Ad-venturous

DTC Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

We see more ads in our day-to-day lives than ever before and yet most of them… kind of suck. What happened to the days of adventurous marketing? Alongside creative thinkers from a vast variety of professional backgrounds, we’re diving deep into our favorite (and least favorite 🌚) ads of all time to find out how they helped to shape today’s cultural landscape. Join Aves from Pilothouse as she continues to share the same tactical advice listeners love on All Killer, No Filler alongside new higher level conversations on brand strategy and creativity.

  1. 6D AGO

    Ep 41: The Value Beyond What You Sell

    What makes someone choose your brand when the product itself isn’t that different? In this episode of Ad-venturous, Aves explores the idea that the strongest DTC brands don’t just sell products — they deliver value that lives outside the purchase. From identity and social status to humor and entertainment, that added layer is often what drives deeper loyalty, higher LTV, and real word-of-mouth growth. Using brands like Liquid Death and Rhode as examples, this episode breaks down how successful companies build meaning around what they sell, and why understanding that value is key to building an omnipresent brand. You’ll learn: Why people often buy the brand, not the productThe two most common forms of brand value: social status vs. entertainmentHow humor can outperform aspiration in ad creativeWhy brands that understand their role in a customer’s identity see stronger retentionHow this work translates into performance, especially in Q4 00:00 — Why brands need value beyond the product 02:00 — The “omnipresent brand” era and identity-driven buying 04:30 — Liquid Death: selling identity, not water 08:30 — Rhode: scarcity, momentum, and brand demand 15:00 — Status vs entertainment as brand value drivers 20:30 — How brand value impacts LTV, retention, and word of mouth Work with Pilothouse: ⁠https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast⁠ Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast Subscribe to DTC: ⁠https://www.directtoconsumer.co/⁠ Listen to DTC Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast

    24 min

  2. FEB 5

    Ep 40: How to Write Creator Briefs That Actually Perform

    Creator-generated content isn’t easy, and most briefs are the reason it underperforms. In this episode of Ad-venturous, we break down how to write creator briefs that actually perform, from setting the right intent and audience context to structuring visual hooks that work in a post-Andromeda Meta landscape. We cover when not to use creator content, why testing net-new concepts with creators is risky, and how to brief external creators without over-scripting or wasting budget. If you want CGC that scales—and not just looks good—this episode is your playbook. #creatorcontent #creativestrategy #performancemarketing #paidsocial #metaads #adcreative #ecommercemarketing #dtc #contentstrategy #digitaladvertising 00:00 – Why creator briefs are harder (and more important) than they look 04:00 – When creator content makes sense — and when it’s a mistake 08:00 – The biggest pitfall: testing net-new ideas with creators 12:00 – How funnel stage should shape your creator briefs 15:00 – How to brief external creators without over-scripting 22:00 – Visual hooks vs audio hooks on Meta Work with Pilothouse: ⁠https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast⁠ Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast Subscribe to DTC: ⁠https://www.directtoconsumer.co/⁠ Listen to DTC Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast

    31 min

  3. JAN 29

    Ep 39: Bundles Aren’t Discounts. They’re Strategy.

    Most brands treat bundles like a quick way to boost AOV. But done wrong, they can quietly tank conversion—especially for first-time customers. In this episode of Ad-venturous, Avery breaks down how to build bundles that actually work across the funnel. You’ll learn how to: Approach bundles differently for first-time vs returning customersSeparate pre-click and post-click bundlingDesign bundles based on real customer behavior #DTC #Ecommerce #AOV #BundlingStrategy #GrowthMarketing #RetentionMarketing #PerformanceMarketing #ConversionRateOptimization #DTCpodcast #MarketingPodcast 00:00 — Introduction 02:00 — First-time vs returning customers: the real framework 05:00 — Bundling at the top of funnel (what actually works) 09:00 — Creative + positioning for bundle ads 11:00 — Landing pages vs PDPs for bundles 18:00 — Bundling for returning customers 22:00 — Persona-based bundle strategies 35:00 — The lifecycle framework for smarter bundling Work with Pilothouse: ⁠https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast⁠ Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast Subscribe to DTC: ⁠https://www.directtoconsumer.co/⁠ Listen to DTC Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast

    40 min

  4. JAN 22

    Ep 38: The Personal Rebrand Era (And What Brands Should Do About It)

    “Personal rebrands” are everywhere—and it’s changing how people buy. In this episode, AVEs breaks down why the personal rebrand era matters for marketers and how brands can plug into it without feeling forced or cringe. From subscription and routine-based products to CPG and beauty brands, this cultural shift opens up new opportunities at the top of the funnel. We cover how identity and belonging are shaping buying behavior, why personal rebrands replaced “New Year, New Me,” and how brands can build real resonance instead of chasing trends. #MarketingPodcast #BrandStrategy #Rebranding #BrandIdentity #DTC #SubscriptionMarketing #CPGMarketing #CulturalMarketing #GrowthMarketing #AdventurousPodcast 00:00 — The personal rebrand trend (what’s actually happening) 04:00 — How personal rebrands replaced New Year, New Me 09:00 — Why subscription brands should care right now 12:00 — Selling routine and ritual instead of one-time products 16:00 — Identity, belonging, and the new top of funnel 28:00 — How to build cultural resonance without forcing relevance Work with Pilothouse: ⁠https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast⁠ Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast Subscribe to DTC: ⁠https://www.directtoconsumer.co/⁠ Listen to DTC Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast

    35 min

  5. JAN 15

    Ep 37: The Old Spice Rebrand That Actually Worked

    Most rebrands don’t fail because the logo is bad. They fail because they don’t change who the brand is for. In this episode of Ad-venturous, Avery breaks down one of the few modern rebrands that actually did what a rebrand is supposed to do. Bring in an entirely new audience. Using Old Spice’s 2010 comeback as the case study, we look at how a 70-year-old brand went from cultural afterthought to category leader by completely rethinking who they were talking to and how they showed up. You’ll learn why Old Spice stopped marketing just to men and started winning with women, how Axe created the problem Old Spice had to solve, and why most brands mistake “looking new” for being relevant. This episode is a deep dive into what it really takes to reset a brand, and when a rebrand is actually the right move. #Rebranding #BrandStrategy #OldSpice #MarketingPodcast #DTC #Advertising #BrandBuilding #Ecommerce #CreativeStrategy #ConsumerPsychology #GrowthMarketing #PerformanceMarketing #BrandPositioning 00:00 — Why Rebrands So Often Miss the Point 03:00 — Why Old Spice Was the Right Case Study 06:00 — Axe and the Shift in Men’s Grooming 09:15 — When Old Spice Started Losing Relevance 12:30 — When a Rebrand Is Actually Necessary 15:05 — The Campaign That Changed Everything 18:40 — Why Old Spice Talked to Women Instead of Men 21:35 — Who Really Has the Purchasing Power 24:55 — Why Net New Audiences Matter 27:10 — Did It Actually Work? 28:50 — What Brands Should Learn Work with Pilothouse: ⁠https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast⁠ Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast Subscribe to DTC: ⁠https://www.directtoconsumer.co/⁠ Listen to DTC Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast

    29 min

  6. JAN 8

    Ep 36: Why do logo changes feel like personal betrayals now?

    In this episode of Ad-venturous, Aves kicks off a new mini-series on rebrands by unpacking why they spark so much outrage in today’s Omnipresent Brand era. From Cracker Barrel’s infamous logo switch to Tree Hut’s surprisingly controversial packaging update, we look at how brands misdiagnose relevance problems, how internet culture turns design tweaks into moral battles, and why consumers are more emotionally invested in brands than ever before. You’ll also hear how backlash, misinformation, and TikTok engagement loops can distort what’s actually happening inside a business, plus why a rebrand often isn’t the fix brands think it is. #Rebranding #BrandStrategy #DTCMarketing #ConsumerCulture #BrandIdentity #MarketingPodcast #AdventurousPodcast #EcommerceMarketing #BrandRelevance #DigitalMarketing #CreatorEconomy #MarketingTrends #OmnipresentBrand #TikTokMarketing #BrandPsychology 00:00 – Welcome to the Rebrands Mini-Series 02:10 – The Omnipresent Brand Era 05:00 – When Brands Misdiagnose the Problem 07:45 – The Cracker Barrel Backlash 14:10 – Tree Hut and TikTok Outrage 21:20 – The Shrinkflation Myth 24:40 – Why Anger Drives Engagement 30:00 – When a Rebrand Actually Makes Sense Work with Pilothouse: ⁠https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast⁠ Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast Subscribe to DTC: ⁠https://www.directtoconsumer.co/⁠ Listen to DTC Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast

    38 min

  7. JAN 1

    Ep 35: UGC vs. CGC vs. EGC: When to Use What (Replay)

    If you missed this the first time, it’s a great reset on how to think about creator content. What’s the difference between UGC, CGC, and EGC—and why does it matter? In this episode, we break down the “big three” of creator content: 🧍‍♀️ User-Generated Content (UGC): Authentic, messy, and made by real customers. 🎥 Creator-Generated Content (CGC): Polished, paid-for, and built with marketing goals in mind. 💼 Employee-Generated Content (EGC): A rising star that’s human, honest, and powerful. Avery shares how each content type works, when to use them, and what kind of results to expect—plus real-world examples from brands like Coach. If you’re building a content strategy and want to know where to invest (and what to stop doing), this one’s for you. Timestamps: 00:00 Understanding UGC, CGC, and EGC 02:00 Why creating content yourself matters 05:00 What makes good user generated content 10:00 Building community through UGC 14:00 Creator generated content vs UGC 18:00 Tips for original and high-performing CGC 22:00 Employee generated content examples 26:00 Why EGC works in organic and paid strategies 29:00 When to use each content type Hashtags: #UGC #CGC #EGC #UserGeneratedContent #CreatorMarketing #ContentStrategy #PerformanceMarketing #DTCMarketing #MarketingPodcast #BrandBuilding #EmployeeGeneratedContent #SocialMediaMarketing #AdCreative #DigitalMarketing #CreatorEconomy #MarketingTips #PodcastClip #MarketingInsights #ContentMarketing #ScaleWithContent Work with Pilothouse: ⁠https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast⁠ Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast Subscribe to DTC: ⁠https://www.directtoconsumer.co/⁠ Listen to DTC Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast

    31 min

  8. 12/25/2025

    Ep 34: Building the Omnipresent Brand (Part 3): Holding Up the Mirror

    In Part 3 of Building the Omnipresent Brand, we zoom in on where DTC marketing stands right now, and why the brands winning attention aren’t chasing aspiration, but reflecting reality. This episode explores the “Norman Rockwell era” of marketing: creative that holds up a mirror to people’s real lives, values, and environments. Aves unpacks why relatable, grounded content is outperforming polished perfection, how brands can cooperate with culture without co-opting it, and what this shift means for creative strategy heading into 2026. #DTCMarketing #BrandStrategy #CreativeStrategy #PerformanceMarketing #EcommerceMarketing #DigitalMarketing #BrandRelevance #ContentMarketing #PaidSocial #MarketingTrends #AdvertisingStrategy #CreativeMarketing #OmnipresentBrand 00:00 – Introduction 03:45 – Entering the “Norman Rockwell era” of DTC marketing 07:10 – Cooperating with culture vs. co-opting it 11:45 – Holding up a mirror instead of selling aspiration 15:40 – Research, empathy, and understanding what audiences already see 22:45 – What this creative shift means heading into 2026 Work with Pilothouse: ⁠https://www.pilothouse.co/get-in-touch?utm_source=dtc&utm_medium=podcast&utm_content=e&rPodcast⁠ Subscribe on YouTube: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/@DTCPodcast Subscribe to DTC: ⁠https://www.directtoconsumer.co/⁠ Listen to DTC Podcast: ⁠https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dtcpodcast

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

We see more ads in our day-to-day lives than ever before and yet most of them… kind of suck. What happened to the days of adventurous marketing? Alongside creative thinkers from a vast variety of professional backgrounds, we’re diving deep into our favorite (and least favorite 🌚) ads of all time to find out how they helped to shape today’s cultural landscape. Join Aves from Pilothouse as she continues to share the same tactical advice listeners love on All Killer, No Filler alongside new higher level conversations on brand strategy and creativity.

Information

  • Creator
    DTC Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    42
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © DTC Podcast Network
  • Show Website
    Ad-venturous