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Peter Reitano
Partner @ Academy, Entrepreneur, Marketer & Investor
Peter Reitano is a multifaceted professional with over 15 years of experience in the consumer brand and advertising world.13 He currently serves as a Partner focusing on growth at Academy Inc., a position he has held since January 2023.25
Professional Background
Peter describes himself as a founder, operator, investor, and marketer.1 His career spans various roles and industries:
- Founder: He has founded multiple companies, including Gwella, where he continues to serve as a founder since March 2020.5
- Investor: Peter is an advisor at GreenSky Ventures, a position he has held since January 2022.5
- Marketer: With extensive experience in marketing, he is particularly passionate about growth strategies and making meaningful connections.1
Current Role at Academy Inc.
At Academy Inc., Peter's focus is primarily on growth and partnerships.46 He is actively involved in various aspects of the company's operations, including:
- Developing growth strategies for the business
- Exploring new opportunities, such as the recent venture into TikTok Shop for e-commerce brands6
- Promoting better health through the company's initiatives1
Personal Interests and Philosophy
Peter is known for his passion for:
- Making meaningful connections
- Promoting better health
- Sharing knowledge about business growth
He has recently shared nine universal principles for starting and growing a business, demonstrating his commitment to helping others succeed in the entrepreneurial world.4
Peter Reitano's LinkedIn profile can be found under the username "peterreitano", where he regularly shares insights and updates about his professional journey and industry trends.
Highlights
Your 2024 TikTok FYP Page is filled with unsexy products,
And unsexy sells. 💵
Don’t believe me? These products have been making waves ⬇️
Gold Bond Neck & Chest Firming Cream, Triple Paste Diaper Rash Cream, SkinSmart Antimicrobial Facial Cleanser…
These unsexy yet functional (and highly profitable) brands are crushing it.
Here’s why:👇
(1) Consumers are much more educated now.
If a product is effective and backed by science, it’ll sell. It doesn’t need to be “pretty”.
(2) Consumers are holding products to a higher standard.
50% of shoppers prefer to buy beauty, skincare, and grooming products backed by science.
In case you’re wondering if this is a passing trend, it’s not.
It’s here to stay because of two cultural changes:👇
(1) Platforms (like TikTok) are driving a focus on education instead of aesthetics.
TikTok is now a trusted platform - giving unpolished, authentic reviews, and experiences.
(2) The pandemic enhanced consumer trust.
89% of Americans now say they put their trust in medical scientists.
Meaning, that products with a “scientific” seal of approval will sell.
📖 TL;DR:
Consumers are no longer just looking for something that looks good on their shelves.
They want results and solutions to their problems.
Yes, packaging still matters, but it isn’t the only variable in play anymore.
In 2024, products must prioritize results, credibility, and values.
I don’t see this changing anytime soon.
SMS is a killer tool for brands. 📱
Many marketers see SMS as intrusive. ❌
Consumers don’t.
→ 93% of US shoppers are interested in and opted in for brand texts. → In 2022 that number was 81% (a 26% jump from 2020). → 88% in the UK, Australia, and Canada, opted in, too.
Why?
In reality, SMS is less intrusive than things like social ads.
It’s fast, direct, and consumers give consent and can even opt out.
As a result:
→ On average, SMS has a 98% open rate. (HUGE!) → Globally, 63% of consumers engage with brands’ SMS programs at least twice a week. → 77% of buyers develop a positive perception of a company that uses SMS notifications.
Want to give it a try? 🤔 Here’s how to start:
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Timing Don’t ping people's phones in the middle of the night, or hammer them with messages on Christmas day. Use some common sense.
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Mention your company name This is a simple one that so many businesses miss out on. SMS marketing uses shortcodes, so customers may not know who sent the message.
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Provide value Offer discounts, deals, coupons, or sales.
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Align with your overall marketing strategy/goals/offers.
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At the same time, SMS-only/exclusive offers work well, too.
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Never waste space SMS is a brevity game. Get to the point. Front-load your SMS with why a customer should care.
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Use automation and set up the key flows Welcome series, abandoned cart reminders, post-purchase messages, upsell and cross-sell, review collection, stock reminders, win-back messages…
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No spam Don’t send too many messages. It feels desperate.
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And finally, please don’t just copy and paste your email strategy.
📖 TL;DR:
SMS is a vital part of any 2024 marketing strategy.
It’s fast, has high engagement, and if used right, is incredibly powerful at pumping up retention and sales.
(P.S. Each quarter we publish a trend report for CMOS, VPS and senior marketers.
We break down the biggest cultural trends and how they shape consumer behaviour.
And we analyze how Gen Zs and millennials are shaping the future.
Sign up to the link in the comments to get the insights for free, straight to your inbox. ⬇️)
