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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 – Scaling Influencer Spend and Proving ROI
00:03:53 – Lily’s Background and Building Super Bloom
00:08:45 – From Seed Health to Launching an Agency
00:13:05 – Brands, Categories, and Who Influencer Marketing Works For
00:14:03 – Performance-First Influencer Programs and Service SKUs
00:19:31 – Organic Influencer KPIs vs Paid Performance Metrics
00:22:01 – Full-Funnel Impact, Halo Effects, and AOV Considerations
00:25:16 – Discount Code Leakage and Attribution Challenges
00:30:13 – Using Multipliers to Translate Influencer Performance
00:34:38 – Modeling ROAS, Click-Through Rates, and Incrementality
00:41:31 – Awareness vs Performance Across Different Brand Types
00:47:19 – Influencer Negotiation Frameworks and Deal Structuring
00:52:47 – High-AOV Products, Long Consideration Cycles, and Measurement Limits
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Prescient AI.
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This week, the team breaks down what recent platform moves signal for operators heading into 2026 - starting with Shopify’s Winter Editions and the growing role of Sidekick inside the Shopify ecosystem. They discuss how tools like Sidekick are democratizing data access, reducing operational friction, and changing how lean growth teams analyze performance, build reports, and take action inside the admin.From there, the conversation shifts to BFCM performance and incrementality, with the hosts unpacking what they learned from scaling spend in steps during peak periods. They discuss where incremental gains showed up, where marginal returns began to flatten, and why short testing windows can still offer directional insight even when results are noisy.The team then reacts to and unpacks a tweet about Amazon bidding more aggressively on brand terms, using it as a jumping-off point to explore demand capture during promo periods, brand search strategy, and how branded demand is distributed across Amazon and DTC during high-intent moments.Throughout the episode, a key theme emerges: how operators should interpret signals from major platforms and translate them into proactive strategy rather than reactive tactics. The episode wraps with a candid conversation on 2026 planning, including examples like Connor Rolain’s pyramid-style goal-setting framework, org design considerations, and how growth leaders can balance short-term execution with long-term thinking.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 – Shopify Winter Editions and the Rise of Sidekick00:06:46 – Data Democratization and AI Inside Shopify00:14:34 – Shopify Collective and Cross-Brand Merchandising00:19:03 – Black Friday Scaling Tests and Marginal ROAS00:27:27 – Brand Search Incrementality and Paid Search Myths00:32:14 – Amazon Brand Bidding and the “Amazon Tax”00:36:39 – What CMOs Must Lock Before Year-End Planning00:41:22 – Hiring Plans, Budgets, and 2026 Readiness00:46:21 – Managing Multiple Timelines Across Growth Teams00:49:38 – Strategic Filters, Objectives, and Goal-Setting FrameworksPowered 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/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/
This episode is a grab-bag of highly tactical operator insights - starting with a breakdown of why Grüns’ transactional SMS and subscription flows work so well, and what smart lifecycle design looks like when you’re trying to prevent churn, drive upgrades, and increase LTV. From there, we dive into one of the most impressive brand marketing plays of the year: the Marty Supreme campaign, and why its blend of social-first world-building, memeable moments, and built-in distribution is a blueprint for modern creative strategy.
We also get into the realities of TikTok Shop: how to measure it when attributed revenue looks tiny but impressions, content volume, and halo impact are massive; how better tooling and reporting can give a clearer read on its true impact; and how leading brands are already staffing the channel with dedicated affiliate managers and creator-community leads.
It’s a fast-moving episode focused on subscriptions, creative, and the emerging acquisition channels operators need to understand before they hit scale.
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:03:27 - Transactional SMS Marketing and Retention
00:20:32 - The Marty Supreme Brand Campaign
00:32:10 - The Formula for Viral Stunts
00:44:15 - TikTok Shop Strategy and Measurement
00:52:39 - Comfort's Affiliate Community Model
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Aftersell.
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Rivo.
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This week, we’re joined by Richie Mashiko - Head of Beacon at Iris Finance for a full breakdown of how BFCM played out across their businesses. Together, the group recaps what actually drove performance this year, from media-mix diversification and top-of-funnel investment to traffic dynamics, conversion-rate behavior, and how different brand sizes approached Cyber Five strategy.
From there, Richie walks through his forecasting philosophy - including how he builds bottoms-up financial models, how diminishing returns shape CAC and forecasting assumptions, and how finance and marketing need to stay aligned around realistic growth expectations. The group also dives into contribution margin, AMER, customer mix, and why so many brands forecast incorrectly when marketing isn’t part of the planning process.
They then unpack the levers that actually make an ecommerce business profitable: cohort behavior, scaling past category saturation, interpreting flat conversion rates alongside surging traffic, and what contribution dollars really tell you. Richie shares lessons learned from She’s Birdie’s rebuild year and how smaller brands can apply the same financial discipline as companies operating at nine-figure scale.
If you're trying to understand your BFCM results, build a forecast that reflects reality, or get finance and marketing speaking the same language, this episode is a must-listen.
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:06:40 - BFCM recap
00:24:47 - Media Mix Strategy
00:41:52 - International Markets
00:53:44 - FP&A Background
01:07:05 - Building a Forecast
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In this episode of Marketing Operators, Cody and Connor break down how growth teams are rethinking measurement heading into 2026 - especially the rising importance of brand tracking. They discuss why click-based attribution alone no longer works, how incrementality and geo tests fill in the gaps, and why tracking awareness, consideration, and “future demand” is becoming essential.
Then they’re joined by Austin Santino, Client Development Manager at Tatari, and Jonathan McKenzie, Co-Founder of Turtlebox. Jonathan shares the brand’s unique origin story - four best friends building a rugged speaker for their sailboat before realizing it could become a business. Austin breaks down how Tatari has helped Turtlebox validate audiences and content through high-signal CTV testing and confidently expand into larger live-sports and linear placements. Jonathan also shares how Turtlebox is aiming to move from fast-cycling, performance-style creative toward more intentional, long-form storytelling as the brand matures.
This episode delivers the frameworks, tactics, and operator-level insights you need to sharpen your measurement strategy and scale your TV investment with confidence.
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:06:32 - Implementing Brand Tracking
00:20:45 - The Value of Earned Media Value (EMV)
00:35:26 - Turtlebox Audio: Origin Story and Product Differentiation
00:48:11 - TV Content Strategy
00:58:25 - 2026 Planning and The "Small Bets" Philosophy for Founders
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Prescient AI.
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Rivo.
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This week, the team breaks down how operators should be thinking about Q4 performance, offer strategy, and what it really takes to evolve beyond the traditional “discount + ads” playbook. We get into why some brands are rolling out first-ever sitewide promotions, how seasonal bundles create new revenue moments, and how text-to-buy flows, post-purchase upsells, and Shopify Collective can create seamless cross-brand merchandising opportunities heading into 2026.
From there, we dive into one of the smoothest customer experiences we’ve seen lately: Fellow’s text-to-buy setup. We unpack why it works so well for hardware brands with natural consumable add-ons, which categories this model is best suited for, and how operators can use complementary products to create repeat pathways without relying on subscriptions.
We then dive into media expansion, with the hosts discussing why there’s more opportunity than ever outside the traditional hero channels - from curated newsletter audiences to out-of-home paired with sampling and experiential moments, and the rise of street-interview content as a high-performing acquisition engine. There is so much overlooked media in the ecosystem right now, and operators who feel capped on their core platforms may be missing high-leverage arbitrage.
We wrap with a discussion on identifying under-the-radar media buys, evaluating whether niche placements are worth the squeeze, and how to build a more resilient acquisition and retention engine moving into next year. If you’re expanding your media mix, pushing for higher LTV, or rethinking your Q4 strategy, this episode is packed with operator-level insights.
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:17:51 - Text-to-Buy and Complementary Brand Partnerships
00:35:40 - Testing Free Plus Shipping and Sample Funnels
00:46:02 - Out-of-Home and Street Interviews
00:58:11 - Balancing Arbitrage vs. Measurement
01:08:28 - Aligning Media Investment with Attention Trends
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Motion.
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Prescient AI.
https://www.prescientai.com/operators
Richpanel.
https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc
Aftersell.
https://www.aftersell.com/operators
Rivo.
https://www.rivo.io/operators
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As we head into the final days before Cyber Five, this episode is all about going from daily pacing to true intraday pacing - the level of granularity operators need when every hour can swing the entire BFCM weekend. We break down how we monitor hourly revenue and ad spend across Meta, Google, and more using tools like Northbeam and Supermetrics, and how we make real-time adjustments when projections drift off target.
We also get into the messy but essential stuff: how inventory, merchandising, and media-mix strategy shape bid caps, channel budgets, and how aggressively you can push during Cyber Five, including the constant tradeoff brands face between maximizing contribution margin dollars and maintaining efficiency. The hosts share real examples of scaling (and protecting efficiency), running holdout tests, understanding incremental lift, and avoiding the overspend horror stories that can tank a weekend.
To wrap up, we talk through team etiquette during BFCM-who’s “on,” how to handle PTO, how the paid teams coordinate in hourly and bi-hourly check-ins, and what it takes operationally to keep a brand performing during the most high-pressure stretch of the year.
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:10:52 - Intraday Revenue Pacing
00:24:39 - Cyber 5 Scale-Up Tests
00:39:07 - Bid Caps and Budget Strategies
00:52:10 - Channel Spend Forecasting
01:02:50 - Scaling Mid-Funnel Campaigns
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Prescient AI.
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Richpanel.
https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc
Aftersell.
https://www.aftersell.com/operators
Haus.
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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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:04:59 - Fortune 500 vs DTC Strategies
00:17:59 - Measuring Awareness, Incrementality & MMM
00:38:49 - Vayner Volume Model: Diversity over Iteration
00:52:49 - Turning Organic Wins into TV Commercials
01:04:11 - TikTok Shop Strategy & Cross-Channel Halo
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Prescient AI.
https://www.prescientai.com/operators
Richpanel.
https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc
Aftersell.
https://www.aftersell.com/operators
Rivo.
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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: KLOHWKP3YM
Operators Masterclass on Channel Growth: https://www.9operators.com/applovin
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:06:46 - The "Andromeda" Apocalypse
00:21:55 - Why We're in the "Creator Era" (Not the "Editor Era")
00:37:56 - How to Hire in the Creator Era
00:53:37 - Special Guest: What is AppLovin's Axon Platform?
01:07:39 - AppLovin Performance & Creative Best Practices
Powered by:
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Prescient AI.
https://www.prescientai.com/operators
Richpanel.
https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc
https://www.aftersell.com/operators
Haus.
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This week on Marketing Operators, Connor MacDonald kicks things off with a pressing question: “What does a modern CX team and workflow look like today?” From there, we dive into a growing debate across modern commerce - does CX actually drive growth, or is it still just a support function
Joined by Amit RG, co-founder and CEO of our show sponsor Richpanel, the team unpacks how leading brands are getting dramatically leaner with AI, why Tier-1 support is becoming fully automated, and whether CX should really sit under marketing or operations. Amit breaks down Richpanel’s inspiration from Uber’s self-service model, and what it looks like when support becomes proactive, scalable, and insight-rich instead of reactive and manual.
This leads to a breakdown of the revenue-generating CX touchpoints you’re not thinking about, sparked by McCoy’s prediction that “a year from now we’ll all be talking about generating LTV,” not just acquisition. The group digs into ideas like optimizing high-intent tracking pages with tools like Wonderment, founders jumping into ad comments, and turning warranty claims into upsell moments - with real-world examples from Ridge, Jones Road, Equinox, and even Cartier’s luxury clienteling approach.
The episode wraps with a look at how AI is reshaping DTC ops end-to-end - collapsing workflows, enriching agent decisions, and driving smarter, more efficient growth across the entire customer journey.
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:06:21 - What Does a Modern CX Team Look Like?
00:19:10 - The CX to Marketing Feedback Loop
00:32:07 - Revenue-Generating CX Touchpoints
00:45:13 - Is Shade Matching a CX Revenue Driver?
00:57:06 - Using Founder Social Comments as a CX Touchpoint
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Prescient AI.
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Haus.
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This week, we’re taking an even deeper dive into all things BFCM. How the team is approaching forecasting, pacing, and spend strategy heading into the most important stretch of Q4. We break down how each of us is projecting November and December revenue this year, how new product launches and category expansion factor into those forecasts, and what data we’re using to stay accurate in real time.
Connor M walks us through his Holiday Sale Revenue pacing sheet, showing exactly how he tracks daily revenue and ad spend targets, while the group compares different approaches to pacing across brands and channels.
We also dig into how we’re scaling YouTube, Meta, and CTV spend, what the latest incrementality tests are showing, and how to use ROAS lift to decide when to push hardest.
Finally, we wrap up with a look at holiday shipping cutoffs, with how distribution and messaging strategies shift in December, the “Q5” opportunity that follows, and how to make the most of those final weeks of the year when every day still counts.
Holiday Sale Revenue Pacing Sheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13W_a721DjhlgtLqUj7iC7w32NtitbnNnA9kYifws1NQ/edit?gid=973800920#gid=973800920
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:09:04 - Black Friday Prep & Timelines
00:20:17 - How to Re-Forecast Q4 Revenue
00:35:41 - BFCM Pacing Sheet Walkthrough
00:50:57 - Visualizing Pacing Data & The 12% Stat
01:02:40 - Holiday Shipping Cutoff Strategies
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https://www.aftersell.com/operators
Rivo.
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This week, we’re getting into all things BFCM. What we’re doing right now to prep for the most important time of year for DTC marketers and what brands need to be thinking about that most people don’t. We dig into pacing, impulse-buyer windows and how to avoid misspending on the day, plus how we’re approaching budget planning, Meta performance, and the lessons we’ve learned from our own campaigns over the years.
We also get into what we’d do if we had a new product or brand idea and how we’d validate it in the market, even without a finished product, and the scrappy, cost-effective ways to test before going all in. We break down real examples of brands that nailed their early launches through smart validation and lean marketing, and what you can take from those approaches.
To wrap up, Connor R shares the three ideal hires he’d make first if he were building a marketing team from scratch and how those roles can help you execute faster, test smarter, and scale sustainably.
Zach Stuck on the Core Marketing Tactics to Drive Growth As You Scale: https://youtu.be/M4xn2aISEbg?si=V_8R4sIklXa487CB
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 - Introduction
00:08:05 - Less-Talked-About BFCM Tactics & Insights
00:24:17 - BFCM Sale Timelines & Pacing Strategy
00:36:46 - Analyzing ROAS Lift & Scaling Spend Pre-BFCM
00:53:50 - How to Test & Validate a New Product Idea
01:10:14 - The First 3 Hires for a New Growth Team
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Prescient AI.
https://www.prescientai.com/operators
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https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc
Aftersell.
https://www.aftersell.com/operators
Haus.
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This week, we’re joined by Reza Khadjavi, founder and CEO of Motion, the podcast’s premier sponsor. Reza breaks down who he’d hire first if he were running growth today, why the best marketers right now are the ones who can merge strategy, execution, and AI into one high-leverage role, and how he’s seeing the return of the elite IC reshape modern marketing teams.
Connor M shares a behind-the-scenes look at how Ridge has collapsed entire layers of their go-to-market workflow, cutting out handoffs, speeding up launches, and proving that smaller, sharper teams can actually do more. We dig into how AI is automating execution, why creativity still sets teams apart, and what it really means for how work gets done.
Then we explore the latest creative trends, from Meta’s Andromeda update and what it means for persona-based targeting to how brands should actually be thinking about creative diversity. Reza walks through Motion’s new AI tagging system, the eight most important categories for creative testing, and why so many brands miss the mark on evolving their messaging. We also talk about how getting naming conventions right can unlock better insights, sharper strategy, and way more creative clarity.
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction00:05:41 - The Three First Hires for a Director of Growth
00:26:28 - How Ridge Collapsed Its Go-to-Market Workflow
00:37:36 - When Leaders Become ICs
00:51:14 - Meta Andromeda & The Need for Creative Diversity
01:07:44 - The Power of AI Tagging & Naming Conventions
Powered by:
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Prescient AI.
https://www.prescientai.com/operators
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Aftersell.
https://www.aftersell.com/operators
Rivo.
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Learn what separates top 1% creative strategists from everyone else - and why AI is making this the most valuable role in performance marketing.
The Marketing Operators break down the exact skills, mindset shifts, and creative strategy frameworks that will make you indispensable in 2026.
Motion.https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-readshttps://motionapp.com/creative-trends
Brought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits.
https://9operators.com/applovin
Despite a one-page website with nothing but his name and a contact button, David Herrmann is easily the world’s most influential media buyer. Famous or infamous (especially if you’re an ad platform that triggers his X-posting wrath), he’s been shaping the face of ecommerce advertising for almost two decades.
One part storytelling, two parts tactical insights … David shares his journey from selling MRI machines online to managing over a billion dollars in ad spend.
Discover the challenges and triumphs of media buying, creative strategy, and the surprising roles of inhouse versus outsourced agencies. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways and industry insights.
The trio is back together and today we’re getting into the topic of the evolution of the media buying role, and how media buying has transformed from button-pushing inside ad platforms to a more strategic role that demands creativity, data fluency, and taking ownership of the entire customer funnel. We explore friend-of-the-show Taylor Holiday’s growth engineer concept, how automation is reshaping the skill set needed, and we compare notes on how our companies are structuring our growth and paid media teams.
From this, we get deeper into hiring and team culture - what traits we look for in senior marketing hires, how to build and curate self-starting teams, the importance of cultural fit, why marketers today must act like CEOs of their channels, and more.
Watch the last week's episode for more on hiring for marketing: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4uFeSjSwBqe1e39cLQI78x?si=SZH0mEDkQU6VTqX9_QgMkQ
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:06:06 - Deconstructing a Successful Product Launch
00:22:35 - The Evolving Role of the Media Buyer
00:37:48 - The "Marketer First" Mindset
00:51:49 - How to Hire for a High-Performance Culture
01:03:02 - Going Beyond the Resume to Find the Right Fit
Powered by:
Motion.
Prescient AI.
https://www.prescientai.com/operators
Richpanel.
https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc
Aftersell.
https://www.aftersell.com/operators
Haus.
Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9
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Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/
First up today, we’re getting into OpenAI and ChatGPT shopping with the Shopify integration - including how we’re approaching GEO, why bigger brands might have the edge, and why we’re not going all in on optimization just yet.
We also dig into SMS and email, where the real limit is on frequency, and the balance between driving conversions short-term vs unsubscribes vs retaining subscribers in the long-term.
We share what we’ve tested, what the data shows about diminishing returns, and why most brands are probably leaving money on the table. We break down the difference between flows and campaigns, why flows can handle more volume, and how post-purchase upsells fit into this, from one-click add-ons to holding orders “double dash” style.
We also check in on how podcast ads are performing at Jones Road - what the early results look like, why standard tracking under-attributes, and how we’re thinking about picking winners to scale. To finish up, we talk through the first three marketing hires we’d make if we were building a brand from scratch today.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 - Introduction
00:10:22 - Our Approach to ChatGPT Shopping & GEO
00:27:13 - Finding the Real Limit on SMS & Email Frequency
00:38:37 - Post-Purchase Upsells: One-Click vs. "Double Dash" Style
00:51:51 - Podcast Ads: Jones Road's Early Results & Attribution
01:01:18 - Drafting Your First 3 Marketing HiresPowered 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/
Brought to you by Applovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits. https://www.9operators.com/applovin
Dive into the inspiring journey of McCoy Merkley from Portland Leather Goods.
From answering a Craigslist ad to becoming a pivotal figure in the company's exponential growth, McCoy shares candid insights on transitioning from a one-man army to leading a full marketing team.Discover the challenges and triumphs of scaling a business, the importance of courage in leadership, and the strategic marketing mix that propelled Portland Leather Goods to success.
Tune in for a conversation filled with practical wisdom and lots of humor, as McCoy reflects on the lessons learned along the way.
Today we’ve got a jam-packed episode for you, hitting on some of the things that are top of mind for us this week - product launches, Meta, partnerships, and more.First, we get into the value of teasing products and tactics on the best way to do that, how to make sure there’s social proof and community buzz from day one, and the role reviews play in building momentum at launch. We also discuss how Hollow turned an organic Joe Rogan plug into a marketing moment, before diving into Meta tactics and what’s actually moving the needle for Cody in terms of net new reach, from exclusions and bidding to the way we’re approaching mid-funnel.Finally, we get into partnerships and what we’ve got going on at Jones Road and HexClad - why we’re taking bigger swings, how persona-driven funnels fit into our strategies, and why it feels more like portfolio management than simple channel testing.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 - Introduction00:11:18 - Pre-Launch Hype Strategies00:20:00 - The Power of Day-One Reviews & Social Proof00:33:40 - Joe Rogan's Organic Hollow Plug00:41:16 - Is Podcast Advertising Worth It?00:50:06 - How to Increase Your New Customer Rate on Meta01:00:02 - Unlocking Growth with Big-Bet Influencer PartnershipsPowered 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/
In today’s episode, we’re getting into how and why direct mail can be an impactful part of your retention strategy. We discuss why the first 7–14 days post-purchase are critical, how we’re approaching cross-sells and multi-channel retention, what’s working from postcards to premium catalogs, and where direct mail fits into our overall growth strategies.
We’re also joined by Michael Epstein, co-founder of PostPilot, who talks about how the platform makes direct mail fast and easy for brands to actually use. We discuss why coupon codes and QR scans don’t tell the full story, how holdout testing gives you a real read on incrementality, and what attribution looks like at the household level. Michael also shares how brands are using predictive targeting and peer benchmarking inside the platform, and why premium catalogs can create a brand moment that digital ads just can’t match.
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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
06:02 Multi-Channel Retention Strategies
17:53 Customer Experience and Retention Management
24:00 Direct Mail Campaigns and Effectiveness
30:04 Postpilot and Direct Mail Solutions
43:39 Revolutionizing Direct Mail Marketing
01:03:29 Optimizing Direct Mail Tactics
01:19:36 Acquisition Strategies Through Direct Mail
Powered by:
Motion.
Prescient AI.
https://www.prescientai.com/operators
Richpanel.
https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc
Aftersell.
https://www.aftersell.com/operators
Rivo.
PostPilot.
Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9
Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here:
https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS
Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: