Ecomm Cowboy

Today’s livestream covers what’s actually moving in ecommerce right now — from the internet’s hottest products to the platforms and brands quietly dominating.We kick things off with our Top 10: The Internet’s Hottest Hats, powered by Particl. This isn’t based on vibes — it’s built on 30 days of real performance data including revenue, sell‑through rate, velocity, reviews, discounting behavior, and our own “swag factor.” We’ll break down what’s actually selling and why.Then we sit down with Alex Beller to talk about the bigger picture. Are agencies and SaaS in danger? Is “white collar fragility” real? Why conversational data may be the most underpriced asset in ecommerce. And what Ecom 4.0 looks like in 2026 — incumbents vs the rise of the AI‑powered one‑person brand. We also revisit Texas SB 140 and why it may be a bigger deal for ecommerce than most people realize.We also unpack major platform and brand news:• Shopify continues to compound at an absurd pace — 14%+ of US ecommerce market, $378B GMV, and $2B+ in free cash flow. What does that mean for operators?• Ralph Lauren climbs to #4 on Lyst’s hottest brands list — proving heritage and timeless design are beating trend‑chasing fast fashion.• Loyal raises $100M to extend dog lifespan — are pets becoming biotech’s most emotional category?• Hermès drops a $264,000 pool table — when does price become the product?— — —Welcome to DTC's daily—what's now/next in ecommerce so founders, marketers, and operators can survive and thrive.Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possible by:Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyAMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboySeguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyFollow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

Welcome to DTC's daily—what's now/next in ecommerce so founders, marketers, and operators can survive and thrive.Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possible by:Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyAMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboySeguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyFollow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

We start with Super Bowl winners and losers, unpacking which brands earned attention, which ones missed, and why so many ads are becoming instantly forgettable. From Dunkin’ and Levi’s to AI brands that couldn’t convert attention into impact, we break down what worked, what didn’t, and what it means for the future of advertising.We also talk about the brands that won without running a Super Bowl ad at all. While others spent millions, creator‑led distribution and smart giveaways dominated the conversation. This segment digs into why attention strategy now matters more than airtime.Next, we’re joined by Steele Walker, former MLB player and CEO of SpinGrip and Kitted Global. Steele shares his journey from professional baseball to building a fast‑growing physical product brand. We talk about solving real athlete problems, healing the yips, earning trust with D1 and pro players, creator partnerships, and what it actually takes to scale a product with authenticity.We then get into this week’s tasty trends, including Amazon surpassing Walmart with $700B in sales, why consumer confidence is rising but spending behavior is changing, and how TikTok has become a real distribution channel, not just a top‑of‑funnel play.We wrap with brand and culture moves that caught our attention, from Kith x Skims ice cream to Bloom dominating TikTok and Amazon, and why IRL experiences, sampling, and culture‑driven launches are winning right now.— — —Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possible by:Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyAMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboySeguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyFollow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

We’re breaking down the biggest shifts happening right now across AI, media, ecommerce, and culture — from unexpected breakout brands to platform power plays that will shape the next decade.On this episode, we cover:• How Willie Nelson quietly built an $80M beverage brand — and why it’s being positioned as the Olipop of the category• A single brand doing $75M in 2025 using Snap Ads while everyone else ignores the channel?• Why DTC AI healthcare feels inevitable — and terrifying at the same time• The rise of continuous hormone tracking and what it unlocks (and risks)• Spotify selling physical books (yes, really) — and what it says about platforms becoming tastemakers• Meta testing a standalone app for AI‑generated “vibes” content• YouTube quietly dominating all of streaming with $60B in revenue in 2025 — and why brands still underinvest• A deep interview with Patrick Barnes, CEO of AMP, on dashboards, LTV myths, and what healthy ecommerce businesses actually look like• Why “teaching the algorithm” matters more than blaming it — and how clarity compounds over timeThis is a fast‑moving, opinionated episode about where leverage is shifting — in distribution, branding, technology, and consumer trust.— — —Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possible by:Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyAMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboySeguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyFollow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

We’re covering the ideas behind the headlines — where platforms are going, why certain brands are winning quietly, and what founders and operators need to understand before the shift is obvious.Today’s topics include:- Anthropic vs. OpenAI — two AI companies, two completely different worldviews, and why this fight is about values, not just models- The social distribution playbook emerging from builders like Nikita Bier and others- Why MBA logic breaks down in e‑commerce (and what actually works instead)- Goodwill’s record‑breaking year and what resale teaches DTC brands about value- “Teach the Algorithm” — how creators and brands accidentally train platforms the wrong way- Shopify’s cultural positioning through athletes and creators- Legacy brands collapsing under irrelevance- The rise of DTC AI healthcare and why it’s both exciting and unsettlingA conversation with Bart, co‑founder of DadGang, on modern fatherhood, the one‑man brand, and building a movement instead of a logoAlong the way, we’ll unpack:- Where attention is actually compounding right now- Why speed and taste beat strategy decks- How AI is changing teams, agencies, and solo founders- What winning brands understand about identity, mission, and distribution— — —Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possible by:Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyAMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboySeguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyFollow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

We’re breaking down the biggest marketing stories, creative plays, and platform shifts shaping 2026 — with real talk, real examples, and zero fluff.From Gen Z culture shifts to TikTok performance data, AI‑native agencies, and why “no ads are coming” is never true, this episode is all about what actually matters if you’re building, marketing, or scaling a brand today.On today’s show:- Gen Z “In’s” vs “Outs” — what brands are finally getting wrong (and right)- TikTok’s latest report on which ad formats actually drive results- A one‑shot UGC ad that outperformed full creative pipelines- Why AI‑native agencies (“Agentcy” / SEANs) are emerging fast- AI creative in ad accounts: where it helps, where it hurts- The rise of “Meat Tasks” and agents managing humans- Claude’s “no ads are coming” claim — and why history says otherwise- ElevenLabs’ $500M raise and why voice is becoming infrastructure- Mission‑driven brands, having an “enemy,” and why VanMan leans into itCan a restaurant become a better marketing engine than the product itself?— — —Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possible by:Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyAMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboySeguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyFollow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

Welcome to DTC’s Daily Show, where we cut through the noise and talk about what’s now and next in e‑commerce, marketing, and the internet economy.Today’s show is packed.We’re digging into hidden channel arbitrage, brand moments that beat Super Bowl ads, why some teams retain talent while everyone else churns, and the rise of convenience‑driven “liquid food” in the Ozempic era. Plus, a few internet curveballs you probably didn’t see coming.On today’s show:• Is Bing the arbitrage no one’s talking about? While everyone fights over Meta and Google, we break down why Bing (and Microsoft’s ecosystem) might be quietly printing ROI for the right brands.• Agency retention that actually works — Jess from FireTeam joins us to unpack how they’re pulling off a 21.8‑month average tenure (unheard of) and what focus, creative, and culture have to do with it.• Heinz KegChup: owning the moment without a Super Bowl ad. Heinz proves you don’t need an $8M media buy to win the Big Game — you need a product people want to talk about.• The rise of “Liquid Salad” and convenience culture. From Fiber Daddy TikTok to GLP‑1 behavior shifts, we explore why streamlined nutrition is exploding — and what it signals for future food brands.• OpenAI’s rumored biometric social network. A bot‑free internet powered by “proof of personhood”? We break down what OpenAI might be building — and why it’s both fascinating and terrifying.• Fanatics’ Super Bowl product stumble. When distribution is massive, mistakes scale too. We talk expectations, execution, and brand trust.— — —Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/Made possible by:Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyAMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboySeguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+CowboyFollow Ecomm Cowboy:https://x.com/ecommcowboyhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboyhttps://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJchttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

We start with a look at AI entering the social graph, including Moltbook and the rise of agent‑driven content, plus reactions from builders and thinkers across X. If attention is the new currency, this is the next frontier.

Then we’re joined by Kyle Yeoman, President of Groove Life, to break down how the brand has evolved since 2019 — from Kickstarter roots to Bass Pro, Cabela’s, and NFL athletes.

Next up, London Spilker (HexClad) joins us to talk paid media at real scale — what managing spend actually looks like, why forecasting beats reacting, and whether the “Gordon Ramsay bump” is real when it comes to CTR and watch time. Plus, the spreadsheet that’s saved millions in wasted spend.

We also break down the biggest stories in the ecosystem:

• OpenAI’s new ad product and why buyers are hesitant
• Allbirds closing nearly all U.S. stores — and what it says about retail
• Costco x Nike, Dr. Squatch apologies, and brands doing the thing they swore they’d never do
• And we close with a bigger question: Can retail be fun again — or did it lose the plot?

— — — 

Welcome to DTC's daily show — what's now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.

Weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/

Made possible by:

Postscript - https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+Cowboy

AMP - ⁠https://postscript.io/sms-benchmarks?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+Cowboy

Seguno - https://www.seguno.com/?utm_source=Ecomm+Cowboy+Show&utm_medium=Show&utm_campaign=Ad+Read&utm_id=Ecomm+Cowboy

Follow Ecomm Cowboy:

https://x.com/ecommcowboy

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ecommcowboy

https://www.instagram.com/ecommcowboy/

https://www.tiktok.com/@ecommcowboy

https://open.spotify.com/show/0q1Pp0rW8j6cehXToNTeJc

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ecomm-cowboy/id1761749693

CHAPTERS

0:00:29 - Moltbook: AI Agents, Internet Meltdowns & “Is This the Terminator?”

0:02:52 - Are AI Agents Actually Useful—or Just a Shiny Object?

0:12:05 - Kyle Yeoman (Groove Life) Joins — Bootstrapped & Profitable

0:15:15 - First‑Purchase Profitability vs LTV (Hot Take)

0:19:12 - Marketing to Men (and Their Wives): What Actually Works

0:24:38 - Subscriptions, LTV Myths & “Lazy Marketing”

0:29:02 - If Meta Stops Working: Kyle’s Advice to Founders

0:39:48 - London Spilker (HexClad) Joins — Running Paid Media at Scale

0:43:11 - Paid Media Channels That Matter in 2026 (YouTube, CTV, Sports)

0:46:02 - Why HexClad Brought Creative & Production In‑House

0:47:17 - Gordon Ramsay vs Micro‑Creators (The “Gordon Bump”)

0:53:18 - The “Mother of All Spreadsheets” for Forecasting & Media Mix

1:00:25 - “We’re So Sorry” Ads, Hacks & What Actually Converts

1:02:53 - Costco x Nike Collab — Smart Move or Desperation?

1:05:02 - Allbirds Closing Stores — The End of Millennial‑Core Brands?

1:08:17 - Can Department Stores Be Fun Again? (Retail’s Future)

1:12:12 - Final Takeaways + What’s Coming Next

We kick things off with Hot Jobs Friday, breaking down some of the most interesting roles in e-commerce right now — from paid social and TikTok Shop to agency growth roles and CPG opportunities hiding in plain sight.

Then we’re joined by Maddie Martin, Head of Marketing at Cadence, to answer a deceptively simple question: Can electrolytes be luxury?

We dig into:

• Building a luxury performance brand in a commoditized category
• Why Cadence focused on runners and endurance athletes first
• How lean teams can still scale aggressively
• Channels Cadence is betting on in 2026
• Designing for shareability, not just views
• Why first-principles branding still wins

We close out with:

• A live Outty taste test
• Standout brand moments from Hims, Huawei, Absolut x Tabasco
• What AI UGC means for creators and marketers

If you’re a founder, marketer, or operator trying to stay ahead of what’s actually working — this episode is for you.

DTC’s daily show — what’s now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.

Newsletter:
https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/

Partners:

• Postscript – Link
• AMP – Link
• Seguno – Link

Follow Ecomm Cowboy:

X | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok
Spotify | Apple Podcasts

CHAPTERS

• 0:00 What’s on Today’s Show
• 2:22 Hot Jobs Friday
• 13:14 Maddie Martin Joins
• 14:47 Can Electrolytes Be Luxury?
• 18:09 Channels for 2026
• 32:26 Lean Teams, Big Outcomes
• 41:34 Live Taste Test
• 49:02 Hims Super Bowl Breakdown
• 58:48 Absolut x Tabasco
• 1:02 AI UGC
• 1:05 Final Thoughts

From learning how to sell to women the right way, to why trust, clarity, and creativity matter more than hacks — this episode goes deep on what’s actually working in DTC right now.

We cover:

• Why most brands misunderstand female buying psychology
• How great brands evolve beyond their original product category
• The difference between credibility and hype in wellness & fitness
• Why creators, IRL experiences, and authenticity are winning again
• Hard lessons from real operators (including expensive mistakes)
• What founders need to focus on as AI changes everything

A deep dive with Eric Bandholz (Beardbrand) on brand evolution and identity in DTC — plus insights from Max Grantham on running an email marketing agency in 2026.

DTC’s daily show — what’s now/next in ecommerce so marketers can survive and thrive.

Weekly newsletter:
https://newsletter.ecommcowboy.com/

Made possible by:

• Postscript — Link
• AMP — Link
• Seguno — Link

Follow Ecomm Cowboy:

X | LinkedIn | Instagram | TikTok
Spotify | Apple Podcasts