It’s a full house today with Cody back, and we’ve got a jam-packed episode - first up, the Tacovas Ad that’s got the marketing world talking - does brand marketing like this really drive growth? We discuss the line between long-term brand building and immediate performance results, and explore how top DTC brands are navigating that balance. We also get into how product expansion can be a game-changer for scaling, with examples of how brands use category growth to reach wider audiences. We discuss evolving role of AI in marketing SaaS tools, the potential it has for improving creative analysis and decision-making, and why measurement and forecasting are still critical components of successful marketing strategies. 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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

00:00 Welcome Back Cody

02:11 The Importance of Day-to-Day Tracking

09:09 The Tacovas Gate Discussion

33:29 Preparing for Product Launches

37:47 Strategic Product Launch Planning

46:15 Integrating AI in Marketing Workflows

55:16 The Future of Attribution Models

01:00:20 SaaS Consolidation and Klaviyo's EvolutionOperators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUwPowered 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=ytdesc

Aftersell.

https://www.aftersell.com/operatorsNorthbeam.https://www.northbeam.io/Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

This week, it’s a Connor Special as we’re joined by Connor Dault, VP of Growth & Digital Product at Caraway, to discuss the role of digital product in DTC growth and how it intersects with performance marketing, UX, and conversion. We dive into Caraway’s strategic response to HexClad’s Super Bowl ad, why digital product isn’t just CRO and how Caraway builds high-performing product experiences that go beyond simple A/B testing. Connor also shares insights on balancing data-driven optimization with brand storytelling, how Caraway approaches site navigation and product merchandising, and why many DTC brands still overlook the power of digital product in driving long-term revenue.

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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:22 Connor Dault's Background and Role at Caraway

05:23 Insights from Super Bowl Weekend

10:52 The Evolution of Super Bowl Advertising

17:30 Lessons from Quibi's Super Bowl Experience

33:54 Leveraging Current Events in Marketing

39:02 Building Digital Product Teams

43:50 Balancing Roadmaps and CRO Testing

49:41 Insights from Incrementality Testing

56:15 Common Mistakes in Digital Product Strategy

01:02:33 Inspiration from Successful Brands

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

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Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Haus.

http://Haus.io/operators

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Today, we’re joined by Aaron Paul, founder of Paul Street, to explore how top DTC brands are leveraging affiliate marketing to drive massive growth - and where many go wrong.

Aaron shares his insights from working with leading brands like Onnit, Goli Nutrition, and HelloFresh. We discuss what’s working in affiliate marketing today, why media-buying affiliates aren’t always the right fit (and when they are), and how content-driven publishers now drive the majority of affiliate revenue. We also get into common pitfalls that cause programs to stall along with advice on how to sidestep these mistakes.

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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

10:07 The Evolution of Affiliate Marketing

20:00 The Role of Affiliates in Brand Growth

29:46 Current Trends in Affiliate Marketing

40:02 Challenges and Best Practices in Affiliate Programs

46:26 Navigating Affiliate Marketing Success

51:50 Identifying and Combating Affiliate Fraud

56:47 The Dynamics of Affiliate Payouts

01:01:50 Building Trust with Affiliates

01:06:56 The Future of Affiliate Marketing and Content Creation

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

Powered by:

Motion.

⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠

https://motionapp.com/creative-trends

Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Northbeam.

https://www.northbeam.io/

Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:

https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

HexClad just pulled off one of their biggest marketing plays so far - a Super Bowl Ad - but this wasn’t just about airing a commercial during the big game, it was a multi-layered, cross-platform campaign designed to maximize impact beyond a single TV spot.

In this episode, Connor and Connor break down how the HexClad team made it happen, from choosing the right creative concept to executing an omni-channel marketing playbook that extended far beyond game day. They dive into why the company decided to invest in a Super Bowl ad, how they built pre-game buzz through influencers and viral social moments, and what set their approach apart from traditional brand marketing. They also unpack the balance between brand and performance marketing, how they leveraged meme amplification and social storytelling to scale awareness, and how they plan to track success beyond just game-day sales, including search trends, social engagement, and long-term brand impact.

This episode was recorded just a few days before the Super Bowl ad aired—stay tuned for a future episode where Connor shares his first impressions on how it performed.

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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

00:00 Introduction

02:52 Health and Wellness Trends

06:09 Analytics Tools and Reporting Standards

09:06 Creative Strategies for 2025

12:08 Hexclad's Super Bowl Campaign Overview

14:55 Concept Development and Agency Collaboration

17:48 Execution of the Super Bowl Campaign

21:10 Omni-channel Marketing Strategies

27:03 Engagement and Community Buzz

29:55 Cultural Timing and Relevance

38:48 Emerging Media Measurement Solutions

42:41 Campaign Comparisons and Expectations

50:02 Measuring Super Bowl Campaign Impact

57:24 Revenue Projections and Strategic Planning

01:03:12 Enhancing E-commerce Experience through Bundling

HexClad Super Bowl Ad:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KIShJGu1ISc

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

Powered by:

Motion.

⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠

Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Haus.

http://Haus.io/operators

Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:

https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Today we are joined by a member of the Operators family, Matt Bertulli, CEO of Pela Case and Lomi, to talk all things marketing. Jumping off fromSean Frank’s tweet questioning if meta is still incremental, we get deep into the nuance of paid media and how it’s shifting, the increasing challenges of reaching new customers on Meta, and why the old playbooks don’t work anymore. We also discuss scaling beyond meta and reallocating budget to TV, YouTube and strategic partnerships to drive new customer acquisition, what content tends to make for the best ads, how to measure long-term impact and where performance marketers are getting it wrong, 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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

00:00 Introduction

02:52 E-commerce Advertising Trends for 2025

05:51 Navigating the Challenges of Meta Advertising

08:55 The Role of Incrementality in Meta Advertising

11:46 Understanding Meta's Advertising Dynamics

15:12 The Future of Meta Advertising and Brand Strategies

30:29 Understanding Meta's Impact on Marketing Strategies

36:12 The Shift from Purchase to Brand Awareness

42:54 Reevaluating Marketing Objectives in a Changing Landscape

49:49 The Convergence of Content and Advertising

54:30 Exploring Non-Meta Marketing Channels

01:01:08 Understanding Audience Awareness and Engagement

01:04:50 Channel Diversification and Media Mix Strategy

01:10:09 Influencer Marketing as a Scalable Strategy

01:14:57 Evaluating Influencer Partnerships

01:17:51 The Role of Post-Purchase Surveys in Marketing

01:20:45 Creative Collaborations with Influencers

01:23:27 Testing and Optimizing Marketing Strategies

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

Powered by:

Motion.

⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠

https://motionapp.com/creative-trends

Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Northbeam.

https://www.northbeam.io/

Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:

https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Today we’re diving into the second part of our hiring series, this time focusing on onboarding and how to set up your new hires for success from day one. We discuss how to get the best out of your new hires as quickly as possible, how to integrate them seamlessly into your team and culture, some common onboarding issues and challenges we’ve experienced, and we break down our strategies, systems and workflows around setting up new hires and empowering them to thrive.

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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

00:00 Introduction

05:47 Exploring Agenteo: Automating YouTube Creator Sponsorships

09:14 Performance Metrics and Initial Results from YouTube Campaigns

12:06 Understanding CPMs and Influencer Marketing Dynamics

14:52 Navigating Hiring Challenges and Expectations

18:13 Onboarding New Hires: Setting Expectations and Momentum

20:58 Building Relationships and Integrating into Company Culture

23:51 Strategies for Effective Team Collaboration

36:37 Streamlining Project Management and Onboarding

40:14 The Importance of Incrementality Testing

42:10 Balancing Guidance and Autonomy in Hiring

48:22 Collaborative Goal Setting and Performance Management

56:19 Establishing Clear Expectations and Accountability

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

Powered by:

Motion.

⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠

Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Haus.

http://Haus.io/operators

Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:

https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

This week we’re talking hiring for high-growth ecommerce teams. We’re sharing insights on how to know when to hire, why buying back your time is essential for leadership, org chart design and how it evolves over time, and we share some real-life scenarios and challenges we’ve experienced when growing our teams. If you’re struggling with your team structure, planning your next strategic hire or looking to build out your team effectively as you scale, this one’s for you - and join us next week when we’ll be discussing all things onboarding and how to get the best out of your new hires.

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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

00:00 Introduction

04:24 New Features in E-commerce Tools

06:28 Hiring Trends and Team Structures

14:06 Rationalizing Hiring Decisions

19:19 Building Organizational Hierarchy

27:14 Cross-Channel Collaboration and Strategy

36:46 Scaling International Marketing Efforts

40:37 Evolving Organizational Structures

45:23 Navigating Hiring and Firing Challenges

53:27 Optimizing Customer Experience and Operations

01:00:16 The Importance of Cultural Fit in Hiring

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

Powered by:

Motion.

⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠

Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Northbeam.

https://www.northbeam.io/

Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:

https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Today, we’re diving into one of the most hotly debated topics in performance marketing: creative testing volume. Should you prioritize scaling creative volume or focus on quality? In this episode, we share how we’re approaching creative testing, how our strategies have evolved over time, what we’re budgeting for creative, when more isn’t always better, and the costs of maximizing volume.

We also explore the challenges of producing at scale, what “quality” really means in today’s ad landscape, and how creative strategy evolves as a business grows.

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/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

00:00 Introduction

04:23 Creative Testing Volume: The Debate

10:02 Finding the Right Balance: Volume vs. Quality

14:16 Setting Creative Goals and Deliverables

20:13 The Spectrum of Creative Strategies

24:44 Long-Term Investments in Creative Assets

30:42 Diversity in Content for Non-Cookware Categories

36:15 Strategic Depth in Marketing Approaches

39:01 Navigating Creative Exploration and Product Launches

42:08 Leveraging AI for Customer Experience

51:00 Budgeting for Creative Production

56:59 The Role of AI in Creative Strategy

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

Powered by:

Motion.⁠⁠⁠

https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠

Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Haus.

http://Haus.io/operators

Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/