Podcast
Beyond The Shelf
Hosted by David Feinleib · EN
This show is an open exploration of the people and process behind E-Commerce. Through conversations with innovators in the space, we learn the stories of these leaders and their strategies for E-Commerce success. You can join our mailing list and access more content at itsrapid.ai.
David's past guests have included: Bryan Gildenberg from the CPG Guys, Todd Hassenfelt from Colgate-Palmolive, Anne Zybowski from Circana, Randy Mercer from 1WorldSync, Jared Taitel from PepsiCo, David Novak from Salsify, Harvey Ma from Albertsons Media Collective, Carter Jensen from General Mills, Pam Perino from Ghirardelli Chocolate, and many more.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The New Rules of Retail Media Creative - with Walmart Connect's Garima Ahuja
2d ago00:26:09Tap to summarizeThis week, Dave speaks with Garima Ahuja, Sr. Partner Development Manager, Creative Partnerships at Walmart Connect.Garima shares how Walmart Connect is helping brands connect with shoppers across the full funnel — from discovery to purchase — using Walmart’s scale, solutions, and first-party signals. She also breaks down why creative has become one of the biggest opportunities in retail media, but also one of the biggest operational challenges. As brands activate across more placements and formats, they need more creative variations, more customization, and faster workflows.Garima and Dave also discuss the partnership between Walmart Connect and It’sRapid, including It’sRapid Optix™️ is helping brands streamline creative production, optimize before launch, connect performance data, and publish creative more efficiently.Connect with Garima on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
Transcribe →Always Be Optimizing - with Ferrero's Helen Makri
1w ago00:25:56Tap to summarizeThis week, Dave speaks with Helen Makri, Sr. Manager of eCommerce Digital Content at Ferrero.Helen shares how Ferrero has evolved its ecommerce content capabilities — from repurposing brand assets for digital to building a more strategic, optimized approach across a large and growing portfolio of brands.In this episode, Helen breaks down why ecommerce content needs to do more than look good. It has to address shopper barriers, support conversion, and be tailored to the needs of each retailer and audience.The conversation also explores Ferrero’s partnership with It’sRapid, including how the team uses It’sRapid Optix™ to test content, uncover clearer insights, customize audience inputs, and optimize PDP visuals earlier in the development process.Connect with Helen on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
Transcribe →How AI Agents Are Rewriting Enterprise Workflows - with Field Materials AI's Eldar Sadikov
2w ago00:28:46Tap to summarizeThis week, Dave speaks with Eldar Sadikov, co-founder and CEO of Field Materials AI.Eldar has spent his career building AI companies — first in retail and ecommerce personalization with Jetlore, and now in commercial construction procurement with Field Materials AI.In this episode, Eldar shares how AI has changed from classical machine learning to modern LLMs and agents, why vertical AI companies need to start with deep industry pain points, and how AI-native software changes the way teams think about workflows, user interfaces, and automation.He also shares practical advice for anyone trying to move beyond basic AI use cases and start using AI agents to automate real work.Connect with Eldar on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
Transcribe →Asking Better Questions of Your Data — with John Santaferraro
3w ago00:29:14Tap to summarizeThis week, Dave speaks with John Santaferraro. John is the CEO and Head Research Analyst at Ferraro Consulting LLC. With 30 years of experience in AI, analytics, and data management, he brings a wealth of experiences as an industry analyst, marketing executive at HP and ParAccel, and strategic marketing consultant for companies like Google Cloud, SAP, HP, ThoughtSpot, Informatica, and dozens of startups. He is the host of The Digital Analyst podcast with over a million views in 32 episodes. John shares how AI is transforming retail, ecommerce, and digital strategy — from the shift from traditional data stacks to AI stacks, to the rise of agentic AI and AI-powered search.The conversation also explores how leaders can use AI as a strategic thought partner, why AI search is changing discovery and SEO, and what retailers need to rethink as commerce becomes increasingly AI-driven.Connect with John on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
Transcribe →Beyond the Shelf Live from the Digital Shelf Summit: Piyush Chaudhari (Salsify)
4w ago00:04:31Tap to summarizeWe're LIVE from DSS 2026 in Atlanta! Dave catches up with Piyush Chaudhari, CEO of Salsify, live from the show floor.Piyush unpacks what's driving conversation at the event—AI—and how Salsify is helping brands navigate the shift from digital shelf to agentic shelf, focusing on product discovery, measurement, and efficiency.He highlights Salsify's latest AI innovations, including Angie and the Intelligence Suite, and speaks to the growing It'sRapid–Salsify partnership and new capabilities around sell sheets, flip books, and B2B industrial use cases.Connect with Piyush on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
Transcribe →BTS Live from the Digital Shelf Summit: Kevin Creese (Wastequip)
4w ago00:04:10Tap to summarizeWe're LIVE from DSS 2026 in Atlanta! First up, Dave catches up with Kevin Creese, Director of Ecommerce at Wastequip.Kevin shares how Wastequip is approaching AI adoption in a practical, operator-first way—focusing on automating repeatable workflows and avoiding overcomplication early on. He also breaks down how their new interactive parts catalog is transforming the way their team manages content and serves customers.Through their partnership with It’sRapid, Wastequip has been able to quickly launch and scale a dynamic catalog experience across hundreds of SKUs—empowering internal teams to manage updates seamlessly through Salsify and deliver a more intuitive buying experience.Connect with Kevin on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
Transcribe →The Leadership Gap in Retail Transformation - with Steve Dennis
Apr 2800:36:39Tap to summarizeThis week, Dave speaks with Steve Dennis, President & Founder of Sageberry Consulting.Steve brings decades of experience across retail strategy, operations, and transformation — and shares a candid look at why so many companies struggle to adapt, even when they know what needs to change.In this episode, he breaks down the challenges of breaking down silos, the leadership mindset required to drive transformation, and why incremental thinking is one of the biggest risks in today’s rapidly evolving retail landscape.He also shares his perspective on AI, retail media, and what separates companies that successfully evolve from those that fall behind.Topics covered: Why retail transformation is so difficult to execute The impact of organizational silos on customer experience The “knowing vs. doing” gap in leadership Why incremental thinking holds companies back How AI is reshaping the retail landscapeConnect with Steve on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
Transcribe →Winning the “Every Shelf” Strategy — with Syndigo's Simon Angove
Apr 2100:23:32Tap to summarizeThis week, Dave speaks with Simon Angove, CEO of Syndigo.Syndigo’s acquisition of 1WorldSync marks a major shift in how brands and retailers manage product data, content, and the entire commerce experience.In this episode, Simon breaks down the strategic rationale behind the deal, the growing complexity of the digital shelf, and why “every shelf” — from in-store to AI-driven discovery — now matters more than ever.He also shares how AI is evolving from experimentation to real operational workflows, and what brands need to do today to stay competitive in an increasingly machine-driven buying environment.Connect with Simon on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
Transcribe →BTS Live from Syndigo Connect: Russ Dieringer (Stratably)
Apr 1700:09:56Tap to summarizeWe're live from Syndigo Connect 2026! In this BTS Live miniseries, we'll be featuring interviews some of the best and brighest minds in in the digital commerce space, right from the show floor. Connect with Russ on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
Transcribe →BTS Live from Syndigo Connect: Tim Sullivan (Syndigo)
Apr 1600:04:51Tap to summarizeWe're live from Syndigo Connect 2026! In this BTS Live miniseries, we'll be featuring interviews some of the best and brighest minds in in the digital commerce space, right from the show floor. We continue the miniseries with Russ Dieringer, Founder and CEO of Stratably. He joins Dave to break down what’s real vs hype when it comes to AI and agentic commerce, where brands are seeing traction today, and why strong data foundations remain critical to unlocking meaningful impact.Connect with Tim on LinkedInFollow Beyond the Shelf on LinkedInLearn More about It'sRapidGet the It’sRapid Creative Automation PlaybookTake It’sRapid’s Creative Workflow Automation with AI surveyEmail us at sales@itsrapid.io to find out how to get your free AI Image AuditTheme music: "Happy" by Mixaud - https://mixaund.bandcamp.comProducer: Jake Musiker
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