Building Authentic Brands With Ryon Jason

Written By xavi umeh

In this episode of the WellFounder podcast, we sit down with Ryon Jason, founder and CEO of 1SEVENTY1 Branding Agency, who shares his fascinating journey from luxury automotive marketing to founding his own branding agency.

Drawing from his extensive experience with brands like Mercedes-Benz AMG, Lincoln Motor Company, and NBCUniversal, Ryon explains how 1SEVENTY1 helps companies develop authentic and impactful brands.

Special Note: The name "1SEVENTY1" pays homage to Detroit's founding year of 1701, reflecting Ryon's deep connection to his hometown and its rich industrial heritage.

📚 What You'll Learn:

  • Ryon's journey through automotive and entertainment industries [02:15]

  • The meaning behind 1SEVENTY1 Branding Agency's name [08:45]

  • Evolution from internal hospitality branding to full-service agency [11:20]

  • The science of brand building and emotional connection [15:30]

  • Balancing data with creativity in modern branding [19:45]

  • How small and medium-sized businesses can leverage effective branding [24:15]

  • The importance of maintaining brand focus during tough times [28:30]

💡 Notable Quotes:

  • "Marketing is communication - it's what you say to the audience, but branding is how they feel about the company."

  • "There's so much focus on the data. There's no true focus on the creativity any longer, because everybody is going after the same people in the exact same way."

  • "The key to success is using that data and pairing it or marrying it with creative output."

  • "Don't underestimate the value of branding. It is the lifeblood of your company."

  • "Authenticity is very personal. It's not being swayed by outside influences. It's being very true to yourself - in this case, being the brand."

🔗 Resources Mentioned:

xavi umeh
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