eCommerce Evolution

Scaling paid ads isn’t just about better creatives or media buying tweaks.Often, the real unlock is what happens after the click.In this episode of eCommerce Evolution, Brett sits down with Paddy McLarnon, founder of PM Digital Designs, to break down full funnel CRO; from advertorial landing pages to value stacking to subscription optimization.If your CAC is creeping up, your conversion rate feels capped, or your subscription churn is eating margin, this episode is packed with practical insights to help you scale profitably.—Sponsored by OMG Commerce - go to (https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact) and request your FREE strategy session today!—Chapters: (00:00) Introduction(05:01) The Biggest CRO Mistakes Brands Make(07:42) Ad-to-Lander Congruency(09:36) Advertorials & Listicles: Real Examples(16:56) Offer Stacking & Value Perception(19:55) Using Customer Surveys to Build Better Copy(25:13) Why Conversion Rate Can Mislead You(29:27) How to Hit a 72% Subscription Take Rate(36:48) Subscription Offer Breakdown: Real Examples(46:10) Buy Box Optimization & Pricing Psychology(50:13) Email, SMS & Follow-Up Flows—Connect With Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@omgcommerce Website: https://www.omgcommerce.com/ Request a Free Strategy Session: https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact Relevant Links:Paddy’s LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/paddy-mclarnon-cro-for-shopify-brands-2055ba124Past guests on eCommerce Evolution include Ezra Firestone, Steve Chou, Drew Sanocki, Jacques Spitzer, Jeremy Horowitz, Ryan Moran, Sean Frank, Andrew Youderian, Ryan McKenzie, Joseph Wilkins, Cody Wittick, Miki Agrawal, Justin Brooke, Nish Samantray, Kurt Elster, John Parkes, Chris Mercer, Rabah Rahil, Bear Handlon, JC Hite, Frederick Vallaeys, Preston Rutherford, Anthony Mink, Bill D’Allessandro, Stephane Colleu, Jeff Oxford, Bryan Porter and more

AI in eCommerce marketing isn’t about “better prompts” anymore, it’s about better systems. Brett sits down with returning guest Russ Henneberry (TheClick.ai, co-author of Digital Marketing for Dummies) to unpack what’s new and what’s next: Claude Cowork, agentic workflows, skills that “self-improve,” and what happens when your AI can actually use your files, tools, and data — not just chat about it.If you’re a DTC founder, CMO, or operator trying to scale performance without scaling headcount, this episode is a blueprint for how modern teams are building repeatable AI routines for content, reporting, and decision-making.—Sponsored by OMG Commerce - go to (https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact) and request your FREE strategy session today!—Chapters: (00:00) Intro(02:05) What Cowork is: agentic plans, local files, and “skills”(05:20) Skills that self-improve, plus persona + offer as core context(08:10) Cowork as a “brain” with version control, shared across workflows(10:10) Connected sources: Notion transcripts, Zoom notes, and MCP-style integrations(15:10) Parallel agents and context windows: why this runs faster than chatbots(18:05) Skill marketplaces, sharing zips, and the security caution(23:10) OpenClaw/Open-source talk: the 4 “levels” (chatbot → cowork → code → open source)(28:05) Hardware reality: Mac Minis, Apple silicon, and “processing power” as leverage(31:05) Content system: Source → Structure → Format → Polish (newsletter example)(38:30) Click.ai membership, team training, and closing thoughts on revenue/employee—Connect With Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@omgcommerce Website: https://www.omgcommerce.com/ Request a Free Strategy Session: https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact Relevant Links:Russ’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/russhenneberrytheCLICK: https://theclick.ai/Digital Marketing for Dummies: https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Marketing-Dummies-Business-Personal/dp/1119235596Past guests on eCommerce Evolution include Ezra Firestone, Steve Chou, Drew Sanocki, Jacques Spitzer, Jeremy Horowitz, Ryan Moran, Sean Frank, Andrew Youderian, Ryan McKenzie, Joseph Wilkins, Cody Wittick, Miki Agrawal, Justin Brooke, Nish Samantray, Kurt Elster, John Parkes, Chris Mercer, Rabah Rahil, Bear Handlon, JC Hite, Frederick Vallaeys, Preston Rutherford, Anthony Mink, Bill D’Allessandro, Stephane Colleu, Jeff Oxford, Bryan Porter and more

Creative volume isn’t the unlock. Better messaging is.In this episode of eCommerce Evolution, Brett sits down with Nate Lagos (CMO of Adapt Naturals, former Head of Growth at Original Grain) to break down how great storytelling drives real performance.From selling wooden watches through emotional positioning… to increasing AOV by reframing gift messaging… to building ads that scale without “fatigue” — this episode is a masterclass in understanding why customers actually buy.If you’re a DTC founder, CMO, or operator tired of launching more ads without improving results, this conversation will recalibrate how you think about copy, positioning, and brand personality.—Sponsored by OMG Commerce - go to (https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact) and request your FREE strategy session today!—Chapters: (00:00) Intro(05:05) Nate’s origin story, and why storytelling became a “performance lever”(07:40) Selling the story behind the materials (10:30) Customer motivation deep dive: status, identity, and gift-giving (15:05) Creative quantity vs quality(19:05) Finding the real “why”: research methods (23:10) Brand as “personality”(30:10) Testing surprises + valence/intensity framework(37:15) Practical frameworks: adjective formula—Connect With Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@omgcommerce Website: https://www.omgcommerce.com/ Request a Free Strategy Session: https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact Relevant Links:Nate’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natelagosAdapt Naturals: https://adaptnaturals.comOriginal Grain: https://www.originalgrain.com/Past guests on eCommerce Evolution include Ezra Firestone, Steve Chou, Drew Sanocki, Jacques Spitzer, Jeremy Horowitz, Ryan Moran, Sean Frank, Andrew Youderian, Ryan McKenzie, Joseph Wilkins, Cody Wittick, Miki Agrawal, Justin Brooke, Nish Samantray, Kurt Elster, John Parkes, Chris Mercer, Rabah Rahil, Bear Handlon, JC Hite, Frederick Vallaeys, Preston Rutherford, Anthony Mink, Bill D’Allessandro, Stephane Colleu, Jeff Oxford, Bryan Porter and more

In this episode, host Brett Curry discusses seven essential habits that successful brands adopt, which struggling brands often overlook. He dives deep into the importance of measuring actionable metrics, respecting momentum in business growth, balancing brand and performance marketing, and understanding the dynamics of demand generation versus demand capture. Listen in and discover the timeless principles of marketing that remain relevant in today's fast-paced environment. An episode packed with actionable insights to enhance your e-commerce strategies for 2026.—Sponsored by OMG Commerce - go to (https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact) and request your FREE strategy session today!—Chapters: (00:00) Intro(03:08) Measuring Actionable Metrics(07:55) The Importance of Momentum in Business(11:00) Balancing Brand and Performance(14:47) Demand Capture vs. Demand Generation(17:24) Recover hidden Amazon revenue with Threecolts(18:20) Incrementality in Marketing Measurement(23:34) Creative Rhythms and Diversity(26:56) Timeless Marketing Principles for Modern Success(31:55) We Want to Help You Grow—Connect With Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@omgcommerce Website: https://www.omgcommerce.com/ Request a Free Strategy Session: https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact Relevant Links:Join us in LA for Scale with YouTube Ads Live: omgcommerce.com/laeventSponsor Offer | Threecolts: https://threecolts.comPast guests on eCommerce Evolution include Ezra Firestone, Steve Chou, Drew Sanocki, Jacques Spitzer, Jeremy Horowitz, Ryan Moran, Sean Frank, Andrew Youderian, Ryan McKenzie, Joseph Wilkins, Cody Wittick, Miki Agrawal, Justin Brooke, Nish Samantray, Kurt Elster, John Parkes, Chris Mercer, Rabah Rahil, Bear Handlon, JC Hite, Frederick Vallaeys, Preston Rutherford, Anthony Mink, Bill D’Allessandro, Stephane Colleu, Jeff Oxford, Bryan Porter and more

Bill Cover, Google & YouTube Director at OMG Commerce, shares data-driven insights on CPM trends while Barry Bowman, Amazon Ads Specialist, discusses the benefits of off-Amazon advertising during the extended shopping event. Nick Flint, Retention Marketing Director, emphasizes the significant rise of SMS marketing over email. They explore the importance of year-round planning, effective promo timings, and overcoming common pitfalls. The trio reveals strategic playbooks for brands looking to elevate their performance next holiday season.

This is a recording from AMZ Innovate 2025 in New York City. Brett Curry breaks down why YouTube is a fundamentally different growth channel than Meta, TikTok, or Amazon ads, and why most brands struggle when they treat it like “just another social platform.” He explains the four key ways people use YouTube (searching, streaming, scrolling, shopping), shares a proven creative formula to keep viewers from skipping, and walks through an Arctic case study showing measurable lift in branded search and Walmart sales. Finally, he covers why YouTube measurement often understates true performance and what to track instead (search lift, sales lift, geo holdouts, Amazon + DTC combined impact).—Sponsored by OMG Commerce - go to (https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact) and request your FREE strategy session today!—Chapters: (00:12) Intro(01:11) YouTube is the missing piece for ecommerce growth(04:07) YouTube on CTV + why creative can’t be a direct Meta/TikTok copy(06:50) Examples of YouTube-powered brand growth (Dr. Squash, Native, BOOM)(10:20) Creative strategy: length, formats, and what actually converts(11:12) The 5-part YouTube creative formula (hook → CTA)(14:34) Creative examples breakdown (RTIC durability, Native UGC montage, OPO Pop)(15:51) Sponsor Offer: Loop Subscriptions (21:18) What metrics matter for creative feedback loops (view rate, watch time, clicks, CVR)(26:01) Why YouTube under-measures + incrementality findings (House Analytics)(28:36) The “trifecta of lift”: Amazon baseline + search lift + overall sales trend(30:41) Sponsor: Fermat (AI-native commerce platform)—Connect With Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@omgcommerce Website: https://www.omgcommerce.com/ Request a Free Strategy Session: https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact Relevant Links:Sponsor Offer | LOOP (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): https://www.loopwork.co/Sponsor Offer | Fermat (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): fermatcommerce.comPast guests on eCommerce Evolution include Ezra Firestone, Steve Chou, Drew Sanocki, Jacques Spitzer, Jeremy Horowitz, Ryan Moran, Sean Frank, Andrew Youderian, Ryan McKenzie, Joseph Wilkins, Cody Wittick, Miki Agrawal, Justin Brooke, Nish Samantray, Kurt Elster, John Parkes, Chris Mercer, Rabah Rahil, Bear Handlon, JC Hite, Frederick Vallaeys, Preston Rutherford, Anthony Mink, Bill D’Allessandro, Stephane Colleu, Jeff Oxford, Bryan Porter and more

When Beav Brodie was handed his wife's purple diaper bag to carry around town, he knew something had to change. As a tattooed, custom car-building dad, that bag just didn't fit. So he did what any problem-solver would do—he grabbed his sewing machine and made his own. That side project turned into Tactical Baby Gear, a thriving eCommerce brand that's become the go-to for dads who want gear that's as functional as it is badass. In this episode, Beav shares his journey from knowing absolutely nothing about eCommerce (including what a UPC code was) to building a product line that customers trust and keep coming back for. He also pulls back the curtain on navigating the chaos of 2025—from Meta auction issues to tariff headwinds—and why he's betting big on Amazon and YouTube as his growth channels for the year ahead.—Sponsored by OMG Commerce - go to (https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact) and request your FREE strategy session today!—Chapters: (00:00) Opening & Introducing Beav Brodie(04:45) 2025 Headwinds, Tariffs & Personal Life Challenges(08:45) Becoming a Real Operator: Systems, SOPs & Founder Mindset Shifts(12:00) Origin Story: From Custom Cars to Tactical Baby Gear(17:00) Manufacturing Realities: COVID, Price Creep & Moving Abroad(24:38) Recover hidden Amazon revenue with Threecolts(25:33) Meta Constraints & The Founder Bottleneck in Content(29:30) UGC, Influencers & Why Authenticity Beats “Pretty” Content(36:25) Offers, Acquisition & The Realities of Low-Repeat Categories(42:10) Brand vs Discounts: Community, Trust & True LTV(47:00) Channel Expansion & Product Philosophy(50:19) PostPilot: Direct mail that prints money.—Connect With Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@omgcommerce Website: https://www.omgcommerce.com/ Request a Free Strategy Session: https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact Relevant Links:Tactical Baby Gear: https://tacticalbabygear.comSponsor Offer | Threecolts: http://threecolts.comSponsor Offer | PostPilot: http://postpilot.com/Past guests on eCommerce Evolution include Ezra Firestone, Steve Chou, Drew Sanocki, Jacques Spitzer, Jeremy Horowitz, Ryan Moran, Sean Frank, Andrew Youderian, Ryan McKenzie, Joseph Wilkins, Cody Wittick, Miki Agrawal, Justin Brooke, Nish Samantray, Kurt Elster, John Parkes, Chris Mercer, Rabah Rahil, Bear Handlon, JC Hite, Frederick Vallaeys, Preston Rutherford, Anthony Mink, Bill D’Allessandro, Stephane Colleu, Jeff Oxford, Bryan Porter and more

Miranda Pettinger, a marketing leader at Cuddle Clones, reveals her impressive journey of scaling AppLovin revenue from zero to $80K a day during Black Friday. She discusses the importance of diversifying ad channels beyond Meta, sharing her creative strategies and insights on customer behavior. Miranda emphasizes the effectiveness of compelling ads, the significance of urgency in offers, and the power of video content. Her approach to targeting and audience engagement offers a valuable blueprint for brands seeking growth.

At the start of Q4, OMG Commerce founder Brett Curry hosts a special Last-Minute Levers masterclass to help brands maximize performance during the busiest shopping season of the year. Joined by Amazon strategist Luba Ilyasova, ad expert Jonathan Steffens, and Connor Crook, CEO of Diamondback Tools, the session dives into what’s changed on Amazon in 2025, how to build a profitable holiday strategy, and which final levers to pull before Black Friday / Cyber Monday hits.From international expansion and tariff navigation to using Amazon’s newest ad analytics, profit margin tracking, and creative promotion tactics, this masterclass offers a playbook for protecting margins, scaling smartly, and avoiding common Q4 pitfalls. Whether you’re planning coupons, bundles, or last-minute campaigns, these insights will help make this your strongest and most profitable holiday yet.—Sponsored by OMG Commerce - go to (https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact) and request your FREE strategy session today!—Chapters: (00:00) Intro(04:32) Diamondback Tools & Amazon’s Role in Brand Growth(06:43) Strategic Fit – How Amazon Complements DTC and Wholesale(11:54) Key Shifts in 2025 – Tariffs, International Expansion & SKU Updates(16:07) Major Amazon Changes – Matching Product to Customer Intent(21:04) Sponsor Acknowledgements & Tool Shoutouts(22:14) Ad Trends and Competitive Landscape in 2025(25:26) Making Data Actionable – Customer Journey Analytics & Search Query Insights(32:40) Last-Minute Levers for Q4 Success(34:15) Testing New Main Images & Launching Video Ads(35:51) Building Gift Guides & Creative Holiday Angles(37:18) Integrating Email and SMS With Amazon Promotions(39:26) Diamondback’s Promotional Strategy for the Holidays(45:21) Virtual Bundles – Opportunities and Pitfalls(50:27) Balancing Aggression and Profitability in Holiday Ads(52:33) Post-Event Remarketing & Retention Tactics(56:35) Final Thoughts – Promotions That Actually Work(58:37) Closing Remarks – Building Profitable Brands This Holiday Season—Connect With Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@omgcommerce Website: https://www.omgcommerce.com/ Request a Free Strategy Session: https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact Relevant Links:Connor’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/connor-crook-bb82b110/Diamondback Website: https://www.diamondback.com/Boom by Cindy Joseph (Amazon launch case): https://www.amazon.com/stores/BOOMbyCindyJoseph/page/8ACDB09A-AEB9-4CEE-9311-BC3DCA688D8DNative Deodorant: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Native/page/B87A8989-7690-424A-B775-553034F6E58ESponsor Offer | AZM Prep (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): https://amzprep.com/Sponsor Offer | KAPOQ (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): https://kapoq.com/Sponsor Offer | Seller Candy (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): https://sellercandy.com/Sponsor Offer | Threecolts (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): https://www.threecolts.com/Past guests on eCommerce Evolution include Ezra Firestone, Steve Chou, Drew Sanocki, Jacques Spitzer, Jeremy Horowitz, Ryan Moran, Sean Frank, Andrew Youderian, Ryan McKenzie, Joseph Wilkins, Cody Wittick, Miki Agrawal, Justin Brooke, Nish Samantray, Kurt Elster, John Parkes, Chris Mercer, Rabah Rahil, Bear Handlon, JC Hite, Frederick Vallaeys, Preston Rutherford, Anthony Mink, Bill D’Allessandro, Stephane Colleu, Jeff Oxford, Bryan Porter and more

Are you spending more on ads but getting less in return? You're not alone. In this eye-opening conversation, Preston Rutherford, co-founder of Chubbies (which achieved a nine-figure exit and continues to see 8 years of consecutive growth), reveals why most modern brands are stuck in what he calls "the performance trap." Preston breaks down the crucial 95-5 rule—the reality that 95% of your audience isn't actively shopping at any given time—and explains why optimizing only for immediate conversions is slowly eroding your brand. He shares the hard-earned lessons from Chubbies' journey, including their midlife crisis moment when efficiency metrics looked great but the business fundamentals were deteriorating. This isn't about choosing between brand and performance—it's about finding the right balance to build sustainable, profitable growth. If you've ever wondered whether your marketing is building a moat or just buying clicks, this episode is essential listening.—Sponsored by OMG Commerce - go to (https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact) and request your FREE strategy session today!—Chapters: (00:00) Intro(04:08) The Journey of Chubbies(08:49) Navigating Early Success and Marketing Performance(16:10) Identifying Brand Erosion and Its Consequences(22:00) 1000 Free Postcards with Post Pilot(22:58) The 95-5 Rule(28:53) Balancing Demand Capture and Generation(32:25) Testing and Incrementality in Marketing(52:30) Understanding The Brand’s Impact on Revenue (58:47) Insights from Data Analysis(1:04:18) Running Media Differently for Brand Building(1:09:37) Identifying ICP for Marathon Data(1:12:30) Fast Funding the Way You Need It with Wayflyer—Connect With Brett: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thebrettcurry/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@omgcommerce Website: https://www.omgcommerce.com/ Request a Free Strategy Session: https://www.omgcommerce.com/contact Relevant Links:Preston’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/prestonrChubbies Website: https://www.chubbiesshorts.comSpecial Offer | PostPilot (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): https://postpilot.com/Special Offer | (Mention Ecommerce Evolution): https://wayflyer.com/Past guests on eCommerce Evolution include Ezra Firestone, Steve Chou, Drew Sanocki, Jacques Spitzer, Jeremy Horowitz, Ryan Moran, Sean Frank, Andrew Youderian, Ryan McKenzie, Joseph Wilkins, Cody Wittick, Miki Agrawal, Justin Brooke, Nish Samantray, Kurt Elster, John Parkes, Chris Mercer, Rabah Rahil, Bear Handlon, JC Hite, Frederick Vallaeys, Preston Rutherford, Anthony Mink, Bill D’Allessandro, Stephane Colleu, Jeff Oxford, Bryan Porter and more