Slate is an automotive brand that makes customizable, electric pickup trucks—an exciting idea with an unexciting branding. In this episode, Semiserious pitches a @slateauto brand overhaul that makes the innovative product entertaining and unforgettable.

So buckle up because 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. Hop in the passenger seat with us as we speed-improvise our way through entertaining ideas that would help Slate pick up new consumers.

From 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. Anyway! It’s a fun watch, especially if you like cars (or Mario Lopez, as it turns out.)

Hosted by: Allie LeFevere and Lyndsay Rush Sanders. FYI: This episode was recorded before we rebranded from Obedient Agency to Semiserious Agency.

 

 

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro, Show Rundown, Slate Auto Brand Audit, and Customizable Electric Vehicle Banter
01:45 Let the Brainstorm Begin! + Customizing Slate Auto: Build-A-Bear Concept
04:33 Pitching Slate Auto: Brand Refresh + Our Best & Wildest Campaign, Stunt, and Activation Ideas
17:30 Hired or Fired [Should Slate Hire Us? Best Ideas in Review]

Key Branding Ideas from This Episode:

• Integrating playful, unexpected ideas transforms mundane products into engaging experiences, differentiating brands and forging stronger emotional connections.
• Quirky mascots humanize brands, making complex products more accessible and memorable.
• Clever language paired with visuals creates intrigue and shareability, reinforcing brand personality.
• Embracing improv and spontaneity in branding sparks authenticity.
• Improvised branding leads to genuine content that resonates with audiences craving authenticity.
• Subverting expectations through parody and cultural mashups keeps messaging fresh.
• Playful cultural references make brands seem clever and in-the-know, boosting relevance and engagement.
• Transferable mental models enable adaptable messages that evolve with audience preferences.
• Turning consumers into co-creators deepens engagement and transforms them into active brand advocates.

 

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Semiserious is a female-founded humor branding agency for CPG brands. Their sweet spot is working with founder-led or venture-backed DTC startups to build brands using comedy as a core strategy to help brands stand out in a crowded market. Their roster includes industry darlings like Clif Bar, Native, Blue Bunny, Waterboy, Pie, Argent, JOI, ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Yogi Tea, Choice Organics, GEN Z, The University of Chicago, Alleyoop, Better Than Booze, Backwoods, Bad Rabbit, U Suck at Golf, Hobbyist, and the Dallas Cowboys, but they would never brag about it in their bio. This funny branding agency has offices in Chicago and Nashville, but works with clients globally.

Say hi or snoop around:

🔔 Subscribe for weekly branding brainstorms → https://www.youtube.com/@semiseriousagency
📺 Watch the full Can They Brand That?® show series → https://bit.ly/can-they-brand-that-playlist
🌐 Work with Semiserious: https://semiseriousagency.com/

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.

#SlateAutoBranding #CanTheyBrandThat #HumorBranding #BrandStrategy #FunnyMarketing