Best Shamanth Rao Podcasts (2025)

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🏋Deconstructing Ladder’s growth engine: urgency, FOMO, identity🏋 8:29

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21d ago8:29

8:29

In this episode, we break down the ad strategy behind Ladder — the strength training app for busy people that has generated over $19 million in the past 12 months. Using BruteForce AI, our proprietary ad intelligence system, we analyzed 210+ video ads to uncover how Ladder uses identity-driven messaging, urgency framing, and aspirational storytelli…

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📷 Deconstructing Remini’s ad engine: nostalgia, identity, transformation 📷 6:15

27d ago6:15

6:15

In this episode, we break down the ad strategy behind Remini — the AI photo and video enhancement app with over 2 million downloads and $6 million in monthly revenue. Using BruteForce AI, our proprietary ad intelligence system, we analyzed 90 top-performing creatives to uncover how Remini taps into nostalgia, self-expression, and fantasy to fuel ex…

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🌱Deconstructing this plant ID app’s ad engine: curiosity, lifestyle, growth 🌱 5:57

30d ago5:57

5:57

In this episode, we break down the ad strategy behind PictureThis — the plant identifier app with tens of millions of downloads and a thriving subscription model. Using BruteForce AI, our proprietary ad intelligence system, we analyzed their top-performing creatives to uncover how PictureThis turns a simple utility into a lifestyle brand for plant …

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🗣️I deconstructed $80M of Donald Trump & Kamala Harris’ ads: here’s what I learned 🗣️ 7:40

1M ago7:40

7:40

In this episode, we break down the ad strategy behind the 2024 Trump vs. Kamala campaigns — a political ad battle that poured over $80 million into Meta ads in just three months. Using BruteForce AI, our proprietary ad intelligence system, we analyzed their top-performing creatives to uncover how each campaign used urgency, donations, patriotism, a…

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🧠 Deconstructing Impulse’s $6M/mo ad engine: identity, curiosity, challenge 🧠 6:40

1M ago6:40

6:40

In this episode, we break down the ad strategy behind Impulse Brain Training — a personal development app generating over $6 million in monthly revenue and running more than 50,000 ads on Meta. Using BruteForce AI, our proprietary ad intelligence system, we analyzed top-performing creatives to uncover how Impulse uses identity-driven messaging, emo…

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✝️ Deconstructing Bible Chat’s $3.6M ad engine: faith, emotion, transformation ✝️ 6:33

2M ago6:33

6:33

In this episode, we break down the ad strategy behind Bible Chat — a Christian guidance app that’s quietly generated over $3.6 million in revenue and 7 million downloads in the past year. But this isn’t just a niche faith-based product. Using BruteForce AI, our in-house ad intelligence engine, we analyzed 182 top-performing creatives to uncover how…

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📘 Deconstructing Headway’s 50,000-ad engine: identity, urgency, scale 📘 6:59

2M ago6:59

6:59

In this episode, we break down the ad strategy behind Headway — a micro-learning app that’s running over 50,000 creatives and dominating the Meta Ads Library. But this isn’t just a volume play. Using BruteForce AI, our in-house ad intelligence engine, we analyzed dozens of long-running ads to uncover how Headway sells self-reinvention through ident…

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😴 What 1,800 Rise Science ads reveal about sleep debt, identity-based marketing, and the psychology of habit change 😴 12:25

2M ago12:25

12:25

In this episode, we break down the ad strategy behind Rise Science — a sleep optimization app that’s generated over $5 million in revenue and tested tens of thousands of creatives in the past year. But this isn’t just a success story. Using BruteForce AI, our in-house ad intelligence engine, we analyzed 1,800+ display ads to uncover exactly how Ris…

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💄What 68 Glam AI ads reveal about effortless virality, beauty tech, and the secret to scroll-stopping creatives 💄 9:30

2M ago9:30

9:30

In this episode, we break down the creative strategy behind Glam AI — a beauty tech app that’s taken the internet by storm with over 900,000 downloads and more than $1 million in revenue in just one month. But we’re not just talking numbers — we’re diving deep into how they did it. Using Brute Force AI, our in-house ad intelligence engine, we analy…

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🏃 $35M from “lazy workouts”? We reverse-engineered 381 ads to see how they did it 🏃 9:01

3M ago9:01

9:01

In today’s episode we deconstruct JustFit, the fitness app that scaled to $35 million by focusing on a unique niche: at-home workouts for plus-size women. We dive into 381 of their ad scripts to uncover their successful creative system. Discover how JustFit masters identity-based marketing, using specific personas, emotional hooks, and implied soci…

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🛎 Welcome to Intelligent Artifice, the podcast that helps you become a 10x performance marketer in a Gen AI world. 🔑 2:44

3M ago2:44

2:44

Welcome to the very first episode of Intelligent Artifice. After years of hosting The Mobile User Acquisition Show—where I interviewed some of the best minds in mobile growth—I took a step back to rethink what matters in the age of generative AI. This kickoff episode shares why I started this new show, why creative is the biggest lever in performan…

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🧠 How to unlock player psychology to build better ads with Bastian Bergmann, Co-founder // COO at Solsten 💎 27:56

7M ago27:56

27:56

Our guest today is Bastian Bergmann, Co-founder and COO of Solsten. In this episode, he shares how psychology can revolutionize game marketing and creative advertising. Bastian discusses the power of understanding player motivations to craft ads that deeply resonate, driving better engagement and results. He explores real-world examples, like how a…

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🔋How AI is transforming creative production with John Gargiulo, founder of Airpost.ai 🔦 24:16

8M ago24:16

24:16

In this episode, John Gargiulo, founder of Airpost.ai, explores how AI is revolutionizing creative advertising. From transforming raw footage into high-quality, scalable ads to balancing human oversight with automation, John shares strategies for maintaining ad quality that rivals traditional production methods. We also dive into the future of AI-d…

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🥇Going for Gold: 3 Paths to Hit 10% Day 365 Retention💰 3:37

11M ago3:37

3:37

In this episode, we dive into the elusive goal of achieving a 10% Day 365 retention rate in mobile apps. With so few apps reaching this milestone, I’ll outline the three proven paths to boost long-term retention: harnessing daily habits, fostering social connections, and delivering deep content. Tune in to discover how these strategies can drive no…

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🔦What really drives conversions & performance? Spoiler: It’s not context 🎈 2:20

11M ago2:20

2:20

In this episode, we explore the limitations of contextual targeting in mobile advertising. While matching ads with relevant content sounds promising, only past purchase behavior truly predicts conversions. I’ll break down why self-attributing networks that leverage purchasing data perform better and how to prioritize these networks over context-bas…

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💸 Why Early-Stage Apps Shouldn’t Diversify Their Ad Spend 💡 2:15

11M ago2:15

2:15

In this episode, we explore why early-stage founders should resist the temptation to diversify their ad spend across too many channels. While it may seem like a good strategy, spreading your budget thin can hinder growth. I’ll walk you through the mechanics of ad algorithms, explaining why fewer channels can lead to better results. We’ll dive into …

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💣 The Hidden Challenges of Incrementality Testing in Marketing 🧨 2:45

11M ago2:45

2:45

In this episode, we dive into the complexities of incrementality testing in digital marketing. While measuring incrementality is widely recommended, it’s not a cure-all solution. I’ll break down the four key challenges you need to be aware of, from isolating the impact of multiple sources to dealing with inconclusive results. Check out the show not…

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💵 Creator economies & user generated content: what makes virtual social worlds tick with Anton Bernstein, CEO at Pocket Worlds 📱 30:35

1y ago30:35

30:35

In this episode, Anton Bernstein unpacks the strategies behind building thriving virtual communities and empowering creators on platforms like HighRise. Anton explains how user-generated content and immersive social experiences drive engagement and shares insights on monetizing through cosmetics and in-game purchases. He also breaks down the develo…

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🔑How to go from good to great with Meta for subscription apps with Marcus Burke,marketing and growth consultant 🔌 28:36

1y ago28:36

28:36

In this episode, Marcus Burke unpacks the strategies behind optimizing Meta ads for subscription apps. Marcus explains how creative types like UGC and static ads influence placements across Meta platforms and shares insights on scaling ad accounts through creative diversification. He also breaks down the importance of Web2App funnels for faster ite…

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🔗 How to reach underserved audiences with proven game mechanics with Rashad Häsänli, game lead at DieNo Games 🛋 8:28

1y ago8:28

8:28

Join us on the Mobile User Acquisition Show's Mobile Spotlight segment as we welcome Rashad Häsänli, game lead at DieNo Games. In this episode, Rashad delves into the art of identifying underserved yet reachable audiences using tried-and-tested game mechanics. He describes how his team navigated the competitive landscape, experimented with merge me…

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🔩 How to train your AI: strategies for high-impact prompting with Mike Taylor, Author and Prompt Engineer 28:26

1y ago28:26

28:26

In this episode, we welcome Mike Taylor, an AI and prompt engineering expert. Mike shares his insights on the five key principles of prompt engineering, illustrating how these strategies can optimize AI performance and transform your projects. From practical tips to real-world applications, discover how to make AI work smarter for you. Don't miss t…

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🚀How to 10x your creative production: webinar with Poolday.ai 🛰 49:08

1y ago49:08

49:08

Today’s episode is from a webinar we hosted with Alexei Chemenda from Poolday.ai. We talk about our playbooks—Alexei's and mine—and go deep into how we have turbocharged our respective creative production output using AI. KEY HIGHLIGHTS 🗒 Producing a high volume of creatives is essential to find successful ads and test more variables. 📈 Smaller com…

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🔍 Challenges and Pitfalls in Shifting to Hybrid Games with Jan van Lamoen, Senior Producer at SOFTGAMES 🕳 10:25

1y ago10:25

10:25

Our guest today on the Mobile Spotlight segment of the Mobile User Acquisition Show is Jan van Lamoen, a Senior Producer at SOFTGAMES. In this episode, he discusses the pitfalls of taking core games to casual audiences. KEY HIGHLIGHTS 🗒 Core to Casual often requires a deep dive into the core mechanics and translating part of this into familiarity. …

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🛎 Apple’s Ad Attribution Kit(AAK): what’s new, and what marketers should do today 🔑 4:51

1y ago4:51

4:51

We’re diving into one of the major announcements from WWDC 2024: Apple’s introduction of Add Attribution Kit, or AAK, which is set to replace SKAN. We’ll explore what this means for advertisers, the actual impact of these changes, and whether you need to make any adjustments to your current setup. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuserac…

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🐈Strategies for competitive analysis of creatives 🦋 5:00

1+ y ago5:00

5:00

In today's episode, I'm going to talk through some of the strategies we recommend and use on our team for competitive analysis and for generating ideas and inspiration from what's happening on the internet. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/creative-competitive-analysis/ ** Get more mobile user acquisition…

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💡3 Pitfalls to Look Out For While Testing AI-Powered Creatives 🕳 3:27

1+ y ago3:27

3:27

In today’s mini episode, I’m going to discuss three pitfalls that many advertisers fall into and three things they need to look out for while creating and testing AI-powered creatives. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/ai-creative-pitfalls/ ** Get more mobile user acquisition goodies here: http://RocketShi…

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How Meta’s algo allocates spend to different ads in an ad set 4:59

1+ y ago4:59

4:59

In this episode we dive into the sometimes frustrating mechanics of how Meta allocates spend between ads in an ad set - and what we recommend doing about this. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/bayesian-bandits/ ** Get more mobile user acquisition goodies here: http://RocketShipHQ.com http://RocketShipHQ.c…

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🌐The perils of asset stuffing and what to do about it 📱 4:45

1+ y ago4:45

4:45

In this podcast episode, I discuss a common issue in ad account management known as “asset stuffing.” This occurs when advertisers place all their ad creatives into a single ad set without distinguishing them by type or audience. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/asset-stuffing/ ** Get more mobile user acq…

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✅ Why Meta isnt a single monolithic ad channel: and what to do about it 💯 4:09

1+ y ago4:09

4:09

In today’s episode, we talk about how Meta isn't a single monolithic channel - and how to unbundle its different placements. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/meta-placement-unbundling/ ** Get more mobile user acquisition goodies here: http://RocketShipHQ.com http://RocketShipHQ.com/blog…

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⚓ Hooks are your video’s activation metrics 🎣 5:09

1+ y ago5:09

5:09

In this episode we talk about the similarities between hook rates and d1 retention - and share how hooks can be akin to ‘activation’ for a video. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/hooks-ugc-d1-retention/ ** Get more mobile user acquisition goodies here: http://RocketShipHQ.com http://RocketShipHQ.com/blog…

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📽 Careful with those hook rates: why you should review these metrics with nuance 🛠📽 5:01

1+ y ago5:01

5:01

All the cool kids want to optimize their hook rates. Yes, hook rates matter - yet it’s critical to be mindful of nuances in measuring hook rates, which I point out in this episode. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/hook-rate-meta-facebook/ ** Get more mobile user acquisition goodies here: http://RocketShip…

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💡 Gaming UA strategies for a Generative AI world with Niels Beenan, Strategic Partnerships Director at Singular, Sharath Kowligi, Marketing Manager at DieNo Games, Krystel Bitar, Product Manager at Sensor ... 53:39

1+ y ago53:39

53:39

Today’s episode is a recording of a webinar on Gaming UA Strategies for a Gen-AI World 2024 and beyond featuring Niels Beenan, Strategic Partnerships Director at Singular, Sharath Kowligi, Marketing Manager at DieNo Games, Krystel Bittar, Product Manager at Sensor Tower, and Cameron Thom, Chief Business Development Officer at Adikteev. KEY HIGHLIGH…

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📡 An ex-Googler’s guide to winning on iOS for Google UAC campaigns with Ashley Black, Founder, CandidConsulting LLC 💎 26:54

1+ y ago26:54

26:54

In this episode, we delve into the intricacies of Google UAC strategies on iOS post Apple's introduction of App Tracking Transparency (ATT). We love this episode as this is from an ex Googler who gives us the inside track into the dynamics at play within Google that shaped a lot of the changes that happened post ATT. Ashley Black describes details …

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📌 [RETENTION CLUB]Product-specific retention strategies for big wins with Lisa Kennelly, Global Product Marketing Strategist at Klarna 🗞 17:33

1+ y ago17:33

17:33

In this episode, Lisa breaks down why traditional, one-size-fits-all retention tactics just don't cut it - and talks about how Klarna tailors strategies to individual user needs through personalized communications and sophisticated A/B testing - at scale. KEY HIGHLIGHTS 📌 Personalize retention strategies to align with specific user needs, avoiding …

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❓A Q&A about the dynamics driving Applovin performance 💲 7:50

1+ y ago7:50

7:50

Today’s episode is from a private interview that I did for someone in the investment community who was curious about some of the dynamics driving Applovin’s share price performance, which should hopefully help you understand and contextualize some of the dynamics that power them. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/…

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Adjective slaying: an instant way to make your UGC scripts punchier 3:52

1+ y ago3:52

3:52

We’ve seen THOUSANDS of UGC scripts: and oftentimes the fix for verbose scripts is simple. ✂️ Take every adjective. 📝 Strike it out. ❌ Profit. 💰 Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/adjective-slaying-an-instant-way-to-make-your-ugc-scripts-punchier/ ** Get more mobile user acquisition goodies here: http://Roc…

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📚Learnings from using AI-based creators in UGC ads with Alexei Chemenda(Founder and CEO at Poolday.ai)📍 37:31

1+ y ago37:31

37:31

Our guest today is Alexei Chemenda, Founder and CEO at Poolday.ai, a platform that uses AI actors to generate videos for TikTok. In today’s episode, we discuss the evolution and current trends of AI-based creators in video ads. Alexei shares insights from his experience, including the challenges and breakthroughs in producing emotionally resonant a…

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🧵How to use AEM to unlock iOS ad spend on Meta🧣 5:03

1+ y ago5:03

5:03

In this episode, we explore and discuss AEM(Aggregated Event Measurement) from Meta, which has been a key solution to data delays and clarity on Meta lately. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/meta-facebook-ads-aem/ ** Get more mobile user acquisition goodies here: http://RocketShipHQ.com http://RocketShipH…

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🔔[RETENTION CLUB]Winning retention strategies for subscription apps with Nataliia Drozd, Marketing and UA Lead at Fabulous. 🕐 26:51

1+ y ago26:51

26:51

Our guest today is Nataliia Drozd, Marketing and UA Lead at Fabulous. Nataliia’s previous episode with us has remained one of the most popular ones of all time on our show. In today’s episode, she sheds light on the intricacies of user behavior across different app categories, the impact of retention profiles, and strategies for optimizing subscrip…

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🥁How to balance appealing to algorithms vs. humans ⛳️ 6:19

1+ y ago6:19

6:19

In this episode, we talk about the fine balance that creatives have to strike between appealing to algorithms and appealing to humans - and how getting this balance right is critical for the long-term health of a product. Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/algorithms-humans/ ** Get more mobile user acquisit…

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🔥 [RETENTION CLUB] How to master retention triggers with Ekaterina Gamsriegler Growth and Marketing Lead at Mimo🌨 19:53

1+ y ago19:53

19:53

Our guest today is Ekaterina Gamsriegler, Head of Growth and Marketing at Mimo – an app that helps people learn coding. In today’s episode, we delve into retention triggers, managing seasonality and usage spikes, when and how to use paid retargeting, understanding retention by channel - and much much more. This episode is a part of the Retention Cl…

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👣 Winning Q1: Maximizing Post-Holiday Subscription App Growth with John Koetsier VP of Insights at Singular, Ekaterina Gamsriegler, Head of Growth and Marketing at MIMO, David Barnard, Growth Advocate ... 55:49

1+ y ago55:49

55:49

🚀 We’re excited to share insights from our latest webinar "Winning Q1: Maximizing Post-Holiday Subscription App Growth" with Singular and Revenue Cat! 🌟 We dove into strategies for leveraging the dip in CPMs post-Christmas to fuel subscription app growth. 📉➡️📈 Key takeaways include the importance of scaling marketing efforts in January, leveraging …

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👑[Retention Club] Winning Day 0: Unlocking Early Retention For Downstream Growth 🧥 24:40

1+ y ago24:40

24:40

This episode is part of the “Retention Club”, our series of episodes on Retention & Reengagement, co-produced with the team at Adikteev. Our guest today is Sharath Kowligi, Marketing Manager at DieNo Games, whose knack for blending user acquisition, product innovation, and ad monetization has shaped the success of over 50 games. With a career spann…

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🎆 When ROAS optimization isn’t your best option🎾 4:38

1+ y ago4:38

4:38

In this episode, we explore the nuances of ROAS optimization, a key tactic that prioritizes high-value purchasers for targeted campaigns. However, its effectiveness varies, particularly in scenarios with minimal value gaps between high and low purchases, such as subscription-based models. We dissect how ROAS optimization functions, its ideal use ca…

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💡Learnings from 750+ AB tests with Matthew Emery (Product Manager & Consultant at Turbine Games Consulting.)💯 21:41

1+ y ago21:41

21:41

Our guest in today’s episode is Matt Emery, Product Manager & Consultant at Turbine Games Consulting. Matt has extensive experience with over 750 A/B tests across gaming genres – and across retention, monetization, and game development. In this episode, he delves into the key takeaways from these tests and how to audit and improve mobile games. Che…

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🎮What apps can learn from mobile games to scale their UA with Sandra Schneider (Senior Director, Growth Partnerships at Unity) 🥅 9:34

1+ y ago9:34

9:34

Sandra Schneider is the Senior Director of Apps Beyond Games at Unity. Sandra is responsible for ensuring that the company's Users Acquisition and monetization products are aligned with the needs of mobile app developers. In this episode she delves into the world of mobile games and their powerful growth loops that can be borrowed by all apps. Disc…

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🏎️ Secrets of the World’s #1 Subscription App Publisher, with Cantuğ Sugün ( Marketing Team Lead at Codeway Studios) 🥮 25:34

1+ y ago25:34

25:34

Our guest today is Cantuğ Sugün, Marketing Team Lead at Codeway Studios. In this episode, Cantuğ takes us behind the scenes of the world’s #1 subscription app publisher. He sheds light on the why behind their reliance on paid UA, the challenges posed by the post-ATT landscape, and their approach to testing and diversifying marketing channels. Addit…

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🎷 [Live in Berlin]: Challenges post-ATT, Creative fatigue, AI tools and more with Diane Germann (Blinkist), Ekaterina Gamsriegler (Mimo), Natalia Drozd (Fabulous) and Gaurav Bhattacharya (ZenJob)🎨 28:47

1+ y ago28:47

28:47

Today’s episode is the recorded version of the first live episode of the Mobile User Acquisition Show that took place at the App Promotion Summit in 2023 at Berlin. We had a star-studded panel with Diane Germann, Lead Performance Marketing Manager at Blinkist, Ekaterina Gamsriegler, Head of Marketing and Growth at Mimo, Natalia Drozd, Marketing and…

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🎄 The Mobile UA Show takes a break. Happy Holidays! 🎆 0:44

2y ago0:44

0:44

Thanks for tuning in all through 2023. We look forward to 2024!By Shamanth Rao

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🥪 How much does Monopoly Go spend on marketing? Analysis of a $1b revenue game. 🍱 11:30

2y ago11:30

11:30

🚀 How much does a billion-dollar game spend on marketing? Monopoly Go won't tell us, but we did some sleuthing to come up with some estimates, thanks to data from our friends at Sensor Tower. Join the conversation as we unravel how the billion-dollar sausage is made. 🕹️📊 Check out the show notes here: https://mobileuseracquisitionshow.com/episode/m…