D2C Diaries

On 25th March 2025, a new era of DTC marketing began...In this game-changing episode of D2C Diaries, we dive into how AI and organic-first creative strategies are unlocking ridiculous growth for brands—like helping one client hit a record-breaking £200K day from a single batch of ads.Want the exact AI prompts used to build those creatives?👉 Comment PROMPT on the YouTube episode, subscribe, and we'll send you the EXACT prompt we used.The guys break down:📈 The exact AI-driven workflow used to repurpose organic content into high-performing paid creatives (including the Google Studio + ChatGPT prompt combo)🤖 The latest ChatGPT image generation update and why it's a game-changer for model shots, product renders, and static ad saturation🔁 Meta’s algorithm shift to individual-level taste targeting and why content volume and variety are now your biggest performance levers🧠 A deep dive into organic research: how to mine viral frameworks from TikTok, Reddit, and Google, then plug them into scalable ad systems⚡ Real-world case studies from recent brand launches—including how they turned one creator-style organic video into a $120K+ revenue driver------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------D2C Diaries is proudly sponsored by Foreplay.Foreplay is the must-have tool for monitoring competitors, curating endless ad inspiration, and finding that one winning ad that can scale your business.Get 20% off FOR LIFE with code “D2CDIARIES” at Foreplay here https://shorturl.at/LEzzZ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow Loukas on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/TRI8BTwitter: https://x.com/LoukasHambiFollow Olly on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/kPrqOTwitter: https://x.com/oliverwhudsonFollow D2C Diaries on socialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@d2c.diariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/d2c_diaries/

🚀 YOUTUBE GIVEAWAY ALERT 🚀Head to Youtube and subscribe to our channel. Comment “swipe file” on the video to get exclusive access to:✅ Zach’s Ultimate Foreplay Board: A curated collection of ad creatives that inspire him.✅ Soar & Hambi’s Best Performers: Our top-winning ads from the past few months.Don’t miss out, drop “swipe file” in the comments and we’ll send it your way!------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------In this episode of D2C Diaries, we sit down with Zach Murray, founder of Foreplay, to break down how he scaled Foreplay from a side project into a creative SaaS powerhouse used by 10,000+ brands.Foreplay was built on one simple idea: most brands already have a winning ad, they just don’t realise it. Instead of constantly chasing new creative, the smartest brands double down on what’s working and iterate aggressively.What we cover:➡️ How Zach scaled Foreplay from idea to 10,000+ users➡️ Why most brands fail at creative iteration➡️ The secret to scaling ad spend without killing ROAS➡️ AI’s role in ad creative (and why it’s not replacing humans yet)➡️ Zach’s mindset & long-term goal-setting strategyThis episode is a must-listen for anyone running paid social in 2025.------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------D2C Diaries is proudly sponsored by Foreplay.Foreplay is the must-have tool for monitoring competitors, curating endless ad inspiration, and finding that one winning ad that can scale your business.Get 20% off FOR LIFE with code “D2CDIARIES” at Foreplay here https://shorturl.at/LEzzZ

When marketing doesn’t let you have a day off…Even on holiday, we’re back with a new episode, this time, with a spatula as a mic.In this episode, we dive into how TikTok-style creatives are driving serious results on Meta and how brands can repurpose them for better performance.We cover:1️⃣ Why TikTok Shop-style ads are dominating and how to leverage them2️⃣ How to fuse high-production (HP) content with UGC for 10X creative iterations3️⃣ The impact of storytelling-driven ads on engagement and conversions4️⃣ How brands can test TikTok creatives first before scaling them on MetaPlus, in the second half of the episode, we answer YOUR questions breaking down how to avoid creative fatigue, scale ad performance, and drive better results with lower budgets.If you’re not repurposing TikTok ads for Meta, you’re missing out, tune in to learn how to make it work for your brand.Follow Loukas on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/TRI8BTwitter: https://x.com/LoukasHambiFollow Olly on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/kPrqOTwitter: https://x.com/oliverwhudsonFollow D2C Diaries on socialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@d2c.diariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/d2c_diaries/

D2C Diaries is proudly sponsored by Motion.If you’re ready to learn how the best DTC and ecommerce brands use Motion to ship winning Meta, TikTok, and YouTube ads, book a demo today, or create a free account here - http://bit.ly/3Q7Kkdt Get 50% off your first month when you mention “The D2C Diaries” podcast to Motion’s sales team. The best-performing ads don’t feel like ads, they feel like stories.In this episode, Olly and Loukas break down why storytelling is the future of paid social and how top DTC brands are using it to scale. Traditional direct response tactics are losing effectiveness, while organic-feeling, narrative-driven ads are driving higher engagement, stronger brand affinity, and more conversions.With examples from brands like Club Neuro, they explore how to inject personal narratives into creative content to resonate with target audiences. Plus, they chat about the evolving world of performance creative, the importance of diversifying creative formats, and the role of organic content in scaling DTC brands.Topics covered:1. The power of storytelling in marketing: Vulnerability and founder narratives2. Evolving performance creative: Diversifying formats for reach3. Organic content's role in scaling DTC brands4. Industry news: Wild Deodorant's potential £230 million acquisition by UnileverIf you want to create ads that stop the scroll and actually convert, this episode is for you.Find the ad that Loukas is breaking down here : https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEp77ygs_xM/Follow Loukas on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/TRI8BTwitter: https://x.com/LoukasHambiFollow Olly on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/kPrqOTwitter: https://x.com/oliverwhudsonFollow D2C Diaries on socialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@d2c.diariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/d2c_diaries/

D2C Diaries is proudly sponsored by Motion.If you’re ready to learn how the best DTC and ecommerce brands use Motion to ship winning Meta, TikTok, and YouTube ads, book a demo today, or create a free account here - http://bit.ly/3Q7Kkdt Get 50% off your first month when you mention “The D2C Diaries” podcast to Motion’s sales team. Most DTC brands launch with a product and hope people care. Club Neuro did the opposite.Before even selling a single item, they built:✅ 25M views✅ 250,000+ social followers✅ A waitlist of thousands✅ A thriving private communityIn this solo episode of D2C Diaries, Loukas breaks down exactly how he built a creator-led brand from scratch, leveraging organic content, community-first strategies, and the power of the right creator to drive explosive engagement.Tune in to learn:1. Why he started with faceless content before introducing a creator2. How he scouted, vetted, and partnered with the right creator3. The strategy behind building demand before launching a product4. What most brands get wrong about creator-led growthIf you’re thinking about launching a brand in 2025, this episode is a must-listen. Loukas breaks down how his SHAEC framework helped him to select the perfect creator to lead the brand.Join the waitlist: https://signup.clubneuro.com/Follow Club Neuro on Instagram: www.instagram.com/clubneuro/Follow Olivia on Instagram: www.instagram.com/neurodiversing/Follow Loukas on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/TRI8BTwitter: https://x.com/LoukasHambiFollow Olly on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/kPrqOTwitter: https://x.com/oliverwhudsonFollow D2C Diaries on socialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@d2c.diariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/d2c_diaries/

D2C Diaries is proudly sponsored by Motion.If you’re ready to learn how the best DTC and ecommerce brands use Motion to ship winning Meta, TikTok, and YouTube ads, book a demo today, or create a free account here - http://bit.ly/3Q7Kkdt Get 50% off your first month when you mention “The D2C Diaries” podcast to Motion’s sales team. Most DTC founders obsess over paid ads, but what if PR is the missing piece in your growth strategy?In this episode of D2C Diaries, we sit down with a founder who scaled a brand to thousands of customers, without spending a penny on ads. We break down the power of PR, how to get featured in top publications, and why storytelling is the ultimate growth hack.You'll learn:- How one Daily Mail article drove £25K in sales in a day- The secrets to crafting a story journalists want to publish- Why PR builds long-term brand equity beyond paid ads- Why PR is an underrated growth channel- How PR fits into a modern marketing mixIf you're looking to build a brand that people talk about, this episode is for you.Follow Elissa on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/misselissac/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elissa-corrigan-baaa4837/https://www.instagram.com/ellesera.inc/Follow Loukas on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/TRI8BTwitter: https://x.com/LoukasHambiFollow Olly on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/kPrqOTwitter: https://x.com/oliverwhudsonFollow D2C Diaries on socialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@d2c.diariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/d2c_diaries/

D2C Diaries is proudly sponsored by Motion.If you’re ready to learn how the best DTC and ecommerce brands use Motion to ship winning Meta, TikTok, and YouTube ads, book a demo today, or create a free account at http://bit.ly/3Q7KkdtGet 50% off your first month when you mention “The D2C Diaries” podcast to Motion’s sales team. What will winning ecom brands look like in 2025?In this episode, we break down the biggest trends shaping DTC brands this year: what’s working, what’s not, and where the best operators are focusing their efforts. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or media buyer, these insights will help you stay ahead of the competition.Olly’s predictions:Profitability is king. Brands that optimise first-order profit, maximise LTV, and keep a strong LTV to CAC ratio will outspend and outcompete. Lean, AI-driven operations will be the norm.Creative volume is king. Growth now depends on a constant flow of high-quality creative. Workflows need to be centred on rapid testing and iteration.Brands choosing an Omnichannel approach to acquisition are expanding both their category markets and their routes to market.While Loukas sees a shift toward:Authenticity over AI: Founder-led and employee-generated content (EGC) will thrive as consumers crave real connections. We’ll also be seeing a rise of fake OOH campaigns, think AI generated billboards and CGI.Storytelling & long-form content: YouTube and deeper brand narratives will be key growth drivers for brands.Creator and Founder led brands will dominate. Think Logan Paul and Mr Beast.2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year for DTC ecommerce. If you're serious about growing a DTC brand this year, this is a must-listen.Follow Loukas on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/TRI8BTwitter: https://x.com/LoukasHambiFollow Olly on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/kPrqOTwitter: https://x.com/oliverwhudsonFollow D2C Diaries on socialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@d2c.diariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/d2c_diaries/

In this episode of the D2C Diaries, Matt Holland, Managing Director of Holland’s Country Clothing, shares the story of how the 50-year-old family-run retailer successfully adapted to the world of DTC and e-commerce. With over four decades of experience, Matt provides insights into navigating the shifting retail landscape, the importance of technology adoption, and how a family legacy can thrive in the digital age. Topics covered:- Lessons learnt from building and adapting a legacy brand.- The shift from traditional retail to DTC and early struggles with E-commerce transition- Why embracing Shopify in 2017 was a game-changer for them- Inventory management and supply chain failures.- The future of retail and the growing importance of DTC.- Building customer loyalty through authentic storytelling.- Adapting to changing market trends and customer expectations.Tune in to learn how a long-standing business survived and thrived by transitioning to the DTC model and embracing modern e-commerce trends.Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/oqtMa2qoc7QFollow Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthollandcc/https://hollandscountryclothing.co.uk/Follow Loukas on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/TRI8BTwitter: https://x.com/LoukasHambiFollow Olly on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/kPrqOTwitter: https://x.com/oliverwhudsonFollow D2C Diaries on socialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@d2c.diariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/d2c_diaries/

In this episode of The D2C Diaries, we sit down with Jack, co-founder of D.Louise, a UK founder led jewellery brand. Jack shares the inspiring journey behind D.Louise, from its humble beginnings to becoming an 8-figure powerhouse driven by a relentless focus on founder-led content and storytelling.We dive into:1. The role of founder-led content in driving organic and paid growth and the early impact of making Olivia the face of the brand.2. D.Louise’s growth trajectory and key strategies that drove consistent growth without a "silver bullet" breakthrough.3. How their organic content fuels paid advertising success.4. Lessons learned from consulting with former Gymshark executives.5. Jack’s initial success with reselling PlayStations during lockdown and transitioning to jewellery.Whether you’re an early-stage founder or scaling your DTC brand, this episode is packed with insights on leveraging your unique story to fuel growth and build lasting connections with your audience.Tune in for practical tips, powerful lessons, and the behind-the-scenes story of how D.Louise is reshaping the jewellery space.📺Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/ueGgpCDmr5cFollow Jack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-z-7b4466145/https://www.dlouise.co.uk/Follow Loukas on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/TRI8BTwitter: https://x.com/LoukasHambiFollow Olly on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/kPrqOTwitter: https://x.com/oliverwhudsonFollow D2C Diaries on socialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@d2c.diariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/d2c_diaries/

In this episode, we dive into how we're leveraging Reddit to create authentic, high-performing ads that truly resonate with audiences. From mining Reddit threads for real customer insights to crafting ad scripts that speak directly to consumer pain points, we're breaking down the exact strategies we use to turn raw, unfiltered data into creative gold.We explore:1️⃣ Why Reddit is an untapped resource for ad research.2️⃣ How to use Reddit comments to craft believable, relatable messaging.3️⃣ Real-life examples of turning Reddit insights into winning campaigns.4️⃣ Tips for blending authenticity with performance-driven results.If you're tired of ads that feel too scripted or salesy and want to learn how to build trust and credibility through your creative, this episode is a must-watch.Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/oW8ziFpireAFollow Loukas on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/TRI8BTwitter: https://x.com/LoukasHambiFollow Olly on socials:LinkedIn: https://shorturl.at/kPrqOTwitter: https://x.com/oliverwhudsonFollow D2C Diaries on socialsTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@d2c.diariesInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/d2c_diaries/Follow Fred on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-ezekiel-76018a111/