DTC OG Ezra Firestone on How the Game Has Shifted and What’s Working Now

From measuring brand health beyond ROAS to breaking down viral awareness plays and running focused growth sprints, we’re getting into the topics on our minds as Marketing Operators right now.We kick things off with baseline revenue - how we define it, how we track it, and why it’s one of Connor Rolain’s go-to metrics for gauging brand momentum, resilience, and reliance on paid media. We also get into its blind spots, how paid activity can still influence it, and why it should be paired with other brand health signals.Then we break down Cozy Earth’s $25K “Bed Rot Challenge” campaign - why it’s such a perfect, MrBeast-style awareness stunt built for social, and how we’d tie it more closely to actual sales.Next, Cody takes us inside a growth sprint he’s running to fix high incremental CPAs on Meta - sharing the framework he’s using, how he rallied growth, creative, and data around it, and the results so far.Finally, we wrap with a MOPs Hotline question on aligning product and marketing, from deciding which products belong in the hero acquisition funnel to launching new ones for fresh audiences without losing your core customer.Want to submit your own DTC or ecommerce marketing question? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Chapters:00:00 Introduction04:23 Measuring Brand Health: The Baseline Revenue Metric09:07 Navigating Brand Marketing and Incrementality16:22 The Role of Upper Funnel Marketing23:25 Innovative Campaigns: The Cozy Earth Bed Rot Challenge40:33 Engaging with TikTok and SMS Marketing Strategies46:53 Building Teams Around Sprints for Clarity and Action54:51 The Importance of Recurring Meetings and Accountability01:07:29 Collaborative Product Development and Marketing Alignment01:19:43 Leveraging Customer Feedback for Product DevelopmentCody's X Post: https://x.com/codyplof/status/1954611362111410540Episode 66: DTC Marketers - Where Are You Wasting Your Time? Follow us on XPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Today on the show we’ve got a very special guest, one of the OGs of ecommerce, Ezra Firestone.He’s been around forever, running brands like Boom by Cindy Joseph, building software companies like Zipify, and creating training businesses like Smart Marketer, all while staying hands-on in the game as the DTC landscape keeps evolving.We get into how he went from top wig drop-shipper to building and exiting nine-figure brands, and how that journey shaped the way he thinks about marketing today. Ezra breaks down the creative frameworks and persona funnels he’s using to scale - building tailored journeys that speak directly to specific customer mindsets and motivations - and why a one-size-fits-all approach no longer cuts it in today’s performance landscape.He also shares why most brands are underusing Amazon and Shop App, how to approach them as full-funnel growth channels, and what it looks like to prepare your brand for AI-native discovery through structured data and platform-level optimization. Plus, we get into Meta ad theory, challenger brand tactics and how Ezra’s role has evolved from hands-on operator to long-term strategist focused on sustainable growth, supporting great teams, and staying aligned with what actually matters.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters00:00 Introduction09:07 The Drop Shipping Business Model Explained19:26 The Shift from Drop Shipping to Brand Ownership29:21 Content as a Core Strategy in E-Commerce39:18 Storytelling and Engagement in Marketing45:04 Maximizing Amazon and Shop App Opportunities56:07 The Rise of LLMs and SEO Strategies59:20 Optimizing E-commerce Operations for Success01:00:13 Transitioning from Operator to Navigator01:06:32 The Importance of Strategic Thinking in Business01:14:08 Evaluating Business Models: E-commerce vs. Agency vs. SoftwarePowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Today we’re joined by Connor Dault, CMO of Grüns, to talk about his move into the company, how he got up to speed, and the steps he took to work effectively with a team that was already performing at a high level.We cover his onboarding approach, how he finds quick wins without disrupting existing success, and how Grüns spots opportunities by pairing customer feedback with cultural trends. Connor breaks down their persona-based marketing strategy, balancing cohesive messaging with high testing velocity, and deciding when to quietly test versus go all-in on a new idea.He also shares the approaches that drove early growth, from Meta advertising to retention-focused customer experience, and the channels now driving scale, including CTV, YouTube, influencer partnerships, and closer cross-team alignment.Want to submit your own DTC or ecommerce marketing question? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.If you enjoyed this episode, check out Episode 49 when Connor Dault was first on the show - How Digital Product Fuels DTC Growth with Connor DaultChapters00:00 Introduction07:22 Onboarding and Team Dynamics in Marketing15:15 Building Cohesion Across Marketing Strategies23:12 Navigating Brand Messaging and Consumer Engagement35:09 Tactical Approaches to Marketing Campaigns38:15 Strategic Hook Development41:47 Testing and Personalization Strategies44:41 Seasonal Marketing and Campaign Planning48:31 Growth Strategies and Revenue Bands51:51 Unlocking New Marketing Channels01:04:52 Innovative Projects and Measurement01:10:23 Leadership and Feedback CulturePowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Today, we’re kicking things off by sharing how we’re structuring our content teams - from hiring in-house roles to building systems around freelancers - and how that supports creative that performs across both brand and paid.Next we dive into how we’re iterating on some of the biggest campaigns we run at our brands: the sweepstakes. We talk through what’s changing this year, how we’re using influencer content in new ways, and how we’re optimizing campaigns across Meta, YouTube, and TV.We also get into what we’re testing right now, from comment-to-enter flows to view content objectives and engagement-first creative, and how we use those signals to improve each round.To wrap up, we look at a product page from Fellow as an example of strong direct response storytelling and share how we’re applying those same principles to our own landing pages.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6Chapters:00:00 Introduction03:58 Insights on AI in Creative Strategy07:16 Behind the Scenes of Content Production11:06 The Evolution of Internal Content Production15:18 The Importance of Incrementality Testing19:18 Planning for Sweepstakes and Major Changes28:35 Execution Strategies for Sweepstakes Campaigns38:28 Leveraging Influencer Content for Marketing Success40:48 Innovative Ad Strategies and Content Creation44:24 Expanding Marketing Channels and Engagement Metrics47:31 Understanding Sweepstakes Performance and Audience Engagement59:20 Cash vs. Experience: The Sweepstakes Dilemma01:04:19 Building Anticipation for New CampaignsPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Today we’re getting into how acquisition offers - particularly in pop-ups - can do much more than drive opt-ins. The type of offer you lead with shapes who you acquire, how much they spend, and future LTV. We share examples from the offers we run on our brands, comparing blanket discounts with offers like cashback and second-order incentives, and how those choices impacted retention, AOV, and customer lifetime value.We also discuss why some offers that looked successful on the surface ended up hurting long-term performance or creating poor customer experiences, and how simple changes led to big lifts in repeat purchase rate. We also touch on whywhy very few teams are testing their pop-ups rigorously, what makes offer testing difficult, and how to build an approach that’s aligned with long-term goals - not just short-term wins.We also dig into Meta’s recent performance trends, using the latest data from the Haus report. We share what they’re seeing across ASC and manual campaigns, how different optimization strategies are playing out, and why it's getting harder to rely on Meta as a consistent acquisition engine.Want to submit your own DTC or ecommerce marketing question? ⁠⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠⁠.Operators Podcast Episode 123: The Meta Incrementality Report: Lessons from 640 Haus Experiments Chapters:00:00 Introduction 02:34 The Power of Cash Back Offers05:28 Data-Driven Insights on Pop-Up Offers08:19 Retention Metrics and Customer Engagement11:06 Testing Methodologies for Pop-Up Offers14:19 Holistic Approaches to Customer Acquisition17:14 Innovative Second Order Offers20:05 Challenges in Optimizing First Touch Points26:10 Future Trends in E-commerce Offers35:43 Optimizing Data Reporting and Analysis38:00 Evolving Marketing Strategies and Cash Back Offers41:05 Insights from Meta's Campaign Performance Report44:52 Understanding Incrementality in Marketing49:04 Navigating Meta's Advertising Changes54:43 Leveraging Bundle Builders for Increased ConversionsFinance Operators Episode: How CashBack beats discount codes & More with Dan GlazerPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

In today’s episode, we’re talking channel expansion and diversifying our media mix - when to think about launching on new channels, what to test, and how to approach those decisions with more clarity.We break down our current media mixes, the journeys that got us here, and the mental frameworks we use to decide what to try next.We’re also joined by Austin Santino, Client Development Manager at Tatari, who shares his perspective on how DTC brands are approaching TV. He breaks down what it really takes to get started with TV advertising, why it’s more accessible than most brands think, and how Tatari is helping brands treat TV more like a performance channel. We talk about starting budgets, creative expectations, how attribution actually works, and what kinds of brands should (and shouldn’t) be thinking about TV right now.If you’re thinking about where to go next with your paid strategy, or how to evolve your channel mix beyond Meta, this episode will help you sense-check your timing, avoid wasted spend, and expand with more confidence.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv600:00 Introduction04:14 Exploring Channel Expansion and Diversification07:01 Current Media Mix and Strategies17:16 The Evolution of Media Mix Over Time25:50 Testing New Channels and Creative Strategies36:23 Insights from the Media Mix Journey42:06 Testing and Scaling Ad Strategies49:15 Creative Diversity and Measurement in Advertising01:01:04 Navigating TV Advertising: Insights and Strategies01:12:07 The Evolution of TV Creative: UGC vs. High Production01:21:25 Final Thoughts on TV Advertising and MeasurementPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsTatari.https://www.tatari.tv/?utm_campaign=16263599-Marketing%20Operators%20July&utm_source=marketing%20operators&utm_medium=podcastSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

When we heard Eric Seufert talk at the Meta Summit we knew we had to have him on the show.Eric is the founder of Mobile Dev Memo and partner at Heracles Capital, and he joins us today for a deep dive into how today’s smartest marketers approach measurement. We unpack the difference between deterministic and probabilistic attribution, why incrementality testing beats last-click reporting, and how to make sense of CAC, LTV, and payback periods across different business models. Eric shares insights on Meta’s evolving AI infrastructure, signal loss, and platform opacity, explaining why a single tool can’t give you the full picture, and why the greatest marketers are the ones that think like data scientists. He also introduces the concept of signal engineering: how to guide automated ad platforms by sending higher-quality signals and intent data.If you’re enjoying the podcast, please hit the subscribe button, comment, share and like - it helps us reach more people, get more great guests on the show and keep bringing these episodes to you every week.Want to submit your own DTC or ecommerce marketing question? ⁠⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠⁠.00:00 Introduction 06:42 The Role of Discord in Gaming Advertising09:21 Eric's Journey in the Gaming Industry19:04 Understanding Freemium Models in Mobile Gaming26:08 Incentivized Advertising in Gaming29:55 Understanding Measurement Tools in Advertising30:24 Deterministic vs. Probabilistic Measurement33:14 Attribution Models and Measurement Tools39:16 Geo Lift Studies and Their Application43:03 Common Sense in Marketing Measurement54:10 Operationalizing Incrementality Testing56:25 Understanding Incrementality and Testing Strategies01:00:33 Navigating the Meta Ecosystem and AI Changes01:06:40 Signal Engineering and Optimizing for Conversions01:09:44 Radical Experimentation in Creative Strategies01:21:55 Breaking Out of Targeting LoopsMeta's AI advertising playbook (with Matt Steiner):https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/season-5-episode-23-metas-ai-advertising-playbook-with/id1423753783?i=1000711081020Powered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Today, we dig into the Meta performance issues we’ve been seeing firsthand - where spend is up, reach is down and performance isn’t tracking the way it used to. We unpack what’s been going wrong, and share the tactical changes we’ve tested to get better results.We get into where we’ve historically over-invested or moved too slowly, how we’re thinking about creative and spend caps right now, and why simplifying account structure might be more powerful than layering on more campaigns. We also discuss where performance has started to turn around as a result of strategic shifts and tests.We also touch our amazon prime day results so far, recent product drops and more.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv600:00 introduction05:16 Event Insights and Networking08:06 Product Launch Challenges11:30 Marketing Strategy and Tier Systems13:56 AI Automation in Marketing17:14 Prime Day Performance Analysis20:04 Meta Advertising Roadmap26:07 Channel Diversification Strategies29:04 New Product Launches and Incrementality31:50 Funnel Diagnostics and Performance Metrics34:36 Creative Strategies for Different Audiences37:42 Testing and Optimizing Campaigns40:35 Leveraging Partnership Ads43:51 Final Thoughts on Meta and Future StrategiesPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

In this episode, we’re joined by James from Boring Marketing to dig into how smart DTC marketers are actually using AI - not just to move faster, but to build more efficient systems and workflows.We talk about how AI can support content systems and internal processes, the difference between prompting and system-building, and why using AI just to generate content won’t drive results on its own. James shares how he’s using MCPs to improve creative output, how agents differ from real workflows today, and how to get more out of your team by designing AI to work alongside them.James also walks us through how he’s thinking about building repeatable content frameworks using AI, and later breaks down a Shopify product page to show how vague, vibe-based copy, often the result of poor AI implementation, can fall flat.To wrap up, James shares his take on what the biggest implementation of AI in the second half of 2025 will be, and what marketers should be paying attention to now.Want to submit your own DTC or ecommerce marketing question? ⁠⁠Click here⁠⁠.00:00 Introduction 04:33 The Evolution of Boring Marketer08:41 Understanding Agents vs. Workflows12:50 The Year of Efficiency in AI17:40 Getting Started with AI Workflows21:27 Research and Analysis with AI28:46 Vibe Coding vs. Traditional Automation36:25 Tactical Approaches to Creative Generation42:32 Scraping Ads and Analyzing Competitors46:19 Building a Unique Marketing Brief48:16 Learning to Use AI Tools Effectively50:08 The Future of AI in Marketing58:59 Creating a Brand Analysis01:01:00 The Future of AI Tools in E-commerce01:05:09 Closing the Loop with AI Workflows01:11:31 Building a Shopify Site with AI01:22:45 The Future of Media Buying with AIPowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsHaus.http://Haus.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

In ecommerce marketing today, acquisition costs are rising, tariffs are up, and growth is harder to come by, which means DTC brands are under pressure to do more with leaner teams. That got us thinking about where are marketers - and our teams - wasting time, and how can we work more efficiently without sacrificing performance?In this episode, we break down the marketing workflows, habits, and internal processes that slow teams down and drain resources, from spending too long refining content that should’ve shipped, to full landing page redesigns, creative testing that never scales, and attribution deep dives that don’t lead to action.We also talk about how to run a lean marketing team without losing output, where DTC marketers tend to overcomplicate, and how to better prioritize what actually drives performance, and much more.If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv600:00 Kickoff and Prime Day Preparations02:53 Marketing Strategies for Major Sales Events05:45 Driving Traffic to Amazon: Strategies and Insights09:07 The Importance of Attribution Links11:54 Exploring Paid Traffic for Amazon14:52 Wasting Time in E-commerce: Identifying Inefficiencies17:54 The Balance of Ad Volume and Quality21:11 Learning from Product Launches: Successes and Failures23:46 The Role of Plain Text Emails in Retention27:13 Leveraging Existing Products for New Launches41:49 Wasting Time and High Leverage Attachments48:29 Customer Service Tools and Efficiency57:01 Evaluating SEO and Affiliate Marketing01:01:08 Setting Clear Goals for Marketing Functions01:04:32 Retail as a Growth Channel01:10:40 Operationalizing Marketing Insights01:18:49 The Interconnectedness of Digital and Retail RevenuePowered by:Motion.⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trendsPrescient AI.⁠⁠⁠https://www.prescientai.com/operatorsRichpanel.⁠⁠⁠https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdescAftersell.https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsRivo.https://www.rivo.io/operatorsSubscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPSSign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/