Libsyn Directory

Episode 210: DTC Brands to Watch: Plufl Brand Study

Release Date: 03/12/2025

Episode 223: Cracking the Code on AppLovin Ads - A New Traffic Channel for DTC Brands

The Smart Marketer Podcast

Episode 223: Cracking the Code on AppLovin Ads: A New Traffic Channel for DTC Brands Episode Description If you're tired of being stuck between Meta and Google for your media buys—this episode is for you. Pep Hufen is back with a behind-the-scenes look at AppLovin Ads: the breakout ad platform that’s scaling DTC brands like Breeze and Boom. Discover why this mobile-first platform is outperforming Google for some advertisers, how it works, and why it might just be your next great opportunity for customer acquisition. Plus, Pep shares a step-by-step walkthrough of how Smart Marketer tested...

Episode 222: Build Your E-Commerce Site Right: How to Turn Browsers into Buyers

The Smart Marketer Podcast

Episode Description Your website is more than a digital storefront—it’s the heart of your brand. In this episode, John Grimshaw, Ezra Firestone, and Kurt Elster unpack the proven strategies behind high-converting e-commerce sites. From the pitfalls of homepage design to the power of mobile-first thinking, they reveal how to turn casual visitors into loyal customers. If you want to build a brand that lasts (not just a business that sells), this is your roadmap. "Get out of your own way. Your customers don't care how pretty your site is—they care how easy it is to buy." — Kurt Elster ...

Episode 221: The 5 AI Tools I Use Daily as a CEO (to Save 10+ Hours per Week)

The Smart Marketer Podcast

Episode 221: The 5 AI Tools I Use Daily as a CEO (to Save 10+ Hours per Week) Episode Description In this episode, our very own Pep Hufen, CEO of the Smart Marketer agency, shares the five AI tools he uses every day to save over 10 hours per week and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Pep walks through practical, real-world use cases for each tool—no fluff, just strategies you can actually implement. Plus, for those of you who love a visual learning experience, there’s a full video version of this episode on YouTube—complete with on-screen graphics and tool demos. Check...

Episode 220: Marketing That Actually Works: Ezra & John’s Real-Time Q&A for Entrepreneurs

The Smart Marketer Podcast

Episode 220: Inside the Marketing Lab – Ezra & John Answer Your Questions Live! Episode Description Ever wish you could ask Ezra Firestone or John Grimshaw your biggest business questions—live? Now’s your chance. In this special replay from The Smart Marketer Show, Ezra and John sit down with the Smart Marketer community for a real time Q&A. From homepage split tests to pricing strategy, influencer marketing to staying motivated—this episode covers the full journey of building and growing a business. “Doubt and worry is not energy that's useful.” – Ezra Firestone ...

Episode 219 -The Email Audit Framework That Unlocks Revenue You’re Missing

The Smart Marketer Podcast

Episode 219 The Email Audit Framework That Unlocks Revenue You’re Missing Episode Description Email marketing still works—but only if you treat it like a growth engine, not an afterthought. In this episode, John Grimshaw breaks down the exact audit framework Smart Marketer uses inside its agency and mastermind to find revenue opportunities fast. After auditing multiple accounts, John highlights the patterns he sees again and again—and how you can fix them to make email a real profit center. “Go in and see what's being done day to day. Are you getting forward progress, forward...

Episode 218: Sell Sooner, Not Sorer: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to a Smart Exit

The Smart Marketer Podcast

🎙 Episode 218: Sell Sooner, Not Sorer: The Entrepreneur’s Guide to a Smart Exit Episode Description What’s the best time to sell your business? Hint: It’s not when you’re burned out. In this exclusive segment from Smart Marketer’s Smart Business Exit course, Ezra Firestone is joined by Brad Wayland and Chris Moore of Quiet Light to break down why successful businesses are more attractive to buyers—and how to position yours for maximum value, even if you never plan to sell. “You want to run your business like you're always going to sell it, but you're never going to sell it....

Episode 217: John’s DTC Brands to Watch: Whym and the 5-Step Formula for Better Offers

The Smart Marketer Podcast

🎙️ Episode 217: John’s DTC Brands to Watch – Whym and the 5-Step Formula for Better Offers Episode Description ✨ “Nobody cleans their room to make it not smell bad. They clean it so they can get that sense of a good smell.” – John Grimshaw This episode is a deep dive into how Whym, a mystery travel company, revitalized an "outdated" industry by wrapping a brilliant offer around a simple service. John Grimshaw unpacks how surprise, novelty, and personalization create viral, high-converting experiences—and he shares his 5-part offer formula that you can use in any business. If...

Episode 216: Why Now Is the Best Time to Start an Ecom Business

The Smart Marketer Podcast

🎙 Episode 216: Why Now Is the Best Time to Start an Ecom Business Episode Description "This is the best time, I think, better than when I got into the industry over 15 years ago to get started in e-commerce." – Ezra Firestone In this special episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on an exclusive session from the Smart eCommerce course. Ezra Firestone is joined by Laura Paladino and Kurt Elster to talk about the evolution of ecommerce—and why there’s never been a better moment to dive in. From Laura’s journey working four jobs (including Cracker Barrel) to becoming Director of...

Episode 215: Winning Ad Creative: What Works Now & How to Measure It

The Smart Marketer Podcast

Episode 215 – Smart Marketer Show Winning Ad Creative: What Works Now & How to Measure It Episode Description What makes an ad actually perform in 2025? In this episode, John Grimshaw and Ben Bennett pull back the curtain on the creative process that drives real sales—from emotional resonance to performance metrics. You’ll learn why good creative starts with empathy, how to identify your strongest hooks, and which numbers really matter. Plus, we introduce a brand-new metric (yes, we named it), and show you how AI is changing the creative game—without replacing your team. “If...

Episode 214: Strategy Meets Soul: What 2024 Taught Us About Marketing, Mindset & Staying Human in 2025

The Smart Marketer Podcast

Episode 214: Strategy Meets Soul: What 2024 Taught Us About Marketing, Mindset & Staying Human in 2025 Episode Description 2024 was a year that tested every marketer’s resilience—and in this vulnerable, insight-packed interview, Molly Pittman sits down with Alex Cattoni from the Copy Posse to share what she learned from the trenches. From managing over $600M in ad spend to navigating the emotional highs and lows of leadership, Molly pulls back the curtain on what’s really working in 2025—and how to stay human in the age of AI. You’ll walk away with tactical strategies to boost...

More Episodes

Molly Pittman is back with another DTC Brands to Watch episode, and this time she’s diving into Plufl, the brand that turned a simple concept—dog beds—into a viral human comfort product. Discover how their innovative marketing, branding, and product expansion have made them a leader in the space.

“Plufl took a familiar product and reimagined it. This is a case study in creative branding and audience expansion.” – Molly Pittman

You Will Learn:

• How Plufl transformed a commodity into a viral DTC product.
• The power of niche marketing and expanding to multiple customer avatars.
• Why their paid ad strategy on Meta & TikTok is so effective.
• The genius behind Plufl’s high-converting landing pages.
• How they use promotions, upsells, and email marketing to maximize revenue.
• The strategy behind their price increase promotion and how you can use it too.

TIME STAMPS:

00:00:00 – Introduction: Brands to Watch – Plufl
00:13:29 – Marketing Strategy: From Ads to Checkout
00:15:21 – Product Expansion & The Hug Pillow
00:16:43 – The Power of Landing Pages & Personalization
00:23:07 - Turning Tariffs into Sales: The Power of Price Increase Promotions
00:28:42 – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

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