Sound Off

Sound Off is a dynamic platform for original pieces where writers explore a wide range of topics related to branding and copywriting. From passionate rants about industry trends to thoughtful deep dives into the craft of writing, this category encourages a diverse array of voices to share their unique perspectives. Engage with content that challenges, educates, and inspires, sparking new ideas and conversations among our community.

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Sound Off

A look at the hangups around taglines in agency branding—and the agencies owning them as powerful tools for sharp brand positioning.

Emily Penny

Sep 4, 2025

Sound Off

Gen-Z in advertising is redefining the industry, focusing on collaboration, AI, and creativity while challenging outdated hierarchies and junior copywriter expectations.

Em Goodier

May 22, 2024

Sound Off

Next time you need a dose of inspiration, try cracking open a fantasy novel. Turns out, 1,000-page epics are great for creativity.

Claire Barham

Jan 23, 2025

Sound Off

Katherine Fischer shares insights from cryptic crosswords, revealing how wordplay, hidden meanings, and puns can inspire creative brand naming strategies.

Katherine Fischer

Jun 3, 2024

Sound Off

A personal reflection on the ethical tension of working in branding right now. Where shaping powerful narratives can mean grappling with complicity, silence, and the values behind the work.

Stevie Belchak

Feb 28, 2026

Sound Off

PBS’s defunding exposes a harsh truth: polished non-profit branding can’t stop a political takedown or rally public support. Phil Cox makes a case for the power of narrative in this new world order.

Phil Cox

Feb 9, 2026

Sound Off

Discover how to stay creative when life gets unpredictable with strategies from embracing 'shitty' first drafts to calling on your creative crew for support.

Alexa Dooseman

Mar 12, 2024

Sound Off

How the most relevant brands are ditching tired storytelling narratives and building connection through micro-moments and real-time cultural signals.

Steve Pearce

Jan 16, 2026

Sound Off

Our tools don't just shape how we publish, they shape how we think—dissect the tension between algorithm-friendly writing and the work that readers find the most meaningful.

Shrishti Das

Sep 29, 2025

Sound Off

Reed words' Gemma Wilson breaks down the pivotal role of internal communications in great brand writing.

Gemma Wilson

Nov 7, 2024

Sound Off

A sharp analysis of political rhetoric, contrasting Trump and Mamdani to show how language reshapes authority, authenticity, and the very structure of public speech.

Genevieve Ross

Feb 12, 2026

Sound Off

Unveiling the latest trends in non-alcoholic drinks, from sexy ambivalence to wellness vibes. See how brands like Kin and Ghia are transforming sobriety into a desirable lifestyle choice.

Emily Coyle

Mar 12, 2024

Sound Off

Fran Ayala's lockdown hobby refined her creative skills and pointed her toward a career in creative strategy. Here are a few lessons from stand-up that she applies to her work as a strategist.

Fran Ayala

Nov 1, 2025

Sound Off

Great copy sings like a melody. Robin Albin explores how the musicality of words—rhythm, rhyme, and sound—elevates copywriting and leaves a lasting impact.

Robin Albin

Jun 20, 2024

Sound Off

Explore the power of uniting strategists and writers for unforgettable brand storytelling. Learn how focus elevates brand narratives.

Andie Wexler

Mar 12, 2024

Sound Off

In the third and final installment of her Gender and Brand series, Izzy Colón unpacks how brands flirt with gender tropes—mocking them, milking them, and sometimes just reheating old scripts.

Izzy Colón

Mar 17, 2026

Sound Off

Neil Whitfield makes a case for embracing American English, breaking down linguistic differences, and highlighting the evolution and cultural richness of dialects.

Neil Whitfield

Sep 11, 2024

Sound Off

Why soft power beats brute force: hard skills get you in the room, soft skills build trust, taste, and rapport—and create lasting authority with clients.

Zaira Vallejo

Feb 9, 2026

Sound Off

A guide to finding your brand’s most valuable asset: the enduring hook that sticks with the brand.

Bo Bishop

Aug 20, 2025

Sound Off

Christina Trifero discusses the impact of internal voice on effective copywriting, emphasizing authenticity in brand messaging.

Christina Trifero

Mar 5, 2024

Sound Off

Copywriter Nikhil Rajagopalan discusses navigating the coffee call, establishing professional relationships and getting creative directors to become your biggest advocate.

Nikhil Rajagopalan

Nov 18, 2024

Sound Off

Explore strategies for brands to genuinely stand out as leaders in 2024, moving beyond "the best" claims to authentic differentiation.

Sid Feddema

Mar 12, 2024

Corona Creative photographs to chess players in a public match.

Sound Off

Does specialization within strategy help or hurt projects and their outcomes? Erica Martinez explores how the fracturing of strategy has caused confusion and loss of authority in the process.

Erica Martinez

Feb 9, 2026

Sound Off

Instant judgment rewards speed over meaning. Branding now requires endurance, leadership conviction, and commitment to the long arc of institutional purpose.

Jessie McGuire

Feb 9, 2026

Sound Off

Messaging Director Cameron Leberecht explores whether generative AI is really an effective tool for creativity—or if it's just diluting our ideas.

Cameron Leberecht

Jun 2, 2025