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Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast. Today we’re joined by Taylor and Jacob from Pilothouse to break down how Meta’s Andromeda engine is reshaping DTC paid advertising.

In this episode you’ll learn:

Why creative now is targeting — and how high‑performing DTC brands are shifting their media buying accordingly.

The 3‑3‑3 framework for testing ads in an Andromeda‑driven environment (three funnel stages × three distinct angle concepts × three formats).

How to restructure your ad account: fewer campaigns/ad sets, more ad‑level variation, and faster creative refreshes — plus what this means for your Q4 plan.

What this means specifically for subscription or newsletter models with short consideration cycles — how to leverage persona messaging and feed the machine.

Why old targeting hacks and incremental tweaks won’t cut it anymore — and what you should stop doing.

Whether you’re running e‑commerce, subscription, or service‑based DTC marketing, this episode gives you actionable frameworks and change‑management steps to align your creative and account structure with the latest Meta delivery technology.

Timestamps

00:00 – What is Andromeda and how Meta’s new retrieval engine works

04:00 – The role of Gem, Lattice, and sequence learning in Meta’s ad delivery

06:00 – How Andromeda is changing creative strategy for Q4 campaigns

08:00 – Why ad variety now matters more than small creative tweaks

10:00 – How to test and structure creatives effectively under Andromeda

12:00 – Simplifying campaign structure and letting AI optimize at the ad level

15:00 – Old vs. new media buying tactics and how performance patterns have shifted

17:00 – Why broader creative diversity leads to more winners in Andromeda

19:00 – Early Q4 insights and what brands should expect

20:00 – Framework for distinct angles and creative refresh cadence

23:00 – The evolution toward true marketing strategy over media-buying hacks

Hashtags

#MetaAds #AndromedaUpdate #PerformanceMarketing #DigitalAdvertising #MediaBuying #FacebookAds #CreativeStrategy #Q4Marketing #AdOptimization #MarketingPodcast

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In this episode, Arthur Querou, founder of Vibe.co, and Adam Terry, CEO and co-founder of Cantrip Seltzer, unpack how Cantrip (a hemp/THC beverage brand) uses Vibe.co to turn streaming TV into a performance acquisition channel — not just branding. They dig into targeting, creative strategy, measurement, and scaling in a regulated vertical.

What you’ll hear:

Key moments to listen for:

Learn more about Vibe.co here:

http://vibe.co/

Timestamps

00:00 – How Vibe Differs from Other CTV Platforms

02:00 – Why Cannabis Brands Thrive on Vibe

04:00 – Measuring ROAS and Performance on Vibe

07:00 – Hyper Targeting and Buyer Profiles Explained

10:00 – How Cantrip Uses Data for Smart Targeting

12:00 – Scaling CTV Campaigns vs. Meta Ads

15:00 – Why TV Ads Build Trust and Prestige

17:00 – Buying Identity vs. Inventory in CTV

20:00 – Cantrip’s Path to Profitable CTV Ads

23:00 – Using AI Tools to Create Effective CTV Ads

25:00 – What Type of Creatives Work Best on CTV

27:00 – The Future of AI-Generated Ads on TV

29:00 – How Vibe Uses Household-Level Data for Targeting

32:00 – Hyper-Personalized Ads and The Future of Targeting

33:00 – Vibe’s Growth Story and CTV Momentum

35:00 – Incrementality, MMM, and Measuring CTV Success

36:00 – Cantrip’s Q4 Plans and the Rise of AI Creators

37:00 – How to Get Started with Vibe.co

Hashtags

#CTV #StreamingAds #PerformanceMarketing #DTC #AdTech #VibeCo #Cantrip #ConnectedTV #AIAds #MediaBuying #Programmatic #DigitalAdvertising #MarketingStrategy #BrandGrowth #AdPerformance

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Bart Szaniewski, co-founder of Dad Gang, returns to the DTC Podcast to explain how his brand scaled from 100k to over 700k hats sold — without changing a thing. No team. No fancy stack. Just staying consistent with community engagement, emotional storytelling, and founder hands on lean tools.

What you’ll learn:

The power of customer co-creation and community feedback loops

Why keeping the same tools and playbook can scale further than you think

How story-driven products and organic endorsements drive sticky growth

Tactics behind spontaneous but effective 48-hour product launches

Best moments:

How a boosted post helped launch the brand to 100k

The world tour tee and the deeper meaning in product

Turning organic athlete engagement into brand lift

The creative stack: iPhone, Canva, CapCut, and a story

If you’re tempted to overhaul your marketing every 6 months, this episode will have you rethinking that urge.

Timestamps

00:00 Building Dad Gang from Garage to 700K Hats Sold

02:00 Keeping Growth Simple and Stress-Free

04:00 The Power of Community and Customer Feedback

06:00 Storytelling and Emotional Ads that Drive Connection

08:00 Turning Organic Wins into Paid Success

10:00 Product Launch Strategy and Creative Process

12:00 Easy-Mode Tools: Canva, CapCut, and AI for Creators

14:00 Authenticity, Athletes, and Future Growth

Hashtags

#DTCpodcast #DadGang #BartSzaniewski #EcommerceGrowth #ShopifyBrand #CommunityBuilding #FounderStory #DirectToConsumer #BrandMarketing #Entrepreneurship

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In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Rob from Pilothouse to break open how to view Amazon not as a silo, but as an integral part of your unified growth engine.

You’ll get tactical guidance on:

How to compute real contribution margin per SKU, accounting for FBA fees, fulfillment, packaging leakages

Why seemingly small tweaks (like packaging size) can move you down a fee bracket

The key metrics you should track (share of impressions, add-to-cart share, purchase share) to validate “loss-leading” campaigns

How to effectively attribute DTC ad spend lift into Amazon growth

When Amazon DSP (streaming / video) is worthwhile — and how to measure its downstream impact

How to optimize listings for AI assistants (e.g. “Rufus”) with backend attributes, FAQ content, and enriched metadata

Why listen?

If you manage paid acquisition across DTC + Amazon and feel like margin is slipping

If you want to build a strategy that doesn’t cannibalize your own channels

If you’re curious how Amazon DSP / AI assistants can realistically contribute to growth

Timestamps

00:00 – The Data Problem on Amazon

02:00 – How to Acquire Net-New Customers on Amazon

05:00 – Protecting Brand Integrity and Competing on Premium Terms

07:00 – Building Growth Strategies and Keyword Intent

10:00 – Balancing Paid vs. Organic Rank and Profitability

12:00 – Understanding Amazon Fees and Margin Optimization

15:00 – Amazon’s Role in a Unified Growth Strategy

17:00 – Leveraging Amazon DSP and Streaming Ads

19:00 – Measuring Meta’s Impact on Amazon Performance

20:00 – Optimizing for Rufus and the AI Search Shift

Hashtags

#AmazonAdvertising #EcommerceGrowth #DTCPodcast #AmazonStrategy #MarketplaceOptimization #Pilothouse #AmazonDSP #RetailMedia #EcommerceMarketing #UnifiedGrowth

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This week on the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Jake Bailey, Head of Industry at Meta, and Scott Kramer, VP of Growth at AS Beauty, to explore the evolving dynamics of holiday performance marketing in 2025.

Jake leads Meta’s work with its exclusive Disruptors program, partnering with fast-moving, high-growth brands to push the boundaries of performance marketing. AS Beauty is one such brand — and Scott walks us through how they’ve used that collaboration to build one of their strongest Q4 playbooks yet.

Together, they break down how creators, AI-native tools, and smarter campaign structures are shaping more resilient and scalable customer acquisition strategies.

You’ll learn:

How Meta’s Advantage+ and Partnership Ads are driving real DR performance

Why AS Beauty prioritizes incrementality over traditional ROAS

What creative diversification means in the age of AI and how to structure tests

How creator content is now integrated throughout the funnel — not just for awareness

Tactical insights on budget pacing, exclusions, creative testing, and campaign simplification

Whether you’re navigating Cyber 5 or building a long-term performance engine, this episode is packed with the playbook and proof points from two powerhouses in the space.

Timestamps

00:00 – Meta’s partnership with AS Beauty and the Disruptors team

02:00 – How AS Beauty drives growth across DTC, Amazon, and retail

04:00 – Testing, innovation, and Meta’s two-way learning loop

06:00 – Holiday 2024 challenges: uncertainty, tariffs, and consumer sentiment

09:00 – The “lipstick effect” and how beauty brands thrive in downturns

10:30 – Meta’s push toward value optimization and incrementality

13:00 – Practical ways to measure incrementality and track new customers

16:00 – Evolving partnership ads and creative diversification

19:00 – Holiday creative strategy and combining catalog + creator content

21:00 – Creators’ role across the funnel and authentic storytelling

23:00 – Modern campaign structures, retargeting, and consolidation

29:00 – Scaling spend safely during Cyber Week

32:00 – AI-generated creative: performance, ethics, and practical use

36:00 – Blending data with creativity for high-performing ads

38:00 – Inside Meta’s exclusive Disruptors program

Hashtags

#DTCpodcast #MetaAds #ASBeauty #DigitalMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #HolidayMarketing #PerformanceMarketing #AdStrategy #CreativeTesting #PartnershipAds #AIMarketing #Incrementality #FacebookAds #ReelsAds #MarketingPodcast #BlackFriday2024 #CyberMonday2024 #BeautyBrands #MarketingInnovation #DirectToConsumer

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To Subscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signupAngus Rittenburg, cofounder of WYNK, didn’t start with a brand. He started with a problem: how do you legally and profitably distribute THC beverages in the fragmented U.S. cannabis market?In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we unpack how WYNK solved that problem through mechanical engineering, regulatory foresight, and operational creativity—from mobile production trailers to in-state dosing machines to navigating Meta ad bans.Try WYNK: https://drinkwynk.shopWhat you’ll learn:- Why mobile canning systems gave WYNK early market access- How hemp-derived THC opened retail and liquor store distribution- Ad strategies for cannabis brands under platform restrictions- Connecting QR-based sampling to retail conversion- DTC learnings that fueled retail expansionKey Topics:- Engineering compliance into your ops- THC vs Alcohol margins- Retailer education + event-based marketing- What Big Alcohol thinks about THC drinks- What success looks like in a future where alcohol and THC share shelves#DTC #Ecommerce #CPG #BeverageIndustry #AlcoholAlternative #BetterForYou #LowDose #Seltzer #RetailDistribution #Wholesale #GoToMarket #GrowthStrategy #DigitalAdvertising #FirstPartyData #EmailMarketing #RetailMedia #Rebates #FieldMarketing #BrandBuilding #FounderStory #EngineeringLeadership

0:00 — Introduction 00:51 — Tesla → THC & the Origin of Wink 03:15 — The 53-ft Mobile Canning Line 10:30 — Minnesota Unlocks Hemp-THC Distribution 14:52 — Why Beverages ‘Feel’ Like Beer 25:24 — The Age-Gate Ad Workaround 33:34 — The $13.5B OpportunitySubscribe to DTC Newsletter – https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC – https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse – https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter – @dtcnewsletter

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In this special edition of the DTC Podcast, we break down Crown Affair’s ad strategy, creative execution, and landing page experience. Hosted by Eric Dyck and joined by Aves, this teardown focuses on how the brand has scaled through a hero SKU, clean branding, and a ritual-based narrative that resonates with a premium beauty audience.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

How Crown Affair uses a dry shampoo hero product to drive acquisition

Why the “ritual” brand positioning allows flexibility in product education and bundling

The importance of top-of-funnel clarity — and where their website messaging could improve

What makes their ad creative mix so effective (UGC, press badges, branded visuals)

Why they run retail-focused ads (Sephora) alongside DTC

How Instagram lifestyle content supports their ritual narrative

Tactical insights on bundle builders vs. in-cart upsells

Best Moments in the Episode

Why It Matters for DTC Operators

Crown Affair shows how premium brands can scale with clarity + ritual. By focusing on fewer SKUs, tighter messaging, and a flexible customer ritual, they’ve found a formula that blends high aesthetic with real-world traction. If you’re running a beauty, wellness, or ritual-based brand — this episode will show you where strategy meets execution.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro: Crown Affair Live Brand Breakdown

02:00 – Why You Should Listen to Adventurous

04:00 – Website Audit: What’s a Three-Course Ritual for Hair?

08:00 – Ad Library Review: UGC vs. Branded Content

12:00 – Founder-Led Storytelling & The “Ritual” Concept

15:00 – The Glossier Comparison and Brand Persona

17:00 – Bundle Builders, AOV Strategy, and Upsells

18:00 – Instagram Strategy: Rituals Beyond Aesthetics

20:00 – Final Thoughts and Call for Brand Suggestions

Hashtags

#DTCPodcast #AKNF #CrownAffair #AdLibrary #BeautyMarketing #BrandBreakdown #HaircareBrand #EcommerceStrategy #AdCreative #DTCBrands

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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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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:

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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