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Meet this Amazon seller still selling his first product. He shares how Freedom Ticket and Helium 10 tools sparked instant success, which then scaled in two years through B2B sales, AMC, and lean operations.
Meta Ads Have Changed – What Actually Works in 2026If Meta ads feel like a wild goose chase lately, you're not alone—and you're not imagining things.With thanks to this episode's sponsor SumUp (https://sumup.com) Use the code 'GamePlan10' to get 10% off hardware from their online shop!Hi, I'm Catherine Erdly, and this week on The Resilient Retail Game Plan, I'm rolling up my sleeves with Meta Ad strategist CJ Sinclair to dig into why product business advice for retailers is evolving fast.Algorithms have turned upside down.Forget the old playbook; smaller brands now have the nimble edge over the big guns. From creative diversity to new ways to track ROAS and cash flow for retailers, we break down what actually moves the needle in 2026. I'm bringing my 25 years in the trade—plus CJ Sinclair's day-to-day on the ground—for an episode that's equal parts practical know-how and myth-busting.Why listen?Squeeze more margin from your Meta ad spend, even with a modest budgetNail creative that cuts through—no high-gloss neededGet independent retailer tips to speed up pivoting, not just scaling a product businessAvoid common ROAS mistakes and measure what matters for profitConnect your email, website and socials for rich marketing strategies that don't break the bankLearn how to improve cash flow in a small product business while boosting conversion ratesLinks:Website: https://resilientretailclub.comRetail Sales Game Plan: https://www.resilientretailclub.com/retailsales/Enjoy the episode?DM me your takeaways or questions @resilientretailclub on Instagram. And if you find the show useful, please follow, rate and review — it helps more product businesses find us.Mentioned in this episode:Freebie downloadStock FreebieGet 10% off hardware at SumUp - use code "Game Plan 10"Get 10% off hardware at SumUp - use code "Game Plan 10"Sum Up - 10% off hardware - use code "Game Plan 10"
Send us a textWe chart how Ben Wolff scaled from short-term rentals to design-led outdoor resorts, sold into a public REIT, built a content-first marketing firm, and now launches a wellness agritourism brand near Miami called Baya. Clear tactics on funding, pricing, direct bookings and the partners that make it work.• founder-level partners who own execution and upside• debt and equity strategies across banks, CPACE, USDA and VCs• influencer barbell strategy and content-first marketing• 80 to 85% direct bookings as the North Star• manual revenue management beyond algorithm defaults• Onera's sale, expansion and Wimberley performance• Oasi's offer, ROAS mindset and client profile• Baya concept blending farm, wellness and jungle design• light, health-forward F&B and sleep technology• daily routines, AI workflows and energy management• singles and doubles until capital markets openSubscribe to Ben Wolff's newsletter via LinkedIn or Ben's instagram @IAm BenWolff. Onera Fredericksburg and Wimberly Property Websites Oasi Marketing & Advertising WebsiteNewbook - www.newbook.cloudInterested in learning more about Newbook? Book a software demonstration with one of their market consultants today and don't forget to mention you came from the Outdoor Hospitality Podcast to receive 15% off your Newbook subscription and your first month free. This offer is for Newbook Signature subscriptions only.This podcast is powered by Sage Outdoor Advisory the industry leaders in feasibility studies and appraisals. We work hard to bring you the best insights from top experts in this space- FREE OF CHARGE, all we ask is that you consider leaving us a positive review so we can keep the momentum growing. To leave a review go to the podcast home page and scroll down past some of the first episodes - we appreciate you!
We've compiled our top-performing YouTube Shorts from 2025 into one power-packed rewind video! These bite-sized insights from industry leaders cover everything from Amazon advertising secrets to AI-powered retail transformation. Thanks for listening to Talk Commerce—let's dive into the highlights.1. Elizabeth Greene - Amazon Advertising MasteryCo-founder of JunglrElizabeth Greene shares game-changing Amazon advertising secrets for scaling ecommerce brands through strategic ad spending and automation tactics. Learn how to maximize your ROAS and dominate the Amazon marketplace.Listen to the full episode →2. Adam Callinan - Mathematical Precision in BusinessFounder of BottleKeeper and PentaneJoin Adam Callinan as he shares his entrepreneurial journey from creating BottleKeeper to developing Pentane. Discover how mathematical precision and lean operations drive modern business success and sustainable profitability.Listen to the full episode →3. Elijah Khasabo - The Future of UGCCo-founder of VidovoElijah Khasabo reveals insights on the evolution of user-generated content pricing, why engagement beats follower counts, and why authentic human content continues to outperform AI-generated videos in driving conversions.Listen to the full episode →4. Drew Chambers - Edge Computing RevolutionEVP at HarperDrew Chambers discusses how edge computing and AI are revolutionizing enterprise web performance. Get insights into speed optimization, personalization, and the future of ecommerce architecture.Listen to the full episode →5. Matthew Merrilees - Global Expansion StrategyCEO at Global-eMatthew Merrilees outlines actionable tactics for neutralizing tariffs, fine-tuning landed costs, and leveraging 3B2C fulfillment so brands can expand internationally without eroding profit margins.Listen to the full episode →6. Mark Elfenbein - AI Visual MerchandisingCRO of NfiniteMark Elfenbein reveals how AI and CGI technology are transforming retail visual merchandising, enabling major retailers like Amazon and Lowe's to reduce photography costs by 90% while creating immersive customer experiences at unprecedented scale.Listen to the full episode →7. Udayan Bose - Generative AI in EcommerceCEO of NetElixirUdayan Bose explores how generative AI is revolutionizing ecommerce, from boosting productivity to impacting SEO and shaping the future of Google Search. Discover key insights from this transformative conversation.Listen to the full episode →Watch the Full Rewind VideoDon't miss these concentrated insights from the brightest minds in ecommerce. Subscribe to Talk Commerce for more expert conversations that help you grow your business.What was your favorite insight? Let us know in the comments!
This week, we're joined by Lily Comba, Founder & CEO of Superbloom, who opens up about how she got her start in influencer marketing and why she approaches influencer through a performance lens. Lily shares her journey from building in-house programs to launching Superbloom, and what she learned scaling influencer across some of the most recognizable consumer brands.From there, we go deep on measurement, attribution, and negotiations. Lily breaks down how to think about ROAS, CPA, multipliers, and code leakage, along with how she models performance upfront to negotiate smarter creator deals and build paid usage rights and whitelisting into every partnership. We talk through practical frameworks for forecasting results, setting realistic KPIs, and holding influencer partnerships accountable without burning relationships.We also dive into YouTube and channel expansion, including why YouTube is one of the most underrated influencer channels, how to negotiate effective integrations, and what longer-form creator content unlocks for both performance and brand lift. We wrap with how influencer fits into the broader media mix, common mistakes brands make when launching programs, and what operators should be focused on if they want to scale influencer the right way.If you're trying to make influencer more measurable, negotiate better deals, and turn creator content into high-performing paid media, you're gonna love this one.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters:00:00:00 – Scaling Influencer Spend and Proving ROI00:03:53 – Lily's Background and Building Super Bloom00:08:45 – From Seed Health to Launching an Agency00:13:05 – Brands, Categories, and Who Influencer Marketing Works For00:14:03 – Performance-First Influencer Programs and Service SKUs00:19:31 – Organic Influencer KPIs vs Paid Performance Metrics00:22:01 – Full-Funnel Impact, Halo Effects, and AOV Considerations00:25:16 – Discount Code Leakage and Attribution Challenges00:30:13 – Using Multipliers to Translate Influencer Performance00:34:38 – Modeling ROAS, Click-Through Rates, and Incrementality00:41:31 – Awareness vs Performance Across Different Brand Types00:47:19 – Influencer Negotiation Frameworks and Deal Structuring00:52:47 – High-AOV Products, Long Consideration Cycles, and Measurement LimitsPowered by:Motion.https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-readshttps://motionapp.com/creative-trendsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsPrescient AI.https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/
We unpack how AI reshapes performance marketing and why strategy, clean data, and human oversight matter more than ever. We share a full-funnel, dayparted approach for B2B, show what creative works now, and outline fixes that quickly lift ROAS.• AI tools accelerating media operations while requiring human strategy• Risks of automation with bad data and weak tracking• Buyer shifts beyond Google and the rise of YouTube, TikTok, CTV and podcasts• Dayparted omnichannel plan from commute to desktop to couch• Short-form video and UGC outperforming static creative• Full-funnel investment timelines and influenced revenue measurement• Cleaning fragmented data and feeding CRM segments back into media• Common account fixes including target CPA, remarketing and limiting AI expansion• How to audit paid media and set realistic expectationsGuest Contact Information: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/anthonychiaravalloWebsite: anthonychiaravallo.comMore from EWR and Matthew:Leave us a review wherever you listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon PodcastFree SEO Consultation: www.ewrdigital.com/discovery-callWith over 5 million downloads, The Best SEO Podcast has been the go-to show for digital marketers, business owners, and entrepreneurs wanting real-world strategies to grow online. Now, host Matthew Bertram — creator of LLM Visibility™ and the LLM Visibility Stack™, and Lead Strategist at EWR Digital — takes the conversation beyond traditional SEO into the AI era of discoverability. Each week, Matthew dives into the tactics, frameworks, and insights that matter most in a world where search engines, large language models, and answer engines are reshaping how people find, trust, and choose businesses. From SEO and AI-driven marketing to executive-level growth strategy, you'll hear expert interviews, deep-dive discussions, and actionable strategies to help you stay ahead of the curve. Find more episodes here: youtube.com/@BestSEOPodcastbestseopodcast.combestseopodcast.buzzsprout.comFollow us on:Facebook: @bestseopodcastInstagram: @thebestseopodcastTiktok: @bestseopodcastLinkedIn: @bestseopodcastConnect With Matthew Bertram: Website: www.matthewbertram.comInstagram: @matt_bertram_liveLinkedIn: @mattbertramlivePowered by: ewrdigital.comSupport the show
Why is your margin getting smaller even when sales look fine? Your revenue is growing, your ads look fine, and orders keep coming in. So why does it feel harder to make money than it used to? This episode explains why margins shrink as platforms mature and how sellers get caught off guard.In this Week in Review, Neil explains how platform maturity removes early incentives, raises costs, and quietly compresses margins long before dashboards turn red.Using TikTok Shop changes, EU policy updates, and platform maturity patterns, we'll hear why margins shrink under the surface and how operators plan ahead. If you depend on one platform, this episode shows what to watch before 2026.
Send us a textWhy Vanity Metrics Are So TemptingClicks, impressions, and giant top-line numbers feel good—and they're easy to measure. Anthony explains that brands and agencies often lean on these because they make progress look “sexy” in a deck, even when they don't connect to business outcomes.The Metrics That Actually MatterKendra presses on what marketers should track instead. Anthony breaks it down by funnel stage and business model:For B2B and lead-gen teams:Lead volume and lead qualityConversion behavior after the click (time on site, page depth, engagement paths)Feeding those quality signals back into ad algorithmsFor e-commerce:Revenue per campaignCost per acquisition (CPA) vs. customer lifetime value (LTV)Target CPA thresholds to ensure profitabilityAnthony's bottom line: The two most important metrics are CPA and LTV—and every other KPI should support them. When Algorithms Work Against YouA huge chunk of the episode is about how campaigns go sideways when the wrong signals are optimized. If you optimize for clicks, the algorithm finds more clickers—not buyers.They dig into how metrics aren't bad—they're just often misused.Examples Anthony gives:ROAS is critical for shopping/e-commerce conversion campaigns.Video view-through rate matters for awareness campaigns, since the goal is warm-audience building.Target impression share is valuable in branded search as a defensive move, ensuring competitors don't steal your brand traffic. Competitor Bidding: Old Advice vs. NowKendra asks about the old-school thinking that bidding on competitor names doesn't work. Anthony clarifies the difference between:Branded defense campaigns (protecting your own name)Competitor conquesting campaigns (showing up as an alternative in a buyer's search)He argues conquesting can be effective because you only pay on clicks, yet still gain impression value and market-share opportunities. Balancing Short-Term Pressure with Long-Term GrowthB2B cycles are long, and clients want fast wins. Anthony recommends a full-funnel budget split:Some spend for the 1% ready to buy now (lower funnel)Significant investment to warm the other 99% (awareness + consideration)Biggest Lesson Learned: Simplicity ScalesAnthony closes with his core marketing takeaway: The best campaigns aren't the busiest—they're the clearest. When you focus on the right audience, the right offer, and the right KPIs, everything improves: creative, reporting, and results that compound over time. If you want to connect with Anthony or learn more about Volo Media, check out the links below. And if you've ever been sold a pretty dashboard full of meaningless numbers… this one's for you. Connect with Anthony:Website: https://www.vallomedia.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonychi Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here
App Masters - App Marketing & App Store Optimization with Steve P. Young
Headway is one of the biggest spenders in mobile marketing, generating hundreds of millions in revenue through its insanely effective Web2App funnel.In this breakdown, Steve P. Young and Igor Lyubimov, CEO, web2wave, reveal the exact flow Headway uses to turn cold traffic into paying users — and how you can model it for your app.You'll discover:✅ The psychology behind high-converting Web2App funnels✅ How Headway turns quiz-takers into subscribers✅ The “winback” email sequence that drives extra revenue✅ Smart upsells & pricing tricks that boost LTV✅ Why longer funnels sometimes convert betterIf you're spending money on Meta, TikTok, or influencer ads, this strategy could completely change your ROAS.Try web2wave: https://web2wave.comSpecial App Masters Offer: Get the lowest plan for $199/month + concierge service to help you build your funnel — mention 'App Masters' on your call with the web2wave team or in chat after creating your account
Free SEO Audit Here Download BFCM Playbook (Profit Peak) HereConnect with Kat RamosBFCM Sales Were Up, So Why Did Profits Go Backwards for Aussie Brands?Black Friday Cyber Monday looked like a win for Australian eCommerce. Traffic was higher, orders increased, and sales days hit record levels.But when the dust settled, many brands realised something uncomfortable. Profits did not follow revenue.In this episode of eCommerce Australia, Ryan Martin is joined by Kat Ramos, Senior Growth Executive at Profit Peak, to unpack exclusive Australian BFCM data from Profit Peak's newly released BFCM 2025 Playbook, and why so many brands sold more but kept less.This is a must-listen for Shopify store owners planning for BFCM 2026 and beyond.Kat breaks down the key findings from thousands of Australian orders, including:
Pascual Vila explica cómo trabaja con clínicas premium: su metodología para sortear bloqueos de Meta en salud, configuración de formularios nativos con condicionales, implementación de Go High Level con setters incluidos y por qué decidió especializarse después de 25 años0:00 Introducción, Abrimos ppcast+, patrocinadores y presentación del invitado2:50 Conociendo a Pascual Vila y su especialización en clínicas premium5:08 El problema de Meta con el sector salud: bloqueo de eventos11:31 Estrategias y soluciones para saltear el bloqueo de Meta24:08 Inteligencia artificial aplicada al marketing y la publicidad36:08 Go High Level: automatización y gestión de clínicas52:10 Estructura de agencia, metodologías y casos de éxito1:03:59 Quick wins en Meta Ads y cierre del episodioURL Episodio: https://ppccast.com/podcast/268-estragegias-de-publicidad-para-clinicas-premium-con-pascual-vilaPPCFest: ppcfest.comPPCCast+: ppccast.com/plusPatrocinadoresRaiola Networks: ppccast.com/raiolaData Feed Watch: ppccast.com/datafeedConvertiam: ppccast.com/convertiam
In this episode, Mike Ryan and Chris dive into the fundamental issue plaguing advanced performance advertisers: the lack of data integrity between ad platforms and a retailer's backend systems. Why are sophisticated retailers taking optimization decisions on ad platform data when their final bottom-line evaluation comes from a different source? Mike calls this the "optimization gulf".The hosts argue that this disconnect is a major tactical issue that is driving platforms like Google and Meta to pursue cross-channel solutions to regain trust.Key discussion points include:The Single Source of Truth (SSOT) Problem: Why using last-click attribution and optimizing within channel silos led to platforms taking 100% credit for the same purchases.The iOS 14.5 Inflection Point: How Apple's anti-tracking policies broke Meta campaigns, leading to the rise of "magic pixels" (Triple Whale, Northbeam) to fix reporting.Marginal ROAS vs. Average ROAS: Why optimizing only for average ROAS is a "massive flop" and why you need to understand the concept of marginal return to avoid spending beyond your optimal point.Google's Contradiction: We break down Google's claim that its bidding system (PMax) finds the cheapest conversion across all networks, and the subsequent contradiction of why the performance of those individual channels often looks bad in segmented reports.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/
Christine Monaghan is a builder of growth engines and a weaver of stories, helping brands scale from startup chaos to sustainable success. She blends storytelling with systems, tech with brand, and strategy with hands-on execution to deliver results that last. In This Conversation We Discuss:[00:00] Intro[00:33] Sponsor: Taboola [01:49] Building brands through storytelling[04:34] Tracing the roots of storytelling[06:23] Sponsor: Next Insurance[07:36] Evaluating early-stage customer signals[10:09] Testing assumptions about customers[12:22] Callouts[12:32] Surveying customers to validate assumptions[14:55] Leveraging insights to improve messaging[18:15] Testing media to find what converts[21:28] Sponsor: Electric Eye[22:33] Sponsor: Freight Right[24:36] Connecting blogs to nurture discovery[27:15] Targeting platforms where customers exist[28:58] Optimizing ads for long-term growth[34:48] Understanding top-of-funnel users Resources:Subscribe to Honest Ecommerce on YoutubeThe modern way to drink milk almondcow.co/Follow Christine Monaghan linkedin.com/in/christine-monaghanReach your best audience at the lowest cost! discover.taboola.com/honest/Easy, affordable coverage that grows with your business nextinsurance.com/honest/Schedule an intro call with one of our experts electriceye.io/connectTurn your domestic business into an international business freightright.com/honestIf you're enjoying the show, we'd love it if you left Honest Ecommerce a review on Apple Podcasts. It makes a huge impact on the success of the podcast, and we love reading every one of your reviews!
The CPG Guys are joined in this episode by Bryan Leach, the Founder & CEO of Ibotta, a performance marketing platform allowing brands to deliver digital promotions to over 200 million consumers through a network of publishers called the Ibotta Performance Network (IPN). Follow Bryan on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bwleachFollow Ibotta on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ibotta-inc-/Follow Ibotta online at: https://ipn.ibotta.com/Bryan answers these questions:Ibotta started as a wildly successful cashback app. When did you first realize the company needed to evolve into a performance-marketing platform that could power promotions for national brands and retailers—not just consumers?Take us to the moment when the vision for the Ibotta Performance Network crystallized. What was the “aha” moment that told you the future wasn't DTC incentives, but a full-funnel, retailer-connected promotions ecosystem?When you think back to the earliest days of the IPN, how did the partnership with Walmart come together, and what did that milestone unlock for Ibotta's trajectory?The IPN is now a fundamentally different engine than it was two years ago. How have new partners like Instacart and DoorDash, plus an elevated focus on measurement, reshaped the network?You're now reaching more than 200 million consumers. What does true personalization look like at this scale, and what have you learned about delivering the right promotion to the right shopper at the right moment?When you talk to brand partners today, what are the top priorities they're solving for—and why is the traditional ROAS framework failing them?You've compared LiveLift to the launch of the IPN in terms of strategic importance. What gap does LiveLift fill, and why is this such a pivotal moment in Ibotta's evolution?How does LiveLift help quantify the true incremental impact of promotions—whether that's velocity, basket expansion, or shortening the repurchase cycle?CPGs keep saying they struggle to tie promotions directly to outcomes. How is Ibotta helping close that measurement gap, and what does the Liquid Death case study reveal about what's possible?If you had to project 1–3 years out, how do you see the promotions landscape transforming—and what will separate the brands that win from those that fall behind?CPG Guys Website: http://CPGguys.comFMCG Guys Website: http://FMCGguys.comSheCOMMERCE Website: https://shecommercepodcast.com/Rhea Raj's Website: http://rhearaj.comLara Raj in Katseye: https://www.katseye.world/DISCLAIMER: The content in this podcast episode is provided for general informational purposes only. By listening to our episode, you understand that no information contained in this episode should be construed as advice from CPGGUYS, LLC or the individual author, hosts, or guests, nor is it intended to be a substitute for research on any subject matter. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by CPGGUYS, LLC. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. CPGGUYS LLC expressly disclaims any and all liability or responsibility for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, consequential or other damages arising out of any individual's use of, reference to, or inability to use this podcast or the information we presented in this podcast.
Tareas en una cuenta de Google Ads, podemos hacer muchas, pero realmente lo importante es saber en qué debemos incidir antes, para que realmente veamos cambios en los resultados. Hoy os explicamos nuestras prioridades, cuando trabajamos con Google Ads. 0:00 Intro0:09 Miscelánea1:27 Nuestra Semana13:28 PPCCast+19:05 Noticias de la Semana25:25 Tema Principal1:01:07 Recomendaciones1:06:13 Canción PPCCastURL Episodio: https://ppccast.com/podcast/267-rankeamos-el-orden-de-prioridad-de-tareas-en-google-adsPPCFest: ppcfest.comPPCCast+: ppccast.com/plusPatrocinadoresRaiola Networks: ppccast.com/raiolaData Feed Watch: ppccast.com/datafeedConvertiam: ppccast.com/convertiam
Ecom Secrets mit Daniel Bidmon / E-Commerce, Funnels, Marketing
"Do you care enough about new customer acquisition? What you care about shows up based off of your actions, not your thoughts or your words."Meta's Andromeda update broke everyone's brain and most brands still haven't recovered. Nehal Kazim, CEO of Ad Pros, argues that the industry overcorrected by wildly overproducing content, burning through budgets on concepts that never receive meaningful spend. His math: you're paying $250-500 per asset for creatives that never get tested. Kazim has spent 13 years running campaigns for brands like Canada Goose and DTC companies doing $10-16 million a month. His solution is a profitability-first framework that tracks new customer contribution margin daily and calibrates creative output to what your budget can actually support. Also discussed: why Meta told him to stop hook testing, and the $25K Cardi B ad he hated that completely crushed.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSAd Pros: https://adpros.comNehal on Instagram: instagram.com/nehalkazimNehal on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nehalkazimWORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.
In this post-mortem episode, hosts Mike Ryan and Chris dive deep into the data behind the last peak season to reveal the true cost of Black Friday. They confirm what many performance marketers feared: the event is a "promotional bloodbath where margins are lost".The numbers are shocking: Google Ads spend was up over 31% year-over-year, but revenue only grew 15%, resulting in a massive 12% drop in Return on Ad Spend (ROAS). But the real trouble is profitability. Mike reveals an exclusive chart showing how the average gross profit margin dropped by 9 percentage points in the final week of November.What else is covered in this data-driven post-mortem:The Dilution of Demand: Why Black Friday search volume has been on a secular decline since peaking in 2018, and why the "doorbuster" concept is dead.The Hourly Opportunity: A never-before-seen hourly analysis that pinpoints the exact time when Cost Per Order (CPO) cools down and conversion rates peak, revealing the best time to run your budget.Competitor Strategy: A look at how Amazon is continuously ramping up spend, while the competition from Teemu drastically fell off on Black Friday itself.The Final Warning: Why the relentless increase in CPCs is the single biggest threat to the middle-of-the-pack online retailer.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/
Creatitive Sports Marketing Radio | Where Business is our Sport
Send us a textIf your “leads” don't pick up the phone, never remember opting in, or text back with a quick stop, you're not imagining things. We dig into why so many fitness businesses are seeing Meta performance tank and why search intent on Google consistently brings in people who actually want training, not just another dopamine hit in their feed.With Zach Coleman in the studio, we break down a no-fluff playbook for turning Google into a dependable lead engine. We compare interruption vs intent, then walk through the campaigns that matter most for gyms: branded search, local “near me” keywords, and performance-focused structures that respect the finite demand in your market. You'll hear how dynamic call tracking and source-level reporting end the attribution guessing game, letting you see exactly which clicks became calls, consults, and clients. We also dig deep on Google Business Profile and the local map pack, where proximity and reviews drive trust and foot traffic faster than a thousand boosted posts.You'll get practical review tactics that compound: start with longtime clients, ask daily in small batches, write real responses, and tie reviews to referral incentives to attract more members who already fit your culture. Expect occasional review purges and keep stacking legitimate proof. We share current ROAS results, why we're shifting budget from Meta to Google, and how to set expectations for seasonal demand without overspending.If you're ready to stop guessing and start selling, this one gives you the structure, tools, and language to make the switch with confidence. Subscribe, share this with a fellow gym owner, and leave a review to let us know which tactic you'll test first.Support the showSubscribe to our Newsletter: https://creatitive.com/fit-to-grit-cast/
It's time to draw your 2026 marketing plan, and we want to help you maximize profits with Meta ads. We're offering you 30 monthly deliverables,10 ad types, media buying, and access to Tier 11's Data Suite before the year ends.Claim your Creative Diversification Package now at: https://www.tiereleven.com/cd Are you trying to squeeze every last bit out of Meta, Google, and TikTok but still missing a piece of the growth puzzle? What if one of the most powerful performance channels is hiding in plain sight on your TV? That's exactly the concept we dig into today as we explore the opportunities inside connected TV and why it's becoming a must-have in every marketer's media mix.We're joined by Vibhor Kapoor, Chief Business Officer at NextRoll, to unpack how CTV has evolved from a “big brand awareness play” into a precision-targeted, full-funnel performance channel. We get into CPM shifts, attribution clarity, identity graphs, retargeting flows, and the wild amount of audience-level data available inside modern streaming platforms. Plus, we talk about how repurposed social creatives, not $200K production shoots, are already driving 2–3X stronger ROAS for brands and B2B companies. As you build your 2026 plan, this conversation will redefine multi-channel advertising and where the smartest budget shifts are happening. In This Episode:- What NextRoll does now: the evolution- How NextRoll handles attribution on social platforms- Why AI-driven budget optimization is necessary- What is CTV and why is it exploding?- CPM shifts in CTV targeting - Targeting and retargeting CTV ads across devices - Real-world CTV results- What marketers must know for 2026Mentioned in the Episode:AdRoll / NextRoll CTV case studies Listen to This Episode on Your Favorite Podcast Channel:Follow and listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/perpetual-traffic/id1022441491 Follow and listen on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/59lhtIWHw1XXsRmT5HBAuK Subscribe and watch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@perpetual_traffic?sub_confirmation=1We Appreciate Your Support!Visit our website: https://perpetualtraffic.com/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/perpetualtraf Connect with Vibhor Kapoor:Website: https://www.adroll.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vibhor Connect with Ralph Burns: LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ralphburns Instagram -
Most Etsy sellers hand their success over to the algorithm without even realizing it. I will be showing you today how to manage your ad account like pro! Join me for the NEW Growth Program (Doors Close soon!)- https://grow-myetsyshop.com/
Si siempre has querido ver cómo son las campañas de las apps, este es tu episodio, ya que Paula Fernández nos lo explica con todo detalle. RL Episodio: https://ppccast.com/podcast/266-publicidad-para-apps-con-paula-fernandezPPCFest: ppcfest.comPPCCast+: ppccast.com/plusPatrocinadoresRaiola Networks: ppccast.com/raiolaData Feed Watch: ppccast.com/datafeedConvertiam: ppccast.com/convertiam
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupEric sits down with Anthony DelPizzo, Director of Product Marketing at Triple Whale, to unpack what actually happened across $2.9B in tracked revenue and $607M in ad spend. This episode is your shortcut to what worked, what didn't, and what's next.Black Friday/Cyber Monday 2025 is in the books — and Triple Whale tracked every click, conversion, and creative that moved the needle.View the Report: triplewhale.comWhat's inside:Why new customers made up 48% of BFCM revenue — and what that means for retention nowTikTok's surge: ROAS up 28%, CPMs down 30% — here's why brands shiftedGoogle and Meta platform breakdown: who won, who lost, and who overchargedWhat Triple Whale's real-time BFCM Live dashboard revealed in secondsHow Mobi AI became the virtual teammate nearly 50,000 brands relied on mid-saleIf you're a DTC marketer, growth lead, media buyer, retention strategists, or anyone planning for 2026 Q4, this episode is a must listen.Timestamps00:00 BFCM early surge and overall sales performance02:00 New vs returning customer trends and major revenue drivers04:00 Rising ad costs and platform efficiency shifts06:00 TikTok, AppLovin and alternative channels gaining traction08:00 Email and SMS insights from post-purchase data10:00 Meta and Google cost changes and ROAS movement12:00 Diversification and placement performance on major platforms14:00 Category winners and unit economics16:00 Shopify outage and real-time data advantages18:00 How brands used Moby AI for BFCM decision-making20:00 Top lessons for brands heading into 2026Hashtags#DTC #TripleWhale #BFCM2025 #EcommerceMarketing #DigitalAdvertising #MetaAds #GoogleAds #TikTokAds #Attribution #MarketingData #AIForMarketing #MobyAI #Shopify #PerformanceMarketing #OmnichannelMarketing Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
Check out my Blitz Methadology Videos:https://youtu.be/lcejNzEPdAU?si=hPQG4u9FeAMoERGBhttps://youtu.be/UJOLOA4ustI?si=9KQ8hQmmXbkWHow4In this video, Jordan break down the exact 7-step TikTok Shop system that scaled a struggling account from just $4/day in ad spend to over six figures in 12 days with a 6X ROAS. If you're trying to grow your TikTok Shop, this is the blueprint every new brand needs.You'll learn how to properly audit your shop, fix your product pages, build a creator hub, recruit creators from multiple angles, set VIP/non-VIP commission tiers, and relaunch ads with a clean structure that actually converts. We also walk through how to run a TikTok Shop Blitz to turn normal days into big revenue moments.Whether you're a new brand, a creator, or an e-commerce founder trying to scale TikTok Shop, this step-by-step guide will show you exactly what works right now.
Dave's guest this week is Carly McMillen, Director of Marketing at AdLabs. Carly shares how she's flipping the traditional PPC playbook—focusing on contribution margin instead of ROAS—and what that means for smarter, more sustainable growth. She and Dave also dive into how brands can stand out on Amazon, the creative strategies that still make a difference, and the new AI tools changing the way advertisers test and optimize campaigns.Plus, Carly breaks down what's next for Amazon Marketing Cloud and why data-driven storytelling is quickly becoming every brand's biggest advantage.Connect with Carly on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It'sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It'sRapid's Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
In this episode, Mike Ryan and Christian Scharmueller dismantle a massive technical flaw in Performance Max: the "Clicked vs. Bought" discrepancy.In a keywordless world, product targeting is your main lever. But Mike reveals that Google places its bids based on the product a user clicks, while being completely blind to the product they actually buy. This means Google is often bidding on the wrong item, unaware that your user cross-shopped into a lower-margin alternative or a different brand entirely. The result? You might be hitting your ROAS targets on paper, but your actual profit is bleeding out.The duo reveals the only technical fix for this—Conversions with Cart Data—and debates the ultimate trust exercise: is it finally time to share your Cost of Goods Sold (CoGS) with Google to bid on true profit?About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/
Send us a textIs DSP Right for Your Brand? In this video, No Wickham from My Amazon Guy addresses a common challenge faced by e-commerce brands: low ROAS and how to handle it when DSP (Demand-Side Platform) advertising doesn't perform as expected. If you're struggling with programmatic advertising on Amazon or feeling doubts about whether to continue a campaign, this video provides valuable insights on how to navigate such situations and make informed decisions for your clients.When a client invests in DSP, but the results are poor, it can create tension and confusion. No Wickham shares a real-life example of a brand selling organic lavender body products, and why brand loyalty, client goals, and communication all play crucial roles in determining whether DSP is the right fit. From low ROAS to strategic adjustments, No explains how to handle these situations effectively and avoid burning bridges with clients.Struggling with your DSP campaigns? Let's talk! Book a call with our experts and find out how we can optimize your strategy for better results: https://bit.ly/4jMZtxu#DSP #AmazonAdvertising #ProgrammaticAds #ClientRetention #EcommerceGrowth #ppcstrategy ----------------------------------------------------------------------Want free resources? Dowload our Free Amazon guides here:Q4 Selling Playbook: https://bit.ly/46Wqkm3 2025 Ecommerce Holiday Playbook: https://bit.ly/4hbygov Amazon PPC Guide 2025: https://bit.ly/4lF0OYX 2025 Ecommerce Holiday Playbook: https://bit.ly/4hbygovAmazon Crisis Kit: https://bit.ly/4maWHn0Amazon SEO Toolkit: https://bit.ly/457zjSlTimestamps:00:00 – Not every brand works with every strategy00:15 – Question from client about DSP for organic lavender products00:28 – Results after a month: Poor performance with DSP00:47 – LinkedIn post: “Successful brands invest in DSP”01:03 – Introduction of WWII image analogy01:24 – Airplanes analogy: Importance of unseen failures02:09 – Transition to strategy discussion: DSP is not for every brand02:15 – Explanation of DSP and its effectiveness02:33 – Time for results: DSP effectiveness takes time02:46 – Analogy: Plane shot in fuselage vs. pilot shot03:02 – The importance of aligning client goals with DSP03:23 – Suggesting actions to manage DSP and client expectations04:05 – Importance of using communication channels over DMs04:49 – Recap and transparency in DSP discussions05:21 – Advocating for the client and handling setbacks06:09 – Acknowledging strategy failures as part of the job06:30 – Maintaining client trust after a strategy doesn't work06:48 – Exploring solutions and possible retention strategies07:01 – Pausing the contract or refunding the client07:14 – Keeping clients happy and preserving long-term relationships08:03 – Recognition of a turning point in the client's perception08:16 – Final thoughts on advocating for the client and being proactive----------------------------------------------Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28605816/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/myamazonguys/Twitter: https://twitter.com/myamazonguySubscribe to the My Amazon Guy podcast: https://podcast.myamazonguy.comApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-amazon-guy/id1501974229Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4A5ASHGGfr6s4wWNQIqyVwSupport the show
Are your marketing reports showing high ROAS and CTR, but your profits are flat? You are not alone.In this episode of the Entrepreneurs United Podcast, John St. Pierre and Rich Hoffmann sit down with John Moran, co-founder of Solutions 8 and strategist behind over $150 million in ad spend.John breaks down why traditional platform metrics—like likes, clicks, and conversions—are no longer reliable. Instead, he explains how to measure real marketing performance through your P&L, gross profit, and customer acquisition cost (CAC).You will learn:How to calculate what you can really afford to spend to acquire a customerWhy most agencies are optimizing the wrong thingsHow to simplify your strategy using old-school business mathWhat questions to ask your marketing team todayThis episode is packed with real-world examples and powerful insights to help you scale smarter, not just spend more.Tune in to transform how you measure growth and start making marketing decisions that actually move your business forward - https://entrepreneursunited.us/links/
Send us a textStruggling to understand Amazon PPC, reduce wasted ad spend, or finally get your ACOS under control? In this training, Kevin Sanderson from My Amazon Guy breaks down the fundamentals of Amazon advertising, negative keywords, bidding strategies, ACOS vs ROAS, and how to audit your campaigns for wasted spend. If you want clearer, more profitable ads, this is the video for you.#AmazonAdvertising #PPCstrategy #AmazonSellers #ACOS #AmazonTipsired of guessing your bids? Let us break down your campaign math on a strategy call: https://bit.ly/4jMZtxuWant free resources? Dowload our Free Amazon guides here:Q4 Selling Playbook: https://bit.ly/46Wqkm3 2025 Ecommerce Holiday Playbook: https://bit.ly/4hbygov Amazon PPC Guide 2025: https://bit.ly/4lF0OYX Ecommerce Holiday Playbook: https://bit.ly/4hbygovAmazon Crisis Kit: https://bit.ly/4maWHn0Amazon SEO Toolkit: https://bit.ly/457zjSl------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps:00:00 - Starting PPC Ad Improvements on Amazon 00:15 - What Are Negative Keywords 01:09 - Using Negative Keywords the Right Way 02:17 - What Is ACOS and Why It Matters 03:34 - Understanding Profitable KPIs for Ad Spend 04:09 - How to Find Wasted Spend in Targeting Tab 05:25 - Evaluating Sales and Spend Over Time 05:30 - Starting Bids for Each Match Type 06:14 - Bid Strategy Using ACOS and Conversion Rate 07:25 - Example Math for Setting Amazon Ad Bids 08:15 - Ideal Bid Strategy for Auto Campaigns 09:06 - Why Bids Need Real Data and Adjustments ----------------------------------------------Follow us:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28605816/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenpopemag/Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/myamazonguys/Twitter: https://twitter.com/myamazonguySubscribe to the My Amazon Guy podcast: https://podcast.myamazonguy.comApple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-amazon-guy/id1501974229Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4A5ASHGGfr6s4wWNQIqyVwSupport the show
Lisanne Vera, VP of Growth at KashKick, joins Taylor Lobdell to talk about the incentives economy, a marketplace where leisure becomes an asset. From her early affiliate-marketing roots to leading growth at one of the fastest-growing rewards apps, Lisanne unpacks how KashKick designs offers that respect user time, prevent bait-and-switch dynamics, and build long-term trust. She discusses how micro-earnings sustain engagement, why transparency matters more than flashy payouts, and why being relentlessly user-focused, even at the cost of short-term ROAS, can drive the strongest growth stories in mobile today.Key Topics and QuestionsMonetizing leisure time as engagement, how to align offers with user habits.Micro vs. large payouts: why early small rewards matter more for retention.Identifying drop-off, how can you spot value mismatches at first action, not D7.Trust and expectation: showing average, attainable outcomes, not edge cases.Marketplace curation to add only offers users already want, not random buys.User and advertiser transparency for clear education, ratings, and funnel data.Which social platforms are delivering the most reliable new users?How to design for seasoned rewards users versus newcomers.What steps help marketers adapt when retargeting and paid attribution get harder?Why value energy and attitude over traditional credentials when building a team?Which user-focused investments have delivered the clearest returns in long-term retention or brand strength?Timestamps(0:00) – Intro and Lisanne's background in affiliate marketing(2:04) – What KashKick is and how the marketplace works(2:21) – Treating leisure time as a market asset(3:00) – User-first campaign design and offer selection(3:37) – Why genuine interest matters more than payout size(5:29) – Designing offers that respect user time(5:48) – How micro-rewards sustain engagement(7:04) – Balancing small wins with big payout motivation(8:01) – Measuring engagement versus pure volume(8:58) – How KashKick incentivizes fintech and charity actions(11:12) – Building trust through transparency and education(13:03) – Giving partners visibility and fraud prevention(14:09) – Why affiliates and content creators still work(15:40) – Push, email, and the next wave of engagement(16:35) – Playing the long game with user-first growth(18:09) – What Lisanne looks for in new hires(19:00) – Advice for junior marketers(22:16) – Ocala travel tips and hidden springsSelected quotes(3:45) – “If the user isn't genuinely interested, no incentive will change that. You can offer six hundred dollars, but if it's not relevant, they won't do it.”(5:48) – “We give people rewards along the way, micro-earnings that make their time feel valued. Small wins keep users engaged.”(11:44) – “We tell users exactly how tracking works and why we need it. Transparency builds trust, and that's what keeps them coming back.”Mentioned in this episodeLisanne Vera on LinkedinKashKick app
In this episode of Mastering eCommerce Marketing, Eitan Koter sits down with Andrew Maff, founder and CEO of BlueTuskr. Andrew has worked inside ecommerce brands and now leads a team that supports them across ads, SEO, Amazon strategy, and more.Eitan and Andrew talk about why relying on one sales channel, especially Amazon, can put a brand at risk. Andrew explains how to diversify in small steps, how to test demand before building a full website, and how to use SEO to bring in traffic that Amazon rewards.They also get into rising ad costs, how real shoppers move across platforms, and why a top down view of performance makes more sense than chasing ROAS in each channel.Andrew closes with advice for Q4 and beyond. He shares how to keep new customers engaged in the new year without pushing constant discounts.A simple and clear conversation about building a more stable ecommerce business.Website: https://www.vimmi.net Email us: info@vimmi.net Podcast website: https://vimmi.net/mastering-ecommerce-marketing/ Talk to us on Social:Eitan Koter's LinkedIn | Vimmi LinkedIn | YouTube Guest: Andrew Maff, Founder at BlueTuskrAndrew Maff's LinkedIn | BlueTuskrWatch the full Youtube video here:https://youtu.be/j0eAcX4lsi4Takeaways:Diversification is essential for e-commerce brands.Brands should not rely solely on Amazon for sales.Understanding your customer acquisition channels is crucial.SEO can significantly enhance DTC and Amazon performance.Bootstrapping your DTC strategy can save costs.Providing value to customers is key for retention.Video marketing is effective for engaging younger audiences.
Is Google's new AI Max for Search the future, or is it a hidden trap?In this episode of Growing E-commerce, Mike Ryan and Chris dive into brand-new, independent test data on AI Max for Search and discuss the strategic role of Demand Gen and the future of Dynamic Search Ads (DSA).The analysis of over 250 e-commerce campaigns reveals significant concerns:AI Max delivers an average 35% lower Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) and a higher Cost Per Conversion (CPA) compared to traditional broad match campaigns in retail.The conversions AI Max drives are often at a lower Average Order Value (AOV), raising questions about incrementality versus cannibalization.Mike predicts that Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) is on its way to being fully sunset/upgraded to AI Max by early 2026. The shift signals Google's move to consolidate broad automation into AI Max and the visual discovery into Demand Gen. The hosts also warn that many advertisers are creating unnecessary data fragmentation and overlap by running AI Max, DSA, and PMAX concurrently.The key discussion focuses on the Demand Gen Strategy: Demand Gen is best used as a visual discovery engine to compete with Paid Social/Meta and is heavily driven by video ads across YouTube and Shorts. Learn how to use it strategically as a mid-funnel tool to feed Performance Max (PMAX).What to do now: AI Max is here to stay. Mike and Chris offer advice on how to use AI Max's built-in controls (like negative keywords) to make the feature work smarter for your business.About smec (Smarter Ecommerce): At smec - Smarter Ecommerce, we specialize in transforming business goals into optimized ad campaigns. With over 16 years of experience in Google & Microsoft Ads, our intelligent software and expert services help retailers achieve superior results. We're committed to giving you the tools and insights needed to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of digital advertising. Make sure to follow smec - Smarter Ecommerce for more performance marketing insights: smec - Smarter Ecommerce: https://www.smarter-ecommerce.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/smarter-ecommerce-gmbh Newsletter: https://smarter-ecommerce.com/en/newsletter/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/smarterecommerce/
In this archive episode, we dive into the concept of “Profit First” E-commerce and why focusing solely on revenue can lead to big surprises. Karl O'Brien, Co-Founder of Store Hero, an e-commerce analytics tool, shares how their system helps store owners avoid common financial pitfalls by shifting their focus from top-line sales to bottom-line profitability. He explains how to gain a clear view of true profit and what to do with that information to drive business forward.Topics discussed in this episode: Why many merchants get a profit shock at month's end. Why revenue-based decisions can hurt profits in e-commerce. How contribution margin bridges the gap between marketing and finance. What products are hidden cash cows or are actually unprofitable. How to calculate break-even point ROAS for individual products. Why Q4 strategy should be based on profit, not just sales.What Store Hero is: a profit-first e-commerce analytics tool. Links & Resources Website: https://storehero.ai/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/storehero/Twitter: https://twitter.com/StoreHeroApp Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/dsay245p______________________________________________________ LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS! Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don't miss out! Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/ Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupConnor Swegle co-founded Priority Bicycles to build bikes that look good, ride great, and don't require you to be a mechanic. From a Kickstarter that sold 1,500 bikes to 25,000/year today, he's grown a DTC brand that rides differently — literally and strategically.For DTC founders scaling from ~$5–50M looking to tighten marketing funnels, reduce wasted spend, and build real community.Launched with a $565K Kickstarter campaign that validated product and storyBuilt a brand around low-maintenance belt drive bikes — a real differentiator in a crowded marketWhy they ignore most attribution data and focus on 3 things: product views → add to cart → purchasesSlimmed down Meta spend and saw ROAS increase by tightening targetingHow community-led R&D helped launch the Bruiser with built-in demandWho this is for: founders and marketers growing DTC product brands with real AOVWhat to steal:Don't run campaigns unless your audience is already in a buying mindsetMeasure funnel performance with just 3 steps: view → add → buyInvolve customers in product development, but don't let them pick the color Timestamps00:00 Why Priority Cycles was created03:00 Launching on Kickstarter and early traction06:00 The low-maintenance bike differentiator09:00 Building DTC trust through customer service12:00 Simplifying brand positioning and wayfinding15:00 Crowdsourcing product ideas and community involvement18:00 Using customer insight vs platform data21:00 Meta downshifts and rethinking paid efficiency24:00 Incrementality, ROAS traps, and smarter funnel design27:00 Understanding real customer motivations and tradeoffs30:00 Entering the mountain bike market33:00 Working with creators to co-develop products35:00 Growth outlook and category expansionHashtags#dtcpodcast #prioritybicycles #ecommercegrowth #marketingstrategy #dtcbrands #digitalmarketing #customeracquisition #growthmarketing #brandstrategy #directtoconsumer #bicycleindustry Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
Think you've maxed out your paid advertising? Think again.In this episode, Miranda Pettinger (365 Holdings/Cuddle Clones) shares how she scaled AppLovin from zero to $80,000/day in just 7 days during Black Friday—and why it's now their highest-spending channel, even surpassing Meta.Miranda doesn't just share success metrics—she breaks down the exact strategy, creative approach, and measurement framework that made it possible. This is the blueprint for brands ready to diversify beyond Meta and Google.If you're spending serious money on Meta and hitting scale ceilings, AppLovin might be your most underrated growth opportunity. Miranda proved it's possible to find incremental customers, better ROAS, and massive scale—all while simplifying your account structure.—Sponsored by OMG Commerce - go to (https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact) and request your FREE strategy session today!—Chapters: (00:00) Introducing Miranda and Cuddle Clones(07:54) The Journey from Zero to $80,000 a day.(13:27) Targeting, Media Buying and Creative on AppLovin(17:03) Understanding AppLovin(19:38) Analyzing Customer Behavior and Incrementality(22:59) Fermat: Optimize Shopper Experience with AI(23:53) Limitations on AppLovin and Final Thoughts(31:15) Crafting Compelling Ads(37:24) Analyzing Successful Ad Elements(42:17) Targeting and Audience Engagement(46:27) Brand Recall and Interactions(50:25) Utilizing AI for Ad Optimization(53:35) Creative Diversity and Longevity(58:41) Final Thoughts(01:03:08) Save Money and Connect Your Marketing Channels with Channable—Connect With Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@omgcommerce Website: https://www.omgcommerce.com/ Request a Free Strategy Session: https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact Relevant Links:Connect with Miranda on X: https://x.com/mirandpettingerCuddle Clones: https://cuddleclones.comAppLovin: https://www.applovin.com/Sponsor Offer | Fermat (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): fermatcommerce.comSponsor Offer | Channable (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): https://channable.com/Past guests on eCommerce Evolution include Ezra Firestone, Steve Chou, Drew Sanocki, Jacques Spitzer, Jeremy Horowitz, Ryan Moran, Sean Frank, Andrew Youderian, Ryan McKenzie, Joseph Wilkins, Cody Wittick, Miki Agrawal, Justin Brooke, Nish Samantray, Kurt Elster, John Parkes, Chris Mercer, Rabah Rahil, Bear Handlon, JC Hite, Frederick Vallaeys, Preston Rutherford, Anthony Mink, Bill D'Allessandro, Stephane Colleu, Jeff Oxford, Bryan Porter and more
In this episode of The Russell Brunson Show, I brought in one of my secret weapons from Inner Circle and Atlas, Jason Friedman. Jason is the guy I think about when I hear “customer experience” and “retention.” I am obsessed with funnels, traffic, and selling online, but Jason walked into our Mastermind in Paradise and basically said, “Cool… but what happens after they say yes?” What followed was one of the clearest frameworks I've ever seen for turning customers into raving recruiters so your revenue grows without buying more clicks. Key Highlights: ◼️Why entrepreneurs stay “addicted to strangers,” and how Jason reframes ROAS as Return On Audience Success so your funnels stop leaking profit. ◼️The theater director who scripted audience reactions on command, and how that principle lets you choreograph customer transformation instead of hoping it happens. ◼️Jason's Kinetic Customer Formula that ties attitude, behavior, momentum, and friction into a system that drives renewals, ascensions, and referrals. ◼️Simple retention moves you can apply immediately, like accelerating time-to-first-value, creating win streaks, and fixing hidden friction points. ◼️How personalization, gamification, and “unreasonable” small touches create emotional connection and make your programs sticky. ◼️Why the future of online business belongs to entrepreneurs who build back-end funnels that turn current customers into their strongest promoters. If you run funnels, sell courses or coaching, or drive any kind of online sales, this episode will help you make more money from the customers you already have while building something that is AI-proof and future-proof. Listen in, take notes, and then start redesigning your customer journey so your experiences compound long after the initial sale! ◼️If you've got a product, offer, service… or idea… I'll show you how to sell it (the RIGHT way) Register for my next event → https://sellingonline.com/podcast ◼️Still don't have a funnel? ClickFunnels gives you the exact tools (and templates) to launch TODAY → https://clickfunnels.com/podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, we're joined by Jon “JMo” Morgenstern, Head of Investment at VaynerMedia, who manages over $1.5B in annual media spend across brands like Oreo/Mondelez, JP Morgan Chase, PepsiCo, and Yeti. JMo breaks down how enterprise advertisers think about channel mix, retail media, and allocating capital across Meta, TikTok, CTV, Amazon, and Walmart and what DTC operators can learn from teams working at that scale.From there, we dive deep into measurement. JMo breaks down how enterprise teams are approaching incrementality, causal MMM, brand lift, and retail media halo effects and why fast-moving brands need to start thinking beyond last-click and short-window ROAS if they want to graduate into real growth mode.Then we move into creative. We talk about why “just make more ads” isn't the strategy and how Vayner thinks about creative volume × creative diversity, niche persona testing, and using organic performance as a signal before scaling into paid.We wrap with TikTok Shop, retail partnerships, and why even the biggest brands in the world are still navigating the same innovator's dilemma as fast-growth DTC brands - just with more zeros and way more stakeholders. If you're trying to spend smarter, measure smarter, and make creative that actually moves the needle, you're gonna love this one.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:04:59 - Fortune 500 vs DTC Strategies00:17:59 - Measuring Awareness, Incrementality & MMM00:38:49 - Vayner Volume Model: Diversity over Iteration00:52:49 - Turning Organic Wins into TV Commercials01:04:11 - TikTok Shop Strategy & Cross-Channel HaloPowered by:Motion.https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-readshttps://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:https://9operators.com/
In this episode of Marketing Operators, Cody and Connor unpack the real impact of Meta's Andromeda update and what creative diversity actually means today, plus how to optimize for it in an algorithm-driven environment. They break down how short-form, personalized feeds have reshaped the playbook, why we've shifted from the editor era to the creator era, and what now constitutes a better ad in Meta's eyes. They also dig into how to scale truly diverse creative without slowing down, harness organic social as a performance engine, and how the creative strategist role is evolving - expanding beyond editing into creator-first, social-native thinking and faster content systems.Then they're joined by Cathy Sun, VP of Ecommerce at AppLovin, to dive into the launch of AppLovin's self-serve Axon ads platform. Cathy breaks down how rewarded mobile gaming ads work, why long-form clickable inventory is driving incremental performance for e-commerce brands, and the creative tactics that win - from increasing ad volume and variation to leveraging interactive formats and scaling with repeatable creative workflows. She shares real stories of brands rapidly ramping spend and unlocking breakout ROAS on AppLovin, and why this channel has quickly become a powerful performance complement to Meta.If you're evolving your creative for the Andromeda era and looking for scalable performance channels beyond Meta, this episode delivers the frameworks, tactics, and operator-level insights to grow with confidence.Check out Axon by AppLovin: https://axon.ai/inviteonlyUse code: KLOHWKP3YMOperators Masterclass on Channel Growth: https://www.9operators.com/applovinIf you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters:00:00:00 - Introduction00:06:46 - The "Andromeda" Apocalypse00:21:55 - Why We're in the "Creator Era" (Not the "Editor Era")00:37:56 - How to Hire in the Creator Era00:53:37 - Special Guest: What is AppLovin's Axon Platform?01:07:39 - AppLovin Performance & Creative Best PracticesPowered by:Motion.https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-readshttps://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here:https://9operators.com/
Jaime Hunt sits down with Joseph Brennan, Vice President for Communications and Marketing at Montclair State University, for a raw and riveting conversation on what it really means to counsel a university president. With over three decades in higher ed and experience advising 13 university presidents, Brennan shares how the role of CMO has evolved from tactician to trusted strategic advisor—and why communication professionals must develop executive presence, business fluency, and emotional intelligence to lead in today's high-pressure environment.Guest Name: Joseph A. Brennan, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Montclair State UniversityGuest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoebrennan/Guest Bio: Joseph A. Brennan is Vice President for Communications & Marketing at Montclair State University, where he's proven that authentic storytelling works. He and his team have built a warm and genuine brand and brought it to life with narratives delivered across paid, earned, social and owned media, and designed innovative, data-driven campaigns that produced ROAS of nearly 7 to 1. Their award winning work has contributed to record enrollment for 4 successive years. Over three decades as a higher education communications and marketing executive, Joe has learned to put people first, because when team members feel seen and respected, they produce outstanding results. He's counseled 13 presidents, navigated major crises from international social media incidents to nationally publicized controversies, and directed high profile statewide campaigns to influence higher education policy in two states, but he's equally passionate about the quieter daily work of building teams where people want to stay and grow. His leadership philosophy? Treat mistakes as learning opportunities, not firing offenses. Create psychological safety so that innovation can flourish. Use humor appropriately. Show up as a whole human being, not just a job title. Meet people where they are, not where you think they should be. This approach extends beyond the office. Joe is a registered yoga teacher and meditation guide who believes mindfulness practices make leaders more effective, not less focused. He's currently earning his executive coaching certification, building on years of mentoring colleagues through career transitions and workplace challenges. Joe's mission is simple: help leaders create workplaces where talented people thrive, not just survive. When people feel valued and supported, everything else gets better. He's authored nearly 20 articles, been elected to the PRSA College of Fellows, and won national awards for "public relations campaign of the year" and "best website overhaul." - - - -Connect With Our Host:Jaime Hunthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/jaimehunt/https://twitter.com/JaimeHuntIMCAbout The Enrollify Podcast Network:Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you'll like other Enrollify shows too! Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — The AI Workforce Platform for Higher Ed. Learn more at element451.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupWelcome to the DTC Podcast. Today we're joined by Donatas Smailys, Co‑Founder & CEO of Billo, a creator‑marketing platform that helps DTC brands turn authentic creator videos into high‑performing ads. Explore Billo We dive into how brands can build a repeatable creator/content engine that integrates with ad funnels, why follower‑counts are becoming less relevant, how to brief creators with performance in mind, and why AI should support—not replace—human creators.Key TakeawaysWhy creator marketing must be treated as a systematic channel, not ad‑hoc influencer blastsHow to identify and match creators based on performance metrics (hook rate, CTR, ROAS) rather than follower sizeThe role of AI and data in briefing creators, generating content variants, and feeding back into ad performanceHow brands at the $3‑M‑$10‑M revenue stage can structure the first 90 days of creator‑led campaignsWhy authenticity still matters: synthetic avatar creators may work short‑term but risk long‑term trust and accountabilityThe emerging concept of “Answer Engine Optimisation (AEO)” and how creator/social assets feed into future search ecosystemsWhether you're a DTC brand marketer responsible for scaling ads, or a founder looking to build long‑term acquisition engines, this episode gives you a clear blueprint for building creator marketing into your growth stack.Timestamps00:00 AI brief generator and purchase data02:05 Why Billo started content at scale04:15 Creator marketing as a system06:20 Andromeda and creative diversity08:25 Segmenting by the why10:30 Let creators experiment and avoid fatigue12:35 AI influencers vs authenticity14:40 Meta partnership ads and Spark ads16:45 Answer Engine Optimization AEO18:50 Future of authenticity and human only20:55 First three months on Billo plan23:00 Performance backed creator selection25:05 Pricing and ad volume cadence27:10 Data loops AI variations and reuse29:30 Scaling creator content into paidHashtags#DTCPodcast #CreatorMarketing #InfluencerMarketing #UGC #EcommerceMarketing #PaidSocial #MetaAds #PartnershipAds #SparkAds #Andromeda #PerformanceCreative #AnswerEngineOptimization #AEO #Whitelisting #TikTokMarketing #AdCreative #CustomerAcquisition #DirectToConsumer #BilloApp #MarketingPodcast Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video
So there's this moment in 2022 where Celia Hatch wakes up from a dream about chicken supplements called "Chicken Spice." She thinks it's ridiculous. Fast forward to today, and she's running a seven-figure business serving America's 13% of households with backyard chickens.The twist is it started as her teenage son's eighth-grade homework assignment. He made $500 selling herbs in craft bags, then quit. Ms. Hatch, a serial entrepreneur with 16 businesses behind her, picked it up and scaled Buff Clucks to seven figures in 18 months using Meta advertising, landing pages, and subscription bundling.This is a story about accidental entrepreneurship, the growing market of premium pet owners willing to double their feed costs, and why sometimes the best business ideas come to you in your sleep. Along the way, Celia reveals why their Shopify store is the "neglected child" of their operation, how a "sneeze warning" became genius marketing, and why she wishes she'd built a proper Shopify store from day one.SPONSORSSwym - Wishlists, Back in Stock alerts, & moregetswym.com/kurtCleverific - Smart order editing for Shopifycleverific.comZipify - Build high-converting sales funnelszipify.com/KURTLINKSBuff Clucks: https://www.buffclucks.com/Buff Clucks Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buff_clucks/Funnelish (tool they use): https://funnelish.com/SEMrush: https://www.semrush.com/Ubersuggest: https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/WORK WITH KURTApply for Shopify Helpethercycle.com/applySee Our Resultsethercycle.com/workFree Newsletterkurtelster.comThe Unofficial Shopify Podcast is hosted by Kurt Elster and explores the stories behind successful Shopify stores. Get actionable insights, practical strategies, and proven tactics from entrepreneurs who've built thriving ecommerce businesses.
A tribe is a group of people that share an identity marker. Every affinity group, every fan club, every self-selected group of insiders is a tribe.Last week we talked about Business-to-Business advertising (B2B) and Niche Marketing with a long purchase cycle (Niche-L).Today we talk about Niche Marketing with a short purchase cycle (Niche-S) and Business-to-Consumer advertising (B2C).Let's talk first about (Niche-S):Niche Marketing with a Short purchase cycle will always be targeted to an affinity group. A Niche market is any self-selected group of insiders that has chosen to spend time, attention, and money on something that most people don't care about.Short-cycle Niche Marketing is mostly consumable products and services that are purchased on a regular basis by a self-selected group. Some examples of this would be bullets, fish hooks, tubes of oil paint, and those little cloth foot coverings worn by medical professionals in hospitals and air conditioning technicians in your home.Niche Marketing with a Short purchase cycle is similar to B2B advertising: Features. Benefits. Price.Now let's talk about Business-to-Consumer advertising with a Short purchase cycle. (B2C-S)Do you sell a small-ticket consumable product or service that a high percentage of the population will purchase regularly? You are selling Business-to-Consumer with a Short purchase cycle. Food, gasoline, and entertainment compose the majority of this category.If you own a grocery store, a restaurant, a convenience store, a gas station, a hardware store, or an “everything” store that competes with Amazon and Wal-Mart, all you need is a high-visibility location, legendary signage, and a staff that delivers a positive customer experience. That's it. That's your advertising.NOTE: If you want to drive immediate traffic, you will need(1.) an irresistible offer(2.) credible urgency(3.) high-frequency repetitionIf your ad doesn't drive traffic,(1.) your offer was weak(2.) your urgency was not credible, or(3.) you didn't pound the drums loud enoughNow let's talk about Business-to-Consumer advertising with a Long purchase cycle. (B2C-L)If you sell a big-ticket product or service that a lot of Americans will buy “someday,” but only a fraction of one percent of the public is looking for it “today,” then you are in a B2C category with a Long purchase cycle.This category requires patience, commitment, and mass media: primarily broadcast radio, broadcast television, or billboards.You can use short-term-impact Transactional ads or long-term brand-building Relational ads.The objective of a Transactional ad is to make the sale. You can measure the Return-On-Ad-Spend (ROAS) of short-term-impact Transactional ads because they offer no long-term benefits.The objective of a long-term Relational ad is to create connection, relationship, and trust in your brand. Relational ads cannot be measured with ROAS because there is no moment when the benefits of relationship strengthening have been exhausted.Business people are instinctively attracted to Transactional ads because Transactional ads are more easily measured. This feels good in the short term, but in the long term it leads to frustration as you ask, “Why aren't we growing like we should?”Now let's talk about Business-to-Consumer advertising with a Mixed purchase cycle....
You know it better than us - acquiring users is no longer the finish line. It's barely the starting line. In 2025, growth happens in the layers after the click — where segmentation, onboarding, product activation and value messaging determine whether a user becomes a one-and-done trial or a compounding revenue cohort. In this special episode, we're syndicating the App Promotion Summit NYC 2025 panel The Modern UA Funnel — from Acquisition to Unstoppable Retention. It's a real-world look at how UA has changed — not just in channels, but in how teams measure success, attribute value, and design creative that bridges acquisition, activation and loyalty. From ATT- pressure to creative fatigue to first-party signal strategy — this is where modern growth teams are now placing their bets. Moderated by Nicole Weiss, Founder of Brass Finch, the panel of experts included: Vincent Eterlet, Senior Director of Marketing at Fubo
Order my new book Habits of High Performers here - www.thehabitbook.com Replace guesswork with data and make your ads pay for themselves.In this episode of Lead On Purpose, I sit down with Hikari of Omneky, an AI-powered platform that turns creative and performance data into higher return on ad spend across every major channel. Based in the Bay Area and building in AI since 2018, Hikari shares a clear, human take on what to do now, what to ignore, and how to use agents and automation without losing your brand.We cover:Why AI is unavoidable and how to stay current without overwhelm.How to vet AI consultants, avoid weak proofs of concept, and set sensible ROI tests.Getting found by LLMs: content quality, citations, and brand signals models actually weight.What Omneky does differently: data-driven creative, full visibility and control, and true omnichannel testing that lifts ROAS.Agents, security, and the near future of work for small and mid-sized teams.If you run ads or plan to, this one will save you money and focus your efforts where they convert.Learn more about Omneky here - https://www.omneky.com/#Connect with Hikari on LinkedIn here - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hisenju/If you're interested in having me deliver a keynote or workshop for your team contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.comWebsite: https://www.jjlaughlin.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GETJbxpgulYcYc6QAKLHA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamesLaughlinOfficial Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jameslaughlinofficial/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/life-on-purpose-with-james-laughlin/id1547874035 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3WBElxcvhCHtJWBac3nOlF?si=hotcGzHVRACeAx4GvybVOQ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslaughlincoaching/James Laughlin is a High Performance Leadership Coach, Former 7-Time World Champion, Host of the Lead On Purpose Podcast and an Executive Coach to high performers and leaders. James is based in Christchurch, New Zealand.Send me a personal text message - If you're interested in booking me for a keynote or workshop, contact Caroline at caroline@jjlaughlin.comSupport the show
Is Pinterest the most overlooked ad platform in eCommerce right now? In this episode, I sit down with Kate Ahl, founder of SimplePinMedia.com, to talk about how Pinterest is quietly delivering strong returns for brands that understand how to use it—and why it's far more than a place for DIY boards and recipes. Listen in as Kate explains how Pinterest actually works as a search engine for inspiration, what brands often get wrong when running ads, and how to design campaigns that convert. She also shares insights on attribution timelines, AI-powered creative tools, and how eCommerce businesses in visually driven niches can leverage Pinterest for sustainable growth. You can find show notes and more information by clicking here: https://bit.ly/3JJ44o6 Interested in our Private Community for 7-Figure Store Owners? Learn more here. Want to hear about new episodes and eCommerce news round-ups? Subscribe via email.
ROAS has long been the standard in retail media, but it leaves brands with an incomplete picture of shopper value. In this episode, VP of Product Gabe Fishbein joins Emma to reveal our "Return on Consumer Dashboard," a new solution that puts the entire consumer journey in focus.Gabe explains how this dashboard goes beyond campaign-level metrics and helps brands understand shopper value at every stage, from first interaction to loyalty. Discover where consumers drop off, where your investments make the most impact, and how to turn insights into growth.If you're ready to move beyond guesswork and truly see what drives value for your brand, this conversation is for you. Listen in for how our Return on Consumer dashboard gives you a clear path to smarter decisions and stronger results.
In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Avetis Antaplyan sits down with Erik Huberman, founder and CEO of Hawke Media, to unpack why the old marketing playbook is broken—and what actually scales in 2025. Erik shares how AI has collapsed the product moat, making distribution, brand, and go-to-market the real advantages. He explains the “vibe” behind breakout brands (think Liquid Death) and why software companies must now win on trust, positioning, and partnerships rather than feature lists. We dig into Hawke Media's early differentiation—“your outsourced CMO,” month-to-month flexibility, and a la carte services—and how credibility compounds through consistent standards, client communication, and third-party validation (PR as trust, not awareness). Erik also breaks down the myths of ROAS, how to measure what matters across sales cycles, and a pragmatic framework for investing in founders with an unfair advantage. Finally, he offers founder operating principles: build the company you want to run, avoid burnout and bad debt, and let culture be the brand customers experience. If you lead growth, run a services firm, or invest in SaaS, this is a tactical masterclass in cutting through noise and turning credibility into compounding results.TakeawaysAI shrinks product moats; distribution and GTM become the edge.90% should be scalable, repeatable marketing; 10% creative bets to stand out.Brand “vibe” creates defensibility—even for software—by signaling trust and values.Positioning that travels (“your outsourced CMO”) fuels word-of-mouth and referrals.PR is a **trust*asset more than awareness—turn third-party moments into ads.ROAS often lies; anchor to sales cycle, lifetime value, and full-funnel ROI.Think in “half-lives”: run long enough to see conversions, then optimize and wait again.Relationships and communication keep clients through dips; performance alone isn't enough.Niche vs. breadth: define ICP and messaging; teams can specialize without shrinking TAM.Use the Rule of 40 to balance profit and growth when setting spend.Investors should seek unfair advantages: embedded founders, ecosystem ties, real GTM.Founder principle: build for yourself; avoid debt/burnout—your ambition sets the ceiling.Chapters00:00 Intro and guest setup Erik Huberman and the new moat in an AI world04:20 Distribution, partnerships, and GTM as the unfair advantage08:05 Brand “vibe” and positioning that actually travels11:45 How Hawke Media stood out the outsourced CMO model21:30 The awareness → nurture → trust framework34:40 The ROAS trap and what to measure instead44:05 Spend strategy, Rule of 40, and scaling channels47:00 Sales-cycle “half-lives” and realistic ramp timelines48:45 Make-it-work mindset for leaders and marketers52:50 Investor lens embedded founders and unfair advantages58:21 Final takeaways and closeErik Huberman's Social Media Links:https://www.instagram.com/erikhubermanhttps://x.com/ErikHubermanhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/erikhuberman/Erik Huberman's Websites:https://erikhuberman.com/https://hawkemedia.com/Resources and Links:https://www.hireclout.comhttps://www.podcast.hireclout.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/hirefasthireright
Learn how to master marketing attribution and stop wasting money on ineffective ad campaigns. Marketing attribution is broken in most businesses—and it's costing you thousands in wasted ad spend. In this episode, Charles Gaudet sits down with attribution expert Scott Desgrosseilliers to expose why Google Analytics and platform-reported metrics are lying to you about what's actually driving sales. Discover why the traditional marketing funnel is outdated, how buyers now research across 36+ sources before purchasing, and why your "failed" campaigns might actually be your biggest winners. Scott reveals the critical difference between tracking last-click conversions versus the full customer journey, and shares his "Scale, Chill, or Kill" framework that distills complex marketing data into actionable one-word decisions. Scott Desgrosseilliers is the CEO and founder of Wicked Reports, a first-party data attribution platform he's been pioneering since 2014—before attribution was even a buzzword. After proving his friend wrong about Facebook ads working for lobster sales (resulting in millions in revenue), Scott has dedicated his career to giving businesses accurate attribution, optimized ad spending, and true customer journey understanding. When he's not revolutionizing how companies track their marketing ROI, he's an avid meditator who applies spiritual and energetic solutions to real-world business problems, and enjoys peloton, ice hockey, and bridge with his family. KEY TAKEAWAYS: Most marketing campaigns fail not because the entire funnel is broken, but because one or two pieces need adjustment while 85% actually works perfectly. Google and Meta's 28-day attribution windows miss the majority of conversions, while the average buyer researches for 62+ days before purchasing expensive products. Platform-reported ROAS is misleading because Google and Meta both claim credit for the same conversions, making it impossible to know which channels truly drive results. The top of funnel (cold traffic awareness) requires at least 50% of your budget and is the hardest to track, but it's what actually drives new customer growth. Consumption drives conversion—videos and content with high engagement rates contribute to sales even when they don't directly convert, so don't kill campaigns based on immediate conversion data alone. The traditional marketing funnel from the 1800s is obsolete; modern buyers now research across 36+ different sources before making purchase decisions. Wait at least double your average conversion cycle before making budget decisions on campaigns—rushing to judge performance leads to killing winners too early. Successful iteration requires 13+ tweaks on average, even for expert marketers converting half a billion dollars in sales, so persistence beats perfection every time. Growing your business is hard, but it doesn't have to be. In this podcast, we will be discussing top level strategies for both growing and expanding your business beyond seven figures. The show will feature a mix of pure content and expert interviews to present key concepts and fundamental topics in a variety of different formats. We believe that this format will enable our listeners to learn the most from the show, implement more in their businesses, and get real value out of the podcast. Enjoy the show. Please remember to rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so you don't miss any future episodes. Your support and reviews are important and help us to grow and improve the show. Follow Charles Gaudet and Predictable Profits on Social Media: Facebook: facebook.com/PredictableProfits Instagram: instagram.com/predictableprofits Twitter: twitter.com/charlesgaudet LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/charlesgaudet Visit Charles Gaudet's Wesbites: www.PredictableProfits.com www.predictableprofits.com/community https://start.predictableprofits.com/community
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Sandy Diao is one of the most exceptional growth leaders of the last decade. Sandy has scaled products to over 200M+ users and led growth teams at Descript, Meta and Pinterest. She is also a prolific writer all on things growth here. AGENDA: 03:59 Biggest Growth Lessons from Pinterest 08:01 What is a Good vs a Bad Growth Hypothesis 11:11 Common Mistakes in Growth Strategies 14:57 Channel Fit: When You Have It & What To Do 25:43 Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) 101: How to Build a Paid Marketing Machine 30:08 How to Do SEO and Long-Term Growth Investments 33:22 Doubling Down on Successful Channels 36:31 The Unchanging Foundations of SEO 37:52 Generative AI Engines vs. Traditional Search Engines 41:12 Paid Marketing Channels: What's Overrated? 43:42 The Rise of User-Generated Content (UGC) 46:34 TikTok Ads: Expectations vs. Reality 49:55 Brand Marketing: What is Real vs What is BS? 53:33 The Importance of Feature Launches 01:01:50 Hiring for Growth: When and Who? 01:08:55 Quick Fire Round: Onboarding, Notifications, and Growth Channels
Acquisition gets all the attention. Retention pays the bills.In this episode of Marketing Mindset, Jordan Narducci and Sebastian Williams unpack how DTC brands can move from chasing new customers to building loyalty that lasts.We dive into: