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#83June 5, 202055:45

#81 with Mike Cessario - The Genius Way Liquid Death Sells Canne…

About This Episode

Sam Parr and Shaan Puri interview Mike Cessario, the founder and CEO of Liquid Death, about how he disrupted the $20 billion bottled water industry using heavy metal aesthetics and 'entertainment-first' marketing. The episode explores how to validate product demand through social media before production and the power of applying high-level creative branding to traditionally boring product categories.

Episode Description

Joined our private FB group yet? It's a page where people share each others million dollar ideas or what they're already working on: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ourfirstmillion. Shaan Puri (@ShaanVP) and Sam Parr (@theSamParr) sit down with Mike Cessario (@Cessario) Co-Founder and CEO of Liquid Death (@LiquidDeath). Mike gives the backstory on Liquid Death and together they talk through the importance of marketing and making boring market segments more exciting. Today's topic include: Mike gives the backstory on Liquid Death (2:30), Shaan asks Mike “where does this idea come from?” (7:30), Mike talks about how big the business is (10:20), Mike explains how to inject humor into stale brands (18:30), Mike talks about the difference between mineral waters in the United States and abroad (26:00) Mike compares businesses started by “business people” to businesses started by “creative people.” (39:40), Mike illustrates how he views Liquid Death as a pop-culture factory (44:00), Mike explains that “it’s all about speed” if you want to win when going from idea to product (54:48).  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Key Takeaways

1

Validate market demand by launching high-fidelity brand concepts and ads on social media using digital renders before investing in physical manufacturing and inventory.

2

In commodity categories where products are perceived as identical, brand identity and 'marketing as entertainment' are the primary drivers of consumer preference.

3

Utilize 'profitable marketing' strategies by creating products like vinyl records or limited merchandise that generate brand awareness while also covering their own production costs.

Business Ideas Mentioned

Heavy Metal Yoga Studio Chain

Boring Business

Aggressive Branding for Health Supplements

E-commerce

Modern Rebranding of Stale CPG

E-commerce

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Quick Stats

Duration55:45
Guests1
Ideas Discussed3
Topics5