Arts

A Change of Brand

A Change of Brand, produced by Matchstic, is a podcast about the world’s most loved consumer companies and their rebrand glory, drama, or disaster. In this series we will go deeper than color palettes and typography, talking with brand leaders and agency creatives to retell the story behind the change. Getting into the nitty-gritty, we learn about their leading-edge work, creative process, and approach to change management. Regardless of fame or fail, our mission is to tell these stories to educate and inspire others facing a change of brand.

Latest Episodes:

Humane World for Animals with Bethany Lesko Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

With a muddled awareness, misperceptions, and slowing donation growth, the Humane Society of the United States knew that after 70+ years it was time for a change–and that started with the name. But renaming takes courage. Bethany Lesko, Partner at Lippincott, shares how she and her team approached preserving existing equity while gaining new ground, ultimately to develop a unified brand identity synonymous with positive, enduring change.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstic), hosted by Tracy Clark, co-hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), edited and scored by ATAM Audio, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim and Michael Martino.

New York City FC with Milo Kowalski and Justin Au Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

As New York City FC approached their 10th season, the club set its sights on cementing its place among the city’s most iconic teams. But in a city of strong opinions, it wouldn’t be easy. Soccer supporters are famously passionate and loyal, while New Yorkers take spirited to another level. Milo Kowalski, Senior Creative Director at NYCFC, and Justin Au, Creative Director at Gretel, share the play-by-play of how they scored a branding win with one of the toughest crowds around.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstic), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim and Michael Martino.

PayPal with Andrea Trabucco-Campos Jul 08, 2025

Show notes

Rebranding any global brand is a challenge, but especially in fintech where trust is non-negotiable. How do you approach rebranding a financial giant like PayPal? Andrea Trabucco-Campos, Partner at Pentagram, reveals how trust wasn’t just a goal for the brand’s audiences, but was a guiding principle within the design process itself.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstic), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim and Michael Martino.

Bonus: Best and Worst Brand Writing of 2024 with Carissa Justice Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

We’re stepping into the overlooked and underappreciated world of verbals to reflect on the best (and worst) brand writing of 2024. From one-off campaigns to full verbal identities, which brands made this year’s naughty and nice lists? To weigh in on the good, the bad, and the missed opportunities is Carissa Justice, Founder of The Subtext, an online destination by and for writers, amplifying unique voices and fresh perspectives.
To see more of the brands discussed today, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @changeofbrand.
Check out thesubtext.online (here) for exciting and inspiring copywriting in branding and beyond.
Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstic), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), edited and scored by ATAM Audio, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

Pepsi with Mauro Porcini Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

When Pepsi’s overly philosophical rebrand launched in 2009, it was a real head scratcher for average consumers and design aficionados alike. While their 125th anniversary provided an opportunity for change, how do you even begin to rebrand such a global company like Pepsi? In this masterclass on playing the long game, Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer at Pepsico, tells the story of how he and his team across 17 Pepsi design centers executed a rebrand 10+ years in the making.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstic), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

EA Sports FC with Nils Leonard Jul 30, 2024

Show notes

When EA Sports and FIFA parted ways in 2023, there was just one minor problem: the popular soccer video game’s brand was entirely wrapped up in the FIFA name. Nils Leonard, Co-Founder of Uncommon Creative Studio, shares how he and his team approached creating a FIFA-less brand that honored the video game’s 30-year legacy while positioning the brand to thrive for another 30 years and beyond. But would the new brand play well under pressure?

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Twitter vs. X with Armin Vit & Jason Cieslak Jul 23, 2024

Show notes

Twitter’s overnight transformation into X is still a mystery. What would cause a brand to take such extreme measures as to shed its identity completely? And what lessons, if any, can we take from this massive Change of Brand? Co-hosts Blake Howard and Tracy Clark go head to head in our first ever Debate of Brand®. Also, industry experts Armin Vit, editor and writer behind Brand New, and Jason Cieslak, President at Siegel+Gale, weigh in on the controversial rebrand.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Reddit with Natasha Jen Jul 16, 2024

Show notes

With their rising success and a cult-like following, Reddit had ambitions of enhancing their global presence. But would the desire for change push too far for fans? And would their beloved mascot, Snoo, become a casualty? Natasha Jen, Partner at Pentagram, demonstrates how it’s possible for a quirky brand to grow up while still keeping its charm.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

RISE with Gavin Hurrell Jul 09, 2024

Show notes

The cannabis industry is basically the Wild West. In an emerging market, how do you execute a rebrand for a dispensary while juggling state-by-state regulations and varied public perception? Gavin Hurrell, Creative Director at Turner Duckworth, shares how he and his team approached their work for RISE, a growing retail dispensary leading the movement to democratize cannabis.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Are Script Logos Dead? with James Bowie & James Edmondson Jul 02, 2024

Show notes

In 2023, we saw Eddie Bauer and Johnson & Johnson retire their widely recognizable script logo for a basic sans serif type, causing a sweep of panic in the design community. Are all script logos doomed? To find out whether this is an actual trend, we consulted type experts James Bowie, Fast Company contributor and sociologist at Northern Arizona University who studies trends in logo design and branding, as well as James Edmondson, Type Designer and Founder of OH no Type Co.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

A Change of Brand

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected