Join hosts Cameron Olds and Dallin Merrill on Differentiate or Die, the podcast that dives deep into the art and science of standing out in a crowded market. Each episode explores how businesses can carve out a unique identity, avoid blending in with the competition, and build a lasting competitive advantage. From analyzing iconic brands like Patagonia and Cotopaxi to uncovering strategies for clear, consistent messaging, this podcast is your guide to creating a brand that resonates. Sponsored by Message OS, we’ll show you how to keep your team on-brand and your customers engaged. Tune in for actionable insights, lively discussions, and a fresh perspective on what it means to be truly different.

Join Cameron and Derrill as they journey into the world of Utah’s dirty soda shops, where customized sodas like Dr. Pepper with raspberry or Coke with lime have become a cultural staple. We dive into the rise of major players—Swig, Fiiz, Swig, and Sodalicious—exploring their near-identical offerings, catchy drink names, and social media strategies, while critiquing their lack of differentiation in a cutthroat market. From Swig’s dominance with its widespread locations to ideas for standing out, like simplifying menus or revolutionizing the drive-thru experience, this episode unpacks the challenges and opportunities in this bubbly, competitive scene. Tune in to discover how these shops are shaking up the beverage game and what it takes to win in a saturated market!

In this episode of Differentiate or Die, hosts Cameron Olds and Dallin Merrill dive into the crowded world of distraction management tools by comparing two nearly identical products: Brick and Blok. Both are physical NFC-enabled devices that pair with apps to help users reduce screen time by blocking access to distracting apps—requiring a physical tap to unlock them. The duo dissects the clarity and uniqueness of each brand’s messaging, noting Brick’s strong ad language and initial appeal, and Blok’s superior problem and failure language on its website. The episode explores how clarity in messaging is a must, but true competitive advantage lies in differentiation—whether through audience targeting, design aesthetics, or brand voice.

In this episode of Differentiate or Die, Cameron and Derrill dive into the essential oil showdown between Young Living and doTERRA, sparked by doTERRA’s recent achievement of $2 billion in 2024 sales. They explore what essential oils are, share personal stories—including a powerful example of doTERRA oils aiding a burn recovery—and unpack each brand’s origin story and positioning. Young Living emphasizes control and purity through its “Seed to Seal” promise, while doTERRA focuses on global sourcing and third-party testing with its “CPTG” standard. The episode highlights how both brands use messaging, sourcing, and storytelling to carve out distinct spaces in a crowded market—and why being different matters more than just being better.

In our latest podcast episode, we explored the nuanced landscape of market differentiation, and we had the privilege of interviewing Austin Larsen, an expert in business strategy who has started and been a part of several successful businesses. Our discussion zeroed in on what true differentiation really entails in today’s highly saturated markets. Austin helped us distinguish between genuine competitive advantages that carve out unique market spaces and mere gimmicks that often masquerade as innovation. He shed light on the frequent overestimations businesses make regarding their uniqueness, explaining that differentiation goes beyond being different—it must be both valuable and meaningful to the target audience.

In this episode of "Differentiate or Die," hosts Cameron and Dallin explore how Gabb Wireless effectively uses aspirational identities and problem language to differentiate itself in the crowded cell phone market. Highlighting Gabb’s focused approach to addressing parents' concerns about their children's online safety, they delve into how the company integrates hero and problem language across its marketing platforms to create a compelling, resonant message. This distinct strategy not only positions Gabb as a unique choice for parents but also emphasizes the importance of clear, targeted messaging in standing out and engaging the target audience effectively. The episode offers valuable insights for any brand looking to sharpen its marketing approach in competitive sectors.

In this inaugural 'Differentiation Wars' segment of 'Differentiate or Die,' hosts Cameron Olds and Derrill Merrill dissect the rivalry between luxury blanket brands Minky Couture and Lola Blankets. Are these brands truly distinct, or are they simply hoping consumers won't notice they're essentially clones? We dive deep into their brand positioning, messaging, and customer feedback to uncover what truly sets them apart—or where they fall short. From website taglines to product features and ethical considerations, we explore whether these brands are just offering 'softness' or providing comprehensive solutions for customer comfort. Tune in to find out who wins the blanket battle and what lessons brands can learn about standing out in a crowded market.