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Chubbies became a DTC legend by selling proper-length shorts and a brand identity people loved. But behind the scenes, Preston Rutherford and his team had to fight against the short-term addiction of Meta ads that almost ran the company into the ground.

In this episode, Preston shares:

🔥 The dark side of performance marketing & how it killed their margins

🎯 Why brands need to invest in “memory structures” to drive future demand

📈 How shifting budget up-funnel can actually make you more money

💡 How to measure brand impact beyond ROAS with Marathon

If you’re running a DTC brand and struggling with rising CAC and shrinking margins, this episode is a must-listen. Learn how to escape the performance marketing hamster wheel and build a business that lasts.

Timestamps

00:00 - The rise of Chubbies and bold marketing

02:45 - The impact of Meta ads and performance marketing

07:30 - Balancing brand awareness and short-term metrics

12:15 - The power of memory structures in brand building

17:50 - Why investing in brand is key to long-term success

23:30 - Measuring brand impact beyond ROAS

28:15 - How Marathon helps brands build sustainable growth

34:00 - The future of brand marketing and performance

Hashtags

#DTC #EcommerceMarketing #BrandBuilding #MarketingStrategy #PerformanceMarketing #MetaAds #DigitalMarketing #CustomerAcquisition #BrandAwareness #ROAS #GrowthStrategy #ContentMarketing #Marathon #PrestonRutherford #CMO #Chubbies #DirectToConsumer #MarketingTips

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S8 E8: UNPCKD: Essentials for an Inclusive Internet