DTC Podcast

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this week's AKNF DTC Podcast discover how Pilothouse’s TikTok Shop division empowers DTC brands to build self-sustaining commerce systems on TikTok. With Senior Account Manager Debbie, we unpack: 🎯 GMV Max ads — TikTok’s new all-in-one ad format requiring strong creative engines 🤝 Affiliate network strategy — powering 80%+ of TikTo...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we dive into the results of a survey of over 600 DTC brand operators, conducted in partnership with Keen Decision Systems. With Q4 2025 shaped by shifting tariffs, tight margins, and uncertain demand, we speak with Justin Jefferson, VP of Strategy & Insights at Keen, to unpack how brands are (and aren...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Welcome to the DTC Podcast with Sarah Hoffman of Maker Wine — a deep dive into how Maker is rewriting the rules for wine. We cover: ✅ Addressing canned-wine stigma with quality-first sourcing ✅ Virtual tastings as a viral DTC engine ✅ Omni-channel scaling from club to airlines ✅ Smart SEO and content strategy for brand discovery Key Tak...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Today's AKNF DTC Podcast Episode features the first ever episode from our sister podcast Ad-Venturous with Avery Valerio. Make sure to subscribe to Avery's podcast here: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/ad-venturous/episodes/EP-1-A-Peanut-Butter-Sandwich-Could-Always-Lead-to-Disaster-e32himd We see more ads in our day-to-day...

To Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the Pilothouse DTC Podcast, Laura Thompson & Connie Lo share how they built Three Ships Beauty from a condo‑kitchen startup to scaling to 8 figure omnichannel success. They discuss: 🚀 Defining natural vs. clean beauty: How transparency earned consumer trust 💡 Retail playbook: Landing shelf space is just step one—...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this no-fluff edition of All Killer No Filler, Jordan Gordon lays out the retention blueprint based on four fundamental customer cohort types. Whether you're selling one-time purchases or building a subscription empire, this episode helps you build the right post-purchase flows, campaign cadence, and automation strategies based on yo...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast with Eric Dyck. Today, we’re joined by Jason Prowd of AMP / Lifetimely to dive into how DTC brands can move from data paralysis to strategic action. Jason shares how cohort analysis, optimized subscription offers, and behavioral triggers unlock new revenue. Explore Lifetimely by AMP: https://useamp.com/p...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast: We dive into how Adam Miller, founder of Revel Bikes, re-acquired his high-end DTC bike business after a private equity sale, a bankruptcy, and a founderless shutdown. Key moments organizational leaders and DTC entrepreneurs will learn: How founder control vs PE operations impacted Revel’s culture, invent...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric Dyck sits down with Pilothouse’s Amazon strategists, Rob & Clifford, to unpack why the shift to a four‑day Prime Day demands new levels of agility, budget strategy, and channel investment. They dive into: ✅ Why a four‑day Prime Day is a marathon vs sprint — how slow starters can pivot mid‑event....

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode, Trung Pham, founder of RYSE, shares how he turned paid ad funnels — usually used to drive DTC sales — into a reliable growth engine for equity crowdfunding, raising over $10 million to fuel smart-home hardware innovation. Join Ryse's Round! https://invest.helloryse.com/ 🎯 Why Listen: Equity Crowdfunding Meets DTC: Learn ho...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric Dyck hosts Taylor Cain and Jacob from Pilothouse Meta Brain Trust to unpack how high-volume DTC brands test creative at scale on Meta. Learn their hybrid approach using ABO for insight discovery and Advantage Plus/CBO for scaling winners—while keeping testing spend lean at 5–10% of total budget. Key...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of DTC Podcast, Adam Miller, founder of Revel Bikes, shares how he bootstrapped a premium mountain bike brand — solving product complexity, managing cash constraints, and scaling to global distribution with only minimal paid marketing. Why it matters: Bootstrapping high-cost inventory with home equity lines Building authenti...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of All Killer, No Filler DTC Podcast, host Eric Dyck talks with Pilothouse’s Technical Manager Richard about the expanding impact of California’s CCPA/CPRA and evolving privacy laws across North America. Key moments to listen for: CCPA/CPRA 101 & penalties – Up to $7.5K per violation, private-data breach lawsuits, and ag...

To Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup This episode dives deep into how a major global brand (Barilla) reimagined Back to Nature with a bold rebrand strategy anchored in nostalgia, joy, and simple ingredients. Hear why shifting from a plant‑based tagline to a "Better‑For‑You Remix of Classics" helped unlock broader consumer appeal, fortified by skinnier SKU range an...

To Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode, Braydon, Senior Content Manager at Pilothouse, dives into how he uses AI to streamline client calls, automate creative workflows, and reclaim time. Below are the standout tactical takeaways: 🔥 3× Creative Productivity: Use ChatGPT + DALL·E to reverse‑engineer competitor ads and build mockups, cutting tasks from ~1 hour...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Trevor 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.com You’ll le...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup How does a luxury cookware brand maintain a 40% repeat purchase rate? In this episode of The World’s Best Retention and Marketing Podcast, Christina Chonody, Senior Director of Marketing at Hestan, shares the high-performance tactics behind their content-led retention strategy. From culinary storytelling and chef partnerships to plain-text...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In 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 sim...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Today we’re joined by Charlotte Trecartin, the founder of Char Charms, a brand creating customizable accessories for drinkware. Charlotte’s journey from handmade prototypes in her college dorm room to nationwide deals with Target and Dick’s Sporting Goods offers a masterclass in category creation and scaling. In this episode, we dive into:...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast, host Eric Dyck welcomes Avery from Ad-venturous and Taylor Cain from Pilothouse to break down key takeaways from Mother’s Day campaigns and how they inform Q4 preparedness. 🎯 Key Topics Covered: Meta’s evolving ad ecosystem: Advantage+ Shopping is being replaced by Sales campaigns—test both now. Creative...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric interviews Alex Yancher, Co-founder & CEO of Passport, a leading global ecommerce provider powering end-to-end growth for fast-growing DTC brands. Alex breaks down the seismic shifts caused by recent tariff increases, how duty drawback programs work, and why every DTC brand is now — whether they...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode, IQBAR founder Will Nitze shares his journey from burnout in the corporate world to launching a bar brand rooted in cognitive nutrition. He walks through the steps that took IQBAR from kitchen counter tests to Amazon bestseller and retail mainstay. What you’ll hear is less about hacks and more about the fundamentals: why sta...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast, Eric Dyck sits down with Dougie and Adam from Pilothouse to talk about how to properly structure YouTube ad campaigns for long-term brand growth. Dougie and Adam share the evolved Pilothouse perspective on YouTube—not as a direct response platform, but as a powerful top-of-funnel awareness channel. Learn...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we sit down with Jeremy Foreshew from Talkable to explore how brands can leverage referral marketing to drive sustainable growth. Key Insights: The Decline of Traditional Advertising: Challenges with rising digital ad costs and the shift towards owned channels. Referral Marketing Mechanics: Understanding...

Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup In this episode of the DTC Podcast, we’re joined by Steve Schwartz, founder of Art of Tea. From starting with a backpack and a phone bill to serving Google HQ and the White House, Steve’s journey is rooted in deep product integrity and radical education. Listen in to discover how blending Ayurvedic principles with luxury sourcing has positi...