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!