Can They Brand That?
BRANDING FANS….it’s time for the brainstorming game the professional sports world isn’t ready for. Witness history in the making as two elite, creative athletes play their hearts and brains out against their worthy opponent: a notable brand & a blank whiteboard. The clock is ticking, the pressure is on, and only one question remains: Can They Brand That? So get on your feet as they think on theirs, and let’s hear it for the home team: Semiserious founders, Allie LeFevere and Lyndsay Rush
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Building a Glow-in-the-Dark Toilet Paper Brand from Scratch [LIVE!]
01/19/2026
Building a Glow-in-the-Dark Toilet Paper Brand from Scratch [LIVE!]
After the party, it’s the after potty, at least that’s the promise of our featured brand on the show this week: glow-in-the-dark toilet paper. Before you get too excited about throwing a rave in your own bathroom, this product is fully fictional…but the brand identity we improvised for it LIVE in 20 minutes is very real (unfortunately or unfortunately; you’ll have to watch to decide). From brand name ideas like Whizz, Go in the Dark, and After Potty to product expansions like a 12 pack of asstrology themed roll (Pee-sces, A-square-ius, and VirGlow) to slogans like, “Light up the room,” and “Tinkle, tinkle little star,” we built this farcical, bath-tastic brand from top to bottoms—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 throne and ! — Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome to Can They Brand That? 02:56 The Evolution of Marketing Strategies 05:52 The Importance of Humor in Branding 08:55 Let the Improvised Branding Begin! 11:51 Exploring Fictional Products 17:47 Creative Taglines and Brand Names 20:40 Mascots O’Clock 23:40 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up Wisdom for the Road: Humor is a key element in effective branding. Improv-style brainstorming can lead to unexpected and fun ideas. Fictional products allow for more creative freedom in branding. Taglines that are directive are incredibly engaging for consumers. Mascots can add a playful element to branding. Branding should reflect the personality and values of the product. Collaboration enhances the creative process. Nostalgia can be a powerful tool in marketing. The importance of staying true to one's creative instincts. — 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:
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Building a Doggy High Heel Brand from Scratch [LIVE!]
01/09/2026
Building a Doggy High Heel Brand from Scratch [LIVE!]
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 ! — 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:
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Pitching Old-Timey Nightshirts as a Hot, New Trend in Menswear [LIVE!]
12/18/2025
Pitching Old-Timey Nightshirts as a Hot, New Trend in Menswear [LIVE!]
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! 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. — 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. — 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:
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Pitching Eggnog As the New Star of the Holidays [LIVE!]
12/11/2025
Pitching Eggnog As the New Star of the Holidays [LIVE!]
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: 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. — 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. — 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:
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Pitching a Cat Lady Gala to Fancy Feast [LIVE!]
12/04/2025
Pitching a Cat Lady Gala to Fancy Feast [LIVE!]
The cat did not get our tongues on this very special episode of “Can They Brand That?,” where we live-streamed our improvised brainstorm for Fancy Feast. With 20 minutes on the clock, we let all of our ideas out of the bag in real time, with the help of viewer comments and add-ons. From a Downton Tabby butler serving Fancy Feast in crystal goblets (in collaboration with Waterford, of course) to a stretch limo ‘feast truck’ to a flight of fancy tasting menu and cocktail pairing (Giblet Gimlet or Whiskers Neat, anyone?), we had the time of our 9 lives and can’t wait to do it all again next week. Bonus, we stuck around for a Q&A and got to gab about the most common mistake we see brands making, the AI slopification of creativity, and our take on whether or not every brand should be funny. Feast your eyes on the full episode here! 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. — Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to the Live Show 14:33 Brand Spotlight: Fancy Feast 21:24 Brainstorming Ideas for Fancy Feast 22:25 Creative Cat Activations 25:38 Meow-Year's Eve: A Cat Celebration 27:43 Catcation: Retreats for Cat Lovers 29:41 Fancy Feast: Elevating Cat Cuisine 32:33 The Westminster Cat Show: A Satirical Take 36:09 Holiday Campaign Ideas for Cats 40:57 Witty Cat Commercial Concepts 44:41 Creative Campaign Ideas for Fancy Feast 46:46 Faux Luxury Collaborations 47:53 Mascot Concepts and Branding 53:35 Hired or Fired 57:20 Q&A Wisdom for the Road: The importance of improvisation in branding and marketing. Engaging the audience through humor and creativity. The concept of 'improvised branding' allows for spontaneous ideas. Fancy Feast serves as a nostalgic brand ripe for innovation. Creative brainstorming can lead to unexpected and fun ideas. Activations and IRL events can enhance brand engagement and customer loyalty. Humor is a powerful tool in marketing strategies. Audience participation can enrich the live experience. The significance of brand loyalty in marketing. Exploring new avenues for brand activation and engagement. Nostalgia can be a powerful marketing tool. Creative holiday campaigns can resonate with audiences. Anthropomorphizing animals can enhance brand storytelling. Humor is an effective way to engage consumers. Naming is crucial for brand identity and perception. Dream clients often allow for creative freedom. Mascots can add personality to a brand. Brands should strive to be entertaining and relatable. Engaging with audiences through humor can build loyalty. The preferred food in every life can be a fun campaign theme. — 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:
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Pitching a Bog Lifeguard Mascot to Ocean Spray
11/18/2025
Pitching a Bog Lifeguard Mascot to Ocean Spray
What’s bold, tart, and criminally underappreciated? This show, for one. But also cranberries! So, just in time for Thanksgiving, we’re bringing the two together. That’s right, this week on Can They Brand That? (or should we say Cran They Brand That? heheh), we set our brains on Ocean Spray, the queen of cranberries, the craisin trademark owners, and the underdog (or should we say underbog?) of the fruit world. From tart-tan merch and office fruit jargon, all the way to a UTI charity event and a jellied cranberry sauce log balloon floating in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, we put on our cranberry-colored goggles to give this brand the punch-up it deserves. 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 bring some much-needed levity into the world where we can. Watch us say it, not (ocean) spray it on the full episode below! Timestamps 00:00 Intro, Rules of the Show, and Featured Brand 05:20 Let the Brainstorm Begin! 31:22 Mascot O’ Clock 36:14 Hired or Fired Wisdom for the Road The podcast opens with playful banter about cranberries. Ocean Spray is humorously referred to as the 'Queen of Cranberries'. The hosts brainstorm unique marketing ideas for Ocean Spray. They discuss the urinary health benefits of cranberry juice and how to turn a brand benefit into an activation idea. A collaboration idea for a 'Bog Scouts' cookie is proposed. Seasonal marketing ideas include a spring break theme for cranberries. The hosts explore fruit idioms and how to incorporate cranberries into them. The conversation emphasizes the importance of humor in branding. The hosts encourage audience engagement through likes and subscriptions. — 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/
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Pitching a 36-in-1 Shampoo Spoof to Head & Shoulders
11/11/2025
Pitching a 36-in-1 Shampoo Spoof to Head & Shoulders
The only head scratcher on this week’s new episode of Can They Brand That? is how we possibly come up with this many clever ideas on the spot in just 30 minutes. That’s right, 2-in-1 shampoo stans, we’re putting our heads (and shoulders) together for America’s #1 dandruff shampoo: Head & Shoulders. From a cinematic masterpiece about parmesan and Rube Goldberg Machines all the way to The Jetsons and gothic teens protesting dandruff, our ideas were so fun you’ll be shocked they came right off the tops of our heads. Don’t be a flake, watch the whole episode here! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction and What This Show is All About 05:20 Brainstorming Begins 31:22 Mascot O'Clock (Funny Mascot Concepts) 36:14 Hired or Fired Wisdom for the Road: The importance of humor in branding. Creative brainstorming can lead to unexpected ideas. Head & Shoulders as a brand, offers unique, hilarious marketing opportunities. Using absurdity can enhance marketing campaigns. The significance of character development in branding. Engaging with the audience through relatable content. Exploring different angles for product promotion. The value of collaboration in creative processes. Understanding the target audience is crucial for branding. Innovative ideas can stem from playful discussions. — 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/
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Pitching a Fred Flintstone 5K to Vibram Shoes
11/04/2025
Pitching a Fred Flintstone 5K to Vibram Shoes
If there’s one thing we know, it’s running….our mouths. So this week’s episode of Can They Brand That? featuring Vibram (the five-finger shoes you’ve definitely seen out and about) was just our speed. We dove in feet first and discussed everything from Baja Men letting your barking dogs out to Prince Eric’s perfect feet to a Vibram award shoe called the Toe-nys. Backstory in case you missed it: these time-pressured, improvised brainstorms have long been our favorite creative exercises, and so we turned them into a show! For you! And as a way to champion creativity and originality in industry on the brink of being beige-ified by AI! (Okay, and also to get the attention of startup CPG brands looking for an actually-creative team to help them launch.) We dropkick new episodes every week, so stick around and thanks for being here! Watch the film that Siskel and Ebert gave ten toes up: Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:29 Rebranding Journey: From Obedient to Semiserious 05:07 The Role of Humor in Branding 07:59 Improvised Branding: The Concept Explained 09:55 Exploring Vibram: The Five-Finger Shoe 11:34 Creative Campaign Ideas for Vibram 13:09 Utilizing Customer Reviews for Branding 14:54 Pop Culture References and Branding Ideas 16:22 World Record Ideas and Fun Campaigns 17:52 Exploring the Origins of Vibram Shoes 22:47 Creative Concepts and Branding Ideas 23:41 Celebrity Influence and Pop Culture References 24:46 Innovative Marketing Strategies 25:26 Product Experience and Customer Engagement 26:25 Naming and Branding Challenges 27:51 Humor and Lightheartedness in Advertising 28:45 Campaign Activation Ideas 39:52 Mascot O’Clock 44:36 Hired or Fired Wisdom for the Road: The transition from Obedient to Semiserious reflects a shift in branding philosophy. Humor plays a crucial role in effective branding strategies. Improvised branding allows for spontaneous creativity and innovation. Vibram's unique product offers a fun challenge for branding campaigns. Customer reviews can be a goldmine for creative marketing ideas. Pop culture references can enhance brand relatability and engagement. World record attempts can create buzz and draw attention to a brand. The importance of staying true to the brand's core values while evolving. Creative brainstorming can lead to unexpected and entertaining ideas. Branding should be fun and engaging, not overly serious. Creative branding can involve humor and pop culture references. Celebrity influence plays a significant role in marketing strategies. Engaging customers through unique experiences is crucial. Naming products effectively is a challenge that requires careful thought. Innovative marketing strategies can include fun and memorable campaigns. The importance of a lighthearted approach in advertising cannot be underestimated. Exploring customer engagement through experiential marketing is valuable. Campaign activation ideas can enhance brand visibility and connection. Understanding the target audience is key to successful branding. Collaboration and brainstorming can lead to unexpected and exciting ideas. — 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.
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Pitching Pickup Truck Lines to Slate
10/28/2025
Pitching Pickup Truck Lines to Slate
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — The wheels have certainly fallen off on this week’s new episode of Can They Brand That?—and as always, that’s a good thing. This week, we featured Slate: a new brand that makes fully-customizable, electric pickup trucks. Hop in the passenger seat with us as we speed-improvise our way through entertaining ideas that would help Slate pickup new consumers. From a build-a-bro expo, to a Pimp My Ride nostalgia campaign, to, for some reason, a mime mascot…we put our brain pedals to the medal and ran every red light. Backstory in case you missed it: these time-pressured, improvised brainstorms have long been our favorite creative exercises, and so we turned them into a show! For you! …And also startup CPG brands looking for an actually-creative team to help them launch with a bang instead of the sad, beige thud of blanding agencies (ooh, burn!) and AI-slop. Anyway! It’s a fun watch, especially if you like cars (or Mario Lopez, as it turns out.) Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction to Semiserious and Improvised Branding 01:45 Customizing Slate Auto: Build-A-Bear Concept 04:33 Innovative Marketing Ideas for Slate Auto 10:31 Creative Campaigns and Taglines 17:30 Hired or Fired: Evaluating Ideas Wisdom for the Road: Improvised branding can lead to unique and engaging ideas. The concept of customization can be likened to Build-A-Bear workshops. Celebrity endorsements can add humor and relatability to branding campaigns. Using humor in marketing, such as pickup lines, can create memorable connections. Sustainability is an important aspect of modern branding, especially for electric vehicles. Interactive pop-up events can enhance customer engagement and brand experience. Creative campaigns can play on cultural references and nostalgia. Evaluating ideas through a 'hired or fired' lens can help refine branding strategies. Collaboration with other brands, like Lego, can expand marketing reach. A strong call to action is essential for effective branding. — 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.
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Pitching an American Yodel Singing Show to Ricola
10/21/2025
Pitching an American Yodel Singing Show to Ricola
*Cough, cough* may we have your attention please; we have a new episode of Can They Brand That! This week, we featured the GOAT of cough drops (that’s a Switzerland joke), Ricola. With the energy of an Alp horn, we got to ‘storming about everything from slasher film pop-ups to the Bachelor to a yodeling boy band and a dozen silly ideas in between. Backstory in case you missed it: these time-pressured, improvised brainstorms have long been our favorite creative exercises, and so we turned them into a show! For you! You’re welcome! So grab your lederhosen, pop a drop, and watch the whole thing. — 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.
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Pitching a Smut Writing Competition to Brawny
10/14/2025
Pitching a Smut Writing Competition to Brawny
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — If you love mess, you’re gonna love this week’s new episode of “Can They Brand That?” where the strongest paper towel brand meets the strongest 20-minute improvised brainstorm. That’s right, Brawny stans, Semiserious founders Allie and Lyndsay spilled their brains—and Brawny man fantasies—all over the place just for you (and also because they knew there was a 3-ply on standby). From pickup lines to Mr. Clean folklore to Queer Eye for the Brawny Guy, this episode never throws in the towel on trying to infuse some modern humor and life into the legacy brand. Watch us make like a paper towel and be on a roll (wow hilarious): — 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.
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Pitching a Post-Party(um) Bus to Frida
10/07/2025
Pitching a Post-Party(um) Bus to Frida
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — Pregnancy and postpartum care is no laughing matter…but who deserves comedic relief more than a new mom?! (Nobody, that’s who.) And who better to *deliver* it than two female founders of a humor branding agency who know their way around a padscicle and could squirt you in the eye with a peri bottle from all the way across the room? This week’s “Can They Brand That?” features Frida Mom and inadvertently served as therapy for Allie and Lyndsay as they revisited the fourth trimester in all its gory glory. Watch us birth all sorts of crazy ideas: — 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.
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Pitching a Big Deborah Campaign to Little Debbie
09/30/2025
Pitching a Big Deborah Campaign to Little Debbie
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — This week, we made like a cosmic brownie and sent our brains way out into space. Don’t worry, that's a good thing. Especially if you’re in the marketing department at Little Debbie. This new episode of “Can They Brand That?” is a snack attack of silly ideas: from 420 collabs to Great British Bake Off challenges to Labubus to influencer trips to middle Tennessee, we bite off more than we can chew to give you a sweet treat of a show. YOU’RE WELCOME. — 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.
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Pitching an Edward 40 Hands Guinness World Record Stunt to Duck Tape
09/23/2025
Pitching an Edward 40 Hands Guinness World Record Stunt to Duck Tape
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — Whoever said if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, didn’t listen to this week’s episode of “Can They Brand That?” And yeah, we’re talking about our broken brains (complimentary)! With Duck Brand Duct Tape as the star of the show, we went truly quackers on everything from ammunition to amputation to duck calls to autocorrect to Ludacris and even tapeworms. Luckily, we have the whole thing on tape (heheheh) and you can watch it right now! — 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.
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Pitching a Slop Chef Cooking Show to Manwich
09/16/2025
Pitching a Slop Chef Cooking Show to Manwich
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — Loose meat sandwich hive, rise up! This week’s Can They Brand That? is for you. Featuring the iconic sloppy joe sauce, Manwich, we cooked up ideas about meat-cutes, sloppy martinis, man witches, famous Joes, and cooking competitions. So get your buns over to our @semiserious YouTube channel and feast your eyes on our tangy, sloppy brainstorm: — As the world’s first humor branding agency, 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.
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Pitching a Randy Savage Look-a-Like Contest to Chomps
09/09/2025
Pitching a Randy Savage Look-a-Like Contest to Chomps
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — Snapping into a Slim Jim is so 1995. This week on Can They Brand That?, we chomp into a healthier meat stick instead. (Chomps, for those paying attention.) This episode has everything: professional meat-thletes, a Katniss Everdeen campaign, chompspirational quotes, billiards for some reason, and a lot of Randy Savage (RIP). As the saying goes, get sticked! Watch the full episode on our @semiserious YouTube: https://youtu.be/PuCXan1vKxk — As the world’s first humor branding agency, 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.
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Pitching a Tony Danza Poetry Collection to Nair
09/02/2025
Pitching a Tony Danza Poetry Collection to Nair
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — Who wears short shorts and waxes poetic about the OG hair removal cream? We do. Can They Brand That? is BACK and badder than ever (so bad it’s good, of course). We’re kicking off our comeback with a brand near and dear to our legs: Nair, the hair removal cream. From Lisa Frank collabs to foam parties to a retired razor named Ray Zor, we do what we do best: say our weirdest ideas out loud. Watch the full episode on our @semiserious YouTube: — As the world’s first humor branding agency, has worked their 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.
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Pitching a Privates Party to Billie Razors
06/29/2021
Pitching a Privates Party to Billie Razors
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — Hair we go again. It's new episode time and this week's featured brand is Billie—who makes 'razors designed for womankind' as well as other everyday essentials. Per the rules of the game, we set the clock for 30 minutes, put on our game faces, and got to work sharpening up some smooth, creative concepts for Billie (including, of course, some hilarious flops). You'll hear our "game tape" recap & insights right at the start of the episode before we share the highlights from the real-time brainstorm. You can also head to our Instagram or YouTube to watch the Billie Highlight Reel Video and see the spec graphics we designed of some of our favorite concepts (there were 32 slogans in total!): Other tidbits that made their way into our episode against all odds: Bo Burnham,’s “Inside” Lucky Charms Marvel’s Loki Kanye West SNL Fun facts about words When Harry Met Sally Barenaked Ladies Nelly Harry Potter Dolphins Essential Oils Classic literature Blade Runner Ed Sheeran If you like what you heard, swing by semiseriousagency.com to snoop around or hire us. — As the world’s first humor branding agency, Semiserious has developed creative branding for industry darlings like Clif Bar, Native, Argent, Waterboy JOI, Pie, The University of Chicago, Alleyoop, Blue Bunny, U Suck at Golf, and The Dallas Cowboys. But they would never brag about it in their episode description.
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Pitching a Devon Sawa Endorsement to Casper Mattress
06/15/2021
Pitching a Devon Sawa Endorsement to Casper Mattress
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — Wake up sleepyheads: this week’s new episode is the opposite of a snoozefest. It features a brainstorm from the vault (January 2021) where we performed a 10-minute slumber party (okay, real-time ideation) for Casper but with a freshly-recorded recap intro. If you’ve been following along with us for a bit, you likely saw the video and graphics roll through back then, but we wanted to revisit the brainstorm and share some insights on why we did what we did, what we liked/disliked, and how it landed us a fun naming project with a new ice cream brand. The audio isn’t *perfect* because at the time we were just recording via Zoom, and the episode is a shorty because ten minutes go by really quickly. But nevertheless, we podcasted. You can also head to our Instagram or YouTube to watch the episode and see the spec graphics we designed of some of our favorite concepts. (There were 26 slogans in total!) Other tidbits that made their way into our episode against all odds: The 1995 film Casper, starring Devon Sawa and Christina Ricci Cumulus and Cumulonimbus clouds Harry Potter’s Nimbus 2000 5 Little Monkeys ZZ Top If you like what you heard, swing by semiseriousagency.com to snoop around or hire us. — As the world’s first humor branding agency, Semiserious has developed creative branding for industry darlings like Clif Bar, Native, Argent, Waterboy JOI, Pie, The University of Chicago, Alleyoop, Blue Bunny, U Suck at Golf, and The Dallas Cowboys. But they would never brag about it in their episode description.
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Pitching a Sectional Healing Campaign to Burrow
06/01/2021
Pitching a Sectional Healing Campaign to Burrow
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — Are you sitting down? Are you comfortable? Good. Go ahead and put your feet up for an episode as relaxing as our featured brand itself. Okay, maybe the episode is more entertaining than relaxing, but just let us have this segue. This week, we let our brains cozy up to Burrow—the 'luxury for real life' couch company. Per the rules of the game, we set the clock for 20 minutes, put on our game faces, and got to work on creative concepts for Burrow that are worthy of a standing (or seated in this case) ovation. The episode kicks off with our "game tape" recap & insights before we share the highlights from the real-time brainstorm (and a long riff about anklets for some reason). You can also head to our Instagram or YouTube to watch the highlight reel video and see the spec graphics we designed of some of our favorite concepts (pasted below for your leisure). Fun/alarming fact: we ideated 39 slogans in total during the 20-minute ‘storm. Other tidbits that made their way into our episode against all odds: Cash 4 Gold Ankle Bracelets Marvel Cinematic Universe Avengers Ikea This little piggy went to market If you like what you heard, swing by to snoop around or hire us. — As the world’s first humor branding agency, Semiserious has developed creative branding for industry darlings like Clif Bar, Native, Argent, Waterboy JOI, Pie, The University of Chicago, Alleyoop, Blue Bunny, U Suck at Golf, and The Dallas Cowboys. But they would never brag about it in their episode description.
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Pitching Brad Pitt’s Pits to Native Deodorant
05/18/2021
Pitching Brad Pitt’s Pits to Native Deodorant
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — Ready for some good, clean*, fun? This week's brainstorm is from the vault (Fall 2020) where we performed a 10-minute sniff test (okay, brainstorm) for Native. This brainstorm video resulted in us landing a big project with them this January, so we wanted to revisit it and of course, record a game tape intro discussing what it was like hearing from the VP of Marketing after making jokes about 'Brad Pit's pits,' and how the Native project is going so far—including a real-life embarrassing story from our work on their new tagline. The audio isn't *perfect because at the time we were just recording via Zoom, and the episode is a shorty because ten minutes go by really quickly. But nevertheless, we perspired, err, persisted. You can also head to our Instagram or YouTube to watch the Highlight Reel Video and see the spec graphics we designed of some of our favorite concepts. (There were 31 slogans in total!) Other tidbits that made their way into our episode against all odds: Marcel the Shell with Shoes On Meow Mix Outkast Brad Pitt Britney Spears Pepe Le Pew If you like what you heard, swing by to snoop around or hire us. — As the world’s first humor branding agency, Semiserious has developed creative branding for industry darlings like Clif Bar, Native, Argent, Waterboy JOI, Pie, The University of Chicago, Alleyoop, Blue Bunny, U Suck at Golf, and The Dallas Cowboys. But they would never brag about it in their episode description.
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Pitching a Little Mermaid Parody to Phade
05/04/2021
Pitching a Little Mermaid Parody to Phade
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — This episode doesn't suck, but the brand we feature does. IT'S A STRAW, CALM DOWN. Yep, the brand we ran our mouths about (as the clock ran out, naturally) is Phade—the first marine biodegradable straw derived from earth-friendly canola oil. This sustainable sipper behaves like plastic, but has a total breakdown (in a good way!); biodegrading in nearly any environment. Per the rules of the game, we set the clock for 20 minutes, put on our game faces, and got to work stirring up cheers-worthy creative concepts for Phade (including, of course, some hilarious flops). You'll hear our "game tape" recap & insights right at the start of the episode before we share the highlights from the real-time brainstorm. You can also head to our Instagram or YouTube to watch the highlight reel video and see the spec graphics we designed of some of our favorite concepts (there were 46 slogans in total!): Other tidbits that made their way into our riffs: Potterotica and Potterheads as though they are into pottery and pot (Blazed Zabini) Sativa (sativ-up and at ‘em) Indica (in-da-couch) The Monkees (yes, the band that Davy Jones frontmanned) Hotboxing Canada D.A.R.E. Night at the Apollo & Bugs Bunny Doobie Brothers Pineapple Express Brandsplaining If you like what you heard, swing by to snoop around or hire us. — As the world’s first humor branding agency, Semiserious has developed creative branding for industry darlings like Clif Bar, Native, Argent, Waterboy JOI, Pie, The University of Chicago, Alleyoop, Blue Bunny, U Suck at Golf, and The Dallas Cowboys. But they would never brag about it in their episode description.
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Pitching Highdeas to Houseplant
04/20/2021
Pitching Highdeas to Houseplant
FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient to Semiserious. — As the saying goes, it's 4:20 somewhere. Okay, that's not a saying but…it is now? For our VERY FIRST episode, we faced off Houseplant: a cannabis company founded by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. They focus on house products—decorative, gorgeous ceramic accessories like lighters and ashtrays, as well as (of course) plant products—high-quality cannabis. Genius brand name alert, right? Their whole jam is, ahem, elevated products and points of view and they focus a ton of their work towards social impact and education. Is it obvious that we're fangirls? Cool. Per the rules of the game, we set the clock for 30 minutes, put on our game faces, and got to work highdeating creative concepts for them (AKA flying by the seed of our plants). You'll hear our "game tape" recap & insights right at the start of the episode before we share the highlights from the real-time brainstorm. Is it nerdy to say that ideating with your best friend is its own high? If so, you never read that. You can also head to our Instagram or YouTube to watch the highlight reel video and see the spec graphics we designed of some of our favorite concepts (there were 46 slogans in total!): Other tidbits that made their way into our riffs: Potterotica and Potterheads as though they are into pottery and pot (Blazed Zabini) Sativa (sativ-up and at ‘em) Indica (in-da-couch) The Monkees (yes, the band that Davy Jones frontmanned) Hotboxing Canada D.A.R.E. Night at the Apollo & Bugs Bunny Doobie Brothers Pineapple Express Brandsplaining If you like what you heard, swing by to snoop around or hire us. — As the world’s first humor branding agency, Semiserious has developed creative branding for industry darlings like Clif Bar, Native, Argent, Waterboy JOI, Pie, The University of Chicago, Alleyoop, Blue Bunny, U Suck at Golf, and The Dallas Cowboys. But they would never brag about it in their episode description.
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