Sticky Digital

What Sticky Digital does

Sticky Digital is a retention marketing agency founded in 2019 and operated as Sticky Digital LLC, headquartered in San Diego, California, and serving direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands on Shopify with $5M-$100M+ in annual revenue across beauty, wellness, food & beverage, and apparel verticals. The company is 100% female-led by co-founders Nikki Tooman (CEO) and Mariel Kilroy (COO) and operates a selective, white-glove service model that explicitly excludes paid media, SEO, and brand design in favor of an exclusive focus on retention. A team of approximately 28-30 individuals delivers email, SMS, loyalty, subscription, and tech stack optimization services, supported by published case studies with NEST New York, Deborah Lippmann, KISS USA, RUDIS, Ascent Nutrition, and Danrie.

The company's technology architecture is Klaviyo-centric, anchored by a Klaviyo Platinum Elite Partner designation, with Shopify serving as the central data and customer/order layer. Retention programs are built on automated flows (welcome, post-purchase, cart abandonment, winback, replenishment, cross-sell, subscription save) and integrated with loyalty (Yotpo, Rivo, Mage Loyalty), subscription (ReCharge, Stay.ai, Skio, Ordergroove), personalization (Rebuy), post-purchase (Loop Returns, Redo), support (Gorgias), AI-driven suppression (Orita), and identity resolution (Opensend). A proprietary "Persuasion Architecture System" is applied across engagements alongside RFM-based segmentation and A/B testing methodology, with the company claiming it has scaled 50+ brands from $1M to $10M and $10M to $50M+ in annual revenue.

Sticky Digital generates revenue primarily through full-service monthly retainer engagements supplemented by project-based audits ($3,000-$10,000) and lead-generation entry points including complimentary retention audits and complimentary Klaviyo migrations. Distribution is exclusively direct via the company's website and referrals, with no self-serve product or reseller channels. The firm was voted #1 Retention Marketing Agency in North America in 2023 and 2024 and named Retention Marketing Agency of the Year by Yotpo. The company is privately held, bootstrapped, and operates as an independent agency serving North American clients.

Name

Sticky Digital

Legal name

Sticky Digital LLC

Website

https://stickydigital.io

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sticky Digital is a female-led retention marketing agency serving mid-market DTC Shopify brands in beauty, wellness, food & beverage, and apparel with full-service email, SMS, loyalty, and subscription programs on a retainer model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Retention Marketing Agency Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Marketing Consulting Services (541613), Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Loyalty, Rewards & Retention Platforms (BPAFAFAH)

akta.pro secondary industry

Customer Retention, Win-Back & Churn Reduction Programs (MPAAAIAH)

Keywords

• Retention marketing agency
• Email and SMS marketing
• DTC ecommerce retention
• Shopify retention services
• Loyalty and subscription programs

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Full-Service Retention Marketing Retainers: Ongoing monthly retainer engagements covering email strategy and execution, SMS strategy, loyalty program management, subscription retention, and tech stack optimization. The primary revenue model. engagements are structured as full-service retainers with dedicated strategist involvement. Project-based email program audits ($3,000-$10,000) serve as a lead-generation entry point into retainer relationships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Sticky Digital is a full-service white-glove retention marketing agency that designs and manages integrated email, SMS, loyalty, subscription, and conversion-rate-optimization programs for direct-to-consumer brands on Shopify. Engagements are sold as monthly retainers, with a complimentary retention audit offered as the lead-generation entry point. Core execution centers on Klaviyo as the email/SMS platform, supported by recommended subscription (ReCharge, Stay.ai, Skio, Ordergroove), loyalty (Yotpo, Rivo, Mage Loyalty), personalization (Rebuy), and post-purchase (Loop Returns, Redo) technology partners.

Product overview

Sticky Digital is a retention marketing agency that offers a unified suite of services centered on email, SMS, loyalty, and subscription programs for DTC brands on Shopify. Their core offering combines Email & SMS Programs (campaign and automated flows), Loyalty & Rewards Programs, Subscription Growth services, Retention Audits, Conversion Rate Optimization, Direct Mail, Reviews Management, Push Notifications, and Wallet Passes. These services work as a connected system rather than isolated tactics, with Klaviyo as the primary email/SMS platform and Recharge as the primary subscription platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Email and SMS Programs Full-service strategy, build, and management of integrated email and SMS programs including campaign and automated flow revenue, segmentation, and creative direction for direct-to-consumer brands on Shopify. Designed for brands seeking connected multi-channel retention rather than siloed email or SMS.
• Customer Retention Strategy Strategy offering that applies Sticky Digital's proprietary Persuasion Architecture System to design retention programs spanning subscription, loyalty, and exclusive access mechanics, intended to keep customers coming back. The company claims to have used this system to scale 50+ brands from $1M to $10M and from $10M to $50M+.
• Loyalty and Rewards Programs Programs designed to shift customer purchase behavior upstream, increasing purchase frequency, AOV, and engagement that shows up in LTV rather than just redemption rates. Implemented using platforms such as Yotpo, Rivo, and Mage Loyalty integrated with Klaviyo.
• Subscription Growth Churn reduction and subscriber retention services for brands using ReCharge, Stay.ai, Skio, and Ordergroove, including subscription save flows, cancellation interventions, and winback sequences.
• Retention Audits Full diagnostic of email and SMS programs against the levers that drive repeat purchase rate, including flow architecture, segmentation logic, deliverability health, list quality, and revenue attribution. Includes a prioritized remediation plan with clear success metrics and serves as the lead-generation entry point into ongoing retainer engagements; priced at $3,000-$10,000 for paid engagements with a complimentary option available.
• Conversion Rate Optimization Tech stack optimization for Shopify brands, building user-friendly and optimized setups with roadmap strategy and implementation, including personalization platforms such as Rebuy and onsite conversion levers.
• Direct Mail Tangible marketing channel combined with digital strategy to amplify brand messaging and create lasting impressions across touchpoints as part of a unified retention program.
• Reviews Management Review boosting through ease of feedback capture, impactful feedback showcasing, and marketing integration to build trust and drive sales for DTC brands.
• Push Notifications Targeted push notification campaigns that engage customers, highlight key offers, and encourage immediate action as part of the broader retention stack.
• Wallet Passes Integrated wallet passes to boost loyalty program participation and brand engagement with push notification capabilities without building an app.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4200% average ROI on email marketing (company-claimed benchmark)
• +11 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and secondary.

• KlaviyocoreTechnology or IntegrationKlaviyo Platinum Elite Partner — the highest-tier partner designation. The partnership is central to Sticky Digital's service offering, as Klaviyo serves as the primary email and SMS platform for all client engagements. Platinum Elite status is earned through client results and provides access to Klaviyo's partner resources, early product access, and dedicated technical support channels. The company is also referred to as a Klaviyo Platinum Partner and Klaviyo Platinum Partner in various sources.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationShopify Expert. The agency works exclusively with DTC brands on Shopify, treating Shopify as the central data engine and customer/order database that powers all retention programs. Shopify is the foundation of the tech stack for every client engagement.
• ReChargecoreTechnology or IntegrationRecommended subscription platform for Shopify brands. Sticky Digital designs subscription programs using ReCharge's flexible billing, customer self-management portal, payment recovery (dunning), and lifecycle integration with email and SMS channels. Subscription save flows built on ReCharge can recover 10-25% of would-be cancellations.
• Stay.aicoreTechnology or IntegrationSubscription analytics and retention platform recommended alongside ReCharge for subscription brands. Used to monitor subscription churn, growth, and revenue retention metrics, enabling real optimization of subscription lifecycle flows.
• SkiocoreTechnology or IntegrationSubscription platform recommended for Shopify brands. Sticky Digital builds subscription save sequences and lifecycle flows for brands operating on Skio, alongside email and SMS orchestration.
• OrdergroovecoreTechnology or IntegrationSubscription platform recommended for subscription retention systems. Used for churn prevention and subscription management flows in conjunction with email and SMS programs.
• YotpocoreTechnology or IntegrationLoyalty platform integrated with Klaviyo for loyalty event-triggered email flows. Yotpo enables native or API-based integration allowing loyalty events (points earned, tier changes, redemptions, enrollment) to trigger Klaviyo flows. Sticky Digital was recognized as Yotpo's Retention Marketing Agency of the Year / Best Retention Marketing Agency in North America.
• RivosecondaryTechnology or IntegrationShopify loyalty platform recommended by Sticky Digital for brands evaluating loyalty programs. Integrates with Klaviyo to enable loyalty events as lifecycle triggers. Cited as a suitable alternative to Yotpo for certain brand requirements.
• Mage LoyaltysecondaryTechnology or IntegrationEnterprise-tier Shopify loyalty platform recommended for advanced retention. Features a no-code flow builder that lets marketing teams modify loyalty logic without developer involvement. Suited for complex tiered programs that high-LTV customer bases respond to, per company recommendations.
• OritasecondaryTechnology or IntegrationAI-powered customer reactivation and intelligent suppression tool. Sticky Digital partners with Orita to suppress dormant and inactive profiles, reduce unnecessary email and SMS volume, protect deliverability, and control platform costs tied to active profile counts. Positioned as the 'restraint layer' in the retention system.
• RebuycoreTechnology or IntegrationPersonalization and merchandising platform for Shopify. Sticky Digital recommends Rebuy as the leading platform for increasing AOV, improving conversion rates, and guiding customers toward higher-value purchases in real time. Integrates with email and SMS programs to amplify lifecycle marketing effectiveness.
• AttentivecoreTechnology or IntegrationSMS platform integrated into Sticky Digital's retention stack. Used for time-sensitive loyalty moments, urgency messaging, cart recovery, and subscription save sequences. Suppression logic between Attentive SMS and Klaviyo email is a standard component of the retention architecture.
• Loop ReturnssecondaryTechnology or IntegrationPost-purchase returns management platform recommended by Sticky Digital. Handles return requests, exchanges, and refunds while enabling post-purchase flows that turn returns into re-engagement opportunities.
• GorgiassecondaryTechnology or IntegrationCustomer support platform integrated into Sticky Digital's recommended tech stack for Shopify brands. Used to unify customer data across support and marketing channels for better segmentation and lifecycle targeting.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Flowium: Flowium is a Klaviyo Elite Partner email marketing agency serving ecommerce and DTC brands with lifecycle, SMS, and retention services. It is the closest direct peer in terms of Klaviyo-centric agency model, target customer profile (DTC brands doing $5M+), and full-service retention offering.
• InboxArmy: InboxArmy is a full-service email marketing agency that designs and executes lifecycle programs, automation, and segmentation for ecommerce and B2B clients. It competes for the same mid-market brand budgets on retainer-based email and retention engagements.
• Holistic Email Marketing: Holistic Email Marketing is a Klaviyo Master Partner agency that delivers managed email and SMS programs for DTC and ecommerce brands. It overlaps directly with Sticky Digital on the Klaviyo-led retention agency model and Shopify-based client profile.
• TrendyMinds: TrendyMinds is a digital marketing agency that offers email marketing, automation, and lifecycle services for ecommerce and consumer brands. It is a like-for-like competitor for retainer-based email and retention work for mid-market DTC clients.
• Structured Agency: Structured is a Shopify-focused ecommerce growth agency serving DTC brands with retention, email, SMS, and CRO services. It targets a similar customer (Shopify-based mid-market brands) and overlapping service scope, though with a broader agency remit.

Emerging players

• SmartrMail: SmartrMail is an AI-driven email marketing platform built for ecommerce and Shopify brands. It represents the productization path that could disintermediate agency-based retention services, making it a strategic adjacent peer even though it is a vendor rather than a direct agency competitor.
• Attentive: Attentive is a leading SMS marketing platform and a Sticky Digital partner for time-sensitive retention messaging. Its continued investment in AI-driven lifecycle and personalization features positions it as an emerging competitive threat to the agency's SMS and cross-channel orchestration work.

Broad incumbents

• Tinuiti: Tinuiti is a large independent performance marketing agency offering email, SMS, paid media, and SEO across retail and DTC clients. It competes with Sticky Digital at the high end of the mid-market for email/SMS retainer work but with a much broader service portfolio and larger client roster.
• Power Digital Marketing: Power Digital is a full-service digital marketing agency serving mid-market and enterprise brands across paid media, SEO, email, and lifecycle. It overlaps on email and retention for DTC clients but competes across a much wider service catalog, positioning it as a broad incumbent rather than a direct retention specialist.
• Klaviyo: Klaviyo is the dominant ESP and SMS platform underpinning Sticky Digital's service delivery and a current strategic partner. As Klaviyo expands its own AI-driven automation and professional services, it increasingly competes with — and could disintermediate — agency partners. It is both the agency's biggest tailwind and its largest platform risk.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/stickydigital
• Xx.com/sticky_digital
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sticky-digital-retention

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sticky Digital