In this episode of the Inorganic Podcast, hosts Christian Hassold and Ayelet Shipley are joined by Travis Johnson, co-founder and Global CEO of Podean, to talk about the incredible story behind the one of the rising star Amazon and marketplace retail media agencies, which is now backed by Mountiangate. The conversation explores the origin of Podean, their successful search for private equity backers, their acquisition of Commerce Canal and their broader point of view on the opportunities in the retail media and marketplaces business. Travis shares insights on how Podean differentiates itself by offering integrated solutions that address not just media performance but also the broader operational needs of brands in the marketplace. He emphasizes the importance of understanding consumer behavior and the necessity for brands to adapt to the changing dynamics of e-commerce.

Takeaways

• Podean was founded to bridge gaps in the retail media landscape.
• Retail media is becoming increasingly important for brands.
• Global consistency is a priority for large brands.
• Podean's growth strategy includes a focus on social commerce.
• The partnership with Mountain Gate Capital aims to enhance Podean's capabilities.
• Navigating the M&A process requires careful preparation and cultural alignment.
• AI is seen as a transformative tool, but its implementation must be thoughtful.
• Future growth for Podean includes strategic acquisitions to enhance service offerings.

Chapters

02:28 Travis Johnson’s Background & Podean

04:55 Retail Media Today & Holdco Limits

08:00 Building a Global Marketplace Business

10:41 Social Commerce & Live Shopping

11:19 Winning Clients from Holdcos

12:47 Early M&A Talks & Learning Private Equity

16:00 Choosing the Platform Model & Mountaingate

19:08 Control, Governance & Valuation Realities

23:57 Strategic Buyers vs. Private Equity

28:26 Commerce Canal: The Right Acquisition

31:13 Closing Two Deals & Integration

39:24 Using AI Without the Hype

45:37 Growth Strategy & What’s Next

Connect with Christian and Ayelet

Ayelet’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayelet-shipley-b16330149/

Christian's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hassold/

Web: https://www.inorganicpodcast.co

In/organic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InorganicPodcast/featured

Connect with Travis Johnson

https://www.linkedin.com/in/travis-johnson77/

Follow Podean on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/podean/

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