Marketing Operators artwork

Operators Titans E004: David Herrmann, the Media Buyer’s Media Buyer

Marketing Operators · with David Herrmann · October 16, 2025 · 74 min

Summary

In this episode, self-proclaimed “media buyer’s media buyer” David Herrmann shares his unparalleled expertise in paid acquisition. Learn how to navigate the complexities of Meta advertising to achieve true incrementality, optimize campaign structures for diverse audiences, and apply a rigorous testing methodology to consistently drive profitable growth. This is a must-listen for any ecommerce operator looking to level up their paid media strategy.

Key takeaways

Themes

paid acquisitionanalytics & attributiondtc strategy

Topics covered

meta ads strategyincrementality testingcampaign structurecreative testingaudience segmentationad fatiguebidding strategies

Episode description

Operators Titans is brought to you by AppLovin. Get access to the Operators channel expansion playbook, online masterclass, and up to $5k in ad credits here: https://9ops.co/channels Or, skip the waitlist and launch your AppLovin ads today with our Operators-exclusive link: https://axon.ai/en/9operators Despite a one-page website with nothing but his name and a contact button, David Herrmann is easily the world’s most influential media buyer. Famous or infamous (especially if you’re an ad platform that triggers his X-posting wrath), he’s been shaping the face of ecommerce advertising for almost two decades. One part storytelling, two parts tactical insights … David shares his journey from selling MRI machines online to managing over a billion dollars in ad spend. Discover the challenges and triumphs of media buying, creative strategy, and the surprising roles of inhouse versus outsourced agencies. Whether you're a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways and industry insights.

Related episodes

Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Implement a rigorous, always-on testing framework for new creatives and audiences, focusing on isolating variables to understand true impact.
What does this episode say about analytics & attribution?
Structure Meta campaigns to segment audiences effectively (prospecting vs. remarketing) and avoid audience exhaustion, ensuring fresh eyes on your ads.
What does this episode say about dtc strategy?
Prioritize creative diversity and messaging tailored to specific audience segments to improve engagement and overcome ad fatigue.
What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Utilize a tiered bidding strategy, scaling up spend on proven winners while testing new concepts at a lower risk.
What does this episode say about paid acquisition?
Move beyond last-click attribution by analyzing incrementality to truly understand the value of different channels and campaigns.

Listen