In this episode of The American Dream Factory, hosts Nick Smoot and Joseph Toney sit down with creative veteran Lee Davis, founder of Clean, a Raleigh-based agency known for its soulful approach to branding. Lee’s three-decade journey spans legendary firms like Wieden+Kennedy and J&J, giving him a rare vantage point on how brands—and cities—can rediscover their essence.
Together, the trio unpacks what it means to build belonging in an age of isolation. Lee reflects on how communities lose their identity when they chase growth without soul, and why cities need to stop marketing for tourists and start engaging their residents. From Raleigh’s “City of Oaks” to Durham’s bold “Marry Durham” campaign, they explore how design, storytelling, and community behavior can transform a place into something people feel.
Key Themes:
The difference between brand and marketing—and why cities often get both wrong
Why it’s okay to “offend” people in branding—and why not every city can (or should) be for everyone
The hidden cost of moving from the front porch to the backyard
How sports, design, and shared storytelling can rebuild civic pride
The spiritual side of place-making—and how “we” must matter more than “me”
Takeaways:
Great cities, like great brands, are built on truth and tension, not slogans.
The best marketers for your city are its residents—if you give them something to believe in.
Growth without identity breaks community; design for the people who already live there first.
Learn More:
Follow Lee and his team at Clean Agency and connect with him on LinkedIn.
Join the American Dream Factory community at AmericanDreamFactory.com for updates, live events, and tools for city leaders and builders.