Edition #2 You Remind Me of Me

In advertising, we all face those moments where everything seems against us—the algorithms aren’t cooperating, client demands are sky-high, and the data feels discouraging. It's like the last stretch of a tough journey, where you're tested to your limits.

This past week, I took on a 180-mile bike ride for kids battling cancer. The toughest part? The last four miles of the first day. Every muscle begged to quit, but stopping wasn't an option. This mirrors our work: when campaigns falter, and creativity feels drained, that’s your last four miles.

This is where you dig deeper, analyze smarter, and push through. The final stretch, whether in a ride or a project, is where true growth happens. It’s where campaigns succeed or fail, and where the biggest rewards await.

So, when you’re in a tough spot—whether it’s a challenging week or a stubborn campaign—remember, you’re in those last four miles. Keep going, and know that the breakthrough is close.

Stay the course.

A Story From Isaac's Desk

You Remind Me Of Me

I often talk about the importance of listening, which is ironic, given how this story starts. In 2015, just before hiring Patrick, we signed a big client: GlobalTranz, a 3PL company with over a billion dollars in revenue. I was thrilled and told anyone who’d listen about this milestone.

GlobalTranz invited me to Phoenix to pitch their President and CEO on expanding our performance marketing. I spent three sleepless nights preparing a ridiculous 200-slide pitch deck, complete with everything from a massive content library to a dynamic website builder. I even had a developer in Russia build a prototype in exchange for a pair of Tod’s loafers and an iPhone.

Before Phoenix, Danny and I decided to swing by Vegas to visit other clients. Thinking more bodies meant more impact, I recruited my friend Betzalel LaBrie to pretend to be an account manager, despite his new job and newborn baby. (We later confessed to our client that the charming 'account manager' who couldn’t answer her questions was a ringer. She laughed.)

The night before our big meeting, we got a bit carried away in Vegas. Betzalel fell asleep in a full bathtub, and after only 45 minutes of sleep, Danny slapped me awake in our shared hotel bed—separate rooms were a luxury back then.

During our bleary-eyed six-hour drive to Phoenix, I managed to projectile vomit in the car while Betzalel snoozed in the back. We finally arrived, changed in a parking lot, and walked into GlobalTranz's office to pitch to their top brass.

For three hours, I talked non-stop. Meanwhile, Betzalel sat quietly, nodding at all the wrong times. When we wrapped up, I felt pretty good—confident, even. But instead of praising me, the GlobalTranz president walked past and shook Betzalel’s hand.

“You remind me of me,” he said. “You’re the most knowledgeable one here, but you say the least. I admire that. I like you, and I’m excited for what our firms will accomplish together.”

I nearly lost my breakfast again, but we got the account. And I’ve thought about that moment every time I walk into a pitch since. Sometimes, the best thing you can say is nothing at all.

Quote Of The Week

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts."
- Winston Churchill

What's Going On At AdVenture

I know, I know—me in spandex is a sight no one should have to endure. My child-bearing hips wrapped in Lycra might be the stuff of nightmares, but the miles keep ticking by, regardless of the trauma caused.

But let's be real for a second. While you’re busy trying to unsee this image, remember that every dollar you donate goes to Chai Lifeline, helping over 6,000 families navigate the unimaginable—illness, crisis, and loss. It’s a cause that matters way more than my questionable fashion choices.

So if you’re feeling generous (or just want to make sure I stay far away from spandex in the future), you can still donate here. 

Food For Thought On Advertising

Leveraging Dynamic Creative on Meta

Marketing Meme of the Week

Strategic Setup

Not All Searches Are Created Equal

Budget constraints are a common challenge in e-commerce, and to effectively leverage Google's machine learning, businesses need around 30 conversions per week. This threshold provides the algorithm with enough data to distinguish serious buyers from casual visitors. Fewer conversions simply don't give the system what it needs to optimize effectively.

Not all searches are created equal. With enough data, Google's algorithm can identify subtle signals—like search history and browsing behavior—that indicate who’s most likely to buy.

Without this level of data, the algorithms can't fully optimize for conversions. It's not just about advertising popular products; it's about finding the right balance, focusing on the most promising products, and allowing enough time and data to generate consistent, scalable results.

This process requires patience, continuous testing, and a readiness to adapt strategies as new data becomes available. It's a marathon, not a sprint. But with persistence and a strategic focus, long-term success is within reach.

P.S. We want to make this newsletter valuable to YOU! If you have any specific topics you want us to cover or questions you want answered, hit reply to this email, and let's get in touch! 

P.P.S. Seriously, I mean it! I read every email. I am here to help you!