90.5% of CEOs from Inc. 5000 Companies Embrace AI into their Operations, Inc.’s Annual CEO Survey Reveals

According to Inc.’s annual CEO Survey, a substantial 90.5% of CEOs from Inc. 5000 companies have either adopted or plan to incorporate AI into their operations. Additionally, 63.2% of CEOs anticipate leveraging generative AI for sales tasks. Among these businesses is PostPilot, based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, which is taking a different approach to AI.

PostPilot, a direct mail marketing platform ranked No. 67 on the 2024 Inc. 5000 list, is utilizing AI to rejuvenate a traditional marketing method. Despite the dominance of digital channels like Instagram, TikTok, and email, PostPilot’s AI-powered strategies, seamless e-commerce integration, and print-on-demand services are gaining traction among direct-to-consumer and e-commerce brands. The company’s clientele includes notable names such as Kizik, HexClad, Jones Road, Good American, and Dr. Squatch. Since 2020, PostPilot’s revenue has soared by 4,280%.

Drew Sanocki, PostPilot’s co-founder and co-CEO, explained that many businesses use AI to generate sales copy. However, PostPilot employs machine learning to craft the foundation of direct mail campaigns in a way that optimizes returns.

Direct mail marketing, as the name suggests, involves sending physical advertisements to consumers. PostPilot, founded in 2018 by Sanocki and Michael Epstein, offers a range of services at various price points. Options include postcards costing 53¢ each, including postage, and “handwritten” cards produced by robots with pens, priced at just under $2 each. Catalogs, which require bulk orders, cost around 60¢ each, while other products can be printed and mailed on demand.

Michael Epstein emphasized that one of PostPilot’s key advantages is the lack of minimum order requirements or lead times.

PostPilot leverages AI to assist clients in both acquiring new customers and engaging existing ones. The platform analyzes extensive data on millions of U.S. consumers, sourced from third-party providers, and integrates with e-commerce systems like Shopify and Klaviyo. PostPilot’s AI can identify top customers and target similar prospects, enhancing marketing effectiveness.

Epstein noted that AI has significantly improved marketing to existing customers, particularly through automated mailings triggered by specific customer behaviors. For instance, if a customer has not replenished a 60-day product by day 62, PostPilot may send a reminder. The AI enables more informed decisions by evaluating purchase history, transaction values, shopping frequency, and demographic data to identify high-value clients and the best timing for mailings.

The combination of AI-generated insights and flexible printing options allows PostPilot to deliver highly targeted and relevant advertising.

Sanocki pointed out that direct mail has several advantages over digital channels. Unlike email, which requires opt-in consent and can be easily ignored, direct mail reaches potential customers directly. Furthermore, physical mail tends to have a longer shelf life than emails, which are often quickly deleted.

Sanocki and Epstein recognized direct mail as a fertile ground for innovation, free from the unpredictability of digital advertising platforms. Unlike the ever-changing landscape of digital marketing, with its reliance on major tech companies, direct mail operates within a stable regulatory environment, unaffected by sudden shifts like Apple’s iOS 14 update or Google’s plans regarding third-party cookies.

Sanocki also highlighted the rising costs and challenges associated with digital advertising, particularly on platforms like Facebook. PostPilot aims to provide a robust alternative to Meta, tapping into a marketing channel that has been successful for over a century.

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