How to balance optimization vs discovery Marketing | Libby Weissman (DoorDash, Square, Caviar)

How to balance optimization vs discovery Marketing | Libby Weissman (DoorDash, Square, Caviar)

Author: Sundar Swaminathan July 10, 2025 Duration: 54:27

Discovery vs. Optimization Marketing: Why Most Startups Get It Wrong | Libby Weissman (Caviar, DoorDash)

In this episode of ExperiMENTAL, Sundar Swaminathan sits down with Libby Weissman (Caviar, Square, DoorDash) to unpack why so many startups fail to tell the difference between discovery and optimization marketing, and what it costs them.

You’ll learn:
✔ How to tell if you're in discovery or optimization
✔ Why unrealistic CAC targets derail your growth
✔ How to use experiments to build marketing conviction
✔ What “price is too high” usually means
✔ How to hire the right marketer for your stage
✔ Real examples from healthtech, food, and services

Libby brings structured thinking and sharp insight for early-stage B2C founders navigating growth. If you’re building in a noisy space, this is your blueprint.

🎧 ExperiMENTAL is hosted by Sundar Swaminathan, Head of Data Science at Bounce and former Uber leader. This show is your behind-the-scenes look at how top marketers and data scientists make smarter decisions.

🧠 Expect unfiltered conversations, mental models, and case studies that help you cut waste, build conviction, and grow your B2C business.

📬 Subscribe to the ExperiMENTAL newsletter for deep dives and frameworks: https://experimental.beehiiv.com/

This podcast has been brought to you by APodcastGeek. https://www.apodcastgeek.com


If you’ve ever felt that most marketing advice skims the surface without showing you the actual numbers, ExperiMENTAL Marketing | Playbooks to measure and scale Marketing ROI might be what you’ve been looking for. Hosted by Sundar Swaminathan, who led Brand Data Science at Uber and writes the ExperiMENTAL newsletter, this podcast digs into the specific frameworks and calculations that turn marketing from a cost center into a measurable growth engine. Instead of vague theories, each conversation delivers concrete ROI breakdowns and scalable strategies drawn directly from the experiences of leaders at companies like Uber, Google, and Faire. The focus here is on the practical mechanics-how to set up tests, interpret data, and allocate budget for maximum impact. It’s designed for B2C marketers, founders, and analysts who are done with guesswork and want to build strategies grounded in real-world evidence. Tuning in, you’ll hear candid discussions about what actually moved the needle, what failed, and the playbooks that can be adapted to your own challenges. This isn’t about inspirational stories; it’s a hands-on resource for anyone ready to make data-informed decisions that scale.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 17

ExperiMENTAL Marketing | Playbooks to measure and scale Marketing ROI
Podcast Episodes
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Duration: 0:41
Welcome to ExperiMENTAL, the podcast for B2C marketers, founders, and analysts who are done with surface-level advice and ready to make smarter, data-informed decisions.Hosted by Sundar Swaminathan, former Head of Brand…