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Marketing Media and Cupcakes: Cracker Barrel Rebranding and Its Fallout

In episode 78 of Marketing Media and Cupcakes, hosts John and Angel Ondo discuss various aspects of marketing and media amidst the seasonal joy of fall. They dive into the controversial rebranding of Cracker Barrel, analyzing its impact, audience reception, and the underlying reasons behind such changes. They critiqued the company's approach, referencing historical examples like Wendy's successful rebranding and hypothesized alternative strategies. The episode concludes with a teaser for the next episode, focusing on the role of AI in social media and its potential implications for the future. Tell us what you think by emailing us at john@ondomedia.com and visit our business websites at ondomedia.com and angelscustomcupcakes.com

00:00 Welcome Back to Marketing Media and Cupcakes
00:14 Introduction to the Hosts and Their Businesses
01:34 The Cracker Barrel Controversy
02:41 Analyzing Cracker Barrel's Marketing Strategy
06:28 Lessons from Other Brands
14:25 Rebranding: When and Why

When a big brand stumbles, small businesses can learn a lot. Cracker Barrel’s recent rebrand sparked backlash—not because change is bad, but because of how it was handled. Here are 3 takeaways for small business owners:

1️⃣ Know Your Audience Before You Change
Your loyal customers are your foundation. Test new ideas, logos, or messaging with them first. What feels like “fresh” to you may feel like “loss” to them.

2️⃣ Communicate the Why
If you don’t explain the reason for a rebrand, customers will fill in the blanks—and not always kindly. Frame your change as part of your growth story, not just a cosmetic update.

3️⃣ Evolve Without Alienating
Modernize, yes—but keep the heart of what made people love you. A rebrand should feel like an evolution, not a betrayal.

Big brands can take the PR hit and recover. Small businesses? We need to be smarter. Change carefully, change clearly, and always keep your people at the center.

Why You Should Rebrand:

1. Your Brand No Longer Reflects Who You Are

As businesses grow, their services, audience, and vision often evolve. If your logo, messaging, or look feels outdated—or doesn’t capture what you do today—a rebrand can realign your image with your current mission.

2. You Need to Reach a New Audience

If you’re trying to expand into new markets or attract younger (or different) demographics, your current branding may not resonate. A rebrand can modernize your appeal and make you more relevant.

3. You’re Getting Lost in the Competition

In crowded markets, looking and sounding like everyone else can hurt you. Rebranding helps you stand out with a fresh identity that communicates your unique value.

4. Your Reputation Needs a Reset

If your business has experienced bad press, customer complaints, or just a “stale” reputation, a rebrand can signal a clean slate and rebuild trust.

5. You’ve Outgrown Your Old Look

Sometimes the brand you started with—DIY logos, colors, or messaging—just isn’t strong enough anymore. A professional rebrand enhances your online presence and demonstrates to customers that you’ve matured.

17:13 Why you should not Rebrand

1. Your

Marketing Media and Cupcakes is back after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. We are producing three new episodes in the fall of 2025, but having been gone for so long, we want to know if you want us to continue. Please like, share, and subscribe, or send us a note at john@ondomedia.com that you are listening!

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The Return of Marketing Media and Cupcakes: COVID, Struggles, and Resilience

On February 8th, 2021, John and Angel Ondo's podcast 'Marketing Media and Cupcakes' vanished, with no explanation. Returning after four years and seven months, the couple reveals the real story behind their hiatus. Following a positive COVID-19 diagnosis, Angel experienced health challenges that deeply impacted their life and small business. Angel talks about her devastating loss of taste and smell, which halted her cupcake business, while John shares how they adapted amidst personal and professional hurdles. They reflect on lessons learned, the shift in their business models, and plans for their three 'postseason' episodes as they reconnect with their audience. Join them as they explain their journey and share insights on resilience, marketing, and the impacts of COVID-19. If you're glad to see this podcast return, please let us know at john@ondomedia.com and like and subscribe.

00:00 The Mysterious Disappearance

01:07 The Last Episode and COVID Strikes

01:55 The Long Hiatus Explained

02:41 The Impact on Angel's Cupcake Business

04:00 The Struggles with COVID Symptoms

09:40 Vaccination and New Challenges

13:10 Struggles with Smell and Taste Post-COVID

14:07 Current State of Smell and Taste

15:57 Resuming Baking and Business Adjustments

16:48 New Business Model and Lessons Learned

21:50 Family and Work-Life Balance

23:14 Podcast Revival and Future Plans

Marketing Media and Cupcakes is back after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. We are producing three new episodes in the fall of 2025, but having been gone for so long, we want to know if you want us to continue. Please like, share, and subscribe, or send us a note at john@ondomedia.com that you are listening!

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More interesting than the actual game, the commercials on this year's Super Game made some impressive statements. John and Angel review their favorite ads based on how well they made the connection between the brand and the content.

John's commercial and documentary background leads to his belief that its not enough to have a memorable ad, it must remind you of the actual brand who made the ad.

Fresh out the morning after the game, we review these ads and you can also listen to our podcast each week on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and anywhere you can listen to a podcast.

Watch this episode on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/q4edEdj1HhU

Our Website is http://marketingmediacupcakes.com

Marketing Media and Cupcakes is back after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. We are producing three new episodes in the fall of 2025, but having been gone for so long, we want to know if you want us to continue. Please like, share, and subscribe, or send us a note at john@ondomedia.com that you are listening!

Send us a text

Welcome to episode 75 of Marketing Media & Cupcakes, where we bring best practices for your business. This week John and Angel discuss best practices for your business. Angel has been training staff at her Fortune 500 company for many years. Traning is critical to having a consistent voice for your customers and clients. She shares 4 quick tips that can help your training be more effective. John is a licensed drone or (UAV) pilot. Aerial photography is a great way to enhance your business's brand when you can show beautiful aerial shots of a car dealership or commercial property or just showing off your location downtown. However, there are risks you take when hiring a drone photographer or trying to do these shots on your own. John will explain why you need to take hiring a drone pilot seriously, and what to look for. Also, ways to make your pilot get great shots for you.

Angel's 4 Training Tips 5:30 into the show
1) Setting Expectations for the training
2) Make a schedule that divides, lecture with applied learning. No 8-hour lectures!
3) Hands-on Time, or OJT
4) Web/Computer-based training

If you have additional comments or questions email Angel at angel@marketingmediacupcakes.com

What you need to know about hiring a drone photographer at 20:30 into the episode.
1) The need to have a UAV FAA license, DO NOT HIRE someone unlicensed
2) Your pilot should have one-million-dollar insurance policy coverage.
3) Create a shot list for your pilot
4) You cannot fly a drone within five miles of an airport, and you are limited to 400 feet above the ground altitude. There are exceptions and a licensed operator will know what they are.

For more information or questions email john@makertingmediacupcakes.com

Find us at Marketing Media & Cupcakes website and on social media

Thanks for listening!
John & Angel

Marketing Media and Cupcakes is back after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. We are producing three new episodes in the fall of 2025, but having been gone for so long, we want to know if you want us to continue. Please like, share, and subscribe, or send us a note at john@ondomedia.com that you are listening!

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Email remains the most accepted way to connect with business communications. Even more so after 2020 and social media platforms becoming less reliable for existing. Angel reviews her best practices for composing emails.

1) Be clear and concise
2) Proofread
3) Copy back important point or responses
4) Use subject lines keywords to get attention
5) Don't say anything you don't want to regret later
6) If the email has to bounce back and forth more than 3 times, call them.

John repeats the phone calls and emails are still best practices for "first contact" situations with clients or customers. If someone DMs you on LinkedIn or Facebook, direct them to email you at your address.

If people contact you via text or some other platform, tell them your best way to contact you is (is a phone, email, cellphone)

If your cellphone is not for business tell your customers if you give them it, please only use it for emergencies.

Check your email daily. If your business email is on a website or on your business card, and you don't check it often, then remove it from those contacts. You are paid to solve problems
not creating ones but having customers worried that you didn't get a message.

Please subscribe to us and share us with your friends.

To email Angel about cupcakes or customer service
To email John about media and building a brand

Find us at Marketing Media & Cupcakes website and on social media

Thanks for listening!
John & Angel

Marketing Media and Cupcakes is back after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. We are producing three new episodes in the fall of 2025, but having been gone for so long, we want to know if you want us to continue. Please like, share, and subscribe, or send us a note at john@ondomedia.com that you are listening!

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John and Angel are joined by guest Terry & Nay Dismore, small business owners, as they share ideas on how you can set effective realistic goals for 2021 for your business.

They suggest that you shoot for small wins, finding areas that are nagging your productivity and set to resolve those issues.

Listen to the right people. Don't let Covid talk discourage your mojo for success.

Invest in yourself in 2021 so you can be a better business owner and leader.

You can listen to Terry's podcast at Quiz The Diz on all podcast platforms. Nay's snacks can be found at SnackswithaTwist.com

And like and subscribe to us at MarketingMediaCupcakes.com

Marketing Media and Cupcakes is back after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. We are producing three new episodes in the fall of 2025, but having been gone for so long, we want to know if you want us to continue. Please like, share, and subscribe, or send us a note at john@ondomedia.com that you are listening!

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This week John & Angel discuss how the pandemic and the changing regulations have forced businesses to look at best practices. Angel shares tips on dealing with customers who are upset with late deliveries.

Then John shares 5 of his personal favorite documentaries and how they relate to telling a story in our media

Finally Angel shares 3 quick dishes you can make in just minutes to take to that surprise get together.

1. Seven Layer Dip
https://emilybites.com/2019/01/7-layer-dip.html

2. Jelly & Cream Cheese
https://www.food.com/amp/recipe/jalapeno-jelly-cream-cheese-spread-172448

3. Mini Cheesecakes
https://www.somewhatsimple.com/mini-cheesecakes-with-oreo-crust/

To email Angel about cupcakes or customer service
To email John about media and building a brand

Find us at Marketing Media & Cupcakes website and on social media

Thanks for listening!
John & Angel

Marketing Media and Cupcakes is back after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. We are producing three new episodes in the fall of 2025, but having been gone for so long, we want to know if you want us to continue. Please like, share, and subscribe, or send us a note at john@ondomedia.com that you are listening!

Send us a text

There are many words and phrases you should avoid in your marketing, advertising and just general communications. John will share 7 words or phrases that you should avoid in your online or broadcast advertising. Angel will share things your customer service team should never say to your clients or customers.

John's 7 Words or Phrases you should avoid in your ad copy

1) Quality
2) Contract
3) Guarantee
4) Discount
5) Cheaper
6) Cutting Edge
7) WWW

Plus John also adds, "Life Changing" and "Limited Offer" as bonus phrases

Angel's 7 Words you shouldn't use with your customers is:

1. “I don’t understand”

2. “Calm down"

3. “There’s nothing we can do”

4. “That’s impossible”

5. “I’m not sure / I guess”

6. “I’ll get back to you"

7. “No”

Watch John's short film about not poor customer service in the dark comedy Call Center Terror

And our Dessert segment we talk discuss when to use Pure Vanilla Extract and Imitation Vanilla Extract

Here's the article Angel was referring to:
cooksvanilla.com/what-is-the-difference-between-pure-and-imitation-vanilla-extract/

To email Angel about cupcakes or customer service
To email John about media and building a brand

Find us at Marketing Media & Cupcakes website and on social media

Thanks for listening!
John & Angel

Marketing Media and Cupcakes is back after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus. We are producing three new episodes in the fall of 2025, but having been gone for so long, we want to know if you want us to continue. Please like, share, and subscribe, or send us a note at john@ondomedia.com that you are listening!