Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Christopher H. Loo, MD-PhD

🎙️ Experiential Marketing with Aaron Vaccaro | How Topgolf Scaled to a Billion-Dollar Brand

May 1, 2025

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Experiential marketing is transforming how brands connect with customers—and Aaron Vaccaro has been at the forefront of this movement. From helping scale Topgolf into a billion-dollar experiential brand to reimagining cocktail culture with Liquor Lab, Aaron brings deep insights into how experiences, not just products, are winning consumer loyalty.

In this episode, we unpack the power of experiential marketing and how it answers key questions for brands:

How do I stand out in an oversaturated digital ad world?
How can I create real, memorable customer moments?
What does it take to scale a physical experience brand like Topgolf or Liquor Lab?
How do I use AI in entrepreneurship to scale without sacrificing quality?

Aaron shares proven strategies from his work in venture capital, scaling startups, and investing in both inevitable technologies like AI and enduring experiences like golf and mixology. Whether you're a tech founder, marketer, or consumer brand builder, this episode offers a rare look into creating immersive brand stories that actually convert.

Aaron's insights are practical and tailored for founders, operators, and marketers navigating how to:

Use experiential marketing to create authentic, lasting brand loyalty
Leverage AI for business scaling
Combine digital tools with physical experiences
Design customer touchpoints that feel human, personal, and powerful

00:00 – Intro to Aaron Vaccaro & Background

01:30 – From West River Group to Topgolf

03:00 – Building Topgolf’s Experiential Empire

05:00 – Liquor Lab: Making Cocktails Approachable

07:30 – The Experience Economy vs. Experiential Marketing

10:00 – Why AI is a Game-Changer for Scaling Human-Centered Brands

13:00 – Secrets to Memorable Moments in Hospitality

16:00 – Scaling Physical Brands Like Topgolf & Liquor Lab

19:00 – Where to Connect with Aaron Vaccaro

To connect with Aaron, visit:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronvaccaro/

To check out the YouTube (video podcast), visit: https://www.youtube.com/@drchrisloomdphd

Disclaimer: Not advice. Educational purposes only. Not an endorsement for or against. Results not vetted. Views of the guests do not represent those of the host or show.

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