Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Hello and welcome to the DTC Podcast! Today, we're thrilled to have Nicole Sumner, Brand Director at Ollie, joining us. Founded in 2016, Ollie is a leading player in the premium pet food industry, specializing in fresh, high-quality meals for dogs. In this episode, Nicole dives into Ollie’s growth journey, particularly how the company navigated the challenges of balancing customer acquisition with a strong brand identity. Nicole shares her insights on how brand and performance marketing can no longer operate in silos, and how Ollie has successfully integrated these aspects to fuel their continued growth. She also discusses the importance of partnerships, SEO strategies, and the future role of AI in creative processes. Key takeaways include: The evolution of Ollie's brand positioning to better differentiate itself in a crowded market. Strategies for maintaining a premium brand image while scaling. How Ollie leverages SEO and organic growth channels to reduce dependence on paid advertising. If you’re a DTC brand owner or marketer, this episode is packed with actionable insights on how to scale your business by integrating brand and performance marketing. Timestamps: 0:00 - Introduction: Overview of Ollie’s Growth Since 2016 4:50 - The Role of a Brand Director in a DTC’s Growth Journey 10:45 - Creative Strategy and the Intersection of Brand and Performance Marketing 17:30 - Collaborations: Ollie’s Partnership with Van Leeuwen Ice Cream 23:00 - SEO and Content Strategy: Driving Organic Growth at Ollie 28:45 - Customer Experience: Integrating Brand and Fulfillment at Ollie Hashtags: #DTCpodcast #PetFoodIndustry #BrandStrategy #DigitalMarketing #EcommerceGrowth #PartnershipMarketing #OlliePetFood #SEOstrategy #CustomerExperience #DirectToConsumer Subscribe to DTC Newsletter - https://dtcnews.link/signup Advertise on DTC - https://dtcnews.link/advertise Work with Pilothouse - https://dtcnews.link/pilothouse Follow us on Instagram & Twitter - @dtcnewsletter Watch this interview on YouTube - https://dtcnews.link/video