5 DTC Brands Absolutely Crushing It With Ads (And What You Can Steal)

There’s a reason most ads feel like wallpaper - they’re trying to be clever instead of clear.

But every now and then, you see a brand nail it.

Like, “scroll-stopping, that’s genius” level of good.

So I pulled together 5 DTC brands that are consistently hitting with their ads — and broke down exactly what they’re doing right (so you can steal the playbook).

Dr. Squatch

What they get right:

• Masculine identity without trying too hard
• Humor that actually lands
• Insanely good YouTube funnel (the ad with the guy yelling about soap? Yeah, that one)

Steal this: If you’re in a crowded market - amplify identity.

Don’t just sell a bar of soap. Sell “not being basic.”

RYZE Superfoods

What they get right:

• Calm, earthy visuals (huge for scroll fatigue)
• Simple benefit stacking: focus, gut health, no crash
• Daily habit = daily reminder to reorder

Steal this: RYZE doesn’t sell mushroom coffee. They sell morning routines that make you feel better than caffeine ever did.

AG1 (Athletic Greens)

What they get right:

• Relentless consistency across platforms
• Premium feel without being snobby
• Positioning: “Cover your bases” → makes health feel easy

Steal this: Great brands don’t say more - they say one thing better than anyone else. AG1 wins because they found the one-liner that unlocks the rest.

Ridge Wallet

What they get right:

• Old vs New ad format — "Your old wallet is embarrassing"
• Big YouTube retargeting game
• Hardcore user testimonials (backed by 2M+ customers)

Steal this: Simplicity + social proof = conversion machine. Ridge sells a category flip: from bulky → sleek, without overexplaining.

HiSmile

What they get right:

• Bold color palettes that pop on TikTok
• Product innovation front-and-center (purple toothpaste? yes.)
• Tons of creator UGC → feels social, not salesy

Steal this: HiSmile wins on visual distinctiveness. If your product doesn’t pop, your ad won’t either.

So? What should you take from this?

Look - the goal isn’t to copy these brands.

It’s to figure out why their ads work so you can build your own version.

Maybe it’s the clarity of AG1.

Maybe it’s the visual pop of HiSmile.

Maybe it’s the "you’re not like them" energy of Ridge.

Whatever it is - these brands aren’t guessing.

They know who they’re for.

They know what they’re saying.

And they know how to say it in a way that actually lands.

That’s the whole ad game. (don't overcomplicate it)

Everything else is noise.

FAQ: DTC Ads That Actually Work

1. What makes a DTC ad convert in 2025?

A clear hook, emotional value prop, and visuals that stop the scroll. Bonus if the product solves an obvious pain point or flips a habit.

2. Should I invest in UGC or studio content?

Both. UGC builds trust, studio builds brand. The best-performing funnels blend both strategically.

3. Which platform works best for DTC in 2025?

TikTok for top-of-funnel attention. Meta for retargeting. YouTube for educating. All roads lead to conversion - just at different speeds.

4. How many ads should a DTC brand be running?

Always be testing. Top brands rotate hundreds of creatives/month across hooks, angles, and formats. Volume = data = clarity.

5. What’s the biggest mistake DTC brands make in ads?

Trying to sound clever instead of clear. Your ad should say:

“This is what it is. This is why it works. Here’s what happens if you don’t try it.”