Description:

Too many sellers are getting burned by overpromising agencies that underdeliver, and Blake T. Gale has seen it all.

In Episode 57 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we sit down with Blake T. Gale, CEO of BLAZON, to talk about the hard truths of working with Amazon agencies. From spotting red flags early to rebuilding after a bad experience, Blake shares what sellers need to know to grow with the right partner.

With over 8 years in the Amazon space and a proven track record of scaling brands 25–33% year-over-year, Blake also unpacks the upside of tariffs (yes, there is one) and offers bold predictions on where Amazon is headed next.

Whether you’re hiring your first agency or reconsidering your current one, this episode delivers honest insights to help you move forward with confidence.

About Blake T. Gale:

Blake is the Founder and CEO of BLAZON, a Utah-based agency focused on helping Amazon and Walmart brands scale with strategy and consistency. Since founding BLAZON in 2019, Blake has led brands to double-digit growth through hands-on operational support, creative thinking, and an honest approach to long-term success. He’s passionate about cutting through the noise and helping sellers avoid common traps in the agency world.

Connect with John Blake T. Gale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-t-gale-0341b6152/

Main Discussion Topics:

• How to identify (and avoid) bad agencies before they cost you
• What most sellers miss when navigating agency partnerships
• The surprising upside of tariffs for U.S.-based brands
• Blake’s predictions for what’s next on Amazon—and how to prepar

Key Takeaways:

Blake T. Gale shares how to choose the right agency partner to grow your Amazon brand, covering what to look for, common red flags, and how the proper support can drive long-term growth and avoid costly setbacks.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Description:

“Amazon is a visual marketplace first, a search engine second. Your hero image isn’t just one part of your listing, it’s the gatekeeper to everything else you’ve built.”

Your hero image isn’t just the first thing shoppers see; it’s the deciding factor in whether they click or keep scrolling. Most sellers underestimate its impact, but it could be the key to unlocking serious revenue growth.

In Episode 56 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by John Aspinall, Founder of Aspi Creatives and Brand Evangelist at PickFu, to explore how top-performing brands turn simple product images into powerful profit drivers. With 15 years of Amazon experience and a sharp focus on hero image optimization, John shares why breaking outdated design “rules” and applying real data can dramatically improve click-through and conversion rates.

Whether you’re DIY-ing your creative or leading a whole team, this episode delivers practical strategies that help your visuals stand out and sell more.

About John Aspinall:

John Aspinall is the Founder & CEO of Aspi Creatives, an Amazon-first creative consultancy that helps brands transform product images into high-performing visual assets. Over the last five years, John has specialized in hero image optimization, utilizing A/B testing and proven merchandising tactics to drive improved CTR, CVR, and long-term growth. As Brand Evangelist at PickFu, he also empowers sellers with insights from honest consumer feedback to refine and outperform the competition.

Connect with John Aspinall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaspinall/

Main Discussion Topics:

• Why most brands are leaving money on the table with under-optimized images
• What makes a hero image convert (hint: it’s not just good lighting)
• How to challenge outdated design rules without risking suppression
• Building a test-and-learn strategy that scales, without a big creative team

Key Takeaways:

John Aspinall breaks down how to turn your hero image into Amazon’s hidden profit driver by combining bold creative strategy with real data to boost clicks, conversions, and growth.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Description:

Are you struggling to scale your dev team without breaking the budget? You’re not alone, more U.S. companies are solving this by going south.

In Episode 55 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Roger Einstoss, CEO & Co-Founder of Braintly, to unpack how brands build high-performing engineering teams with top LATAM talent. Born and raised in Argentina, Roger shares what makes the region such a valuable resource for fast-growing companies and how to build a team that delivers.

Whether you're hiring your first engineer or scaling a dev team, this episode offers practical insight on finding world-class talent without the coastal premiums.

About Roger Einstoss:

Roger Einstoss is the CEO and Co-Founder of Braintly, a software development company helping U.S. companies access elite engineering talent from Argentina. With deep regional roots and a firm grasp of startup and enterprise needs, Roger has become a go-to resource for companies looking to scale smarter through LATAM hiring.

Connect with Roger Einstoss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogereinstoss/

Main Discussion Topics:

• Why U.S. Companies Are Hiring in Argentina
• What U.S. founders often get wrong about nearshore hiring
• Why LATAM engineers are a smart move for startups and scaling brands
• How to build and manage a remote engineering team that performs

Key Takeaways:

Roger Einstoss shares how U.S. companies can unlock growth by building high-performing remote engineering teams in LATAM—blending smart hiring strategy with access to top global talent.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Description:

Amazon has evolved—but have your selling strategies kept up?

In Episode 54 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Phil Masiello, founder of CrunchGrowth and host of Crunching Growth on E360tv, to explore the evolution of Amazon selling—from its early days to where it’s headed next.

As one of the pioneers in e-commerce and the mind behind Raw Essentials and CrunchGrowth, Phil has seen it all. This episode is a must-watch for brand owners and operators seeking to learn from the past and apply timeless strategies that remain effective today.

Whether you’re new to the platform or scaling your brand, Phil shares hard-earned insights and marketing tactics that stand the test of time.

About Phil Masiello:

Phil Masiello is a veteran entrepreneur and founder of CrunchGrowth Revenue Acceleration Agency. A true innovator, Phil helped launch one of the first meal-based e-commerce platforms and the beauty brand Raw Essentials. Today, through CrunchGrowth and his show Crunching Growth, he helps brands maximize sales with data-backed strategies and a deep focus on customer connection. Phil is known for turning challenges into growth opportunities and mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.

Connect with Phil Masiello: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phil-masiello/

Main Discussion Topics:

• How the Amazon marketplace has evolved over the years—and what it means for sellers today
• What early Amazon sellers understood that new brands often overlook
• Why building a strong brand and customer connection still wins in a pay-to-play world

Key Takeaways:
Phil Masiello shares a no-fluff, real-world perspective on how Amazon selling has changed—and how to succeed in 2025 by combining time-tested principles with modern strategy.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Description:

Your data is more powerful than you think, especially when connected across platforms. In Episode 52 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Ali Babul, Chief Evangelist at Trellis, to unpack how brands can leverage first-party data to build smarter audiences, lower acquisition costs, and boost lifetime value on Amazon and beyond.

With a decade of agency experience and a deep understanding of multi-channel growth, Ali shares strategies that turn shopper insights into actionable results. Whether scaling a brand or managing multiple client accounts, this episode will give you a more innovative framework for cross-channel growth and customer retention.

About Ali Babul:

Ali Babul is the Chief Evangelist at Trellis, where he helps brands navigate the complexities of modern e-commerce growth. With a career rooted in digital strategy, Ali brings a unique ability to connect big-picture goals with immediate performance gains. He specializes in helping brands leverage data to uncover new audiences, reduce revenue leakage, and maximize long-term customer value across platforms.

Connect with Ali Babul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alibabul/

Main Discussion Topics:

The Data Advantage: Turn Shopper Insights into Lower CAC and Higher LTV on Amazon

Additional Talking Points:

• Cross-Channel Acquisition Strategy – Using first-party data to connect DTC platforms like Shopify with Amazon Ads to build high-intent lookalike audiences and retargeting flows.
• Revenue Leakage Prevention – Keeping DTC cart abandoners within your brand ecosystem instead of losing them to competitors on Amazon.
• Driving Incrementality & LTV – Using audience updates and cross-sell strategies to boost new-to-brand customers and increase LTV.

Key Takeaways:
Ali Babul shares a data-backed approach to smarter customer acquisition and retention. Learn how to plug revenue leaks, integrate your DTC and Amazon data, and grow your brand with greater precision.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Description:

Amazon ads are getting more competitive—and more expensive. In Episode 52 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by George Meressa, Founder & CEO of Clear Ads, to talk about the biggest PPC mistakes brands make and what it takes to drive profitable growth with ads in 2025.

With 15+ years of experience running paid media campaigns across platforms like Amazon, Google, and Facebook, George has helped hundreds of brands scale while improving ROAS. Whether managing ads or overseeing an agency team, this episode offers practical advice to help you run leaner and smarter campaigns.

About George Meressa:

George Meressa is the Founder & CEO of Clear Ads, a UK-based agency specializing in Amazon PPC. Since 2009, he’s been helping brands of all sizes cut through the noise and maximize their paid advertising performance. With deep platform knowledge and a focus on real-world results, George is a trusted expert in Amazon advertising.

Connect with George Meressa: https://www.linkedin.com/in/george-meressa-30a87550/

Main Discussion Topics:

• How to identify and stop wasted ad spend
• What makes an Amazon PPC strategy scalable
• Smart tactics for improving ROAS in competitive markets
• Common pitfalls brands overlook in their ad accounts

Key Takeaways:
In this episode, George Meressa shares what top-performing brands are doing differently regarding Amazon PPC. From tighter control on budgets to more innovative campaign structures, you’ll walk away with clear strategies to improve your ad performance and scale profitably—no fluff, just actionable insights.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Description:

Success on Amazon in 2025 requires more than just listing optimization—it’s about scaling smartly and leveraging AI to stay ahead. In Episode 51 of the Agency Operators Podcast, we’re joined by Alex Karagiannis, Founder & CEO of Lezzat, to discuss strategies for doubling your sales, expanding globally, and using AI to enhance your Amazon business.

With experience helping 500+ brands, including household names and S&P 500 companies, Alex brings expert insights on scaling Amazon businesses and navigating international marketplaces. Whether you're a mature seller looking to grow or an agency helping clients succeed, this episode is packed with strategies you can apply immediately.

About Alex Karagiannis:

Alex Karagiannis is the Founder & CEO of Lezzat, a leading Amazon growth agency. With over 13 years of marketing experience and 9 years as an Amazon seller, Alex has worked with global brands to drive sales and optimize operations. A multilingual business marketing expert (BSc, MBM & CIM), he has spoken at multiple industry events and advised businesses on expansion strategies, branding, and AI-driven growth.

Connect with Alex Karagiannis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandroskaragiannis/

Main Discussion Topics:

• Selling on Amazon in 2025 – Key trends and strategies to stay competitive.
• Doubling Your Sales as a Mature Seller – How to optimize and scale efficiently.
• Leveraging AI for Amazon Growth – The impact of AI on marketing, operations, and content creation.
• Expanding into Global Markets – How to successfully sell in the EU and beyond.

Key Takeaways:

In this episode, Alex Karagiannis shares actionable strategies for increasing Amazon sales, streamlining operations, and using AI to enhance your business. Learn how to scale smartly, expand into new markets, and future-proof your brand in the evolving e-commerce landscape. Whether you're an Amazon seller or an agency owner, this episode contains valuable insights you won’t want to miss.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

Description:
Running a brand on Amazon has its highs and lows. From negative reviews to unexpected catalog issues, the challenges can feel overwhelming. In this episode of the Agency Operators Podcast, Danan Coleman, Co-Founder and CEO of eCom Triage, shares practical tips on tackling these roadblocks. Learn how to protect your brand, manage your reputation, and make the most of Amazon’s tools to keep your business on track.

About Danan Coleman

Danan Coleman is the Co-Founder and CEO of eCom Triage, a company that helps Amazon brands spot and fix problems that hurt their bottom line. From review management to catalog protection and PPC audits, his team provides the support brands need to stay competitive.

Danan’s passion for supporting the seller community shines through his work with Wizards of eCom Tampa Bay, the world's largest Amazon seller Meetup group. With experience spanning over a decade, Danan knows what it takes to overcome challenges and succeed on Amazon.

🔗 Connect with Danan Coleman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danancoleman/

Key Discussion Topics:

• Removing negative reviews and protecting your brand’s reputation
• How to monitor your ASINs and catch issues early
• The common money drains brands face (and how to fix them)
• Smarter PPC strategies to improve your ROI

Why You Should Tune In

Managing an Amazon brand involves many moving parts—sometimes, doing less can lead to better results. In this episode, Danan Coleman shares real-world advice on navigating tough spots, protecting your brand’s reputation, and uncovering Amazon's hidden tools. Whether you are dealing with negative reviews, catalog issues, or costly PPC campaigns, this episode will help you tackle challenges confidently.

This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.