In this episode, Dan and Stephanie explore a product failure that revealed a core truth of building great brands: a strong concept is nothing without aligned execution. They break down how ignoring constraints, skipping collaboration, and bypassing consensus can derail even the most promising ideas, and how leveraging the power of the Four C’s can prevent it.

In this episode, Stephanie and Dan share the surprising origin story of their hit product, Cranberry Jalapeño and how casual conversations and early collaboration turned a quirky idea into a breakout success. They also look at the “one step away” rule and discuss how to keep the customer out of the Freak Out Zone. It’s a quick look at how great products are sparked long before the brief is written.

What happens when a marketer and a product developer turn a weekly lunch into a blueprint for building great brands? In this inaugural episode of Thursday Lunch, co-hosts Dan Howell and Stephanie Robbins share the story behind their seven-year tradition that inspired a powerful framework for creative collaboration and measurable results.

They introduce The Four Cs: Constraint, Communication, Consensus, and Collaboration. And they explore how these principles drive innovation, strengthen brand integrity, and turn ideas into impact. Through real-world examples like Oreo’s product evolution and the cautionary tale of chocolate Skittles, Dan and Stephanie unpack what it really takes to create products that make intuitive sense to both teams and consumers.

Smart, candid, and a little irreverent, this is where the mechanisms meet the magic of brand building.