One More Question

Hosted by Nicework, Ross Drakes

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May 2026

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About the show

One More Question is a podcast lovingly created by the people of Nicework, a branding studio based in South Africa that serves a range of clients across the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand. The world doesn't need more lazy, boring, half-arsed, poorly-built brands. In this podcast, we explore what it takes to build a great one. We interview founders who have built multi-billion dollar brands and experts who know how to get people to connect with their products, services, and companies. If you’re looking for insight into the best ways to invest in and build your brand, this may well be the podcast for you. Our past guests include Bruce Mau, Chris Do, Aaron Draplin, Marina Willer, Michael Bierut and Fredrick Öst. One More Question is hosted by our founder, Ross Drakes. #welovenicework #branding #communication #purposedriven #creativity #brand innovation

Listen to episodes

60 recent

May 14, 202649 min

Drew Brucker | Stop outsourcing your creativity to an algorithm

In Episode #91, Ross is joined by Drew Brucker, AI pioneer and marketing leader. Drew Brucker is an expert in building AI-driven visual and written identities, helping brands turn AI into a true brand asset that amplifies distinctiveness instead of erasing it. With a background in SaaS marketing and a focus on custom “ghost systems,” he helps companies move from manual execution to strategic curation without losing their creative edge. Ross and Drew discuss why most brands sound the same when using AI, how to avoid the generic trap, and the importance of front-loading deep context to build systems that protect and amplify what makes your brand unique. Find show notes and episode highlights at [https://nwrk.co/_] To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

March 18, 202641 min

Paul Watmough-Halim | Finding your superpower

In Episode #90, Ross is joined by Paul Watmough-Halim, a brand and business leader known for challenging traditional thinking and building organisations that stand out from the crowd. Paul’s work is shaped by curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to approach problems from the edges rather than the centre. Ross and Paul discuss how outsider perspectives can unlock new ideas, why culture needs to be built intentionally, and how individuals and organisations can turn perceived weaknesses into strengths. Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-paul-w-h To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

January 5, 202651 min

Rachel Gogel | Growth through an outsider's perspective

In Episode #89, Ross is joined by Rachel Gogel, Independent Design Executive and EducatorRachel Gogel is an independent design executive whose work is informed by her experiences both in-house and agency side. Since founding her solo consultancy in 2020, she's worked as a fractional creative leader, embedding with organisations at an executive level on a part-time basis. Rachel has partnered with global companies such as Airbnb and Dropbox, and women-founded ventures like Chicken & Egg Films and Anew. Before going independent, she built multidisciplinary teams at GQ, The New York Times, Facebook, and Godfrey Dadich Partners. The through-line? Rachel specialises in inflection points, steering strategic change at the intersection of brand, culture, and technology.Ross and Rachel discuss why fractional leadership works, how an outsider’s perspective inspires creativity, and why making flexible employment decisions supports growth and financial fruitfulness.Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-rachel. To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

October 7, 202545 min

Michael Wolff | A brand’s job is to give people joy and be useful

In Episode #88, Ross is joined by Michael Wolff, Co-Founder of Wolff OlinsMichael Wolff is a branding pioneer who bridged the gap between design and business strategy, guided by his belief that “design is an act of imagination made real”. As co-founder of Wolff Olins, he created transformative identities for Apple, Audi, Volkswagen, BT, and Orange, setting new benchmarks in corporate branding.With imagination, empathy, and curiosity at the core of his work, Wolff remains a singular voice in branding, dedicated to revealing the true character of the companies he helps shape.In this conversation, they explore the lessons that only a lifetime of imagination and curiosity can teach. They talk about expanding the very idea of success, why joy and usefulness are a brand’s highest calling, and the deep honour that comes when a company trusts you with its self-expression.Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-michaelw. To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

July 14, 202553 min

Robert Brunner | Why is mediocrity such an enemy to your success?

In Episode #87, Ross is joined by Robert Brunner, Founder and Creative Director at AmmunitionRobert is the former Industrial Design Director at Apple and current Lead Designer for Beats by Dre. He’s a globally acclaimed product designer with over 40 years of experience. Robert built the pioneering internal corporate design organisation at Apple, and was a partner at the prestigious design consultancy, Pentagram. Under his leadership, his current studio, Ammunition, has developed iconic products for Beats, Lyft, Square, Polaroid, and numerous start-up enterprises.Ross and Robert discuss the four elements of “making great”, the benefits of not accepting mediocrity, how micro-compromises build mediocrity, and being clear on why what you are designing is worth being designed.Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-robert. To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

May 28, 202548 min

Jay Wilkinson | How will purpose make your business exceptional?

In Episode #86, Ross is joined by Jay Wilkinson, Founder of Do More Good® Movement.Jay Wilkinson is a seasoned entrepreneur, speaker, and the founder of the Do More Good® Movement, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming capitalism by helping business leaders use their companies as a force for good. With over 30 years of experience leading purpose-driven organisations, Jay brings a rare blend of heart, vision, and real-world insight to conversations about conscious leadership, impact, and legacy. His mission? To help leaders lead from the inside out - Fueling companies that value people, purpose, and possibility.Ross and Jay discuss building a movement or a community, the future of investment and participation in companies and brands, and how purpose can really make people care.Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-jay. To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

March 24, 202551 min

Paul Worthington | How will a braver brand grow your business?

In Episode #85, Ross is joined by Paul Worthington, President of InvencionPaul has been in the branding business for over twenty years, led major branding programs across 4 continents, lived in two, had his words published by the likes of Fast Company, and won multiple awards along the way.Previously head of strategy and client principal at renowned branding consultancy Wolff Olins, he now runs his own little-known strategic branding firm, Invencion, because his family matters more to him than long plane-rides.Ross and Paul discuss how oversimplifying your audience will bore and repel them, how bravery is a prerequisite for growth and impact and how critical it is that the decision-makers understand branding and marketing when selecting and resourcing these functions.Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-paul. To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

January 27, 202546 min

Kevin Swanepoel | What does ‘great’ look like globally?

In Episode #84, Ross is joined by Kevin Swanepoel, CEO of The One Club for Creativity.The One Club for Creativity is the world's foremost non-profit organisation devoted to supporting and celebrating the successes of the global creative community.Since taking on the role in 2015, after being the organisation's President for more than eight years, Kevin oversaw the merger between The One Club and The Art Directors Club, as well as the expansion of its various education, inclusion and diversity, gender equality and professional development initiatives, both in the United States and around the world.Ross and Kevin discuss what great looks like globally, how you can use culture to make your work outstanding and how a diverse creative team is a better team and a business multiplier for brands.Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-kevin. To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

October 21, 202451 min

Jessica Bong-Woon | How to embrace weird to completely stand out

In Episode #83, Ross is joined by Jessica Bong-Woon, Associate Creative Director.Throughout her career, Jessica has collaborated with a diverse array of brands, from innovative startups to renowned institutions, including Monzo, Meta, Wise, Omlet, Marshmallow and London's V&A Museum, leaving her mark on each with her distinct creative perspective.Ross and Jessica discuss how to get a deeply niche audience to care about the same things you do, how to extract the best from people and how, by varying your approach, you can find hidden gold.Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-jessica. To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.

August 12, 202455 min

Armin Vit | How far will you go to stand out?

In Episode #82, Ross is joined by Armin Vit, co-founder of UnderConsideration.Born and raised in Mexico City, Armin Vit is a graphic designer and writer now living in Bloomington, IN. He is co-founder of UnderConsideration, a graphic design firm generating its own projects, initiatives, and content. He’s also the editor and primary writer of the popular blog Brand New.Ross and Armin discuss the boldness it takes to impress a discerning audience, the best reasons to rebrand and how giving your brand motion can help you stand out.Find show notes and episode highlights at https://nwrk.co/omq-armin. To listen to previous episodes go to https://nwrk.co/omq.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your friends.