You’re nuts if you think we’d do an episode about branding nut milk and not make that joke. This week is all about joy and JOI and we had a lovely conversation with Mike O’Hagan, the chief strategy officer of JOI, who also happens to be a buddy of ours after working together to launch their first site in 2019. 

JOI (which stands for just one ingredient) is a concentrate made from whole, natural ingredients that, when blended with water, create nutritious, plant-based milks. It’s the first of its kind, creating an entirely new category in the food industry and absolutely crushing it—flying off the shelves, being carried at Amazon and Thrive Market, and receiving glowing reviews from bigwigs like Bon Appetit and The Food Network.

Mike, a plant-based eater for over 23 years, has over 16 years of marketing and advertising experience and we got to gabbing all about the Brand Personality of JOI (that Obedient created), the consumer response to the playful and envelope-pushing tone, how humor kicks shame out of the health food conversation, strategies for flexing in varying brand voices depending on platform, and how helpful a fun approach is in helping a new brand get attention. 

Bonus: we haze him into rehashing a line of copy we wrote for them that ended up on the cutting room floor and we still maintain its brilliance.

Your brain glass will be more than half full after listening and we know that only barely makes sense. Just trust us. If you want more JOI in your life, you can check them out at addjoi.com, and @addjoi across social media.