Posts | Marketing with Dave

Case Study: Amazon’s Recommendation Engine – The Personalization Powerhouse Driving 35% of Sales

Brief Summary In the late 1990s, Amazon.com transformed online shopping by introducing a personalized recommendation engine that suggests products based on each customer’s behavior. This “Customers who bought X also bought Y” approach revolutionized eCommerce, making it easier for users to discover products and for Amazon to increase sales. Over the years, Amazon’s AI-driven recommendations became increasingly sophisticated, contributing up to 35% of the company’s revenue. This case study examines how Amazon’s recommendation strategy evolved through innovation and trial-and-error, the public’s reaction including a notable controversy, and the lessons modern marketers can learn about personalization, data, and trust. Company Involved

The Paradox of Choice in Marketing: Fewer Options, More Sales

“A confused customer buys nothing.” This old marketing maxim holds true in the data: when people are overwhelmed or confused by too many options, they often make no choice at all. In marketing psychology, this is known as choice overload or the paradox of choice. The human brain has a limited capacity for decision-making, and too many options create friction leading the potential buyer to abandon the decision. In practical terms, simplifying your offerings and messaging can dramatically improve customer response. Too Many Options, No Decision (The Paradox of Choice) One of the most famous demonstrations of choice overload is

Everybody Writes by Ann Handley Book Summary

Top Three Quotes Book Theme The core theme of Everybody Writes is that everybody is a writer in today’s digital world, and writing is both a practical skill and a powerful marketing tool. Handley argues that good writing is the foundation of effective content, communication, and connection. Why You Should Read This Book You should read Everybody Writes because it offers a clear, funny, and practical framework for improving all your content—from emails to landing pages to social posts. Whether you’re a marketer, entrepreneur, or professional, the book equips you with the skills to communicate clearly, tell authentic stories, and

Case Study: Volkswagen’s “Clean Diesel” Deception That Shattered Trust

Brief Summary Volkswagen’s acclaimed “Clean Diesel” marketing campaign backfired disastrously when it was revealed in 2015 that the company had deliberately cheated on emissions tests. The German automaker had promoted its diesel cars as low-emission, eco-friendly vehicles only for regulators to discover a hidden software “defeat device” that made them appear clean in tests while they actually emitted up to 40 times the legal pollution on the road. The ensuing scandal (dubbed “Dieselgate”) led to a global outcry, billions in fines and recall costs, and a crisis of trust that tarnished Volkswagen’s reputation as an industry leader in innovation and

Customer Data Platforms by Martin Kihn and Christopher B. O’Hara Book Summary

Top Three Quotes Book Theme Customer Data Platform explains how Customer Data Platforms (CDPs) unify fragmented customer data, resolve identities across known and unknown sources, and enable companies to deliver personalized, consistent, and privacy-compliant customer experiences across marketing, sales, commerce, and service. Why You Should Read This Book Any business leader or marketer struggling with data silos, disconnected teams, or the inability to personalize at scale will benefit from this book. It provides a roadmap to using CDPs to transform raw data into actionable insights, orchestrate customer journeys, and stay competitive in a privacy-first, digitally driven marketplace. Key Ideas and

Full Funnel Marketing by Matt Heinz Book Summary

Top Three Quotes Book Theme Full Funnel Marketing centers on the Predictable Pipeline Method—a framework for aligning marketing, sales, and customer success teams to create scalable, consistent revenue growth through full-funnel marketing orchestration. Why You Should Read This Book This book is essential for B2B leaders and marketers seeking a clear, actionable framework to align teams, sharpen their Ideal Customer Profile (ICP), and orchestrate go-to-market strategies that eliminate inefficiencies and drive long-term growth. Key Ideas and Arguments Presented Book Outline Key Takeaways Key Techniques Author’s Qualifications Matt Heinz is President of Heinz Marketing, with decades of experience in B2B demand