Escend Media

As the Founder of Escend Media, my mission is to empower businesses to create meaningful relationships with their audiences through highly targeted and compelling email marketing strategies. 

We help DTC brands increase profit, repeat purchases and LTV with email marketing. 

We focus on cultivating authentic, long-lasting relationships with your customers, instead of just pushing 'sales' content down people's throat day in and day out. We meticulously craft an engaging customer experience and manage it end to end, from strategic planning and compelling copywriting to on-brand design. Our data-driven approach also includes A/B testing and optimization, ensuring that each customer interaction is as personalized and as profitable as possible.

Founder

Marketing Agency

Former Founder & CEO (EXIT)

Digital Distillery

It takes time, patience and a sound strategy to build and grow a business in 2020. I help business owners, freelancers and other agency owners overcome the challenges of starting, growing and scaling their businesses online. I help coach 4 different types of people:

Visionaries 💭: You are at the beginning stages of starting up a brand. If you’re not sure who your ideal customer avatar is, you don’t have a funnel mapped out yet or you are in the early stages of growth, but have MASSIVE aspirations, this is you.
 
Innovators 🙌 : You are in the midst of developing, or who have developed, a new & innovative product. If you’ve got a product and want to be first to market, if you’re doing a pre-launch or you are looking to disrupt an industry, this is you.
 
Entrepreneur In-Momentum 🌊: You have been around the block in business. If you’re the CEO or Marketing director of an established company, you’re looking to expand your target market or enter the Facebook advertising space, this is you.
 
Let’s Scale This Puppy📈: You have the budget and the drive to scale their business to the moon. If you’ve got a business with proof of concept, you’ve consistently hit 5-figure months and you have the inventory and budget to scale, this is you.

Business & Marketing Coach

RBC Dominion Securities

Investment Associate

BMO Nesbitt Burns

Marketing Assistant

Responsible Driver Program

Group Coordinator

Helping DTC brands to get more sales & increase profitability using email marketing & SMS. 

As the Founder of Escend Media, Derek's focus is on helping to decrease front end CPAs and to get your customers to spend more, and more frequently.

We focus on cultivating authentic, long-lasting relationships with your customers, instead of just pushing 'sales' content down people's throat day in and day out. We meticulously craft an engaging customer experience and manage it end to end, from strategic planning and compelling copywriting to on-brand design.

Want to learn more? Check out our website here:https://escend.media/

Derek Stroh

Jordan West

E-Com Investor & Podcast Host | Multiple Exits| Avid Golfer, Biker + Hiker | Dad Of 3 | CEO + CMO | Mastermind Host

My Journey 
When I was 23 I decided to buy a Taco Del Mar restaurant... I knew I had made a huge mistake at 2pm the first day when only 3 customers had walked in... (and two of them were my parents haha) 
For 5 years I worked hard to grow sales every way I could think of and in the end, tripled our revenue which still didn't seem to matter on the profit side. (I lost a lot of money 💰)

The one thing that I seemed to be the best at in the restaurant endeavor was marketing and getting people in the door. 

Fast forward to 2014 when my wonderful wife Carmen (definitely my better half) started a modest baby clothing line and was selling at craft markets. 

I asked if I could test running a few ads on Facebook... and the rest is history. I learned every up-and-coming strategy and tactic and helped grow the small start-up to a multi-million dollar company and still growing!

Since then we have acquired multiple DTC brands and have built an agency (upGrowth Commerce) to service our brands as well as others who are in a similar situation to us!

In 2019 we started the podcast "secrets to scaling your e-commerce brand" which is now in the top 50 business/marketing podcasts in multiple countries including Canada and the United States.

I love connecting with people, so please connect. (I do have a no a**holes policy though, so don't connect if that's you.) 

I talk all about scaling businesses using paid ads on “Secrets To Scaling Your E-Commerce Brand”.

Chief Executive Officer

I have an airport hack for ALL OF YOU! (that may just change your life) 

Lately... at the airport I've been doing something kind of weird. 

You probably wouldn't peg me for this kind of person but here it is. 

I've been...

1. Putting my phone in my pocket 
2. Not having airpods in. 
3. Talking to whoever is around me that looks interesting and doesn't have their head buried in their phone. 

And HERE'S the WILD THING! 

Today alone I made 2 insane connections... 

the first was a nice couple that was sitting beside me in the emergency exit row. 

They turned out to own (with another group) a bunch of motel properties that I had been eyeing for a MASSIVE RESORT that i think could be an insanely huge attraction for the city I live in. I had been thinking about it for a while and it's crazy that they just happened to be beside me on a random flight. Many more other connections too... but I digress. 

The second was a random guy who runs point for one of the largest inference chip companies in the world helping put in data centres... 

Well I just happen to have a local data centre deal that I've been dreaming up for my town. 

The first convo actualy helped steer me in a totally different LIFE direction than I was thinking about fo rthe next 5-10 years TBH (not exaggerating) 

So... the lesson. 

Get off your effing phone 
Talk to people. 
The universe/god/life wants to give you good things... but you won't get them staring at your phone or sitting in your office. 

they are out there! 
Anyone else ever have moments like these?

I know I announced this recently, but I wanted to really break it down for you all.
We’ve made a big move at Social Commerce Club that most people don't realize! 

👉 Parker Kump has stepped into the role of CEO.
👉 I’ve moved into President + Chief Visionary Officer.

My role as Founder & Owner hasn’t changed! 

If anything, I’m more involved... just in the lane where I create the most value: vision, bar-setting, and finding new angles on the social commerce + ecom market.

This shift isn’t a change in how we actually operate day to day tbh... 

It’s a recognition of the role Parker’s already been playing, AND it’s a huge part of how we’re going to scale from here. (and have been scaling since he stepped into this role informally 3 months ago! 

In EOS, they talk about the ideal pairing of the Visionary and the Integrator. (if you aren't familiar go read traction and/or rocketfuel) 

That’s us (and I have finally found my integrator lol!) 

Visionary (me): pattern-spotter, idea machine, obsessed with where the market is going next, constantly raising the bar and starting “just one more” fire. (ya my team loves that... lol)

Integrator (Parker): brings structure, focus, and follow-through. He turns chaos into clarity, runs the business, manages the team, and makes sure the trains don’t just run… they run on time and healthily. 

Parker is my Integrator.

When I decided to acquire Tuff Media, it was because I knew exactly who he was for me:

Parker is the Warren Buffett to my Charlie Munger.

Different roles. Same philosophy. Unfair advantage together.

What’s happened since we locked in this partnership?

93% of Social Commerce Club clients are hitting or exceeding their revenue targets.

We’ve built the structure and leadership to triple as an organization.

We’re on track to drive $1B in GMV through social commerce for brands over the next 3 years.

Internally, this move has been insane (in the best way):

Parker challenges every assumption and every dollar.

He protects the team and the roadmap from my “10 new ideas before breakfast”… and then forces us to execute the right ones.

He’s raised the operational bar across the board and turned SCC from “fast-moving agency” into “fast-moving company with real leadership and systems.”

And for me?

I’m still in the trenches at SCC, (don't worry) just focused where I’m most dangerous (in a good way):

Vision and strategy

Big bets and partnerships

New ways to look at social commerce and what’s possible for brands

Setting the standard for how we show up in the market
This CEO / CVO split gives us the foundation we need for a more ambitious Social Commerce Club - more impact for brands, more innovation in social commerce, and more opportunity for our team.

I’ve never been more excited about where we’re headed... 

and I’m having the most fun of my career operating in full-on Visionary mode!!

I want to be clear 🫠 
These daily random TikTok Shop GMV MAX screenshots that I share are from ADS driven results ONLY 🤩 

This doesn't include organic affiliate driven content 

I feel like the guy in 2015 trying to tell his friends that Facebook ads work (I was that guy lol) while the majoirty of people were waiting...

I realize that if you haven't gone HARD on TikTok shop you won't be able to to before BFCM 

But... 2026 will be the BIGGEST SHIFT into social commerce that we have seen. 

As AI content becomes more prevalent, HUMANS will crave human connection 

Which is why I believe that LIVE SHOPPING + Afilliate driven content will be the two biggest levers any brand can add to their arsensal. 

So what is my recomendation for bransnds in 2026? 

1. Talk to my team NOW to get in line at Social Commerce Club
2. If you can't afford us... I'll send you recommendations for cheaper agencies
3. If you're just trying to dip your toes in the water of TikTok shop join my skool group here https://lnkd.in/gMAu-gDZ

And the majority of brands still think this is a channel for cheap junk and discounts 🫤🤦‍♂️

Insane numbers for. Channel that’s barely 2 years old. 

Share this with brands who are sleeping on TikTok shop 

Also… if you’re looking at how to launch talk to my team at Social Commerce Club 🤷‍♂️🔥

graphical user interface, text, application, chat or text message

2026 Prediction (that most of you don't want to hear)

The social media platforms that WILL thrive will BAN AI CONTENT. 

No one wants it. (deep down) 

Users are spending less time on platform. (and it's GARBAGE)

I talked to someone high at up at a social media platform we all know and love the other day and they told me something INSANE. 

They are completely deprioritizing the majority of AI content in the feed because users are spending less time on platform. 

Humans want to interact with humans. 

I am going HARD on all things human in 2026. More connection. More IRL. 

Thoughts?

I accept basically every connection request… because why not? 
I’ll tell why not 😆👇👇

5 messages in 5 days and the last one is usually always some guilt ridden message about me standing someone up 

Just because I accepted your invite, doesn’t mean I want your messages ha ha ha!

Connectors… Beware 

Anyone else?

Me: “If you had one controversial take on what brands get wrong on TikTok Shop… what is it?”
Zohaib Rattu 🤳: “Over-subsidizing their products.”

Me: “Not could be cannibalizing your other channels… you ARE.”

That moment hit hard!!!

Because here’s what a lot of brands are doing right now:

They take their main hero SKU
Sell it full price everywhere else

Then make it stupid cheap on TikTok Shop “just to get sales” + get momentum

And then they’re shocked when

Amazon flatlines

TOTAL MER blows up

Retail partners start asking questions
TikTok didn’t break your unit economics.

You did!!

The way I think about TikTok Shop:

It’s the only channel that will pay you (even breakeven) to give you insane impressions.
If you even make $1 profit there

And you’re getting a $30 CPM worth of awareness for free
You’re winning.

The problem...

Most brands aren’t tracking the halo.
So they see “low-margin TikTok orders”

Instead of “cheap reach that lifts Amazon / Shopify / retail”.

If I were rebuilding your TikTok Shop strategy from scratch, I’d do 3 things:

1️⃣ Protect the hero
 
No more “fire sale” pricing on the SKU that drives your brand.
 Use:

 – Smaller bundles
 – Trial sizes
 – TikTok-only variants
 
And keep price architecture consistent across channels.

2️⃣ Define your blended model
 
Decide up front:
 – What MER are you happy with including TikTok
 – How you’ll measure halo (Amazon, Shopify, retail lift)
 – What CPM you’re effectively getting from organic + creator content

If TikTok is breakeven but blended MER is up and CPMs are down… keep going.

3️⃣ Make TikTok the awareness engine, not the profit center (at first) 
 
Creators get you reach.
 
Reach fills retargeting pools on Meta, Google, Amazon, retail.
 
Your job is to:

 – Seed a ton of creators
 – Let TikTok Shop break even
 – Harvest the profit off-platform

TikTok Shop doesn’t have to be “super profitable”. (at first)

It has to be super scalable.

Curious where you’re at...
 Are you still discounting your main hero SKU heavily on TikTok Shop? 

Or have you already pulled that back?

You’re talented?
Great! Let me tell you what matters more… 
And why talent is the thing that I look for last 👇👇 

Are you complainer? 
Are you a victim?
Do you not have a growth mindset?
Can you not take criticism?
Do you have a fragile Ego? 
Is it everything everybody else’s fault?


 if you answered, yes to any of the above, I don’t want you in any of my organizations.

If you are thinking to yourself, oh man, I have these people in my organization… do everything in your power to first coach and correct, but most likely you need to remove them. 

It’s incredible What will happen when you do! 

Anyone else with me?

Read the post below and I hope this sinks in for anyone who is in e-commerce...
EVERYTHING IS CHANGING 🫠 👇 

This same brand had 22K affiliate videos that they were tagged in on TikTok Shop alone... 

So how do you it? 

reators need conditions that make posting profitable, easy, and fun.
Here’s the simple checklist that makes creators post over and over again 👇

1. A Creator-Friendly Offer

If the economics suck, creators won’t post.
Free shipping (non-negotiable)
Strong commission ($4.50–$5+ per order is the mental target)
No “ad commission penalty”
Price that converts (or TikTok-only bundles to justify value)

2. A Product That’s Easy to Sell on Video

Creators ask themselves:
“Can I think of 10 hooks for this in 10 seconds?”
They need:
A clear problem/benefit to talk about
Something DIFFERENT vs. 10 lookalike offers
A “why now” (flash sale, seasonality, trend)
Good packaging that looks great on camera
Content they can repurpose to Amazon/Instagram/YouTube

3. Extremely Simple Info (No Homework)

High-volume creators DO NOT want long briefs.
Give them:

A 1-page product card
4–7 key selling points
2–3 angle ideas
Compliance notes (if needed)

NOT:

10-page decks
Shot lists
Forced scripts

4. A Relationship That Feels Long-Term

Creators post more when they feel like partners, not gig workers.
This means:
Transparent commission (no surprises)
Insight into upcoming drops & promos
Human communication
Fast responses
Reliable customer experience (so they don’t get angry DMs)

5. Operational Ease

Creators go hard when it’s frictionless to work with you.
They need:
Fast sample shipping
Inventory that won’t sell out for weeks
Freedom to create in their style
New angles, ideas, and seasonal hooks
Optional contests (GMV, most posts, best angle)

6. Outreach That Actually Gets Opened

Bad outreach:
 We love your content 🤩 want to collab?”

Good outreach:
Start with the problem their audience has
Then the benefit
Then the commission + free shipping
Then why your product is unique
Then how easy you make it for them to test

7. The Simplest ‘Will Creators Hammer This Product?’ Checklist

If you can check most of these, creators will post like crazy:
Free shipping
Strong & stable commission
Clear problem solved
Unique angle
Great product card
Simple outreach
Good packaging
Solid inventory
No shady term changes
Steady stream of new angles/promos

Thoughts? Share this with a brand friend who needs to know!

WOW - the reception on episode 1 of the Social Commerce Club podcast has been WILD! 

Here's what we covered in our FIRST episode (and why you HAVE TO LISTEN if you're thinking about diving into social commerce!)

• Brands doing 3,000% live GMV on TikTok Shop
• The plan to be live 24/7 in 2025
• Why faceless brands (Nike, Lulu, etc.) are getting smoked by creator-led brands
• Jake Paul, Bieber, MrBeast... and the actual playbook they’re running!! (this will surprise you) 
• In an AI world, why “human-made” and live video become the premium

Also... how one of my strategists went viral on Instagram for the most INSANE THING! 

Listen here! 

https://lnkd.in/giVMbQkY

Why am I obsessed with TikTok Shop for brands in 2026? 

Look below. 

This is the halo. 

A brand that had zero searches on platform now is on track for 2 millionish a month. 

This is DEMAND GEN. 

This is the way. 

Send this post to a brand that needs to scale on TikTok Shop!

Big ask LinkedIn 🙏
We’re looking for a head of live shopping at Social Commerce Club 

Will be insane growth over the next 5 years 

Maybe one of the biggest ops that I can think of TBH 

Will be sooooooo much work

But you will help us build something HUGE! 

NA based only 

Message me if you think it’s you. 

This role will report directly to the CEO btw

Look at your feed right now!! (after you read my post obvs) haha 

LinkedIn carousels with the same AI font, same structure

X threads that all start with “10 game-changing lessons from…”

Instagram posts that feel like ChatGPT dressed in Canva (i lovev canva lol)

We’re about to hit peak AI slop.

When everything is optimized, nothing is interesting.

Here’s what I think happens next in my mind. 

1️⃣ Platforms crack down

Meta and TikTok already have detection models for synthetic content.
First step: “This is AI-generated” labels.
Next step: deprioritizing that content in the feed.

2️⃣ A “human-only” mode emerges (or a while PLATFORM) 

Whether it’s a new platform or a tab inside existing ones, there will be a place where:
AI content is banned or heavily filtered (or you can opt-out)
Human-created posts get preference
The cost of creating (time, effort) becomes a feature, not a bug

3️⃣ Audiences will pay more attention to humans

When every other post is generated, a founder talking into their iPhone, stumbling through their words, will win attention.
Founders: this is your edge.

Write your own posts (even if they’re NOT perfect - in fact imperfection wins IMO)

Speak your own thoughts (even if they’re rough)

Show your face, your kids, your messy whiteboard

AI can help you research and sharpen.
But don’t let it replace you!!! (becuase it wants to!!) 

The more synthetic + fake the internet gets, the more valuable authenticity becomes. 

BE YOURSELF - btw that's human me hiking my daily trail in the snow being as authentic as I can. 

Like our swaG??

No matter the level of business that I have got to…

This is ALWAYS true. 

Anyone else? 🤷‍♂️

graphical user interface, text, application

Yes yes yes 

We have been thinking more about what this role looks like from the agency perspective.

How we train fast

Who’s base knowledge makes them a good fit etc. 

And I will tell you what I know. 

99% of people don’t get it. 

They haven’t had the paradigm shift yet. 

It’s a new muscle 

It’s a new way of thinking. 

Working with creators is HARD! 

They don’t perform like ads do 😆

But this role is really big in terms of impact and responsibility 

Seems like more brands are catching on. 

But tbh I still feel like guy in 2014 telling their friends to invest as much as they can into Facebook ads and they laugh at me 🤷‍♂️🫤 when it comes to how big social commerce really is going to be!

Yesterday I was driving with my son who’s 6… 

We saw a bunch of billboards and he was asking about the messages on each

It reminded me of the classic Tim Ferris question… so I decided to ask him

“If you could put one message on a Billboard, what would it be?” 

He took about 3 seconds and said 

“My message would be “I love you””

This kid gets it ❤️

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Well… The cat is out of the bag and let me tell you the initial tech that was built is an absolute dream to build Halo off of! So so so excited for you all to see this coming up!

Big kudos to this team below for bringing the product to where it is right now 🙌🏻🙌🏻👇

Co-Founder & Former CPO @ Roasberry (Exitted - now GrowHalo)

Hey everyone, its been a minute. Today I am filled with great pride and bittersweet happiness as I part ways with Roasberry, my first start-up. After two incredible years, we have officially been acquired by Social Commerce Club - the no. 1 omnichannel social commerce agency in the world.

The last two years have been nothing short of extraordinary. I’ve had the privilege of learning, building, and growing alongside some of the most talented and generous people I’ve ever met. Mehmet Can Ilker, Adnan Çobanoğlu,  Modou Cham, İlayda Kaya, Metehan Karaşahinoğlu, Ertan Can Güner, Derin İlbaş, Doğa İmren, İlayda T., Rıza Semih Koca, and everyone who played a part — you have my deepest admiration. I’m endlessly grateful for the things I’ve learned from you and with you.

Roasberry will also be rebranded, continuing its operations as GrowHalo under SCC’s governance. I am confident that what we built will reach greater heights and help more ecommerce businesses around the globe.

To everyone who supported us — whether you used our product, recommended it, shared feedback, or simply liked a post — thank you. You are genuinely appreciated.

I just want to say if you want to start a business or try out that idea you had for a while; I can’t guarantee what will happen but I can guarantee you will have a blast regardless of the outcome. And that will be worth it.

taplio

The Battle

Derek Stroh

Jordan West

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The Battle

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