Where Brand Actually Happens

7 in 10 people globally say they're hesitant to trust someone different from them, according to the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer. Trust is getting more personal. So where does that leave brands? 

This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob explore what it really means to build a brand in a world where trust is earned through experience, not messaging. They dig into why the gap between marketing promises and reality is so damaging, how to bridge online and in-person brand moments, and what channels like TV do for brand trust that others simply can't. Plus, hear real-world examples of brands that get it right, from Snickers to Disney to Jeep. 

Topics covered: 

• [01:00] 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer findings on consumer trust
• [03:00] How much control marketers actually have over brand perception
• [06:00] Where marketing promises most often break down
• [08:30] Why marketers over-index on comms and under-index on product experience
• [11:00] The moment where brand actually happens
• [14:00] How TV builds familiarity that carries into other channels
• [17:00] Real examples of brands bridging TV and in-person experience 

To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter. 
 

Resources: 
2026 Edelman Trust Barometer Report: https://www.edelman.com/trust/2026/trust-barometer
 

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