The Hypothesis

Thrive Digital
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  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Hypothesis is a biweekly show where industry experts debate and discuss growth marketing approaches, digital advertising tactics, measurement plans, plus creative and growth strategies. Prefer video? Check out the recording of the show on YouTube every two weeks at https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveDigitalMarketing

  1. 11/19/2025

    Can we fix lead scoring?

    Most B2B lead scoring is built on arbitrary point systems and outdated assumptions and it's costing you real money. In this episode, our strategy directors break down why traditional lead scoring fails and what actually works. We cover: - Why points-based lead scoring is fundamentally flawed - The data infrastructure you actually need before attempting lead scoring - How to build empirical models that predict real conversion probability - Why lead scoring should never come before fixing your fundamentals - The validation gap that makes most models worthless after a few months - How to spot when your scoring model has drifted from reality Key takeaway: Lead scoring is an optimization layer, not a solution. If your CRM is messy, your tracking is unreliable, or your creative isn't working, lead scoring won't save you. Fix your foundation first. Perfect for: B2B marketers, growth teams, and anyone wondering why their lead scoring system isn't delivering results. The Hypothesis explores the strategies, tactics, and insights that drive growth in the performance marketing world.  Connect with us: Website: https://www.thrivedigital.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveDigitalMarketing LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-digital Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_digital/

    38 min

  2. 11/05/2025

    Ad data can't tell you everything about your audience

    Think hyper-targeted audience segmentation is the key to better campaign performance? Think again. In this episode, our host sits down with data experts Eric and Madeline to dismantle some of marketing's most persistent myths about audience targeting. They discuss why those detailed marketing personas fall flat in actual media buying, how small sample sizes lead to bad strategic decisions, and why your "best performing" audience segments might actually be the least incremental. You'll learn: Why demographic data from ad platforms doesn't tell the whole storyThe real (limited) use case for marketing personasHow to avoid the segmentation trap that fragments budgets and kills learningWhy creative does more targeting work than your audience settingsWhat brands should focus on instead of chasing granular demographic detailsHow to actually use your first-party behavioral dataIf you've ever wondered whether you're over-optimizing based on platform reports that don't reflect reality, this conversation will reset your thinking on audience strategy. Want to learn more about growth marketing or get help on your next performance project? Connect with us on our other platforms! Website: https://thrivedigital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-digital/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_digital/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveDigitalMarketing Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the show, we’d love to hear from you. Leave us a review, share with friends and colleagues, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  Follow this week’s hosts: Maddy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinesilver1/ Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erictsloan/ Santana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santana-blanchette/

    33 min

  3. 10/15/2025

    Are "best practices" killing your marketing performance?

    In this episode, we dig into digital marketing best practices and why following all of them might be doing more harm than good. This week's hosts, Creative Director, Tyler Power, and Thrive's VP of Data & Strategy, Eric Sloan, break down: - Why vendors push "best practices" that benefit them, not you - When static images beat video (despite what everyone tells you) - The creative fundamentals that actually matter vs. trendy tactics - How to know when to break the rules - Why your best-performing ads should become benchmarks, not sacred objects Key takeaway: Best practices aren't one-size-fits-all. What works for one brand might tank another's performance. The secret is knowing which principles are truly foundational (like design fundamentals and testing methodology) versus which are just someone's one-time win being sold as universal truth. Want to learn more about growth marketing or get help on your next performance project? Connect with us on our other platforms! Website: https://thrivedigital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-digital/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_digital/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveDigitalMarketing Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the show, we’d love to hear from you. Leave us a review, share with friends and colleagues, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  Follow this week’s hosts: Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-power-66428497/ Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erictsloan/ Santana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santana-blanchette/

    36 min

  4. 10/01/2025

    E-commerce measurement is complicated

    Measuring e-commerce success isn't just about ROAS. In this episode, we break down why the most sophisticated e-commerce marketers look far beyond return on ad spend. We explore the relationship between customer acquisition cost and lifetime value, why different business models require completely different KPI strategies, and how to avoid the common traps that waste budget during critical periods like Black Friday. You'll learn: Why a 20x ROAS campaign might be less valuable than a 2x ROAS campaignThe CAC-to-LTV benchmarks that separate good performance from leaving money on the tableHow subscription businesses should measure success differently than multi-product brandsWhy Black Friday preparation needs to start way earlier than you thinkCostly scaling mistakes during peak shopping periodsWhether you're managing e-commerce in-house or running campaigns for clients, this episode will change how you think about measurement, profitability, and long-term growth strategy. Want to learn more about growth marketing or get help on your next performance project? Connect with us on our other platforms! Website: https://thrivedigital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-digital/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_digital/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveDigitalMarketing Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the show, we’d love to hear from you. Leave us a review, share with friends and colleagues, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  Follow this week’s hosts: Maddy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinesilver1/ Ryan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-clarke-marketing/ Santana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santana-blanchette/

    41 min

  5. 09/16/2025

    What e-commerce marketing leaders should do in their first 90 days

    In this episode of The Hypothesis, Thrive's data and strategy experts Eric, Madeline, and Phil break down what new e-commerce marketing leaders should actually do in their first 90 days. Spoiler: it's not about making big changes immediately. Key takeaways: Why listening beats fixing in your first 90 daysHow to build relationships with finance (and why it matters)The dangerous assumptions marketers make about "similar" productsFramework for evaluating inherited teams and agency partnershipsData analysis techniques that reveal what actually drives growthCommunication systems that scale from 5 to 500 person teams The Hypothesis explores the strategies, tactics, and insights that drive growth in the performance marketing world. Connect with us: Website: https://www.thrivedigital.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/q2M7OmWhCAo LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-digital Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_digital/ Subscribe for more: Hit subscribe to get notified when we drop new episodes exploring the hypotheses that matter most in performance marketing.

    47 min

  6. 03/05/2025

    Ad targeting isn’t very precise

    In this episode, we challenge the assumption that ad targeting is as precise as marketers believe. We discuss the pitfalls of audience segmentation, the over-reliance on machine learning, and the growing importance of creative in a world where targeting is becoming less effective. For show notes, including links to the video, more content, and additional resources, please visit https://thehypothesisshow.com/ Want to learn more about growth marketing or get help on your next performance project? Connect with us on our other platforms! Website: https://thrivedigital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-digital/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_digital/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveDigitalMarketing Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the show, we’d love to hear from you. Leave us a review, share with friends and colleagues, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  Follow this week’s hosts: Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erictsloan/ Kurt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kurt-lowry-23161b146/ Santana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santana-blanchette/

    43 min

  7. 02/05/2025

    Answering your biggest performance marketing questions

    Performance marketing is constantly evolving, and we know you have questions. In this special Q&A episode, we took your questions about performance marketing, from AI’s impact to reporting best practices and answered them in this wide-spanning conversation. Want to learn more about growth marketing or get help on your next performance project? Connect with us on our other platforms! Website: https://thrivedigital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-digital/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_digital/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveDigitalMarketing Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the show, we’d love to hear from you. Leave us a review, share with friends and colleagues, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Follow this week’s hosts: Eric: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erictsloan/ Madeline: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madelinesilver1/ Santana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/santana-blanchette/ Tyler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyler-power-66428497/

    47 min

  8. 01/15/2025

    Founders series: lessons in resilience and marketing for early-stage startups

    In this episode, we dive into Kirby Winfield of Ascend VC’s entrepreneurial journey and the lessons learned from building businesses and working in venture capital. We discuss the importance of resilience, early-stage marketing, and why simple, consistent strategies can drive big results. Want to learn more about growth marketing or get help on your next performance project? Connect with us on our other platforms! Website: https://thrivedigital.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thrive-digital/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrive_digital/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveDigitalMarketing Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed the show, we’d love to hear from you. Leave us a review, share with friends and colleagues, and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode.  Follow this week’s hosts: Jonathan Becker: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanbecker123/ Kirby Winfield: https://www.linkedin.com/in/winfield/

    31 min
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About

The Hypothesis is a biweekly show where industry experts debate and discuss growth marketing approaches, digital advertising tactics, measurement plans, plus creative and growth strategies. Prefer video? Check out the recording of the show on YouTube every two weeks at https://www.youtube.com/@ThriveDigitalMarketing

Information

  • Creator
    Thrive Digital
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    23
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Hypothesis
  • Show Website
    The Hypothesis