DTC Podcast

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupTrevor Zacny from Shiti Coolers joins the DTC Podcast to share how he and his brothers transformed a napkin joke into a viral sticker business, and then into the world’s first party cooler brand. This episode dives deep into humor-led branding, event-based growth, and the transition from parody to premium product.Shiticoolers.comYou’ll learn:Why humor can be a powerful differentiator in product categories saturated with status and performance brandsHow Shiti Coolers went from $0 to $320K in sticker sales in year oneHow events like NASCAR and country music festivals became revenue powerhousesThe importance of maintaining product quality in a humor-first brandBuilding community through social, SMS, and in-person eventsLessons on cash flow, capital allocation, and surviving growing painsWhy storytelling and founder-led content is their next big opportunityIf you’re thinking about growing a lifestyle brand, building a loyal following, or just want to learn how to make funny marketing actually drive revenue, this one’s for you.Did you know that 98% of your website visitors are anonymous? Instant powers next-level retention by identifying who they are and converting them into loyal shoppers. Sign up for a quick demo today to get 50% off and unlock a guaranteed 4x+ ROI: instant.one/dtcTimestamps00:00 - How Shiti Coolers Made $320K from Stickers02:00 - From Festival Joke to Full Lifestyle Brand05:00 - Launching the First Party Cooler07:00 - Lessons from the First Cooler Launch10:00 - Balancing Humor and Product Quality12:00 - Competing with Yeti Without Copying It15:00 - Building the Community Through Events and Social17:00 - In-Person Events vs. Paid Media Growth20:00 - Collaborations with Kid Rock, Realtree, and Bill Murray23:00 - Navigating Tariffs and Global Manufacturing25:00 - Working with Family as Co-Founders27:00 - Hitting a Cash Wall and Finding Strategic Investors30:00 - How They Choose the Right Events32:00 - Storytelling as a Growth Opportunity34:00 - Wholesale, Seasonality, and Global Expansion PlansHashtags#shiticoolers#dtcpodcast#founderstory#ecommercebranding#lifestylebrand#productlaunch#d2cmarketing#familybusiness#retailstrategy#tariffs#brandcommunity#humorinmarketing#eventmarketing#wholesalestrategy#coolerbrand Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

Christina Chonody, Senior Director of Marketing at Hestan, a luxury cookware brand, reveals the secrets behind their impressive 40% repeat purchase rate. She discusses the power of culinary storytelling and strategic partnerships with chefs that enhance brand loyalty. Christina emphasizes how plain-text emails can outperform visually complex designs, highlighting the significance of genuine value over discounts. Listeners also learn about the benefits of Nanobond technology and segmentation strategies that drive retention and revenue growth.

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupIn this episode of the DTC Podcast, we’re joined by Garrick Tiplady, Global Head of SMB Group at Meta, and Yingying Kuang, Head of Ecommerce and Growth at Kitsch. They share practical insights into how AI tools are reshaping media buying—not replacing it, but making it more efficient and creative.From Zuckerberg’s recent comments about simplifying campaign setup to the real-world tactics Kitsch uses to launch 100 creatives a week, this episode is filled with straightforward strategies for scaling performance marketing. Garrick and Yingying discuss how Meta’s Advantage+ and GenAI Creative tools support human creativity and free up media buyers to focus on strategy and storytelling.Key insights:Why creative is targeting, and how AI helps scale itHow Kitsch leverages AI for creative production, testing, and analysisThe balance between automation and human strategy in performance marketingMeasuring incrementality and understanding attribution beyond last-clickPreparing for Q4 with proven creative and campaign strategiesThis is a must-listen for media buyers and marketers who want to leverage AI tools without losing sight of strategy, customer connection, and real business impact.Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/business/news/meta-advantage-explained-in-two-minutesTimestamps00:00 – How Kitsch approaches Meta's automation and creative strategy02:15 – Why creative diversification outperforms targeting hacks04:30 – Retargeting strategy and why it’s not one-size-fits-all07:00 – Meta’s view on freeing up time for creative strategy09:15 – Using Gen AI to boost creative volume and performance11:30 – Measuring incrementality with Meta tools and Northbeam14:00 – Multi-channel attribution and retail halo effects16:15 – Testing Q4 offers early and holiday creative strategies18:30 – How creators and partnership ads drive 15–25% higher ROAS20:30 – Final advice for mastering Meta media buying in 2025Hashtags#dtcpodcast#mediabuying#metaads#genai#ecommercemarketing#kitschbrand#advertisingstrategy#q4planning#creatorads#digitalattribution#incrementality#performancecreative Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signupAdvertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertiseWork with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouseFollow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletterWatch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video

Charlotte Trecartin, the founder of Char Charms, shares her incredible journey from crafting handmade drinkware accessories in her college dorm to securing deals with major retailers like Target and Dick's Sporting Goods. She reveals how starting scrappy can be an asset and discusses the role of TikTok and LinkedIn in her brand's rapid growth. Charlotte highlights the challenges of moving from prototypes to mass production and shares her vision for strategic collaborations with big names like Hello Kitty, showcasing innovative marketing strategies for budding entrepreneurs.

Taylor Cain from Pilothouse, a whiz in Meta strategy, joins the conversation to share insights into maximizing holiday campaigns. He dives into the shift from Advantage+ Shopping to Sales campaigns, emphasizing the need for brands to test both. Creative strategies around Mother's Day are highlighted, focusing on simple, clear promos and creator-generated content. Taylor explains how Memorial Day can serve as a testing ground for Q4 preparation, and discusses the trend of prioritizing efficiency over volume in advertising.

In this discussion, Alex Yancher, Co-founder & CEO of Passport, dives into the shifting landscape of international e-commerce. He explains how recent tariff hikes are forcing DTC brands to rethink their inventory strategies. Duty drawback programs are highlighted as a crucial tool for cost recovery, but success depends on precise inventory data. Yancher emphasizes the importance of localizing brand messaging and utilizing DDP shipping to enhance customer experience abroad. He also touches on the upcoming Canada Post strike and its potential impact on logistics.

Will Nitze, founder of IQBAR, shares his inspiring journey from corporate burnout to creating a successful brand centered on cognitive health. He discusses the critical importance of testing products quickly via online sales and gathering customer feedback to achieve product-market fit. Nitze highlights the challenge of maintaining profitability amidst rising costs and the complexities of omnichannel strategies, balancing direct-to-consumer sales with retail growth. His insights provide a grounded roadmap for navigating the competitive nutritional bar market.

Dougie, who leads the YouTube ads department at Pilothouse, delves into innovative strategies for YouTube advertising. He highlights the shift from polished ads to organic, user-generated content that fosters trust and engagement. Dougie also elaborates on structuring campaigns around funnel stages, the benefit of tailored creatives, and the necessity of a significant investment for real results. Plus, he shares insights on measuring performance through tools like Brand Search Lift, reshaping how brands approach YouTube.

Jeremy Foreshew, from Talkable, dives into the world of referral marketing and innovative strategies for reducing customer acquisition costs. He discusses the challenges of traditional advertising and the rise of owned channels. The introduction of Talkable Wallet is highlighted as a game changer for seamless mobile referrals. Foreshew shares real-world case studies demonstrating the success of referral loops in driving growth. He emphasizes the importance of personalized offers and authentic customer engagement in fostering loyalty and resilience.

Join Steve Schwartz, the founder of Art of Tea, on his remarkable journey from backpacking for health to serving the White House. He shares how he blends Ayurvedic principles with luxury tea sourcing to create a wellness beverage giant. Discover the importance of storytelling in branding, the logistics of tea sourcing, and the power of subscription models for customer loyalty. Steve also dives into unique marketing strategies and the impact of consumer education on retention, making tea not just a drink, but a mindful experience.