Nerd Marketing

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.

Performance marketing gets all the spend—but is it driving real growth? Bonobos CEO John Hutchison talks with Drew & Mike about how rebalancing the mix toward brand led to stronger revenue, better retention, and long-term customer loyalty. Plus, they dive into his leadership style, navigating culture during change, and what younger marketers should focus on today to someday run the brands they love.

Drew and Mike react in real time to the Tariffs on China and break down how a number of tips from their DTC turnaround days apply more than ever. Get 30 turnaround tips in one place at https://www.postpilot.com/turnaround. (edited)

Mike gives a full rundown of Shoptalk, from the Vegas suite party to the AI trends in DTC. Plus, the Nerds talk about Vera Bradley unloading Pura Vida for... only $1 million?

What’s driving eCommerce valuations today? Drew Fallon, CEO of Iris Finance, reveals the latest trends in M&A, what makes a Shopify store attractive to buyers, and the financial strategies that separate high-growth brands from struggling ones. If you're a CEO or CFO thinking about scaling or selling, this episode is a must-listen.

Drew Sanocki and Michael Epstein break down PostPilot’s Series A journey - why they chose growth equity over VC, the challenges of raising capital, and how it impacted their business strategy. They also dive into Cozy Earth’s winning direct mail strategy, revealing how the brand optimized its catalog program for faster, more effective customer acquisition. Plus, they introduce the Email Echo Strategy, a powerful way for brands to extend their email marketing impact using direct mail.

Shopify has made a huge push into the enterprise market, but why are so many big brands still hesitant to make the switch? Drew and Michael break down key insights from eTail, explore why legacy brands remain stuck on outdated tech stacks, and highlight the massive opportunity Shopify is missing. They also debunk common loyalty program myths and share smarter retention strategies that actually drive results.

Klaviyo just launched its first-ever CRM built for B2C brands, and Drew was on the ground at the event. He and Michael break down what this means for eCommerce, Klaviyo’s competitive landscape, and whether this signals a major shift in the industry. Plus, they dive into two major DTC acquisitions and reveal how Four Sigmatic leveraged direct mail to drive retail success.