The Turbo Branding Show

What if branding is the missing lever private equity firms overlook during acquisitions? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Marc Rust, Founder of Consequently Creative, shares why brand clarity becomes a critical value-creation tool during acquisition turbulence. As companies move through rapid growth, integration, and organizational change, he explains how brand strategy helps stabilize culture, align leadership, retain talent, and ultimately protect—and increase—portfolio value. Episode Highlights: Brand Strategy as a Value Creation Lever During Acquisitions Branding is not cosmetic—it directly impacts valuation, loyalty, and post-acquisition stability Strong brand narratives help portfolio companies stand out in crowded, commoditized markets Small, strategic shifts in messaging can reduce confusion and unlock outsized impact during change From Experience to Relationship in Times of Change Brand experience matters—but relationship is what sustains trust through transitions Trust is built through consistency, clarity, and repeated value Brands succeed when they treat customers and employees as humans—not transactions—especially during ownership change Reframing the Brand Story Post-Acquisition Rebranding isn’t about changing who you are—it’s about clarifying who you are now Growth, acquisitions, and integration often cause companies to lose sight of their core story The strongest brands reconnect teams to purpose, values, and direction Strategy bridges audience needs with business objectives—not trends or cosmetic updates Brand Magic: Where Strategy Meets Emotion During turbulence, alignment between strategy, messaging, and emotion is critical Memorable brands create emotional reassurance—not just rational explanations Iconic brand storytelling outlives product features and market cycles Emotional connection drives confidence, loyalty, and long-term brand equity Private Equity & Portfolio Value Creation Modern PE is about nurturing companies—not just trimming costs Branding plays a critical role in increasing exit multiples Strong brands reduce acquisition turbulence and retain key talent Clear brand purpose aligns employees during periods of change Brand loyalty and clarity strengthen valuation at exit Acquisition Turbulence Explained Post-acquisition uncertainty creates fear, distraction, and disengagement Branding provides stability by reinforcing identity, values, and direction Clear messaging answers the unspoken question: “What does this mean for me?” When that question goes unanswered, trust erodes—internally and externally Employer Branding & Talent Retention During Transitions Brand clarity helps retain talent through ownership and leadership changes Employees look for purpose, values, and direction—not just compensation Employer brands must communicate why the company exists, especially during change Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Marc to learn how brand strategy becomes a powerful lever for growth and portfolio value creation: Website: https://consequentlycreative.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/consequentlycreative/ If You Enjoyed This Episode Don’t forget to subscribe to The Turbo Branding Show for more inspiring conversations to ignite your growth by leveraging your brand! Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.