
Growth Masterminds: mobile growth podcast
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.
Latest episodes

Oct 10, 2024 • 25min
End cards that convert: boost mobile ads conversion by 30%
Can you boost mobile ad performance 30% or more with the right end card?
The answer is a definite maybe.
:-)
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, host John Koetsier discusses the effectiveness of end cards in mobile advertising with Avi Cohen, a creative lead at Bigabid.
They explore the challenges of determining the optimal length and format for mobile ads, shifting industry trends toward longer ads, and the importance of end cards in ad performance.
Avi shares insights from his experience, emphasizing the significance of testing and creativity in developing end cards. The episode reveals the complexity of creative testing and the potential impact of unique end cards on advertising success.
Tune in to discover strategies for leveraging end cards to maximize conversion rates and user engagement.
00:00 Introduction to Effective End Cards
02:03 Diving into End Card Formats
03:02 The Psychology Behind End Cards
03:36 The Evolution of Mobile Ad Lengths
06:09 Testing and Best Practices
09:03 The Importance of End Cards
13:40 Real-World Examples and Success Stories
21:54 Encouraging Creativity and Breaking Rules
24:34 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

Oct 3, 2024 • 20min
New Unity CEO Matt Bromberg on games, ads, AI
In a fascinating conversation, Matt Bromberg, the new CEO of Unity, shares his vision for the company's future amidst the shifting gaming landscape. He discusses the controversial pricing model changes and the challenges of profitability. The potential of AI in both game development and advertising is highlighted, showcasing how these innovations could transform experiences for players and developers alike. Bromberg emphasizes the importance of effective monetization strategies and Unity's unique position in the competitive mobile advertising space.

Sep 26, 2024 • 16min
CAPIs, CAPIs, CAPIs, all about CAPIs
CAPIs are everywhere right now. And for some advertisers, conversion APIs are the way to ensure they and their ad partners have enough data quickly enough to optimize campaigns and grow faster.
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, we chat about CAPIs in today's advertising landscape with Mike Gadd, Customer Success Director for EMEA & India at Singular.
We explore what CAPS are, why they exist, and their growing importance with platforms like Meta, Google, TikTok, and more. Mike explains how CAPIs offer more efficient ways to manage data and optimize ad campaigns compared to traditional methods like pixels. The discussion also covers the challenges of implementing CAPIs, who benefits from them, and the diverse use cases across web, app, and multi-platform marketing.
Tune in to learn how CAPS can elevate your advertising strategy and streamline your data integration.
00:00 Introduction to CAPIs and Growth Masterminds
01:00 Understanding CAPIs: What They Are and Why They Exist
03:18 The Impact of iOS 14.5 and App Tracking Transparency
05:47 Who Uses CAPIs and Why?
07:30 Challenges and Solutions in Implementing CAPIs
09:37 Use Cases and Benefits of CAPIs
13:03 Getting Started with CAPIs: Tips and Recommendations
15:49 Conclusion and Further Resources

Sep 17, 2024 • 36min
8 biggest mistakes in paid user acquisition
What are the 8 biggest mistakes people make in user acquisition?
(Some are going to surprise you.)
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, host John Koetsier sits down with Lorenzo Rossi, co-founder and head of growth at Replug. They delve into crucial aspects such as tracking and measurement, targeting, Apple search ads, Android and iOS strategies, and wrong KPIs.
Lorenzo shares in-depth insights on why having an improperly set up MMP can sabotage your efforts, the pitfalls of lazy targeting especially on platforms like Meta, and why a one-size-fits-all creative strategy can be detrimental.
They also emphasize the importance of a holistic marketing approach and understanding the correct KPIs to track. This episode is packed with valuable tips and strategies for anyone serious about optimizing their paid user acquisition efforts.
00:00 Introduction to Common Mistakes in Paid User Acquisition
01:28 No MMP or Improper MMP Setup
04:29 Sloppy Targeting on Meta
10:26 Over-Reliance on Apple Search Ads
17:15 Platform-Specific Content Strategies
18:32 Adapting Creatives for Different Platforms
20:38 Common Mistakes in Ad Campaigns
23:42 Holistic App Marketing Approach
25:53 Onboarding and User Experience
28:18 Looking at the Right KPIs
31:16 Exploring Diverse Paid UA Strategies
34:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sep 11, 2024 • 25min
UA via OEM: new opportunities for growth
User acquisition via OEM is changing massively. What used to be a simple pre-install that maybe no-one ever saw is evolving into 3 different types of app installs for new device owners and HUNDREDS of ad opportunities in OEM apps and on-device experiences.
Join John Koetsier on Growth Masterminds as he chats with Ashwin Shekhar, CRO of Avow about the differences, cost benefits, and downsides of various install experiences including factory preload, out-of-box recommended apps, and Google's Play Auto Install system.
We also chat about Avow's role in managing Samsung's Galaxy App Store ad inventory in Europe and the implications of the Digital Markets Act on third-party app stores.
00:00 Introduction to Growth Masterminds
01:36 Factory Preload Explained
03:21 Out-of-Box Experience
04:12 Google Play Auto Install
06:01 Targeting and Engagement
09:10 Cost and Metrics
10:50 Samsung Galaxy App Store Management
12:46 Third-Party App Stores and Digital Markets Act
20:16 OEM Ad Networks and Display Ads
23:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Sep 2, 2024 • 2min
Dominate growth in Q4 2024
Q4 is the golden quarter. It's when many businesses make it or break it?
How can you dominate growth in Q4 2024?
We're doing 3 webinars in 3 days on exactly that ... listen in for what's going on, and find the link to sign up right here:
https://lp.singular.net/dominating-q4

Aug 27, 2024 • 40min
The future of AI in games with Roblox chief scientist Morgan McGuire
Morgan McGuire, Roblox's chief scientist and AI pioneer, dives into the transformative potential of AI in game development. He discusses how players might soon create games just by using their voices, marking a revolution in accessibility. The conversation explores AI's role in safety moderation, particularly for younger users, and the challenges of voice moderation. McGuire highlights Roblox's impressive growth, boasting 380 million monthly users, and the platform's commitment to democratizing creativity in gaming through generative AI.

Aug 20, 2024 • 34min
How to do your best work in growth marketing
How do you do your most impactful work as a growth marketer?
How do you avoid being busy, checking off tasks, doing “good work” … but maybe not doing the most impactful things?
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, Host John Koetsier is joined by Hannah Parvaz, an award-winning marketer and the founder of growth agency Aperture. They discuss how impactful work as a growth marketer should be a company-wide focus led by the CEO, and Hannah shares her approach to determining the most impactful tasks, breaking down growth into actionable steps using prioritization frameworks, and the importance of maintaining a seamless flow from ads to the product experience.
She highlights her methodologies for idea brainstorming, product flow integration, and cohesive team collaboration to achieve significant business growth. Join them for insights into effective growth strategies and practical tips for scaling your business.
00:00 Introduction to Growth Mastermind
02:16 Hannah's Recent Activities and Achievements
05:52 The Importance of Prioritization in Growth Marketing
11:12 Full Funnel Approach and Team Collaboration
16:52 Defining the Growth Role
18:31 Building a Growth Team
20:10 Prioritizing Growth Initiatives
24:05 Testing and Iteration
26:02 Aligning Ads with Product Experience
32:46 Full Funnel Approach
33:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Aug 6, 2024 • 31min
1 thing we forget when growing games
Mariusz Gasiewski, a Mobile Gaming Analyst and Apps Lead at Google, joins the conversation to shed light on the often-overlooked aspect of player motivations in mobile gaming. They explore how understanding these motivations is essential for user acquisition and marketing strategies. Cultural differences in gaming habits are discussed, emphasizing their impact on player engagement. Gasiewski highlights the importance of community feedback in design, as well as navigating trust issues in mobile advertising, making a case for a more nuanced approach to game development.

Jul 31, 2024 • 29min
Mobile marketing for fintech: what's changing?
Fintech funding and valuations are down, but growth is still hot at 21% CAGR.
In this episode of Growth Masterminds, host John Koetsier chats with Self Financial's growth marketing lead Paul Kovalski.
Paul shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of multi-platform acquisitions, measurement complexities, and effective bidding and optimization strategies. They delve into the significant differences between marketing for finance and mobile games, targeting high-demand audiences, and the role of compliance in advertising.
Paul also explores the advantages of humor in ads and the potential of generative AI in creating ad copy.
00:00 Introduction to Multi-Platform Acquisition
01:14 The Rollercoaster Ride of FinTech
02:51 Key Differences in FinTech User Acquisition
04:08 Challenges and Strategies in Multi-Channel Marketing
06:13 Understanding Customer Behavior in FinTech
14:16 Navigating Legalities and Compliance
26:39 The Future of FinTech Marketing
29:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts