It’s no secret that marketers at retail and DTC brands are under more pressure than ever. Economic uncertainty is forcing teams to make tough decisions about where to place their bets.
But here’s the thing: this isn’t a moment to pull back. It’s a moment to lean in … to performance.
When budgets tighten, scrutiny increases. Performance becomes non-negotiable. Every dollar has to stretch further, work harder, and prove its worth faster.
While that might sound like a daunting reality, it’s also an opportunity for savvy marketers to lead—armed with the right strategies and the right partners.
Despite having to do more with less, brands using PebblePost outperform expectations. In fact, 84% beat their KPIs by 4x on average.
How? We help them focus on what matters: driving incremental revenue through efficient, full-funnel performance.
When Every Dollar Counts, Performance is Critical
In volatile times, you don’t just need results—you need predictable, measurable outcomes. That’s what we do best. Whether it’s retention or acquisition, we enable brands to maximize efficiency and unlock revenue in places others can’t.
Our brands see an average of 8.5x incremental ROAS for acquisition and 42x incremental ROAS for retention. And we do it with the most predictable channel in your toolkit—no price surges, no surprises, just 100% reach to U.S. households at scale.
History Proves It’s Time to Double Down on Advertising
Reducing marketing spending might seem safe in an uncertain economy, but history and data tell us otherwise. Brands that continue to engage consumers through some level of advertising during downturns emerge stronger, often gaining market share while competitors go quiet.
A few examples:
- During the Great Depression, while Post reduced advertising, Kellogg’s doubled its budget, introduced Rice Krispies, and heavily invested in radio ads. By 1933, Kellogg’s profits rose by 30%, establishing it as the market leader.
- During the 1973–75 recession, Toyota resisted the urge to drop its ad budget. By maintaining its long-term strategy, Toyota became the top imported carmaker in the U.S. by 1976.
- A Harvard Business School study of 4,700 public companies during past recessions found that those that reduced costs selectively—and focused more on operational efficiency while investing in marketing, R&D, and new assets—were 37% more likely to emerge from the period in a stronger position than their competitors.
As advertising executive Bruce Barton famously said, “In good times, people want to advertise. In bad times they have to.”
How PebblePost Can Help You Maximize Your Marketing Investments
The brands that will win tomorrow are already investing today in efficient, measurable programs that actually drive incremental revenue.
That’s where PebblePost comes in.
We exist to help marketers prove value when the pressure is high, drive performance when every dollar matters, and lead their team forward—not just through the storm but beyond it.
We do this in several ways, including:
- Outcome-driven targeting: We use machine learning, fueled by purchase intent and real-world buying behavior, to engage consumers most likely to convert and avoid wasting dollars on those who won’t.
- Closed-loop measurement: We enable you to track the impact of every marketing dollar on driving outcomes.
- Real-time insights: We provide full visibility into performance data so you can make informed decisions quickly.
- Strategic partnership: We have the expertise and flexibility to support you as your needs evolve—from strategy shifts, to KPI adjustments and faster execution.
Whether you’re navigating economic uncertainty, a shrinking budget, or just trying to find the next big lever for growth, we’re here to make you the hero in the room.
Looking for efficient retention and acquisition strategies that actually work? Contact us to discover how PebblePost can help you drive incremental performance at scale.
