Nerd Marketing

In this special Nerd Marketing episode, Drew Sanocki and Michael Epstein break down everything new in PostPilot's Fall Editions, the biggest feature drop yet. Featuring AI Benchmarks, Halo (Amazon attribution), and AcquisitionAI, the automation tool transforming how brands acquire customers. Learn how PostPilot is making direct mail smarter, more measurable, and fully multichannel.

In this episode, Drew Sanocki and Michael Epstein explain how brands can finally measure direct mail's full impact—not just on Shopify, but on Amazon too. They share how PostPilot Halo brings true multichannel attribution to life, why direct mail performs best when digital CPAs spike, and how leading brands are using it to win Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

Harvard-published marketing professor Jonathan Zhang joins Drew and Mike to unpack research showing how direct mail drives lower CAC and higher lifetime value than digital channels. They dig into the psychology of touch, why Gen Z actually loves mail, and how brands like Amazon and Warby Parker proved it first. A data-driven roadmap for the next five years of marketing.

Preston Rutherford, Cofounder of Chubbies, joins Drew and Michael to share how the brand went from the brink of bankruptcy to a nine-figure exit. They dive into the dangers of ROAS obsession, the shift to a 50/50 brand vs. performance strategy, aligning teams around contribution, and the hard lessons that turned Chubbies into a durable, beloved brand.

Think Black Friday prep starts in the fall? Think again. In this episode, Drew and Michael explain why Back to School is the ultimate test window for Q4 success. They break down four actionable strategies you can launch this summer to identify your most profitable customer segments, validate your creative, and lower acquisition costs—before the holiday rush drives up competition and ad prices.

Recorded on Memorial Day, Drew opens up about the top lessons he learned as a Navy intelligence officer - lessons that shape how he leads today. He and Michael also reflect on personal regrets, from family and risk-taking to life metrics that matter most.

After auditing hundreds of Shopify brands, Zak Cassady-Dorion has a clear message: You're missing easy revenue. He joins Drew to reveal his retention-first approach, killer Klaviyo playbook, and why PostPilot is his secret weapon.

This week, Drew and Michael unpack the latest tariff relief and what it means for DTC operators, break down Zuck's vision for Meta as a fully automated ad platform, and explore the tension between brand and performance marketing. Plus, a deep dive into Aviator Nation's remarkable rise—from Venice Beach to Forbes' richest list.

What really changes when your DTC brand scales from 10 to 120 people - remotely? Drew and Michael break down the systems, rituals, and mindset shifts that helped PostPilot grow fast without losing culture, speed, or clarity. From all-hands to offsites to decision frameworks, this is a behind-the-scenes look at scaling alignment in a distributed team.

Drew and Michael are joined by PostPilot's Head of Finance, Daan Harmsen, to unpack what the latest eCommerce data reveals about consumer behavior and shifting market sentiment. They dive into lessons from past tariff disruptions and share practical strategies for leading through uncertainty—emphasizing transparency, adaptability, and keeping momentum when it matters most.