As our unofficial “shadow guest”, Taylor Holiday, CEO of Common Thread Collective, finally joins us to unpack what growing a brand actually looks like in 2025. From shifting Meta performance and rising creative demands to tighter margins and changing consumer behavior, we explore the real constraints shaping how brands operate today.

We talk about how the best brands are adjusting their messaging to drive performance, how to think about media spend through a margin-first lens, and why bundling, offer structure, and disciplined execution are more important than ever.

Taylor also shares his take on the evolving balance between brand and product-led growth, how to think about testing in a high-cost environment, and why most teams of the future will look leaner, faster, and increasingly AI-powered.

If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

00:00 Introduction

04:08 E-commerce Challenges and Growth Strategies

11:08 Navigating Meta's Advertising Landscape

18:14 Optimizing for Incrementality and Brand Engagement

25:21 The Role of Brand Activations and Measurement

37:44 Unlocking New Reach in Marketing

40:05 The Short-Term Impact of Advertising

43:39 Balancing Brand and Performance Marketing

46:24 Evolving Marketing Strategies for Growth

49:19 The Role of Creative Campaigns in Business Growth

53:08 The Future of Marketing and AI Integration

01:00:09 The Changing Landscape of Creative Development

01:05:42 The Role of Humans in an AI-Driven World

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

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Motion.

⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends

Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Aftersell.

https://www.aftersell.com/operators

Haus.

http://Haus.io/operators

Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9

Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

With rising costs, tariff uncertainty, and declining consumer confidence, brands are being forced to do more with less - and in today’s episode, we break down what that actually looks like in practice, and how we’re adapting our marketing strategies in today’s tough economic environment.

We cover what we’re cutting, what we’re keeping, and where we’re doubling down. From headcount and forecasting to channel prioritization, vendor negotiations, and creative strategy, we share the shifts we’re making to stay lean without stalling growth.

We also get into how our thinking is evolving around incrementality, media efficiency, and value messaging—and why now might be the time to rethink how you define “essential” in your marketing stack. This is a real-time look at how we’re navigating the pressure, adjusting to change, and planning for what’s next.

If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

00:00 Introduction

03:21 AI in Marketing and Economic Pressures

05:46 Market Trends and Consumer Behavior

09:13 Adjusting Strategies in a Recession

14:51 Vendor Relationships and Cost Management

18:12 Maintaining Growth Amidst Cuts

23:52 Customer Support Innovations

44:16 Navigating Incrementality in Media Spend

47:35 The Importance of Testing and Revalidating Assumptions

50:34 Adapting Marketing Strategies in a Changing Economy

56:51 Understanding Market Dynamics and Consumer Behavior

01:00:07 Positioning Premium Brands in a Downturn

01:04:56 Leveraging Retail Opportunities for Long-Term Gains

01:10:19 The Impact of Tariffs on Marketing Messaging

01:20:55 Strategic Growth in a Competitive Landscape

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

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Motion.

⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends

Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Aftersell.

https://www.aftersell.com/operators

Northbeam.

https://www.northbeam.io/

Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9

Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/

Today on the show, we’re joined by Krista Dalton, the CMO and SVP of Digital at Tecovas, as she takes us inside the brand’s marketing strategy. We get into how Tecovas leverages data, reporting, and merchandising to expand and evolve the brand, all while staying true to its roots. We discuss the importance of understanding customer needs, how to balance creative and data-driven decisions, and the key role of brand evolution in driving growth. Krista also discusses how Tecovas is expanding into new categories while ensuring every offering aligns with their core mission. She also shares how AI is helping streamline data processes and reporting and highlights the importance of a collaborative, cross-functional team in executing Tecovas’ marketing strategy.

If you have a question for the MOperators Hotline, click the link to be in with a chance of it being discussed on the show: https://forms.gle/1W7nKoNK5Zakm1Xv6

00:00 Introduction

02:36 Current Trends in DTC Marketing and AI Integration

05:31 Understanding the Role of a CMO at Tecovas

11:50 Data-Driven Decision Making and Reporting Practices

24:03 Balancing Automation with Personal Insight in Data Analysis

32:51 Understanding Brand and Product Dynamics

38:30 The Importance of Post-Purchase Optimization

56:06 Learning from Failures and Customer Expectations

01:05:39 Craftsmanship and Customer Connection

01:10:55 Navigating the Cowboy Boot Market

01:21:07 Strategic Growth Marketing Initiatives

01:28:39 Leveraging AI for Marketing Efficiency

Operators Exclusive Slack: https://join.slack.com/t/9operators/shared_invite/zt-2tdfu426r-TepSHJP~evAyDfR29U2qUw

Powered by:

Motion.

⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/pricing?utm_source=marketing-operators-podcast&utm_medium=paidsponsor&utm_campaign=march-2024-ad-reads⁠⁠⁠https://motionapp.com/creative-trends

Prescient AI.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.prescientai.com/operators

Richpanel.⁠⁠⁠

https://www.richpanel.com/?utm_source=MO&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=ytdesc

Aftersell.

https://www.aftersell.com/operators

Haus.

http://Haus.io/operators

Subscribe to the 9 Operators Podcast here:https://www.youtube.com/@Operators9

Subscribe to the Finance Operators Podcast here: https://www.youtube.com/@FinanceOperatorsFOPS

Sign up to the 9 Operators newsletter here: https://9operators.com/