Listen up, e-commerce owners and operators! The latest episode of the Operators Podcast, hosted by Sean Frank, CEO of Ridge and Jason Panzer, President of Hexclad, dropped some crucial intel that you can’t afford to miss. Episode 108 titled “The SMS Kingpin” premiered on April 18th, 2025 and features guest Alex Beller, Co-Founder President of Postscript. He gives a major shoutout to the game-changing work we’re doing here at Ecommerce Innovation Alliance (EIA)!
The podcast highlighted how the EIA was formed in 2023 as a nonprofit trade association to advocate for and defend ecommerce brands against increasing legal challenges, a pain point discussed in the context of SMS marketing and sales lawsuits.
Here’s the scoop:
- Born from Necessity: The EIA emerged from the real-world legal battles faced by brands like Ridge and dozens of other small to medium size (SMBs) ecommerce companies.
- Early Wins in Virginia: Alex revealed a significant early victory – the EIA successfully lobbied to unanimously change a problematic SMS law in Virginia, closing a dangerous and costly loophole that had affected businesses across the country. This is real, tangible progress!
- Expanding the Fight: The EIA, backed by investments from Postscript, Ridge and other founding Members, is now working to shape fair laws and regulations in other states like Michigan, Illinois, and Oregon.
- Beyond SMS: The alliance is regularly engaging with federal bodies like the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Customs & Border Protection (CBP), as well as tackling broader ecommerce issues, including ADA complaints, AI and RCS regulatory impacts and more.
- Proven Impact: As Alex emphasized on the show, the EIA provides a unified voice for ecommerce businesses and all sizes, ensuring lawmakers hear their concerns. The EIA offers a unique opportunity to connect, advocate, and grow within the dynamic world of online commerce.
- Get Involved: Don’t just listen – join the Ecommerce Innovation Alliance! This is your chance to be proactive, protect your business, and shape a better future for the entire e-commerce ecosystem. Memberships are available for Ecommerce Retailers, Technology Solution Providers as well as Associate memberships for any business that support the ecommerce ecosystem.
Tune into the Operators Podcast episode NOW to hear the full story! Then, visit the EIA to become a member and join the movement!
