The Digital Deep Dive With Aaron Conant Aaron Conant

Jon Bausman is the VP of Marketing at Outward Hound, a pet lifestyle brand. In his role, he oversees content creation, the brand’s website, and paid media. With over 15 years of experience developing marketing strategies, Jon has held leadership and management positions in Fortune 500 companies and startups, including Airhead and Columbia Sportswear. 
In this episode… Rapid advancements in the digital space have created a workforce culture that demands instant gratification. Executives from digital organizations are shifting roles constantly, leading to fractured leadership structures. How can businesses foster adaptable, committed, and success-driven teams among workforce and industry pressures?
Rather than hiring an executive who has transitioned from multiple leadership roles in a short time span, digital team builder Jon Bausman says to nurture your talent to progress through the ranks. This allows them to gain invaluable experience and builds resilience and adaptability to the fast-paced digital landscape. Cultivating shared values among team members and encouraging transparent communication creates a robust culture where challenges become opportunities for growth and innovation.
Join Aaron Conant in this episode of The Digital Deep Dive as he welcomes Jon Bausman, the VP of Marketing at Outward Hound, for a discussion about creating powerful digital teams. Jon talks about developing hiring practices rooted in trust, how to develop a culture of accountability and transparent feedback, and how to align team efforts with core values. 

Kashif Zafar is the CEO of Xmars, an AI-powered platform for advertising on Amazon. With over 25 years of eCommerce and digital marketing experience, he has built and guided high-performing teams across the Americas, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Kashif has worked in several industries, including CPG, retail, outsourcing, technology, and blockchain. 
In this episode… With digital marketing and eCommerce strategies evolving rapidly, businesses are constantly seeking ways to stay competitive. From choosing the right technology to launching effective campaigns, the stakes are higher than ever. How can brands navigate this complex digital terrain to maximize growth?
As AI becomes a widespread presence in eCommerce, digital marketing maven Kashif Zafar advises Amazon brands to adopt various AI tools for content creation and innovation. This includes investing in AI-driven ad tech platforms to streamline and optimize advertising campaigns while minimizing hands-on involvement. Generative AI can also be used to create compelling PDPs that influence the Amazon algorithm and drive conversions. For a more supportive approach, invest in an Amazon agency that specializes in retail media and advertising, allowing you to gain insights into profitable strategies.
In today’s episode of The Digital Deep Dive, Aaron Conant speaks with Kashif Zafar, the CEO of Xmars, about the role of AI in advertising. Kashif talks about the untapped potential of Amazon Marketing Cloud, the newfound emphasis on tech stack rationalization, and his involvement in the Amazon advertising landscape. 

Andrew Schydlowsky is the Founder and CEO of TrackStreet, a cutting-edge SaaS platform that empowers brands by leveraging eCommerce data. He has been involved in eCommerce since 1998, starting with an innovative idea to sell sports nutrition products online. As a serial entrepreneur, Andrew founded Performance Unlimited, Inc., Soma Distribution, Inc., and Kala International, Ltd. He also established Soma Internacional, S.A. in Peru. His diverse experience includes roles as Chief Growth Officer for a retail chain and Corporate Trainer for Unisys in Beijing.
In this episode… With the digital landscape evolving and new technologies emerging, brands must navigate rapid eCommerce growth and AI integrations. Where should businesses focus their energy to avoid being misled by shiny objects or overwhelmed by an influx of data? 
With over 25 years at the helm of eCommerce, Andrew Schydlowsky affirms that brands can leverage technology and AI to make strategic business decisions but must recognize their risks and potential to derail progress. Before adopting any new tool or software, systemize your data and assess your tech stack regularly to ensure responsible use and long-term stability. By maintaining a clear vision for your business, you can evolve your business with the market while staying savvy about the implications and pitfalls of trends.
Tune in to the latest episode of The Digital Deep Dive as Aaron Conant speaks with Andrew Schydlowsky, the Founder and CEO of TrackStreet, about the intricacies of eCommerce, technology, and AI. Andrew talks about leveraging AI to automate data and decision-making, the evolution of the digital landscape, and TrackStreet’s mission. 

Matt Snyder is the Founder and CEO of Brands Excel, where he helps brands scale on Amazon. As a revenue generator, he has over 15 years of experience growing DTC, B2C, and B2B companies within the eCommerce space and Amazon’s marketplace. Matt focuses on building long-term growth by developing alternative sales channels and product lines that complement overarching omnichannel strategies. Before Brands Excel, he was the Vice President of Online Retail at Vari.
In this episode… With eCommerce competition intensifying, brands are scrambling to fulfill customer requests and manage inventory costs. How can Amazon’s Seller Fulfilled Prime enable operational and cost efficiency?
Seasoned eCommerce leader Matt Snyder leverages SFP in his business to streamline logistics, reduce costs, and improve the customer experience. Before investing in this fulfillment method, conduct a self-audit to ensure SFP aligns with your product types and business model. Seller Fulfilled Prime requires brands to meet specific performance metrics, including 93% on-time deliveries and precise product tracking, to maintain Prime status and customer trust. Matt suggests cultivating partnerships with SFP 3PL partners to manage logistics and complex fulfillment requirements.
Tune in to the latest installment of The Digital Deep Dive as Aaron Conant meets with Matt Snyder, the Founder and CEO of Brands Excel, who shares the ins and outs of Seller Fulfilled Prime. Matt explains the impact of Amazon Marketing Cloud and AI on future eCommerce strategies, how to maintain profitability with SFP, and the benefits of inventory control.

Mandar Shinde is the CEO of Blotout, a Y Combinator restoring identity and data accuracy in a cookieless era. He also volunteers with ProductNation/iSPIRT, a nonprofit sourcing public goods for Indian product startups. In this role, Mandar helps enable data democratization with zero trust. As a data-driven entrepreneur, he has experience in privacy, analytics, blockchain, advertising, compliance, and cloud computing.  
In this episode… The deprecation of third-party cookies threatens the stability of targeted marketing, and businesses are navigating uncharted territories. With the cornerstone of personalized advertising crumbling, how can companies navigate the landscape without relying on third-party data?
Apple’s aggressive stance on data privacy has placed limitations on digital advertising, specifically after the advent of iOS 14, which allows users to opt out of third-party tracking. Data-driven eCommerce entrepreneur Mandar Shinde emphasizes adjusting your lifecycle and performance marketing strategies to align with the shifts in data regulations and online tracking. This involves conducting an internal assessment of your customer data collection, storage, and processing systems to ensure compliance and effective adaptation. Transitioning to first-party data collection by adopting CDPs and server-side tracking is a viable solution to privacy concerns in a cookieless environment.
In today’s episode of The Digital Deep Dive, Mandar Shinde, the CEO of Blotout, joins Aaron Conant for a discussion about adapting to a cookieless landscape. Mandar talks about the imminent shifts and the necessary actions brands must take to ensure their digital presence and customer relationships remain strong.

David Sanborn manages strategy and operations for GIZMO, a developer and manufacturer of consumer electronics. He is also the Co-founder of Kiid Coffee, a unique food brand that uses creative marketing to target nutritional gaps in children’s food. As an inventive entrepreneur, David has built and sold several brands, including Basics Brands, which he expanded into the pet retail space before selling it. 
In this episode… Starting a brand from scratch, creating an unparalleled product, and selling it successfully are seemingly basic yet daunting challenges in today’s competitive eCommerce marketplace. What does it take to cut through a saturated market and carve out a space for your products?
David Sanborn, a serial entrepreneur, has conquered the challenge of branding and innovation in the modern digital landscape. He maintains that strategic partnerships and mentors are invaluable resources for product development. These industry professionals can share ideas and strategies that can expedite launch and enhance innovation. Before launching your product, test its market fit to allow for customer feedback and ample refinement. Additionally, digital marketing is essential for brand awareness, so by integrating a mission-driven approach into your creative strategies, you can stimulate authentic consumer engagement and cement a long-term presence in the market. 
In this episode of The Digital Deep Dive, Aaron Conant meets with David Sanborn of GIZMO to share innovative approaches to launching an eCommerce brand. David breaks down the intricacies of product development, the importance of market-fit testing, and how to stand out in a competitive market through creative marketing and genuine value creation.