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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we break out of pure DTC and dive into the future of retail with Shopify’s VP of Retail, Ray Reddy. We explore how Shopify is transforming POS from a mere checkout tool into a full commerce operating system, unifying online and offline, unlocking customer data in-store, and embedding AI automation in the merchant workflow.

What You’ll Learn:

Why treating POS as an operating system (not just a terminal) opens new growth levers

How Shopify enables 50–60% customer identification in physical stores (via Live Lookup)

What technical challenges (tax, permissions, compliance) matter most in unified retail

How Shopify is integrating AI to automate catalog, imagery, and advisory tasks

The importance of choosing a commerce partner for the next 5–10 years

Best Moments / Key Themes:

Evolving POS from add-on to core product

The “unified data model” philosophy versus stitched integrations

Role of AI in freeing up founders to focus on growth

The customer experience transformation in stores

The migration trade-offs and how Shopify approaches them

Whether you’re a DTC brand exploring brick‑and‑mortar or a retail brand scaling omnichannel, this episode is full of tactical thinking about infrastructure, identity, and future proofing.

Timestamps:

00:00 Shopify POS as an operating system

04:00 How Shopify’s POS evolved beyond an add-on

08:00 Why offline retail remains a massive opportunity

12:00 Unified commerce and eliminating system complexity

17:00 Unlocking customer data and personalized retail experiences

24:00 Building with platform primitives and enabling innovation

25:00 How AI is transforming Shopify’s POS and merchant support

31:00 Preparing for the next major tech shift in commerce

Hashtags:

#Shopify #POS #RetailTech #UnifiedCommerce #EcommerceStrategy #Omnichannel #RetailInnovation #AIFuture #ShopifyPOS #DTCpodcast #DirectToConsumer #RetailTransformation #AIinRetail #CommerceTrends #ShopifyTips

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To Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupHello, and welcome to the All Killer No Filler DTC Podcast. In this episode, we dive deep into what’s different this year heading into Q4 — from platform changes on Meta to how creative strategy and campaign structure must evolve.We welcome Jocelyn K, senior media buyer at Pilothouse, and Jocelyn H, senior strategist at Pilothouse. Both veterans of multiple Q4s, they walk us through the new levers, pitfalls, and playbooks for scaling DTC brands in a shifting landscape.In this episode you’ll learn:Why momentum (not late sporadic launches) should be your central strategy this Q4How to adjust your campaign structure and creative workflows amid Meta’s changes (Advantage Plus, phasing out shop checkout, etc.)Concrete tactics around creative velocity, offer structure, and funnel building to harvest maximum scaleTune in to get tactical, platform‑aware strategies you can put into action now — before the holiday rush.Timestamps00:00 What's Different About Q4 This Year02:00 Advantage Plus Shopping Campaigns and Meta Changes04:00 Creative Strategies and the Trojan Horse Approach08:00 Offers, Discounts, and Consumer Psychology14:00 Momentum, Simplicity, and Funnel Optimization18:00 Lead Generation Strategies Ahead of Black Friday21:00 Creative Testing and Meta’s New Priorities23:00 How AI Is (and Isn’t) Changing Creative StrategyHashtags#DTC #Q4Strategy #MetaAds #BlackFridayMarketing #EcommerceTips #DigitalAdvertising #CreativeStrategy #PaidSocial #AdBuying #MarketingPodcast Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://www.pilothouse.co/?utm_source=AKNF548Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Alex Schultz, the CMO and VP of Analytics at Meta, to unpack nearly two decades of hard-earned marketing insights from inside one of the most influential tech companies on the planet.

From his scrappy beginnings as an affiliate marketer trying to pay for college, Alex rose through the ranks at Facebook—helping launch self-serve ads, custom audiences, and building the company’s analytics function from the ground up.

Now, as CMO, he shares how he thinks about brand vs. performance, why incrementality measurement is non-negotiable, and what it really took to lead the rebrand from Facebook to Meta in under seven months.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How affiliate thinking creates real marketers
• Why starting with performance-driven urgency creates marketers who understand what actually drives growth
• The self-serve ad platform strategy that unlocked small business scale
• Alex shares how linking product and marketing—from in-product CTAs to retargeting drop-offs—became Meta’s growth engine
• Why incrementality is the foundation of modern marketing
• Forget last-click—true marketers use lift tests, holdouts, and on/off testing to see what really works
• How to build brands on performance platforms
• Yes, you can build a brand on Meta—but only if you measure it right
• The inside story of the Meta rebrand
• Including a midnight WhatsApp from Zuckerberg and a literal house fire
• Why creative strategy—not media buying—is the future in an AI world
• Agencies will evolve, but those who control the data + creative inputs will control outcomes
• How Alex is using creator marketing, email, and retargeting to market his new book, Click Here
• The modern playbook Meta uses… now applied to books

Visit Hachette Book Group for information on how to purchase Click Here: The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and Advertising, out on October 7th.

And you can check out an audio book version on Spotify here:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5hsoMSkbpEboe0M4aGqNgZ

Timestamps

00:00 - From Affiliate Marketer to CMO of Meta

02:00 - Building Facebook’s Growth Engine and Analytics Team

06:00 - Lessons From the Affiliate Mindset

08:00 - Launching Self-Serve Ads and the First Custom Audiences

11:00 - Rebranding Facebook to Meta: Inside the Strategy

15:00 - Building Brands with Direct Response vs. Top-of-Funnel Marketing

18:00 - How WhatsApp’s Brand Story Shifted Perception

20:00 - Why Alex Wrote "Click Here" and Its Core Principles

24:00 - The Future of Agencies and AI in Advertising

28:00 - Marketing the Book Using Meta Strategies

Hashtags

#DTCpodcast #Meta #AlexSchultz #DigitalMarketing #BrandStrategy #AffiliateMarketing #Rebranding #MarketingBook #GrowthMarketing #AdvertisingStrategy #MarketingTips #SocialMediaMarketing #BusinessGrowth #CMOInsights #MarketingPodcast

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On this episode, we speak with Boone & Ben, co‑founders of Highland Style Co., a clean‑ingredient men’s grooming brand that grew from kitchen‑experiments to eight figures in revenue. We dig into their growth journey: how they built performance products, retained customers, and scaled unit economics without losing the values that launched them.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How to validate product performance early via professional channels (barbershops/salons) to build credibility.
• The importance of embedding unit economics (margins, payback period, LTV/CAC) from day one to ensure scalable growth.
• Three content pillars that moved the needle for Highland: founder storytelling, expert endorsements, and aspirational user content.
• Real tactics for retention: packaging, post‑purchase experience, SMS/email flows, and repeat products.
• Why staying lean in team & operations matters, and how to hire/contract strategically to keep agility.
• How clean beauty standards (ingredients, packaging) can coexist with performance and profitability.

Timestamps

00:00 The origins of Highland and solving a personal problem

02:00 Early product development and validation with barbershops

07:00 Bootstrapping, fundraising, and focus on profitability

10:00 Building strong unit economics and targeting 80% margins

12:00 Meta ads and founder-led storytelling that drove growth

15:00 Evolving content strategy and leveraging industry experts

18:00 Scaling to eight figures with only two SKUs

21:00 Staying lean with a four-person team and efficient operations

25:00 Merging marketing with finance and building a payback workbook

28:00 Retention tactics and post-purchase experience

31:00 Expanding to Amazon and why it was a growth unlock

32:00 Scrappy press tactics and winning grooming awards

35:00 Building relationships with creators and affiliate partners

36:00 Future goals, brand vision, and plans for expansion

Hashtags

#DTCpodcast #HighlandHair #EcommerceGrowth #Bootstrapping #StartupStory #UnitEconomics #FounderJourney #ContentStrategy #RetentionMarketing #AmazonGrowth #HaircareBrand #DigitalMarketing #BrandBuilding #BusinessPodcast #ScalingBrands

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In this episode of All Killer No Filler, Abby & Henry from Pilothouse break down what it means to build real strategy for DTC brand growth. They explain how many brands today are stuck optimizing what already worked — rather than asking who the right audience is, what their pain points are, and how to speak to them.

What we cover:

• Defining real audiences & personas — how to move away from “Meta placing you” to targeting who truly values your product.

• Lifetime value, product curation, NCAC & AOV — choosing what to push, upsell, or abandon.

• Creative & messaging that connect across funnel stages — why the same creative at every stage fails.

• Strategy informing all channels — landing pages, email, ads, CRO & more.

“The game in 2020 was easy — now you're paying for a strategy that works.”

Whether you have a growing DTC brand or are scaling, this episode gives you concrete frameworks to sharpen your strategy, escape the spin cycle, and unlock long‑term performance gains.

Timestamps

00:00 Strategy vs. Easy Growth in DTC

02:45 The Role of an Account Strategist

05:30 Integrating with Brand Teams Across Channels

07:50 Unlocking New Audiences with Strategic Shifts

11:20 Why Lifetime Value Should Shape Your Strategy

15:30 Escaping the Tactical Spin Cycle

18:00 Building Effective Top-of-Funnel Creative

20:00 What a Strategic Audit Looks Like

22:00 The True Meaning of “Better” Creative

25:20 Why Deep Audience Research Drives Long-Term Growth

26:40 The Future of Media Buying and Creative Strategy

Hashtags

#DTCMarketing #EcommerceStrategy #MediaBuying #AdStrategy #GrowthMarketing #CustomerAcquisition #DigitalMarketing #CreativeStrategy #MarketingPodcast #Pilothouse

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Rod Morris, co‑founder of Lovevery, to dig into how they turned a single product idea into a global early‑learning brand with over 150 SKUs, presence in 34 markets, and a sustainable subscription model.

What you’ll learn:

• How Lovevery validated its premium product idea with the PlayGem and used early feedback to build credibility.
• The tactics that drove retention: mission‑aligned design, app features, quality materials.
• How unbundling the subscription and adding new SKUs (and retail partnerships) widened their customer base.
• Their strategy for profitable growth: optimizing supply chain, being more efficient, and adjusting to tariff pressures without compromising core experience.
• How circularity and resale aren’t just ethical branding—they’re catalytic for brand trust, lowering purchase friction, and increasing lifetime value.

Roderick Morris is Cofounder and President of Lovevery, the global early childhood brand known for transforming the way families play and learn. Recognized for its award-winning, stage-based Play Kits program and the companion Lovevery App, the company provides science-backed tools that empower parents with confidence and nurture children’s development from birth. Founded in 2015, Lovevery has since expanded to early literacy with The Early Reader Club subscription and The Reading Skill Set—a proven, screen-free, learn-to-read program. Today, Lovevery continues to lead in early childhood innovation across more than 30 global markets.

Timestamps

00:00 Serving parents and children with premium products

02:00 The origins of Lovevery and first product launch

04:00 Cracking the market with the Play Gym

07:00 Building credibility through influencers and early adopters

10:00 Scaling the subscription program and retention learnings

14:00 Product quality, durability, and material choices

17:00 Unbundling subscription kits to expand access

19:00 Growth during COVID and path to profitability

23:00 International expansion strategy and new markets

26:00 Walmart partnership and retail rollout

27:00 Launching the circularity marketplace for secondhand play kits

30:00 Mobile app evolution and impact on retention

33:00 Managing tariffs and business sustainability

35:00 Future growth levers and expanding into new skills

Hashtags

#DTCPodcast #Lovevery #RodMorris #Ecommerce #SubscriptionBusiness #ParentingProducts #DTC #ConsumerBrands #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric speaks with Dougie, lead of the Google team at Pilothouse, about what happens when DTC brands try to scale on Google Ads and hit a ceiling. The conversation digs into impression share limits, ad rank, new customer acquisition, product mix, and how demand generation must be part of the strategy—not just search & shopping.

Why you’ll want to listen:

• Learn when you’re maxed out on impression share and what to do about it.
• How to use Google’s new customer acquisition settings & prioritize hero SKUs to improve incrementality.
• When & how to build upper funnel demand (YouTube, content, ingredient‑based content) to feed your capture channels.

This episode is essential for growth‑stage DTC marketers and eCommerce owners who want to scale Google Ads profitably without just increasing budget and sacrificing efficiency.

Timestamps

00:00 Scaling on Google Ads and hitting ceilings

02:00 Understanding impression share and ad rank

04:30 Creating demand through content and upper funnel tactics

07:00 Avoiding bidding mistakes and ensuring incrementality

09:00 Product distribution misalignment and hero product strategy

12:00 Shopping campaigns vs Performance Max for new customer growth

14:00 Using search terms and AI insights for keyword strategy

16:00 Preparing Google Ads accounts for Black Friday and Q4

18:00 How Pilothouse runs audits and identifies growth opportunities

Hashtags

#GoogleAds #DTC #Pilothouse #AdStrategy #DigitalMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #PerformanceMax #ScalingAds #MarketingPodcast #PPCStrategy

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Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - ⁠https://dtcnews.link/signup⁠In this third appearance on the DTC Podcast, Constantine Yurevich, founder of SegmentStream, delivers the most comprehensive breakdown of the marketing measurement landscape we've ever recorded.This isn’t theory. It’s a raw, truth-filled look at what works, what’s broken, and how DTC brands can actually understand what’s driving growth.Forget the vendor noise. This episode will reset your measurement mindset.Visit SegmentStream website: https://segmentstream.com/ Follow Constantine Yurevich on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yurevichcv/Key Insights and Takeaways:The 3 measurement models in DTC: empirical attribution, statistical modeling (MMM), and causal testing (geo-holdouts)—and why only one is truly useful for most brands.Why MMM is mostly theater: assumptions-driven, biased by design, and rarely accurate for DTC brands under $100M in spend.The myth of incrementality measurement: how geo-holdouts and lift tests produce confidence intervals too wide to act on.How to build a trustworthy attribution stack:First-click attribution (and why it’s ignored by platforms)Identity graph stitching across devices/usersSelf-reported attribution + re-attribution logic to uncover dark-funnel sources (YouTube, podcasts, etc.)Why first-click attribution is the best tool for understanding new customer acquisition.How self-reporting + re-attribution can show you where brand awareness is really coming from.The fatal flaw in measuring “incrementality” via platform lift studies.How to use marginal analytics to reallocate budget before returns diminish.Why platforms are killing first-click visibility—and what that tells you about their incentives.This episode is for DTC operators who are tired of overpaying for last-click conversions that would’ve happened anyway, want clear signals from upper-funnel and brand channels, and are hungry for real insight.Timestamps00:00 Intro and the state of marketing measurement02:15 Why most models are disconnected from reality05:00 Three main categories of marketing measurement08:10 The limits of MMM and mathematical models12:00 The rise of new-gen MMM and confirmation bias17:00 Geo holdout testing and its flaws24:00 Why true incrementality is nearly impossible to measure31:00 First click vs last click attribution37:00 Using identity graphs and self-reported attribution44:00 Why attribution still matters after 20 years52:00 Where SegmentStream fits in and key takeawaysHashtags#DTC #Ecommerce #MarketingMeasurement #Attribution #MMM #DigitalMarketing #BrandGrowth #MarketingData #Incrementality #AdTechSubscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup

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When we first spoke to Michael Fisher, Rotten had just launched a single product online. Now, the brand is stocked in 1,000+ retail locations including Zumiez, Safeway, Sprouts, and Hy‑Vee. In this follow-up episode, we unpack exactly how Rotten scaled while preserving product quality, unique branding, and a lean team.

This episode dives into:

• Building a better-for-you candy that actually tastes great (60% less sugar, no synthetic dyes)
• How Rotten validated demand and used Kickstarter as a test lab
• What Michael learned about launching in retail through shippers and “in‑and‑out” placements
• Why brand IP and world-building (Dr. Rotten, Frankie Freak) is key to long-term value
• Real talk on packaging sustainability, operational scaling, and team-building

You’ll learn tactical insights on:

• How to evaluate retail partners and assert boundaries
• What content drives impulse candy purchases on TikTok Shop
• Using surveys to prove incremental retail value without buying expensive syndicated data
• Balancing DTC bleed-in and retail velocity
• Creating a brand that stops people in the aisle and online

Rotten’s growth is a masterclass in starting lean, staying weird, and scaling smart. Don’t miss it.

Timestamps

00:00 Rotten’s Growth Journey and TikTok Shop Strategy

02:00 Launching Gummy Crunchies and Multi-Texture Candy Trends

04:00 Retail Expansion: From Zumiez to Hy-Vee

06:00 Shippers, In-and-Outs, and Driving Off-Shelf Sales

08:00 Better-for-You Candy Positioning and Merch Strategy

10:00 Building the Rotten Brand World and Characters

12:00 Halloween Marketing and Seasonal Retail Momentum

14:00 Setting Boundaries with Retailers and Sampling Strategy

16:00 TikTok Shop Flywheel and Content That Converts

18:00 Measuring Retail Pickup and The Digital Bleed Effect

20:00 Using DTC Data to Win Retail Buyers

22:00 Scaling Challenges, Team Growth, and Culture

24:00 Aggressive Growth Goals, Profitability, and New Doors

Hashtags

#DTC #Podcast #Ecommerce #CPG #CandyBrand #TikTokShop #RetailStrategy #ScalingBrands #MarketingPodcast #ConsumerBrands

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On this episode of All Killer No Filler (the DTC Podcast from Pilothouse), Eric and Debbie dive into TikTok’s Symphony suite, a growing toolkit of AI‑powered creative solutions that streamline ideation, ad creation, and brief generation. Debbie shares how Pilothouse is using Symphony to write better creative briefs fast, pairing that with affiliate creators to build consistent, scalable TikTok campaign performance.

Why Listen

• Learn how TikTok’s AI tools can accelerate creative ideation and asset refreshes
• See how affiliate creators act like virtual sales associates for TikTok Shop campaigns
• Discover how a simple tracking change dropped CPAs from $350 to $50

Key Moments

• AI Generated Creative: Debbie describes the “uncanny” experience of reviewing AI‑generated TikToks and the balance between excitement and authenticity
• Affiliate Strategy: Explanation of targeting L3 creators and how they drive predictable sales—even when viral moments fade
• Performance Pivot: Story of resetting a Pixel and dramatically lowering ad costs

Timestamps:

00:00 What is TikTok Symphony

02:00 TikTok Shop vs Off-Platform Strategy

04:00 Brand Hesitations with AI Content

06:00 From Viral Moments to Consistent Sales

08:00 Finding and Working with TikTok Affiliates

10:00 Measuring Affiliate Performance and KPIs

12:00 Bundling Products on TikTok Shop

14:00 Fixing High CPCs and CPAs with Fresh Pixels

15:00 TikTok’s Role in the Full Funnel

16:00 Final Advice on Using Symphony

Hashtags:

#TikTokMarketing #TikTokAds #TikTokShop #EcommerceGrowth #AffiliateMarketing #AIMarketing #CreativeStrategy #DTCBrands #DigitalMarketing #GrowthMarketing

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Drew Marconi, Co-founder and CEO of Intelligems, to dig into the real way brands should be thinking about testing in 2025.

Forget just optimizing for conversion rate or AOV. The smartest brands are now optimizing every site change—pricing, shipping, offers, content—for one thing: profit per visitor.

Drew shares how Intelligems helps brands move beyond surface-level CRO and into truly strategic decision-making by treating pricing, shipping, and discounts as testable business levers.

Stop guessing, start knowing. Install Intelligems for free: https://apps.shopify.com/intelligems

Key Insights:

• Why profit per visitor is more than conversion rate or revenue
• It’s the only metric that balances AOV, margin, and conversion—and captures true business impact.
• What most brands get wrong about pricing
• Many haven't touched prices in years or are afraid to test them. Drew explains how to approach price testing without backlash.
• The roadmap to build a culture of experimentation
• From VP-level buy-in to weekly testing meetings, learn how the best teams are structured for consistent optimization.
• How to test pricing, offers, and shipping intelligently
• Get the real-world tactics behind straddle tests, dynamic discounts, and testing offer mechanisms.
• Agentic AI is coming to testing
• Drew breaks down how automated agents will soon handle ideation, test execution, analysis, and rollout—without human bottlenecks.

If you’re still optimizing for revenue or conversion alone, this episode will change how you think about growth. It’s not just about what wins the test—it’s about what drives profit.

Timestamps

00:00 – The state of A/B testing and pricing strategies

02:15 – Drew’s journey from McKinsey to founding Intelligems

04:30 – Why pricing needs to be broader than just the list price

07:10 – Dynamic pricing fears and consumer perception

09:20 – Building effective testing roadmaps for DTC brands

12:05 – Running price elasticity tests for better profit per visitor

14:30 – Personalization strategies based on traffic sources

16:45 – Optimizing Black Friday & holiday offers through testing

19:30 – Creating a culture of experimentation inside your brand

22:40 – How high-performing teams structure ongoing testing cycles

25:10 – Statistical significance, confidence intervals & testing duration

28:20 – Measuring profit per visitor vs. focusing on conversion rate

30:15 – The agentic AI future of A/B testing & infinite experimentation

Hashtags

#ABTesting #PricingStrategy #EcommerceGrowth #DTCBrands #ConversionOptimization #Personalization #ProfitPerVisitor #BlackFridayStrategy #AIAutomation #MarketingAnalytics

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If you’re still sending Meta traffic to a single product page—you’re leaving revenue on the table.

In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric reconnects with global growth strategist Chris Erthel, whose playbook for Meta ads, landing page optimization, and strategic A/B testing has helped eCommerce brands scale from $30M to $100M+ and exit at nine-figure valuations.

Chris shares real-world insights from helping 142+ DTC brands and breaks down exactly why collection pages consistently outperform product pages, how to use humor and pattern interruption in the first second of your ad, and why the right discount depth can actually save you money.

We also get into:

✅ The one change that boosted ROAS and AOV by 20%

✅ Why 40% discounts outperform 30% (and reduce ad costs)

✅ The 5 ad hook formats that stop scrolls without looking like ads

✅ How to pre-seed comments for maximum social proof

✅ A roadmap to expand your DTC brand into the Nordics and Poland

✅ The real cost of SaaS bloat—and why tools like Omnisend and WeeVee are better bets

✅ A 30-second breathwork tool to calm your nervous system before big decisions

Whether you're running media, building funnels, or growing a global brand, this episode is a tactical masterclass on eCommerce growth, international expansion, and creative excellence.

Timestamps:

00:00 Cold open and common ecom mistakes

00:02 Chris’s origin story and early wins

00:07 Creative focus and the “send to collections” landing page test

00:12 First-second hooks that work now

00:18 Comment strategy that boosts ROAS

00:23 Building a testing culture across the funnel

00:25 Creator partnerships driving outsized revenue

00:27 Scaling to exit and stronger offers for BFCM

00:34 Smart international expansion playbook

00:38 AI creative toolchain in one canvas

00:41 Email ROI and tool cost comparisons

00:46 Big goals, happiness, and breathwork

00:53 20 connected breaths demo

00:57 Final advice for founders

Hashtags:

#DTC #Ecommerce #MetaAds #FacebookAds #CreativeStrategy #ABTesting #UGC #BlackFriday #InternationalExpansion #EmailMarketing #Omnisend #Klaviyo #AIinMarketing #RetentionMarketing #LandingPages #CreatorEconomy #ROAS #Podcast

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In this episode of All Killer No Filler, host Eric Dyck brings on Aves from Pilothouse and Ad‑Venturous to unpack how Halloween creatively primes brands for Q4 success.

Key insights you'll get:

• How subtle seasonal signals—like leaves, emojis, earthy color palettes—increase ad engagement across categories
• Why Halloween campaigns serve as strategic rehearsal for holiday launches and promo roadmapping
• When to dial back on heavy weekend sales in favor of lead‑in drops ahead of Q4
• The difference between taste and discernment when using AI in creative strategy

Timestamps

00:00 – Halloween shopping trends and early product drops

02:10 – Boo baskets, nostalgia, and making products feel seasonal

04:20 – Using colors, emojis, and small tweaks to boost click-through rates

07:05 – Leveraging Halloween promos to prep for Q4 campaigns

10:30 – Pricing strategies and early Black Friday deal positioning

13:20 – Using AI in creative strategy and maintaining critical thinking skills

15:40 – Taste vs. discernment: where humans win over AI in marketing

Hashtags

#DTCMarketing #SpookySeason2025 #HalloweenMarketing #EcommerceStrategy #AdCreative #BlackFridayPrep #MarketingPodcast #DigitalMarketing #CreativeStrategy #AllKillerNoFiller

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Dr. Amy Beckley shares how her personal fertility struggles and scientific background led her to create Proov—a direct‑to‑consumer hormone testing platform that helps women measure PdG (progesterone metabolite), LH, estrogen, and FSH at home. The test, paired with a mobile app, provides an Ovulation Score and personalized guidance, aiming to shift women’s health from reactive to proactive.

Key Insights:

• Hormone imbalance affects ~80% of women (PMS, PCOS, infertility, perimenopause). Proov enables these women to spot issues early.
• Pioneer in FDA‑cleared PdG testing and companion app delivering quantitative hormone data.
• Early adopters came from fertility awareness communities—not what Amy expected, but critical to traction.
• Healthcare is not proactive—Proov aims to fill that gap with data, empowerment, and streamlined care via digital prescription options.
• Business strategy: Lean launch, Amazon traction, VC funding, packaging, internal app team (rather than outsourcing), community listening.

Why It Matters for DTC & Founders:

• A real example of transforming personal pain into scalable DTC medical tech.
• Demonstrates the push-and-pull between Amazon's convenience and owning the customer via an app/email funnel.
• Exemplifies iterative product development, regulatory rigor, and educational storytelling in complex health markets.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Breaking Healthcare & The Birth of Proov

02:00 — Amy’s Journey: Miscarriages, Science & Building the Product

04:00 — Understanding Hormones, Fertility & Proactive Testing

08:00 — Fertility Challenges, IVF Costs & Industry Gaps

12:00 — Finding Early Adopters & Gaining Traction Through Communities

16:00 — Birth Control, Hormonal Imbalances & Long-Term Impacts

20:00 — Fundraising, Amazon Strategy & Owning the Customer

26:00 — Marketing Challenges, Education & Growing Awareness

30:00 — Building the Proov App & Scaling Technology

32:00 — Future Growth Plans, Proactive Hormone Health & Mission

Hashtags:

#DTCpodcast #Proov #FertilityAwareness #HormoneHealth #WomenInBusiness #HealthcareInnovation #DTCbrands #AmazonStrategy #StartupGrowth #WomensHealth

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Alex Schultz, the CMO and VP of Analytics at Meta, to unpack nearly two decades of hard-earned marketing insights from inside one of the most influential tech companies on the planet.

From his scrappy beginnings as an affiliate marketer trying to pay for college, Alex rose through the ranks at Facebook—helping launch self-serve ads, custom audiences, and building the company’s analytics function from the ground up.

Now, as CMO, he shares how he thinks about brand vs. performance, why incrementality measurement is non-negotiable, and what it really took to lead the rebrand from Facebook to Meta in under seven months.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How affiliate thinking creates real marketers
• Why starting with performance-driven urgency creates marketers who understand what actually drives growth
• The self-serve ad platform strategy that unlocked small business scale
• Alex shares how linking product and marketing—from in-product CTAs to retargeting drop-offs—became Meta’s growth engine
• Why incrementality is the foundation of modern marketing
• Forget last-click—true marketers use lift tests, holdouts, and on/off testing to see what really works
• How to build brands on performance platforms
• Yes, you can build a brand on Meta—but only if you measure it right
• The inside story of the Meta rebrand
• Including a midnight WhatsApp from Zuckerberg and a literal house fire
• Why creative strategy—not media buying—is the future in an AI world
• Agencies will evolve, but those who control the data + creative inputs will control outcomes
• How Alex is using creator marketing, email, and retargeting to market his new book, Click Here
• The modern playbook Meta uses… now applied to books

Visit Hachette Book Group for information on how to purchase Click Here: The Art and Science of Digital Marketing and Advertising, out on October 7th.

And you can check out an audio book version on Spotify here:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5hsoMSkbpEboe0M4aGqNgZ

Timestamps

00:00 - From Affiliate Marketer to CMO of Meta

02:00 - Building Facebook’s Growth Engine and Analytics Team

06:00 - Lessons From the Affiliate Mindset

08:00 - Launching Self-Serve Ads and the First Custom Audiences

11:00 - Rebranding Facebook to Meta: Inside the Strategy

15:00 - Building Brands with Direct Response vs. Top-of-Funnel Marketing

18:00 - How WhatsApp’s Brand Story Shifted Perception

20:00 - Why Alex Wrote "Click Here" and Its Core Principles

24:00 - The Future of Agencies and AI in Advertising

28:00 - Marketing the Book Using Meta Strategies

Hashtags

#DTCpodcast #Meta #AlexSchultz #DigitalMarketing #BrandStrategy #AffiliateMarketing #Rebranding #MarketingBook #GrowthMarketing #AdvertisingStrategy #MarketingTips #SocialMediaMarketing #BusinessGrowth #CMOInsights #MarketingPodcast

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In this DTC Podcast preview, we’re featuring an episode from Ad-Venturous — our performance creative podcast hosted by Pilothouse strategist Avery Valerio.

In Episode 11, Avery breaks down the big three content types you need to master: User-Generated Content (UGC), Creator-Generated Content (CGC), and Employee-Generated Content (EGC). You’ll walk away with a clear sense of when to use each — and how to do it effectively.

Inside the episode:

• The real differences between UGC, CGC, and EGC (and why it matters)
• Tips for briefing creators and making content worth watching
• Why EGC is emerging as a scalable trust-builder and underrated creative tool

If you’re sourcing or producing performance creative at scale, this is required listening.

Search "Ad-Venturous" in your podcast app and subscribe for weekly episodes on creative strategy that converts.

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Creator Content Types

02:00 - Why UGC Matters and How to Use It Effectively

06:00 - Building Community Through Authentic Customer Content

14:00 - Creator Generated Content (CGC) Strategy and Best Practices

22:00 - Employee Generated Content (EGC) and How It Drives Trust & Reach

28:00 - Final Insights on Mixing UGC, CGC, and EGC for Brand Growth

Hashtags:

#UGC #CGC #EGC #AdventurousPodcast #DTCMarketing #ContentStrategy #SocialMediaMarketing #CreatorContent #DigitalAdvertising #MarketingInsights

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In this episode, we dig into the findings from the State of AI in DTC Marketing report, produced in partnership with Triple Whale. Our guest, Anthony DelPizzo, Director of Product Marketing at Triple Whale, walks us through how DTC brands are using AI—what’s working, what’s not, and where it’s all headed.

Key Insights:

• 93.5% of DTC brands use AI today, but most still struggle with implementation clarity.
• Creative tasks are the top entry point, with tools reducing ideation and briefing time by 80–90%.
• Larger brands use AI for strategic ops like budgeting, forecasting, and media mix modeling.
• Only 60% of brands have anyone officially “owning” AI, which creates fragmentation.
• Trust is the biggest barrier—brands are hesitant to rely on tools without verifiable ROI.
• AI isn’t the future—it’s being used today in real DTC brands. But without a solid data foundation and clear org-wide strategy, most teams are under-leveraging the tech.

This episode unpacks how brands are finding wins and where the gaps still lie.

Download the report: https://www.directtoconsumer.co/partnerships/ai-in-dtc-marketing

Timestamps

00:00 Triple Whale’s AI and Moby Chat Overview

04:00 How DTC Brands Use AI for Creative and Copy

08:00 AI’s Role in Strategy, Forecasting and Attribution

12:00 Using MMM and Moby to Optimize Marketing Spend

18:00 The Rise of AI Agents and Their Business Impact

22:00 Who Owns AI in Organizations and How to Scale It

26:00 How Brands Start Small and Scale AI Usage

30:00 The Future of AI-Driven Marketing and Persistent AI Agents

Hashtags

#DTCMarketing #AIinEcommerce #TripleWhale #MobyChat #DigitalMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #MarketingAI #AttributionModeling #MMM #MarketingAutomation #DTCBrands #AIForMarketing #MobyAgents #RetentionMarketing

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On today’s DTC Podcast, Eric interviews Kris Dehnert, CEO of Dugout Mugs, the brand that turned baseball bat barrels into a $55M+ business.

Kris shares his journey from early Facebook fan pages and Teespring to building a durable, licensed, retail-distributed sports brand. The conversation covers brand authenticity, partnerships, deal-making, AI in ecommerce, and the pitfalls of chasing vanity metrics.

🔑 Key Insights from this Episode:

• Why authenticity and transparency are the foundation of modern DTC brands
• How Kris structured a win-win equity deal to launch Dugout Mugs
• The difference between playing to win vs. playing not to lose
• How to balance seasonality with corporate gifting, retail, and evergreen sales channels
• Why AI in ecommerce (contracts, customer service, ads) saves time and reduces friction
• The philosophy behind “Do you want to be right or do you want to be rich?” in partnerships

Whether you’re scaling a consumer brand or still testing product-market fit, Kris’ insights on deal-making, audience building, and building a brand that lasts are tactical, grounded, and immediately useful.

Timestamps:

00:00 — Building authentic brands and prioritizing profit over vanity metrics

04:00 — From Facebook fan pages to $20M in t-shirt sales

08:00 — The origin of Dugout Mugs and scaling to $55M+

14:00 — Turning content and personal branding into sales

18:00 — Partnership philosophy and making win-win deals

26:00 — How Kris structured an innovative equity deal to grow Dugout

30:00 — Handling seasonality, Q4 strategy, and corporate gifting

33:00 — Leveraging AI for content, customer service, and business growth

37:00 — Living life intentionally and protecting your time

Hashtags:

#DTCPodcast #EcommerceGrowth #DirectToConsumer #DugoutMugs #BrandBuilding #Entrepreneurship #DigitalMarketing #ContentStrategy #AIinEcommerce #Partnerships

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In this DTC Podcast preview, we’re featuring a tactical deep dive from The World's Best Retention & Email Podcast — hosted by Pilothouse’s Jordan Gordon.

In Episode 6, Jordan walks through the architecture of the only browse abandon email you’ll ever need — covering everything from when to trigger it, how to segment it, and what content to include to drive conversions.

What you’ll learn:

• Why a single, well-built browse abandon flow can outperform segmented chaos
• The ideal timing for follow-up emails (and how smart sending can break your flow)
• How dynamic product feeds and recommendation logic boost post-click performance

If you run Klaviyo (or any email system), and you’re ready to maximize low-cost revenue from high-intent traffic, this episode is essential.

Search "TWBERP" in your podcast player and subscribe for more retention strategy drops weekly.

Timestamps:

00:00 — The only browse abandon email you need

02:45 — Triggers and category-based segmentation

05:30 — Building one clean funnel vs. multiple funnels

08:20 — Timing strategy and smart sending best practices

11:15 — Writing subject lines that actually drive clicks

15:00 — Dynamic content & product recommendations

18:10 — Hero shots vs. showing the product first

21:20 — Leveraging dynamic merchandising tactics

24:00 — Overcoming objections & adding brand storytelling

28:00 — Funnel flushers and discount strategies

34:00 — Common mistakes in browse abandonment emails

37:10 — Building a shoppable landing page experience

Hashtags:

#EmailMarketing #BrowseAbandonment #EcommerceMarketing #RetentionMarketing #KlaviyoTips #DTCMarketing #ShopifyEmail #EmailFlows #CustomerRetention #MarketingStrategy

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In this Bonus episode of the DTC Podcast, we welcome back Yash Chavan, Founder & CEO of SARAL, the platform helping DTC brands turn influencer marketing into a structured, scalable growth engine.

If your current strategy feels like influencer roulette, this episode offers a smarter way.

🔗 Try SARAL https://getsaral.com/demo

You’ll learn:

• Why most influencer programs fail—and how to fix it using SARAL’s Pyramid of Influence framework.
• How to show up organically 3x per day in your ICP’s scroll sessions—without spending a cent on ads.
• The power of performance tiers: seeding → ambassador programs → custom partnerships.
• How SARAL’s AI assistant SIA helps scale personalized outreach without losing authenticity.
• Why influencer content should power more than posts—think whitelisting, product pages, email, and more.

This episode is brought to you in collaboration with SARAL—your InfluencerOS for discovery, outreach, CRM, and analytics in one clean platform. Trusted by 250+ DTC brands looking to build real influence and cut CAC.

Timestamps

00:00 - Why influencer marketing is broken

02:30 - Building brand awareness and mindshare

05:45 - The pyramid of influence explained

10:15 - How influencers move buyers into the market

14:30 - Attribution challenges and why metrics mislead

18:15 - Using AI to enhance influencer programs

21:30 - Case studies: Obvi, Ridge, First Form & more

25:00 - TikTok Shop’s role in influencer marketing

27:30 - Reusing influencer content for maximum ROI

29:45 - How to integrate influencer marketing with paid media

Hashtags

#DTCMarketing #InfluencerMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #BrandStrategy #DigitalMarketing #MarketingPodcast #SocialCommerce #TikTokShop #ContentStrategy #AffiliateMarketing

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