-consultant.md) - Why the message behind a book on workplace inequality needed a brand.
- [Values cake](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/values-cake.md) - Five traits of success, tested on a teenager with half a cake.
- [Just a 16 year old kid](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/just-a-16-year-old-kid.md) - The things you loved at sixteen often shape the work you do now.
- [See it. Remember it.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/see-it-remember-it.md) - Why hidden ideas stick in our minds and make design more memorable.
- [Dropping the Dixie](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/dropping-the-dixie.md) - When names carry history, changing them is never as simple as it looks.
- [Huey Freeman for sale](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/huey-freeman-for-sale.md) - A small act of protest from a teenager who chose to respond with art and conviction.
- [Telegram to my wife](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/telegram-to-my-wife.md) - A handwritten telegram from Paris shows how simple delight deepens connection.
- [My life story](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/my-life-story.md) - A life in records helps explain clarity, structure and how brands stay organised.
- [Vocal warm-up](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/vocal-warm-up.md) - A simple vocal warm up that makes you clearer and more confident before presenting.
- [Auto harp writing](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/auto-harp.md) - Try something different to inspire your writing. Like listening to someone play the harp.
- [Takeways from research](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/takeways-from-research.md) - Useful links for your next research project
- [Confusing messages cost lives](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/confusing-messages-cost-lives.md) - Don't keep changing your message.
- [Back to the "New normal"](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/back-to-the-new-normal.md) - Just say things as they are.
- [Braground](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/braground.md) - I never thought about my Zoom background before
- [Ink to think](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/ink-to-think.md) - A simple drawing can communicate ideas instantly.
- [The C-word](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/the-c-word.md) - How to deliver a difficult message at a difficult time
- [Resilience](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/resilience.md) - Resilience, uncertainty and finding steady ground after everything changes.
- [Silver Winner; Transform Awards 2019](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/silver-winner-transform-awards.md) - Radioplayer wins two awards at the Transform Awards Europe, 2019
- [Silver Winner; Transform Awards 2016](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/silver-winner-transform-awards-2016.md) - SafeLives wins two awards at the Transform Awards Europe, 2016
- [Comfort wins](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/comfort-wins.md) - When your client wins the award, that’s the real success.
- [Where is your brand on the cool wall?](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/where-is-your-brand-on-the-cool-wall.md) - A simple workshop task that reveals how people really feel about brands. Cool isn’t fixed. It shifts with culture, confidence and time.
- [Double Gold Winner; Transform Awards 2013](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/double-gold-winner-transform-awards-2013.md) - Shanks wins two awards at the Transform Awards Europe, 2013
- [No logo. No problem.](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/no-logo-no-problem.md) - What we learned helping launch Cancer Research UK’s new brand before the logo was finished.

## Optional
- [RSS Feed](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/rss/)
- [Sitemap](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/sitemap.xml)
- [Full content of pages and posts](https://blah.untangleyourbrand.com/llms-full.txt)