The MarTech Matrix

Episode SummaryMost retailers still sell like it’s 1999: flat product photos, isolated PDPs, and generic campaigns that ignore how people actually use what they buy. In this episode of The MarTech Matrix, Sean sits down with Michelle Bacharach, CEO & Co-founder of FindMine, to talk about how AI-powered styling can finally connect merchandising and marketing — turning single products into full looks, routines, and room setups that are on-brand, on-trend, and in-stock.From IKEA showrooms and TikTok micro-trends to Meta catalog ads and in-store experiences, Michelle breaks down how outcome-oriented styling boosts conversion, AOV, and customer loyalty — without burning out your creative and merchandising teams.🔑 Key TakeawaysThe real problem isn’t product discovery — it’s outcome discovery. Most shoppers don’t know how to wear or use what they’re buying. Styling and context are what unlock confidence and conversion.Most consumers don’t have the “stylist gene.” Brand teams do — which is why they often underestimate how much help regular shoppers need to visualize outfits, rooms, or routines.Retailers still over-optimize for single products. SEO and PDPs are built around individual SKUs, but buying decisions are made around moments (holiday party, barn wedding, marathon, spooky season, etc.).AI styling can save “forgotten” products from the clearance rack. When you put underperforming items into the right story or trend, they often sell — without automatic discounting.Creative + inventory + performance need to be connected. FindMine ties together product feeds, brand rules, inventory, and media platforms to keep looks on-brand and in-stock across ads, PDPs, landing pages, email, and stores.Micro-trends beat monolithic audiences. It’s more powerful (and often cheaper) to lean into “spooky season,” “barn wedding,” or “almond mom summer” than just “holiday” or “wedding season.”Future search is outcome-first, not product-first. As AI search replaces traditional search, brands that structure their data around outcomes (e.g., “perimenopausal acne routine”) will win more share of wallet.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – Intro: The styling gap in modern eCommerce01:33 – Michelle’s founder story: From window displays to AI styling04:23 – Why most shoppers can’t “see” the outfit (and why brands forget that)06:32 – Portland vs. New York: How geography and lifestyle shape style09:16 – Personalization beyond zip code: Trends, micro-niches, and culture11:10 – The Toy Story analogy: Giving every product a fair shot15:30 – Underperformers, sequined vests, and why discounting is a blunt tool16:08 – How FindMine works: Data, training, and plugging into your stack18:37 – Where styling shows up: Ads, PDPs, landing pages, email, chat, PIMs19:50 – Micro-trends, CAC busting, and the power of “small but specific” moments21:21 – Finding gaps in your marketing with niche themes and segments23:13 – Meta catalog ads: What Meta does vs. what FindMine actually changes25:35 – Why AI is “brilliant and stupid” — and why prompting matters for brand26:42 – Brand control spectrum: From luxury guardrails to fully automated styling29:53 – Working with big brands and navigating rebrands (Gap, Lulu, etc.)32:35 – Who FindMine is for: ICP, verticals, and where it works best34:42 – Case studies: AOV, conversion, repeat purchase, and an 8% landing page CVR36:16 – Unexpected insights: Bralettes, tops, and re-merchandising physical stores37:59 – Bridging online and in-store: Clienteling, touchscreens, and store associate tools40:18 – The future: Outcome-based search, AI chat, and being “AI ready” as a brand43:14 – Where to start: Don’t boil the ocean — pick your slice of the journey45:07 – Lightning round: Outcome obsession, the big mistake, and fraud tech46:38 – Wrap-up: How to learn more and where to find FindMine

For years, ROAS (Return on Ad Spend) was the go-to metric for performance marketers. It was simple, clear, and instantly gratifying — the higher, the better. But as Mark Deruyter points out in our latest episode of The MarTech Matrix, that once-reliable metric has quietly become one of the most misleading KPIs in modern marketing.We cover:The Problem with ROASThe Better Stack: MER, CAC, and LTVMeasuring What MattersHow AI Is Changing the GameSpeed, Fit, and Impact: A New Way to Buy TechTakeawaysROAS is overrated. It relies on platform data and third-party cookies, which makes it unreliable in today’s privacy-first world. It measures spend efficiency, not profitability, and can create a false sense of success.Shift to MER, CAC, and LTV.Trust first-party data. Platform dashboards are directional only. Real insight comes from CRM and transaction data that connect spend directly to sales and retention.Retention is AI’s next frontier. AI can now identify inactive customers, predict churn, and trigger personalized outreach automatically. Retention automation is becoming the biggest growth lever for established brands.The modern marketer’s must-have skills:Buy technology based on speed, fit, and impact. If a tool can’t be implemented and delivering results within 30 days, it’s probably not the right one. Focus on solutions that make your team faster and smarter, not bloated with features.Collaboration beats silos. The best marketing teams align brand, creative, and performance to connect storytelling with measurable growth.Bottom line: Move beyond vanity metrics. Build a profit stack grounded in first-party data, AI, and metrics that matter — MER, CAC, and LTV. The future belongs to marketers who measure what actually drives profit, not just performance.Chapters01:27 How the marketer’s job changed (real-time, cross-team)06:30 Brand’s rising importance & authenticity09:02 Gut vs data (keep the art, validate the inputs)12:36 Tools that accelerate marketplace performance (Stackline, Helium 10)14:21 First-party truth over platform dashboards15:32 Overrated metrics: ROAS → shift to MER, CAC, LTV17:46 How to think about LTV at earlier-stage brands21:32 Buying tech: 30-day implementation mindset; time-to-value24:31 What vendors miss (research, economics, CFO proof)30:42 AI’s impact: compress data → creative → execution32:07 Acquisition vs retention (why retention wins next)35:10 Future skills: data fluency, AI literacy, brand authenticity38:23 Underrated channels: Affiliate & SEO (and AEO)40:53 BFCM tip: have backup copy/creative variants ready

Presented byThe MarTech Matrix — a Blurbs production helping marketers find clarity in the chaos of MarTech. No fluff. Just the truth.SummaryMarketers have been “data-driven” for years—but mostly by proxies. In this conversation, Attain President & COO Ben Kartzman joins host Sean Simon to show how connecting ad exposure to permissioned, first-party purchase data changes everything: measure real sales, optimize mid-flight, and build smarter audiences with competitive switching insights. If you’ve ever asked, “Did our ads actually sell anything?”—this one’s for you.Why this matters (fast)Reality check: Clicks don’t equal customers. Sales do.New signal: Real-time purchase data sourced from consumers (not retailers) closes the loop.Actionable now: Move from post-hoc reporting to in-campaign optimization.HighlightsOutcomes > Proxies — Ben explains how the industry defaulted to what was easy to measure (CTR, impressions) and how Attain puts sales outcomes at the center.Permissioned scale — Attain’s dataset is built from 10M+ opted-in consumers via a value-exchange in consumer apps (points → cash/gift cards).CTV that sells — Example: Amazon Prime Live Sports campaigns where Attain ties ad exposure to incremental purchases (e.g., Taco Bell).Mid-flight wins — Pilot Flying J and Sally Beauty optimized against real buyers during the campaign, unlocking millions in incremental revenue.Insights that build audiences — Identify likely buyers, basket size, Prime membership, pet ownership, region, and where shoppers switch from/to—then target precisely.What’s next — The path from real-time attribution to predictive and ultimately agentic media.Three Big TakeawaysStop grading on proxies. Measure what your media actually sold.Optimize while it runs. With real-time purchase data, you don’t have to wait for the post-mortem.Know the switchers. Competitive switching intel is fuel for smarter conquesting and retention.Favorite Quotes“Clicks don’t pay the bills. Sales do.”“When teams see the live purchase lift, the conversation shifts from measurement to optimization.”“Our data originates from consumers, so we avoid retailer blind spots like Amazon or Walmart.”Who should watchPerformance and growth marketers tired of dashboard vanityOmnichannel & offline-heavy brands wrestling with retail media attributionMedia buyers who want real-time signal to act on, not just report

Podcasting has never been more culturally relevant. Listeners are engaged, loyal, and attentive — yet the channel continues to punch below its weight when it comes to marketing budgets. Despite commanding millions of daily listeners and deep audience trust, podcast advertising still accounts for a small fraction of total media spend. So what’s holding it back? And what will it take for audio to claim its rightful share of the marketing pie?In this episode of The MarTech Matrix, host Sean Simon sits down with Pete Jimison, CEO and Founder of Frequency, to discuss the evolution of podcast advertising, the workflow barriers slowing its growth, and how Frequency’s new platform — Automated Direct — is reshaping the way brands plan, execute, and measure audio campaigns.Tune into this episode…Takeaways90% of podcast revenue is still direct, not programmatic.Host-read ads are key but challenging to scale.Frequency offers automated direct solutions for audio ads.AI is used for quality assurance in ad reads.Dynamic creative optimization is expanding in audio.Location-based data is crucial for ad personalization.Brands should test various audio strategies for best results.Listening to podcasts helps brands understand the space.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Pete Jimison03:00 The Rise of Podcasting09:00 Challenges in Audio Advertising15:00 Innovative Solutions by Frequency21:00 The Role of AI in Audio27:00 Future of Audio Advertising

Welcome to the Martek Matrix, where we delve into the dynamic world of Connected TV (CTV) advertising. Hosted by Sean Simon, alongside industry experts Dan Larkman, CEO of Keen’s Digital, and Rick Egan, owner of Riviera Marketing, we explore the challenges and opportunities in the rapidly evolving CTV landscape. From fragmented platforms to innovative solutions, our discussions aim to provide clarity and actionable insights for brands navigating this exciting channel. Join us as we cut through the noise and uncover the strategies that drive real results in CTV advertising.TakeawaysCTV is experiencing rapid growth, but it comes with challenges.Brands are increasingly investing in CTV as part of their marketing budget.Data alone is not enough; understanding infrastructure is key.Incrementality is essential for measuring the effectiveness of CTV campaigns.Brands often struggle to identify their return on investment in CTV.The CTV landscape is fragmented, leading to confusion for buyers.Expertise in CTV can help brands avoid pitfalls and optimize performance.Amazon’s role as a DSP raises concerns about data privacy and targeting.The future of CTV will see a focus on measurement and trust-building.Mid-market brands have significant opportunities in the CTV space.Chapters00:00 Introduction to CTV and Its Challenges03:08 The Current State of the CTV Ecosystem05:45 Understanding Data and Infrastructure in CTV08:45 Brand Frustrations and Challenges in CTV12:00 Identifying Reliable CTV Providers14:34 Incrementality and Proving Value in CTV17:42 Investment Strategies and Budget Allocation in CTV20:42 Unique Advantages of Keen’s in the CTV Space25:11 Navigating Audience Targeting in CTV31:35 The Role of Amazon in Digital Advertising37:18 Identifying Winners and Losers in CTV42:39 Unlocking Opportunities for Mid-Market Brands

In this episode of the MarTech Matrix, Sean Simon interviews Arthur Root, CEO of Nostra, discussing the critical importance of site speed for e-commerce brands. Arthur explains how Nostra enhances website performance through its Edge Delivery Engine, optimizing load times and improving personalization without compromising user experience. The conversation delves into the technical aspects of site speed, the role of cookies in personalization, and how Nostra integrates seamlessly with existing tech stacks. Arthur also shares insights on measuring success with Nostra and the future of site speed in the e-commerce landscape.TakeawaysNostra helps brands improve ROI by enhancing site speed.Site speed is crucial for conversion rates and user experience.Technical expertise is often required to address site speed issues.Cookies play a vital role in personalization and user tracking.Nostra’s Edge Delivery Engine caches website content for faster loading.Crawler optimization is essential for SEO and personalization.Nostra integrates easily with various e-commerce platforms.Success can be measured through A/B testing and site speed improvements.Nostra is positioned as a leading solution in the market.The future of e-commerce will increasingly rely on edge computing for performance.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Nostra and Site Speed Importance02:53 The Technical Aspects of Site Speed06:04 Overcoming Site Speed Challenges in E-commerce09:03 The Role of Cookies in Personalization11:57 Nostra’s Edge Delivery Engine Explained14:55 Crawler Optimization and SEO Benefits17:45 Integrating Nostra with Existing Tech Stacks20:53 Measuring Success with Nostra23:53 Nostra’s Unique Value Proposition26:53 Future of Site Speed and E-commerce29:44 Lightning Round and Conclusion

TakeawaysPixels are broken. Nearly half of online conversions (42%) go untracked due to blockers, privacy settings, and attribution window limitations.Sales aren’t just on your site. 40% of eCommerce sales happen off-site (Amazon, Walmart, marketplaces), invisible to pixel tracking.Ad spend leakage. 17% of spend goes into channels like audio and TV that pixels can’t measure, leaving major blind spots.Last click is lazy. It oversimplifies the customer journey, rewarding the final step and ignoring the true path to purchase.Duplication is rampant. Multiple platforms often claim credit for the same conversion, inflating perceived ROI.MMM is back. Once considered slow and outdated, modern MMM now runs weekly, giving marketers near real-time budget insights.Unified framework matters. Combining MMM, incrementality testing, and MTA gives the clearest picture of channel performance.Custom > generic. AI-powered custom models now outperform generic off-the-shelf ones—at similar cost—thanks to automation.36% of ad dollars are wasted. Bad data and poor measurement account for over a third of spend, creating a massive opportunity for optimization.Experimentation wins. The best way to break through opinion vs. opinion debates is to run structured tests and let the data speak.ChaptersIntro & Sponsor Shoutout (00:01–00:44) Sean introduces the theme: why marketers have been “flying blind” and how better measurement restores vision.Meet Zeke Camusio (00:44–02:10) Zeke shares his background as an entrepreneur and why he founded Data Speaks after seeing marketers’ frustration with measurement.The Problem with Pixels (02:10–03:47) Why current attribution methods fall short: off-site sales, blocked conversions, arbitrary attribution windows, and duplication.The Measurement Framework (04:19–05:38) Zeke explains the three pillars: MMM, incrementality testing, and MTA—and why they work best together.MMM Misconceptions (05:38–06:25) Why MMM is misunderstood, how it’s evolved, and why it’s valuable in a real-time, digital-first environment.The Trouble with Last Click (06:25–08:30) Why simplistic attribution models distort ROI and why causal measurement matters more.Applying MMM & Incrementality (08:30–12:23) How Data Speaks uses experiments and triangulation to reveal true performance and reallocate budgets.Onboarding & Custom Models (14:16–17:30) What implementation looks like, why labeling data is critical, and how custom models beat generic ones.Culture Shift: Gut vs. Data (18:25–19:34) The organizational challenge of moving from instinct-driven marketing to data-driven experimentation.AI, Trust, and the Future (21:39–24:41) Why brands need independent measurement in the age of AI-driven media buying—and how AI enhances, not replaces, human judgment.Case Study: From $2M to $22M (24:41–25:51) How reallocating spend and applying the framework drove double-digit ROAS gains and 10x revenue growth.Competitor Landscape & Differentiation (27:45–30:50) Where Data Speaks sits relative to Recast, Measured, Triple Whale, and others—bringing consolidation under one roof.Mindset Shift: Do You Even Know You Have a Problem? (30:50–32:06) Why most marketers don’t realize their measurement stack is broken until they see the alternative.Lightning Round (32:06–34:32) Quick-fire Q&A: myths, frameworks, tools, decompression habits, and Zeke’s rugby background.Closing Thoughts & Call to Action (34:32–end) Where to find Zeke, upcoming product enhancements, and a final reminder: let the data speak.

In this conversation, Andrew Maff and Sean Simon delve into the complexities of marketing in the e-commerce landscape, particularly focusing on the challenges and strategies surrounding Amazon selling and direct-to-consumer (D2C) approaches. They discuss the importance of balancing Amazon sales with D2C growth, the operational challenges brands face, and the significance of utilizing the right marketing tools. The conversation also touches on the nuances of 1P versus 3P selling on Amazon, revenue recovery strategies, and the evolving landscape of marketing technology. Takeaways Blue Tusker acts as an outsourced marketing department for e-commerce brands. E-commerce marketing is primarily performance-driven, focusing on sales rather than brand building. Amazon's marketplace is becoming increasingly competitive, making it hard for brands to stand out. An omni-channel approach is essential for brands to succeed in today's market. The importance of reviews is growing, and legislation is impacting how they are managed. Choosing the right advertising platform is crucial for effective marketing strategies. Automation can help streamline marketing efforts but requires careful oversight. Brands often struggle with attribution and understanding customer journeys across platforms. Direct-to-consumer strategies are vital for brands to increase margins and reduce reliance on Amazon. The landscape of marketing technology is evolving, and brands must adapt to stay competitive. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Blue Tusker and E-commerce Marketing 03:45 The Challenges of E-commerce and Amazon Marketplace 06:25 Omni-channel Marketing Strategies 09:34 The Impact of Reviews and Legislation 12:37 Leveraging Advertising Platforms 15:12 The Role of AI in Marketing 18:21 Client Challenges and Agency Solutions 21:12 Consumer Behavior and the Buying Journey 24:19 The Future of AI in E-commerce 27:03 Conclusion and Key Takeaways 31:25 Navigating the Challenges of AI in Marketing 31:53 The Shift from Amazon to Direct-to-Consumer 33:38 Strategies for Balancing Amazon and D2C Sales 36:56 Testing and Validating D2C Market Potential 38:31 Understanding 1P vs 3P Selling on Amazon 39:49 Operational Challenges in Amazon Selling 41:32 Revenue Recovery and Amazon's Policies 43:31 The Importance of Marketing Tools 47:11 Identifying Challenges and Solutions for Brands 53:51 Finding the Right Marketing Technology Solutions 57:28 TMM Outro with Blurbs Promo 12.1.24.mp4

In this engaging conversation, Sean Simon and Robert Davidman explore their intertwined careers, starting from their early days at AudioNet and Broadcast.com to the evolution of marketing technology. They discuss the impact of the Yahoo acquisition, the rise of Fearless and LS Digital, and the importance of integrating technology into marketing strategies. The conversation also delves into the role of AI in marketing, the future of agencies, and emerging trends in advertising technology, emphasizing the need for critical thinking and adaptability in a rapidly changing landscape. Takeaways Rob played a pivotal role in Sean's career path into sales. The pre-roll ad was pioneered at Broadcast.com, setting a standard in advertising. Technology in marketing is constantly evolving, and adaptability is key. AI should be viewed as a tool to enhance strategies, not replace creativity. Understanding customer context is crucial for effective marketing. The integration of technology and creativity is essential for modern agencies. Agencies must evolve into strategic growth partners for their clients. Personalization in marketing is becoming increasingly sophisticated. The future of advertising will focus on immersive experiences and customer journeys. Critical thinking is essential in navigating the information provided by AI. Chapters 00:00 The Journey into Sales 03:55 From Radio to Streaming: Rob's Story 07:05 Innovations at AudioNet 10:05 The Yahoo Acquisition: What Went Wrong? 18:51 Building Fearless: The Evolution of an Agency 26:56 The Evolution of Consultancy in North America 28:51 Adapting to a Changing Landscape 31:00 Best Practices for Technology Integration 33:37 Understanding AI's Role in Strategy 37:55 The Impact of AI on Marketing and Search 41:37 Personalization and Immersive Experiences in Advertising

In this episode, Yuri Strauss, the founder of WebEyez, discusses the importance of website experience on marketing and e-commerce. He shares how WebEyez addresses the need for robust tools in e-commerce analytics and monitoring, helping businesses identify and solve friction points in real time. Yuri explains the difference between WebEyez and traditional analytics tools, highlighting the active engagement and patching of issues that WebEyez offers. He emphasizes the significance of user experience in driving conversion rates and customer retention. Yuri also provides insights into the setup and ongoing support provided by WebEyez, as well as the impact it can have on recapturing lost revenue. Takeaways Website experience plays a crucial role in marketing and e-commerce, as a bad experience can lead to lost revenue and customer dissatisfaction. WebEyez offers robust tools for e-commerce analytics and monitoring, helping businesses identify and solve friction points in real time. WebEyez differentiates itself from traditional analytics tools by actively engaging with users and patching issues on the website. Improving user experience is essential for increasing conversion rates and customer retention, leading to higher lifetime value. WebEyez provides simplified setup and ongoing support, allowing businesses to recapture lost revenue and optimize their website experience. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Website Experience Impact 00:57 Founding of WebEyez 01:18 Identifying the Need for Robust E-commerce Analytics 03:48 Active Analytics and Real-time Problem Solving 04:12 Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Marketing 05:07 Differentiating from Traditional Analytics Tools 06:06 Active Engagement and Patching Issues 07:05 Triggering Actions and Working with Third Parties 08:11 Improving User Experience with Active Analytics 09:05 Detecting and Addressing Business and Tech Friction Points 09:59 Quantifying the Impact of Friction on Conversion Rate 10:59 The Importance of Lifetime Value and User Experience 11:33 The Impact of Friction on Customer Retention 12:08 Revenue Recapture and Savings from Friction 13:11 Case Study: Identifying and Fixing Friction Issues 19:06 The Importance of Conversion and Lifetime Value 20:15 WebEyez as a Solution for Rising CAC 23:30 Case Study: Navigating Internal Organization and Integration 28:23 The Role of A/B Testing in WebEyez 30:28 Simplified Setup and Ongoing Support 34:04 Takeaway: 10-40% Savings from Lost Revenue

Summary In this episode of the Martech Matrix, host Sean Simon interviews Brooke Partelow, founder of NeonPixel, about the challenges and opportunities of tracking, measuring, and optimizing connected TV (CTV) advertising. NeonPixel aims to make CTV a performance marketing channel by providing cross-device tracking and attribution. The company primarily works with performance marketers who are looking for new, lucrative channels to tap into. Brooke shares a success story of a brand that saw significant growth and scalability with CTV advertising. The long-term vision for NeonPixel is to continue refining their algorithms and audience targeting to make TV a true performance channel. Takeaways NeonPixel enables performance marketers to track, measure, and optimize connected TV (CTV) advertising by providing cross-device tracking and attribution. CTV offers a new and lucrative channel for performance marketers who are looking for scalable alternatives to traditional channels like search and social. NeonPixel has successfully helped brands achieve significant growth and scalability with CTV advertising, even for those who were initially skeptical. The long-term vision for NeonPixel is to refine their algorithms and audience targeting to make TV a true performance channel. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:44 The Business Problem NeonPixel Set Out to Solve 04:14 Types of Brands Migrating to Performance-Based CTV 06:23 Challenges with Other Channels and the Appeal of CTV0 9:39 Integrating CTV into a Broader Marketing Plan 11:11 Comparing Data and Attribution Across Channels 12:26 Client Success Story: Hexclad 16:07 The Long-Term Vision for NeonPixel 20:30 Delivering Different Messaging to Different Audiences 22:09 Common Pitfalls and Mistakes in CTV Marketing

Summary Larry Grella discusses the integration of digital technology into out-of-home advertising and its impact on the industry. He explains how the use of mobile data has transformed audience targeting and measurement in out-of-home campaigns. Larry also highlights the changing landscape of out-of-home buying, with traditional and digital buyers starting to merge their activities. He emphasizes the importance of positioning out-of-home as a valuable addition to digital media plans, backed by studies showing its impact on lower funnel transactions. Larry provides insights into navigating conversations with different types of buyers and explains ClearTrust Media's role in the ecosystem. He concludes by discussing the simplicity and speed of launching campaigns and adapting creative for out-of-home.

Summary Michelle Bacharach, CEO of FindMine, discusses the success and challenges of using AI in the retail industry. She explains how FindMine helps brands enhance the customer experience by providing personalized recommendations and prescriptions. The conversation covers topics such as the shift in consumer behavior, the disconnect in the customer experience, the role of AI in personalization, and the future of FindMine. Bacharach also emphasizes the importance of measuring success beyond conversion and average order value, and highlights the need for brands to consider margin and long-term brand health. In this conversation, Michelle Bacharach discusses the process of using AI to improve shopper experiences and drive revenue. She explains how margins can be approximated and strategic products can be identified. She also outlines the onboarding process for implementing AI technology and the roles involved. Additionally, she highlights the ongoing management and reporting aspects of using AI in retail. Takeaways FindMine helps brands enhance the customer experience by providing personalized recommendations and prescriptions. The shift in consumer behavior has led to a disconnect in the customer experience, with customers seeking expertise outside of the retailer's four walls. AI can play a crucial role in personalization, but it is important for brands to use the right kind of AI for their specific goals and outcomes. Measuring success in the retail industry should go beyond conversion and average order value, and consider factors such as margin, repeat purchase, and long-term brand loyalty. The future of FindMine involves expanding to different touchpoints and leveraging generative AI to create a more seamless and personalized shopping experience. Margins can be approximated by analyzing publicly available information and anecdotal feedback from merchants. The onboarding process for implementing AI technology typically involves obtaining the product feed, conducting training, and installing the AI system in the customer journey. Key roles involved in the process include the Chief Digital Officer, CMO, CFO, and individuals from merchandising and marketing. Ongoing management includes reviewing performance, making adjustments, and utilizing reporting to drive revenue and improve the overall business. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:26 The Shift in Consumer Behavior 04:14 The Disconnect in the Customer Experience 05:16 The Difference Between Recommendations and Prescriptions 07:20 The Role of AI in Personalization 10:46 How FindMine Uses AI to Enhance the Customer Experience 15:22 Using FindMine in Customer Care 19:03 Expanding FindMine to Different Touchpoints 20:25 Measuring Success Beyond Conversion and Average Order Value 30:07 The Future of FindMine 35:41 Setting Expectations and Measuring Success 41:05 Approximating Margins and Strategic Products 42:08 Getting Started and Onboarding Process 44:07 Roles and Responsibilities 45:19 Ongoing Management and Reporting

This conversation explores the challenges and opportunities in the audio advertising space. Jordan, the founder of Audio Hook, discusses the importance of podcasting and the underutilization of the medium. He highlights the fragmented nature of the audio advertising landscape and the need for a specialized solution. Jordan shares the story of how Audio Hook was created to address the complexities of audio advertising. He explains the different channels within the audio space and the challenges marketers face in accessing inventory. Jordan emphasizes the cost-effectiveness of audio advertising and the need for better measurement and attribution solutions. He also discusses the future of Audio Hook and its role in helping marketers navigate the audio industry. Takeaways Podcasting is an underutilized medium with great potential for advertisers. The audio advertising landscape is fragmented and lacks a one-stop solution for marketers. Audio Hook was created to address the challenges in buying and measuring audio inventory. Marketers need to leverage all audio channels, including streaming, digital radio, and podcasts, to reach their target audience effectively. Audio advertising is a cost-effective medium with high recall and low ad saturation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Importance of Podcasting 01:05 Challenges in the Audio Advertising Space 03:16 The Birth of Audio Hook 07:31 The Landscape of Audio Advertising 09:14 The Evolution of the Audio Landscape 12:00 The Challenges of Buying Audio Inventory 13:41 The Role of Specialized DSPs in Audio Advertising 15:30 The Importance of Leveraging All Audio Channels 18:17 The Difference Between Audio Hook and General DSPs 19:15 The Future of Audio Hook and the Audio Industry 31:29 Getting Started in the Audio Space 34:20 The Roadmap for Audio Hook

Sean speaks with Siggi Rakovich, founder and CEO of Hunch, a market leading automation platform that combines unique data-driven creative, performance workflows with automated media-buying processes to help today’s marketers focus on what matters most. They will be discussing all things social, AI, creative, and performance. Summary Hunch is an automation platform that helps marketers and creative teams scale their social creative more easily. It addresses the challenges of creative fatigue and the need for personalized creative in today's social media landscape. Hunch acts as a tool for marketing and creative teams, allowing them to expand on their existing creative ideas and scale their creative production without adding resources. The platform automates the production and distribution of creative assets, saving time and improving workflow efficiencies. Hunch partners with agencies to help them innovate with their clients, win new business, and optimize workflow efficiencies. The platform's roadmap focuses on enabling marketers to efficiently produce and deliver creative based on data-driven insights. Hunch has successfully helped clients in various industries, such as travel and last-mile delivery, scale their campaigns and achieve better performance. The platform's consultative approach ensures that clients can fully leverage its capabilities based on their specific needs and level of technological maturity. The conversation explores the changing demands in marketing and the importance of arming marketing teams with technology to stay ahead.Takeaways Hunch helps marketers and creative teams scale their social creative more easily by addressing the challenges of creative fatigue and the need for personalized creative. The platform acts as a tool for marketing and creative teams, allowing them to expand on their existing creative ideas and scale their creative production without adding resources. Hunch automates the production and distribution of creative assets, saving time and improving workflow efficiencies. The platform's roadmap focuses on enabling marketers to efficiently produce and deliver creative based on data-driven insights. Organizations need to adapt to the changing demands of marketing. Innovative organizations are finding ways to free marketers from time-consuming tasks and allow them to be more strategic. Technology partners play a crucial role in helping marketing teams scale their strategies. Arming marketing teams with the right capabilities is essential for success. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Hunch 01:02 Why Hunch exists 03:06 The importance of creative fatigue and personalized creative 06:00 Hunch as a tool for marketing and creative teams 08:15 The workflow challenges faced by marketers 10:33 Hunch's role in agency partnerships 12:32 Workflow efficiencies and time savings with Hunch 13:16 The importance of employee happiness in marketing teams 14:43 The impact of AI on the marketing industry 17:23 The role of Meta, Snap, and other social platforms 21:38 The hot trends in social media marketing 25:06 Hunch's roadmap and innovation 28:14 Partnerships with Meta and Snap 34:48 Getting started with Hunch 38:22 Case studies of Hunch's impact 42:44 Summary and key takeaways 43:22 Adapting to Changing Demands 44:04 Arming Marketing Teams with Technology

Summary Prescient is solving the business problem of marketers wanting to feel more confident in cross-channel measurement and media allocation. With the challenges of data privacy and the disappearance of cookies, Prescient provides a way for marketers to measure top-of-funnel awareness and optimize media mixes in real time. The platform allows for campaign performance predictions and optimizations, giving marketers the ability to adjust their spend dynamically. Prescient differentiates itself by focusing on top-of-funnel measurement and optimization, while also integrating with other measurement solutions. Takeaways Prescient helps marketers feel more confident in cross-channel measurement and media allocation The platform allows for real-time campaign performance predictions and optimizations Prescient differentiates itself by focusing on top-of-funnel measurement and optimization The roadmap for Prescient includes expanding into different e-commerce platforms and verticals Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:01 The business problem Prescient is solving for 02:23 Expanding marketing budgets outside of walled gardens 04:20 Measurement and optimization in real time 05:17 Using Prescient for campaign performance predictions and optimizations 06:39 The backstory of Prescient 08:57 Comparison with other companies in the space 10:53 Determining which solution to buy 12:52 ROI perspective of using Prescient 14:15 Roadmap and future plans 16:34 The Amazon solution and measuring its impact 19:18 Getting started with Prescient 20:44 Conclusion

Takeaways Krateo helps businesses capture and collect meaningful data from website visitors, focusing on email capture and prospecting. The platform addresses the problem of low conversion rates and the reliance on third-party cookies for marketing. Krateo differentiates itself by providing demographic profiling, behavior analysis, and accurate information through machine learning and AI. The long-term vision for Krateo is to become a generative AI recommendation machine, providing personalized insights and recommendations based on historical data. Summary Website Visitor Identity and Customer Acquisition Costs (CAC) are two of the biggest pain points for Marketers today. Every eCommerce website has a leaky bucket and they need to plug it. In this episode, we interview Clay Sharman, Founder and CEO of Krateo AI. Not only are they helping eCommerce brands reduce their CAC dramatically by identifying 60% of website leakage with an email and demo data, they are using AI to help Marketers fully understand their website composition and behavior so they can drive and predict future actions. 00:00 Introduction 01:08 The Problem Krateo Solves 01:59 The Impact of Cookies on Marketing 02:41 The Inspiration for Krateo 03:48 Competition and Differentiation 05:14 The Long-Term Vision for Krateo 06:28 Building AI Recommendation Models 07:23 Ideal Customers and Customization 09:23 Use Case 12:24 Measuring success with Krateo 15:03 Getting Started with Krateo 18:38 Case Study 21:36 Summary & Conclusion

In this conversation, Sean, Scott, and Garin discuss the increasing prevalence of SMS marketing, particularly in the context of political campaigns, and the challenges it presents to consumers. They explore the trends in SMS marketing, the importance of customer-centric strategies, and the differences between SMS and WhatsApp as marketing tools. The discussion highlights the need for brands to adopt effective engagement strategies that consider the frequency and relevance of their messages to avoid overwhelming customers. This conversation delves into the evolving landscape of marketing, particularly focusing on the integration of AI, SMS, and email strategies. The speakers discuss generational shifts in technology adoption, the role of AI in enhancing consumer engagement, and the importance of personalization in marketing efforts. They also explore emerging technologies like RCS in SMS and the future of marketing strategies that leverage data and consumer understanding. Takeaways The proliferation of SMS for marketing has increased significantly in recent years. Politicians are exempt from many regulations that govern SMS marketing, leading to increased spam. SMS marketing is becoming more accessible and cost-effective for brands. Customer engagement through SMS can lead to higher conversion rates compared to email. Brands need to adopt a customer-centric approach to SMS marketing to foster loyalty. The effectiveness of SMS marketing diminishes when messages are too frequent or irrelevant. WhatsApp offers a broader range of messaging capabilities compared to SMS. International markets often prefer WhatsApp due to lower costs and higher usage rates. Understanding customer behavior is crucial for effective SMS marketing strategies. Brands should focus on providing value through their messaging rather than just pushing for sales. Generational shifts are driving changes in technology adoption. Shoppable SMS is effective for repeat purchases but not for new brands. AI can enhance consumer engagement through personalized interactions. Personalization requires understanding the context of consumer behavior. RCS will revolutionize SMS marketing with rich content. AI's role in marketing is growing but requires human input. Companies must integrate all marketing channels for better results. Understanding consumer values is crucial for brand loyalty. AI can help uncover insights for better product recommendations. The future of marketing lies in personalized, context-aware strategies. Chapters 00:00 The Rise of Political SMS Spam 08:40 Trends in SMS Marketing 17:57 Building Effective SMS Strategies 24:10 WhatsApp vs. SMS: A Global Perspective 31:53 Generational Shifts in Technology Adoption 35:25 The Role of AI in Consumer Engagement 36:26 AI's Impact on Marketing Strategies 41:45 The Future of AI in Marketing 49:12 Personalization and Consumer Understanding 53:02 Emerging Technologies in SMS and Email Marketing

Summary In this conversation, Luiza shares her journey with FlueVog, a unique shoe brand that has transitioned from offline to online sales. The discussion covers the importance of storytelling in marketing, the challenges faced during the pandemic, and the pros and cons of having a homegrown e-commerce system. Luiza emphasizes the significance of personalization in customer experience and the brand's efforts to build relationships beyond transactions through community engagement and events. The conversation also touches on growth strategies, essential technologies for e-commerce success, and the balance between marketing efforts and maintaining customer relationships. takeaways Storytelling is crucial for connecting with consumers. FlueVog's e-commerce journey faced significant challenges during the pandemic. Technical issues led to the implementation of waiting rooms on the website. A homegrown e-commerce system has both advantages and limitations. Personalization is key to enhancing customer experience. Community engagement through events strengthens customer relationships. Direct mail campaigns can effectively attract new customers. Email and SMS marketing are vital for driving online sales. Balancing marketing efforts with customer relationships is essential. Future investments will focus on improving user experience and return systems. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to FlueVog and Its Unique Journey 02:50 The Importance of Storytelling in Marketing 06:03 FlueVog's E-commerce Evolution and Challenges 08:58 Technical Challenges and Solutions During the Pandemic 11:57 Pros and Cons of a Homegrown E-commerce System 15:10 Personalization in Customer Experience 18:08 Building Relationships Beyond Transactions 21:00 Community Engagement and Events 23:59 Growth Strategies and Digital Marketing 26:49 Essential Technologies for E-commerce Success 30:07 Balancing Relationships with Marketing Efforts 32:47 Future Investments in User Experience

In this conversation, Mike Cantafio shares his extensive experience in e-commerce, particularly in the high-end outdoor product market. He discusses the unique challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of adapting marketing strategies, and the significance of customer engagement and education in driving sales. Mike emphasizes the need for effective website optimization, the role of traditional media in brand awareness, and the complexities of measuring marketing effectiveness in a high-consideration purchase environment. He concludes with valuable advice for e-commerce leaders looking to thrive in premium markets.