Marketing Performance Checklist

A framework for analyzing digital marketing performance based on Jesse Pujji's experience consulting for private equity firms and running marketing agencies.

Top-Down Analysis Approach

  • Use benchmarks from third-party data sources (like Veros)
  • Compare company metrics against industry standards:
    • Click-through rates by vertical
    • Conversion rates by channel
    • Expected spend levels
    • Campaign performance metrics

Bottom-Up Technical Assessment

Facebook Ads Structure

  • Account organization and setup
  • Campaign consolidation
    • Check if too many ads are breaking up signal
    • Look for opportunities to combine campaigns
  • Event match quality score
    • Aim for 9/10 match quality
    • Many older companies only have 3/10
    • Ensure Facebook is getting proper data signals

Creative Testing Framework

  • Volume of creative tests
    • Check how many new creatives tested per week
    • Most underperforming accounts only test 2 per month
    • Need consistent creative testing for good performance
  • Creative performance metrics
  • Creative iteration process

Revenue Impact Analysis

  • Grade each marketing channel
  • Create waterfall analysis showing:
    • Current EBITDA
    • Potential EBITDA with improvements
    • Specific improvement opportunities
  • Focus on translating marketing metrics into revenue/EBITDA terms
  • Show clear path from marketing levers to financial outcomes

Common Red Flags

  • Low creative testing velocity
  • Poor signal quality to platforms
  • Fragmented campaign structure
  • Lack of proper tracking setup
  • Unrealistic growth projections
  • SEO manipulation/fraud

Value Creation Opportunities

  • Implement proper tracking and measurement
  • Increase creative testing cadence
  • Optimize campaign structure
  • Improve platform signal quality
  • Translate marketing metrics to financial outcomes
  • Run experiments to validate growth opportunities

The framework aims to identify both problems and opportunities while translating technical marketing concepts into business impact terms that investors can understand.