#358 - The AI Ad Strategy Every DTC Brand Needs in 2025 feat. Bestever CEO Apoorva Govind

Apoorva Govind is the founder and CEO of Bestever, a platform focused on helping brands and marketers generate ad creatives powered by real performance data and advanced AI models. With a background spanning technical roles at Apple, Uber, and Nvidia, Apoorva brings unique insights into the intersection of technology and growth marketing.

In this DTC POD episode, Apoorva and Blaine discuss how the AI toolkit for advertisers is evolving, the reality behind AI-generated ads, and why strategic inputs—not just rapid content production—drive sustainable brand results. Apoorva outlines how Bestever AI analyzes existing ad data to identify winning creative elements, then automates the production of new assets using the latest AI models. The episode also covers practical advice for early-stage brands on managing creative ops, what workflows will look like as AI video matures, and the future role of platforms like Meta in creative automation.

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On this episode of DTC Pod, we cover:
1. Apoorva’s background at Apple, Uber, and Nvidia
2. The early vision and pivot of Bestever AI
3. The role of AI in modern creative production
4. Ad creative strategy vs. pure output volume
5. Measuring ad performance with data-driven insights
6. Practical workflow tips for early-stage brands
7. When and how to leverage agencies
8. How to analyze competitors and learn from top-performing brands
9. Demystifying AI video: state of the tech in 2025
10. Building workflows to leverage multiple AI models
11. How Meta and other platforms are automating creative
12. The importance of creative analysis and transparent reporting
13. Future trends for agency and brand marketers

Timestamps
00:00 Intro and Apoorva's technical background
01:19 Apoorva’s early career at Apple, Nvidia, and Uber
03:04 Apoorva’s take on Apple’s iOS 26 glassmorphic UI and focus on AI
06:09 Security, future, and mass adoption of self-driving cars
13:30 Transition into ad creative, Bestever AI’s founding, and early pivots
18:31 How Bestever AI analyzes ad data to inform new creative
20:49 Current state and skepticism around fully AI-generated ad content
23:44 Meta’s push toward creative automation
26:56 Ad creative strategy for early and scaling brands
35:24 How Bestever AI helps brands diagnose and double down on winning ads
43:07 The reality of AI video: what’s possible now and what’s coming next
46:18 Investing in workflows and abstraction layers for future-proof creative ops
50:14 Where to connect with Apoorva and learn more about Bestever AI

Show notes powered by Castmagic

Past guests & brands on DTC Pod include Gilt, PopSugar, Glossier, MadeIN, Prose, Bala, P.volve, Ritual, Bite, Oura, Levels, General Mills, Mid Day Squares, Prose, Arrae, Olipop, Ghia, Rosaluna, Form, Uncle Studios & many more.  

Additional episodes you might like:

• #175 Ariel Vaisbort - How OLIPOP Runs Influencer, Community, & Affiliate Growth

• #184 Jake Karls, Midday Squares - Turning Your Brand Into The Influencer With Content

• #205 Kasey Stewart: Suckerz- - Powering Your Launch With 300 Million Organic Views

• #219 JT Barnett: The TikTok Masterclass For Brands

• #223 Lauren Kleinman: The PR & Affiliate Marketing Playbook

• ​​​​#243 Kian Golzari - Source & Develop Products Like The World's Best Brands

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Apporva Govind - CEO and Founder of Bestever
Blaine Bolus - Co-Founder of Castmagic
Ramon Berrios - Co-Founder of Castmagic