In this week’s episode of Better Merch…Better Marketing, Kirby Hasseman and Jade Crider debate whether Tom Brady’s new coconut water brand name is a stroke of marketing genius or a branding decision that makes you tilt your head, dig into what Instagram’s return to office mandate means for businesses navigating the hybrid work conversation, and weigh in on whether newsletters are dead in 2026 — spoiler alert, they are not. And before you dive in, grab your free spot in the 5 Day Business Bootcamp at Bootcamp.HassemanMarketing.com.
Tom Brady’s Good Nut — Bold Branding or Branding Blunder?
Let’s just address it right away. Tom Brady partnered with GoPuff to launch an organic coconut water brand called Good Nut. And yes — the name is intentional.
So the question Kirby and Jade could not help but ask is simple: is this genius or is this a terrible choice of words?
On one hand, there is a real argument for genius. Good Nut is memorable. It is impossible to say without smiling. It generates conversation — which is exactly what a new brand needs to break through in a crowded market. And with Tom Brady’s name attached to it, the combination of a recognizable celebrity and an unforgettable product name creates the kind of buzz that most brands spend millions trying to manufacture.
Bold naming is a real strategy. Brands that are willing to take a risk with their name signal confidence. They say we are not here to blend in. We are here to be remembered. And in a world where the average consumer is bombarded with thousands of brand impressions every single day, being remembered is half the battle.
On the other hand — and this is where it gets interesting — there is a fine line between bold and confusing. A name that generates a smirk in a conversation might not communicate the quality and intentionality of a premium organic product. And when you are trying to build trust around something people are going to put in their bodies, the question of whether your brand name is working for you or against you matters.
The lesson for small businesses is worth sitting with. Your brand name is doing work whether you want it to or not. It is communicating something about who you are, what you stand for, and who you are for. The question is whether it is communicating the right things — and whether you are bold enough to stand behind it when people raise an eyebrow.
Instagram Is Bringing Everyone Back to the Office
Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri made headlines recently when he announced a five day a week return to office policy. And the reaction — as you might expect — was mixed.
For Kirby and Jade this is not just a story about one company’s workplace policy. It is part of a broader conversation that every business owner and leader is navigating right now. What does the future of work actually look like? And what does it mean for your culture, your team, and your brand?
There is a real argument that in-person collaboration creates something that remote work simply cannot replicate. The spontaneous conversation in the hallway. The energy of a team in the same room working toward the same goal. The subtle but powerful ways that culture gets built and reinforced when people are physically together.
But there is also a real argument on the other side. Remote and hybrid work has expanded the talent pool dramatically. It has given people flexibility that has genuinely improved their quality of life. And the businesses that forced rigid return to office policies too aggressively have, in some cases, lost great people over it.
What is right for your business depends on your culture, your team, and what you are trying to build. But the Instagram announcement is a signal worth paying attention to — especially from a company that is as plugged into culture and trends as any on the planet.
Newsletters Are Not Dead — Not Even Close
There has been a narrative floating around for years that email is dying and newsletters are a relic of a simpler internet. Kirby and Jade are here to tell you that narrative is wrong.
In 2026 newsletters are not just surviving — they are thriving. And there are good reasons for that.
First, social media platforms continue to be unpredictable. Algorithms change. Reach shrinks. Platforms that felt essential five years ago are fading. But your email list? That is yours. Nobody can take it away. Nobody can decide your content does not deserve to be seen. You have a direct line to the people who raised their hand and said they want to hear from you — and that is incredibly valuable.
Second, the newsletter format has evolved. The best newsletters today are not just repurposed blog posts dropped into an email. They are curated, personal, conversational, and genuinely useful. They feel like getting a note from someone who knows you and wants to help you. That is a very different experience from scrolling a feed.
And third — audiences are actively seeking them out. People are subscribing to newsletters on purpose because they trust the voice behind them more than they trust an algorithm to surface good content. That is a remarkable shift and a real opportunity for businesses willing to show up consistently in someone’s inbox.
If you have been sleeping on your newsletter or your email list — this is your wake up call. The channel is alive. The audience is ready. You just have to show up.
Product of the Week: The Splish
This week’s featured product is the Splish — and it is a fun one. Cool, creative, and genuinely different from the typical promotional product lineup. If you are looking for something that stands out and gets people talking, the Splish delivers. Check it out here.
Grab Your Free Spot in the 5 Day Business Bootcamp
Ready to get more intentional about your marketing in the second half of the year? The FREE 5 Day Business Bootcamp is the place to start. Get access now at Bootcamp.HassemanMarketing.com.
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