Marketing People Love

In this episode, we go fully behind the scenes of one of the fastest-growing consumer brands in history. As someone who partnered with Chad before Grüns even had a website, I wanted to skip the typical polished PR talk and dig into the actual, unfiltered decisions that built a billion-dollar gummy empire in just 36 months.

We talk about the original idea and how we taste-tested the product, convinced Raindrop to get involved when he only had gummies in nacho cheese snack bags (yes you read that right) and what he learned from his time in private equity that made him want to go big from the start.

We talk about what makes the Grüns brand special and appeal to so many people and why he wanted to bet on building a brand from the beginning.

We also go under the hood of leadership and collaboration and some of the key learnings of building a great team so quickly.

Finally, what does Barry Bonds on steroids and building an explosive brand have in common? If you want to know what it actually looks like to take a massive swing, ignore the standard playbook, and build a brand people love, this is the uncut story.

Most people think advertising is about selling products. It's not.

The best ideas change the way people see themselves and sometimes they change culture along the way.

In this episode of Marketing People Love, Jacques Spitzer, CEO and CCO of Raindrop sits down with its newly appointed Creative Chairman Rob Strasberg, whose work has shaped some of the most influential campaigns of the last 25 years. From helping build the Truth campaign that changed how an entire generation viewed smoking, to launching MINI Cooper in America and reinventing iconic brands, Rob has spent his career proving that ideas can move far more than products.

Together, they explore why creativity is really about psychology, how great teams unlock great ideas, the role identity plays in every purchase we make, and why the future of marketing belongs to the people willing to think differently.

One idea, communicated at the right moment, can change a brand.

Sometimes it can change the world.

In this episode of Marketing People Love, I sit down with Nik Hall, founder, operator, and Amazon growth expert, to break down what actually drives success on Amazon in 2026. We get into the real math behind profitable brands, why most founders misprice their products, and how small decisions around pack size and positioning can completely change your trajectory. Nik also unpacks why Amazon is becoming increasingly pay-to-play, how AI is reshaping search and discovery, and what separates scalable brands from crowded, commoditized categories. He also shares the frameworks he uses to evaluate opportunities, avoid "bloodbath" categories, and help brands scale with more clarity and less guesswork. If you sell physical products or want to understand where ecommerce is heading next, this conversation will give you a sharper lens on what actually works.

In this special episode of Marketing People Love, I sit down with Sean Klitzner, the creative force behind billions of views and co-creator of Beast Games. Together, we unpack what it really takes to win attention in today's world, why great content isn't about short vs. long but about earning time, and how a "why not?" mindset leads to massive breakthroughs. From producing under extreme pressure to helping scale the MrBeast empire, Sean shares lessons on storytelling, obsession, and building content people actually care about. If you want to understand the future of marketing and attention, this episode is for you.

On this episode of Marketing People Love, Jacques Spitzer sits down with Risa Barash, founder of Fairy Tales Hair Care. What began as hand to hand sales in New York City salons grew into a tens of millions of dollars kids haircare brand trusted by families nationwide. Risa shares how she used her PR background to spark early growth, built a problem solution brand beyond lice prevention, and expanded into products for curls, tangles, and swim care based on real conversations with moms. She also opens up about losing a major acquisition deal the day COVID shut down the world, rebuilding after demand collapsed, and rediscovering her love for brand building. Now, she is stepping into a bold new chapter with fresh energy and a powerful campaign for 2026. This episode is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and what it truly takes to build a brand people love.

What if 5 to 10% of your marketing budget could create a moment so big it actually changes how people feel about your brand? In this episode of Marketing People Love, I sit down with Rabah Rahil, one of the most creative marketers I have ever worked with and the mind behind some of the most memorable moments in modern B2B and SaaS marketing. From helping Triple Whale raise $25M and creating the Whaley's Awards to launching Fermat's SaaS couture drops that took over the internet, Rabah shares how to design marketing people genuinely want to be part of. We talk about moonshot marketing and why small, intentional bets can drive outsized impact when your fundamentals are solid. Rabah breaks down what it really takes to build community through events and experiences, how high FOMO moments are engineered, and why the pre build up, the live experience, and the post event momentum all matter. We also get into why most brand merch fails, how Fermat flipped the script by creating products people actually wanted, and where art, science, and humanity intersect in great marketing. If you want to think bigger, take smarter risks, and create marketing people actually love, this episode will change how you see what is possible.

In this episode of Marketing People Love, Jacques sits down with Delamon Rego, a growth leader who helped scale DECKED more than 10X in just six years. Together, they revisit the strategic bets, channel sequencing and mindset shifts that took the brand from a small automotive upstart to a durable, nine-figure growth engine. Delamon shares the behind-the-scenes decisions that powered DECKED's explosive rise, including layering S-curve channels at exactly the right time, investing early in durable brand assets, running bold experiments, including the YouTube campaign that delivered 6x ROAS, and building world-class teams through relentless recruiting. He also breaks down why most brands stall out between $20M–$40M, and what it really takes to break through the plateau. Whether you're a founder, marketer, or operator aiming for your next major growth inflection, this conversation is packed with actionable and energizing insights. Get ready to rethink your channel mix, your mindset, and the bets you're willing to make.

What does dog poop have to do with brand growth? More than you think. On this episode of Marketing People Love, Jacques Spitzer sits down with Kyle Fredriksen of American Pet Nutrition, Supreme Source, to unpack how a small, family-owned pet brand took on billion-dollar competitors and won. Kyle shares the journey from corporate giants like P&G and General Mills to running a challenger brand with autonomy, creativity, and courage. From uncovering the "job to be done" for pet parents to taking a bold swing with unforgettable, slightly uncomfortable advertising, Kyle breaks down the strategy that drove four years of consistent growth, even while the category around them was flat or declining. You'll hear how insights about pet digestion, yes, poop, became the centerpiece of a growth strategy, why taking big creative risks is the secret weapon of challenger brands, and how a culture of trust and leadership allows small teams to move fast and make bold decisions. Kyle also draws lessons from baby brands like Pampers that translate perfectly to the pet aisle and explains why doubling down on what works beats chasing every new trend. This episode is packed with actionable marketing lessons for anyone looking to break through, connect emotionally with their audience, and make advertising people actually love.

Today, I bring on my mentee Tarun Kamath of Arcady Media to decode the truth about email and SMS retention, what works, what ruins your deliverability, and what most brands get wrong by default. From pop ups that actually convert to pre BFCM warm ups, customer preference centers, and why Q5 is a goldmine, this episode is a masterclass in relationship driven marketing.

On this episode of Marketing People Love, I sat down with Blake Brown—marketing leader behind standout footwear brands like Kizik and Kuru—to explore what it really takes to make content that connects. From long-form ads like Nike's "Trial of Luka Doncic" to scrappy TikToks shot on an iPhone, Blake shares how emotion, authenticity, and iteration are the real differentiators in a world flooded with AI tools and goldfish-attention-span myths. We jam on storytelling, creative risk-taking, and why brands need to stop trying to be perfect—and just start being real. Another must-listen episode on Marketing People Love!

In this high-energy episode of Marketing People Love, Ben Perkins, founder of the performance dress shirt brand &Collar, unpacks what it really takes to build a brand people love. From collaborating with world-class creative agencies to launching bold, high-risk campaigns, Ben shares the mindset behind taking creative swings that move the needle—not just on the P&L, but in winning hearts. You'll hear stories of brand evolution, lessons learned the hard way, and why "safe" might be the riskiest move of all. If you're a marketer, founder, or creative who's ready to break out of your comfort zone, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in and get ready to swing for the fences.

In this episode of Marketing People Love, I spoke to Dan Gladden of Interact Brands to find out what brands need to be considering with their packaging at retail. From the evolution of Dr. Squatch's packaging to the retail transformation of Grüns, Dan unpacks how brands must go beyond packaging and campaigns to create a holistic, emotive presence. Learn why the mantra "challenge the category, not the consumer" is key to cutting through the noise—and how modular design systems and consumer rituals play a crucial role in long-term success. Whether you're launching, scaling, or reinventing a brand, this episode is packed with golden insights you won't want to miss.

In this episode of Marketing People Love, I sat down with Brett Swensen, the powerhouse behind some of the most successful brands, including Purple and Kizik. Brett's seen brands go from near 0 to over $100 million in sales, and today, he's sharing his insights on what it really takes to grow a brand. From the perfect creative formula (grab attention, keep attention, educate & entertain) to the importance of building lasting connections with your audience, Brett breaks it all down. Tune in for an open and honest conversation on the current state of UGC, why formulas matter, and what it'll take to win in 2025 and beyond.

Meet Joey Kovac, the man behind scaling Manscapes podcast sponsorship channel profitably and is now doing it for a dozen more brands. In this episode of Marketing People Love, I sat down with Joey, now Co-Founder of Podscale to dive into the nuts and bolts of podcast advertising and how it can drive measurable sales for brands. Joey shares insights on what makes a brand ready for podcast advertising, the types of creative that work best, and the crucial metrics for tracking return on the investment. If you're looking to tap into the power of podcast ads or already experimenting with them, this conversation covers how to scale campaigns effectively and avoid common pitfalls.

In this episode of Marketing People Love, I sat down with Brandon Castaneda, co-founder of EZ Bombs, to discuss how they achieved over $20 million in sales in just one year, leveraging the power of TikTok. EZ Bombs isn't your average spice or condiment—they're spice-infused meat bombs designed to elevate the flavor of meats when cooked in a Crock-Pot. Brandon shares how his team cracked the code for success on TikTok Shop, driving massive engagement from thousands of customers and building a loyal community. From mastering TikTok's platform to navigating potential regulatory challenges, Brandon gives us an inside look at what it takes to build a thriving business with social media at its core. If you've ever wondered how to create a viral brand and win big on TikTok, this episode is a must-listen!

Welcome to Marketing People Love! I'm your host, Jacques Spitzer. I sat down with Nick Saltarelli of Mid-Day Squares, a unique guest who has been sharing his journey out loud since day one of building a $100 million chocolate brand. Nick shares how putting their story out there has been crucial for their business growth, creating connections, and overcoming the insecurities that come with being vulnerable. He dives deep into the lessons he's learned along the way, including how losing his dad at a young age changed his perspective on life and business. Nick also talks about the challenges of stepping out of his introverted nature and how his competitive drive pushed him to embrace being in front of the camera. This episode will inspire you to think differently about not just marketing, but possibly your entire life. Stick around until the end—this conversation is truly meaningful.

In this episode, Preston returns for a second time to share his insights on why brands that escape the short-term ROAS feedback loop and focus on long-term brand building are the ones that thrive. He shares actionable things you can do right now in Google Analytics to start getting a sense of the baseline health of your brand - and drawing from his experience growing and exiting Chubbies for nine-figure - he explains why investing in storytelling and customer education pays off in the long run, even when the immediate ROAS isn't through the roof.

We dive into how spending on high-quality video content can lead to more educated, loyal customers—something a static ad or discount-driven campaign just can't replicate. If you're wondering why some brands are still crushing it years later while others fizzle out, this conversation is for you. Tune in to learn how to put brand building in context and why it's crucial for lasting success.

In this episode of Marketing People Love, we're talking all things retail - what it takes to get your products on the shelves AND sell – with retail strategist Martin Forde. He breaks down how to avoid botching your rollout, how to know when your brand is truly "retail-ready," and the key metrics you need to track to ensure you're set up for success. Whether you're a brand just starting out or a seasoned player looking to scale, this episode will help you navigate the complexities of retail and ensure you're bringing your best to the table. Don't miss this crucial conversation on how to win big when you launch in stores.

In today's episode, I chat with Anthony Mink, Co-founder of Live Bearded, about their transformative eight-year journey in marketing. Anthony shares the highs and lows of navigating a changing landscape, including the moment their once-successful strategies began to falter. Discover the creative risks they took—like their "Bearded Jesus" campaign—and how humour and authenticity play crucial roles in connecting with audiences. Tune in for actionable insights on refining your brand's voice, leveraging creativity, and empowering marketing teams to adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving marketplace. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this episode is packed with nuggets to help you create Marketing People Love.

In this episode, I have the pleasure of talking with Kelley Thornton, one of the visionary founders of Tiege Hanley, a leading men's skincare brand that has built their success by delivering not just exceptional products but also impactful messaging.

Join me as Kelley and I dive into the story behind Tiege Hanley's remarkable growth in the emerging space of men's skincare. Kelley shares invaluable insights into their journey, including a fascinating discussion about the tough choice between taking a significant investment or partnering with high-profile celebrities and influencers. You won't want to miss his reflections!

Kelley also delves into the evolution of the men's skincare category, offering a unique perspective on why it continues to expand and what it means for today's consumers. Whether you're a skincare enthusiast or simply curious about effective brand-building strategies, this episode is packed with wisdom and engaging conversation.

Tune in to hear Kelley Thornton's expert insights and discover what makes Tiege Hanley a standout brand in the skincare industry.