

Growth Masterminds: mobile growth podcast
Singular
Growth Masterminds is smart user acquisition and mobile growth pros sharing their best insights on UA, retention, mobile measurement, privacy, mobile marketing data, and much more.
Hosted by John Koetsier, we chat with brands like IMVU, DraftKings, and Mixtiles. We interrogate ad networks like Fyber, Kidoz, AppLike, Vungle, Bluestacks, and more. And we feature global experts like Eric Seufert and Jayne Peressini. Along the way, we hit topics like pLTV, creative optimization, incrementality, granularity, fraud, privacy, success in China ... and much, much more.
Hosted by John Koetsier, we chat with brands like IMVU, DraftKings, and Mixtiles. We interrogate ad networks like Fyber, Kidoz, AppLike, Vungle, Bluestacks, and more. And we feature global experts like Eric Seufert and Jayne Peressini. Along the way, we hit topics like pLTV, creative optimization, incrementality, granularity, fraud, privacy, success in China ... and much, much more.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 19, 2025 • 44min
Professor ARPDAU: free retention curve, LTV predictor, DAU predictor
Need retention curves, LTV predictors, or DAU predictors for your mobile game or app? Don't want to learn about to build retention curves or LTV predictions or DAU predictions, but need the data?You're in luck: Russell Ovans, author of Game Analytics, has just built out these tools for free use. And in this edition of Growth Masterminds, he shows us exactly how they work and why they're useful.Ovans demos his set of free online tools designed for game marketers, including the retention curve creator, LTV predictor, daily average user predictor, and a geographical pricing tool that does have a cost. Perfect for anyone in game marketing or analytics who needs this kind of data but prefers not to learn exactly how to create it themselves :-) 00:00 Introduction to Growth Masterminds00:59 The Goal of Making Game Analytics Simple02:09 Challenges and Feedback on the Book03:39 Launching ARPDAU's Free Tools04:54 Demo of Retention Curve Creator10:51 Predicting Customer Lifetime Value (LTV)16:52 Estimating Daily Active Users (DAU) and Revenue21:57 Future Enhancements and Feedback24:05 Introduction to the Big Mac Index24:30 Country-Specific Pricing Strategies25:08 Challenges with Global Pricing26:31 Implementing the Big Mac Index28:06 Google Play Console Pricing Features30:39 Using Professor ARPDAU's Tool31:52 Adjusting Prices with CSV Files39:33 Final Thoughts and Q&A

Feb 12, 2025 • 38min
Scaling ad spend to $10K/week PROFITABLY
How do you scale ad spend profitably? You can spend $300/day and make money, but it's much harder to scale ad spend to $10,000 per week and still be profitable. Here are 5 keys to profitably scaling mobile ad spend ...In this episode of Growth Masterminds, host John Koetsier is joined by Lukas Szanto, a lead generation specialist and senior UA manager. We explore 5 keys to profitably scaling ad spend for an iOS subscription app from zero to $10,000 in weekly ad spend.Lukas shares invaluable insights from his extensive experience, including the importance of creative testing, building a solid campaign structure, the value of user surveys for accurate attribution, and overcoming unexpected challenges.00:00 Introduction to Scaling Ad Spend01:49 Creative Testing Strategies03:56 Building a Strong Foundation05:08 Iterating and Testing Angles12:54 Campaign Structure Essentials18:21 Isolating Strong Ads for Better Performance19:09 Understanding Meta's Algorithm and Risk19:40 The Correlation Between Risk and Reward20:17 Creative Testing and Patience for Unicorn Ads20:28 Tracking and Tools for Campaign Success21:08 The Impact of iOS Changes on Attribution22:22 Survey Strategies for Indirect Attribution24:48 Using Custom Product Pages for Better Attribution29:14 Challenges in Mobile Marketing31:50 Realistic Expectations in Paid Ads36:35 Concluding Thoughts and Final Insights

Feb 4, 2025 • 28min
Why privacy and consent are AMERICAN things now, not just EUROPEAN
Since 2020, 19 U.S. states have implemented data protection laws. That means mobile app publishers don't just have to worry about data, privacy, and consent when they publish in Europe. They also have to think about it in the U.S.
So ... how do you make data consent (a boring legal formality that annoys customers) a positive part of your app onboarding. And ... essentially ... a marketing moment?
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, host John Koetsier interviews Jerome Perani, CRO of Axeptio, a leading Consent Management Platform (CMP) used by over 70,000 websites worldwide.
They discuss the evolving landscape of data privacy regulations across the globe, particularly focusing on GDPR and similar laws in the EU, US, Canada, and other regions. Jerome provides insights on how mobile app developers can effectively integrate consent management into their user onboarding processes, aligning with regulations without compromising user experience. They also touch on recent stringent measures from the French Data Protection Authority and the impact of such regulations on global businesses.
00:00 Introduction to Data Protection Regulations
00:45 Guest Introduction: Jerome Piani
01:41 The Evolution of Data Protection in Europe
04:49 Global Data Protection Landscape
12:47 Challenges and Solutions for App Developers
17:43 Future of Data Protection Regulations
27:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jan 30, 2025 • 28min
Women & mobile gaming: 9 things you need to know
Women are half of mobile gamers, but many of them don't identify as gamers. Superbloom CEO Emily Yim and John Koetsier talk about making great mobile games for women, and much more.
Emily shares her journey from working at major gaming companies like EA, Zynga, and Glu to founding her own company and launching the hit game Venue. The conversation delves into the gender dynamics in gaming, growth strategies for niche markets, and the technological and social elements essential for game development.
Emily shares 9 insights about women and gaming:
1. Women make up at least 50% of mobile gamers
2. Many women gamers don’t identify as gamers
3. Women in mobile gaming are highly engaged and spend money
4. Women gamers often prefer different game genres and play styles
5. Women’s motivation to play games is different from men’s
6. Women value productivity and progression in games
7. Women prefer collaboration over competition in gaming
8. Women gamers appreciate real-life inspiration in games
9. Many women gamers prefer games with a non-traditional “game” aesthetic
00:00 Introduction and Audience Insights
00:27 Meet Emily Yum: Gaming Industry Leader
01:02 Emily's Career Journey
03:24 The Concept and Development of Venue
06:26 Growth Strategy and Audience Engagement
13:19 Women in Gaming: Insights and Motivations
20:21 Future Plans and Global Expansion
27:15 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jan 21, 2025 • 35min
60% lower cost per trial via web2app?
Can web2app deliver 60% cheaper trials for your subscription-based apps?
And be able to track 20% more?
In this Growth Masterminds, we chat with Gessica Bicego:
- Blinkist
- Paired
- Kayak
- Fractional CMO, growth consultant
Gessica shares her journey from Blinkist to Paired, revealing key insights into the benefits and challenges of transitioning user acquisition efforts from app to web campaigns. We talk about why web-based UA offers better tracking capabilities, how to leverage landing pages to drive app store conversions, and the potential of web onboarding to minimize app store fees.
We also talk about the effectiveness of paid content and specific strategies to attract different user segments.
00:00 Introduction to Web-Based User Acquisition
01:46 Transitioning from App to Web Acquisition
03:01 Success Stories and Strategies
06:04 Challenges and Solutions in Web Campaigns
07:21 Understanding Audience and Metrics
14:05 Optimizing Mini Mobile Web Landing Pages
17:21 The Impact of Familiar Environments
17:44 The Evolution of Landing Pages
18:58 Innovative Paid Content Strategies
19:55 The Challenges and Rewards of Paid Content
24:45 Web Onboarding: A New Trend
31:19 Personalizing Web and App Funnels
34:32 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jan 14, 2025 • 26min
No more App Store fees
Will 50% of in-app purchase revenue move to owned channels over the next few years?
Stash thinks so.
In this Growth Masterminds, I chat with Justin Kan, co-founder of Twitch, serial entrepreneur and investor, along with Archie Stonehill, who leads product for Stash.
We talk about direct-to-consumer or D2C in mobile gaming, where getting revenue from what used to be in-app purchases over owned channels is resulting in 30% more revenue for top publishers. We also chat about what's driving D2C for all mobile apps, not just games.
00:00 Introduction and Historical Context
00:53 Introducing the Guests
01:24 Stash: Direct Consumer Player Experiences
03:22 Regulatory Changes and Market Impact
03:38 Justin's Perspective on the Gaming Industry
06:41 Financial Benefits of Direct Channels
10:59 Future of the App Economy
16:58 Regulatory Developments and Legal Battles
20:21 Historical Parallels and Future Predictions
25:11 Closing Remarks and Future Updates

Jan 8, 2025 • 36min
Scaling mobile games beyond 1 million players: 6 challenges
How do you scale your mobile game beyond 1 million players?
Anyone can start a game or an app and get a certain amount of growth. But scaling is hard: you need to find more players, sure, but you also need to expand beyond your initial niche.
And you probably have to start paying attention to what your competitors are doing.
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, host John Koetsier talks with Sven Jurgens, an independent mobile games consultant, about the challenges and strategies for scaling mobile games beyond 1 million players. Sven shares his journey into growth marketing, the importance of focusing on successful creatives, managing ad partners, handling cash flow, and optimizing monetization. He also discusses the significance of automation, getting smarter with data, and the impact of AI in user-generated content. The conversation concludes with actionable insights on competitor analysis and core marketing strategies.
Tune in for practical advice and expert tips to take your game's growth to the next level.
00:00 Introduction to Growth Masterminds
01:37 Journey into Growth Marketing
03:55 Challenges of Scaling: Creative Strategies
09:20 Ad Partners and Scaling
11:39 Financial Challenges in Scaling
13:52 Monetization and Data Utilization
15:39 Tools and Automation in Scaling
18:23 Automate the Boring Stuff
19:04 Building Small Tools for Efficiency
20:37 Competitor Analysis Strategies
25:04 Getting Smarter About Data
28:53 Winning Strategies and Trends
32:55 Reviving Old School Marketing
35:35 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dec 26, 2024 • 40min
How AppLovin is fueling the boom in incentivized ad networks
What is going on in the rewarded ad space? Why is it exploding?
Well, in an odd way, it's AppLovin's fault.
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, host John Koetsier chats with adtech OG Paul Bowen, Chief Revenue Officer at Stream Elements. They discuss the current state and future of the ad tech industry, focusing on the resurgence of rewarded and incentivized ad spaces, the implications of industry consolidation, and the impacts of AI and data analytics on user acquisition.
Paul shares deep insights from his extensive career at companies like Unity, TapJoy, and Liftoff, providing a comprehensive overview of the key trends shaping ad tech today and looking ahead to 2025. Whether you're a growth marketer or ad tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable information and forward-thinking perspectives.
Link to Paul's list of companies in the rewarded space:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LaVUk8cNHsHNJndKuKyf6Ncpjc05Tc-TR9MmY5q9mkI/edit?gid=0#gid=0
00:00 Introduction to Adtech and Rewarded Ads
01:18 Building a Database of Incentivized Ad Platforms
02:54 The Evolution of Rewarded Ads
07:12 StreamElements: Tools for Twitch Streamers
09:35 The Resurgence of Rewarded Ads
16:14 Challenges and Opportunities in the Gift Card Reward Space
22:02 Expanding User Acquisition Beyond Gaming
22:35 AppLovin's Success in Mobile Ad Tech
27:32 The Role of AI in Mobile Advertising
35:21 Challenges and Innovations in Measurement
38:28 Concluding Thoughts on Ad Tech

Dec 19, 2024 • 24min
How to grow games globally
Is it possible that you’re wasting marketing dollars by only user acquisition where you always have been in the past? Or limiting your potential growth?
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, host John Koetsier chats with Tom Shadbolt, Moloco's Senior Marketing Insights Manager, about the untapped opportunities in global markets beyond the big 5 countries which account for 60% of gaming UA spend.
They delve into findings from Moloco's analysis of 4,000 apps and $3 billion in in-app purchase revenue, exploring emerging markets like Brazil, India, and South Africa, and the importance of a diversified marketing strategy.
The conversation highlights the necessity of long-term planning, localization, and the utilization of machine learning to identify high-value users across various regions and genres. Tune in to learn how to optimize your marketing spend and discover new growth potential across the globe.
00:00 Global Growth Opportunities
00:54 Key Insights from the Report
02:56 Top Markets for Gaming UA Spend
05:44 Challenges and Strategies for Global Expansion
10:04 Diverging Strategies for iOS and Android
11:35 Finding the Right Market for Your Game
13:23 Localization and Market Segmentation
14:34 Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) Insights
16:42 Experimentation and Long-Term Strategies
20:09 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dec 10, 2024 • 36min
How to scale influencer marketing
How do you scale influencer marketing?
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, we chat with influencer marketing expert Yuliya Gorenko from Mishka Agencies. She's scaled influencer marketing programs to 8 figures, has over a decade of experience and has worked with over a thousand creators.
She's also a former PR and marketing specialist with L'Oreal.
Yulia shares her journey from L'Oreal to building influencer programs for various mobile apps.
Listen to learn how to scale influencer marketing to eight figures, hear about the evolution of the space, and and get Yuliya's top tips for verticals including beauty, health, fitness, retail, tech, gaming, and more. This is a must-listen for performance marketers looking to leverage influencer marketing as a strong growth engine.
00:00 Introduction to Influencer Marketing
01:36 The Early Days of Influencer Marketing
05:16 Evolution and Current Trends
09:13 Scaling Influencer Marketing Programs
15:49 Measuring Success in Influencer Marketing
20:03 Final Thoughts on Scaling and Measurement
20:51 The Realities of Influencer Marketing
22:26 Rapid Fire Tips for Key Verticals
22:32 Beauty Industry Insights
24:10 Fitness and Health Strategies
26:55 Tech and Gadgets Recommendations
27:46 Travel and Hospitality Tips
29:53 Gaming Community Building
30:55 Parenting and Family Influencer Ethics
33:04 FinTech and Financial Services Caution
34:22 Entertainment and Media Storytelling
35:44 Conclusion and Final Thoughts