In this episode, host Reed Hansen, Chief Growth Officer at MarketSurge, sits down with John Dwyer (JD) — founder of The Institute of WOW and one of the most unapologetic voices in direct response marketing.

JD doesn’t believe in “spray and pray” advertising, brand vanity metrics, or waiting patiently for results. His philosophy is simple:
👉 Marketing exists to make the cash register ring. Period.

From helping small businesses generate avalanche-level leads on tiny budgets, to orchestrating iconic campaigns that brought Jerry Seinfeld into the world of banking ads, JD breaks down what actually works — and why most businesses are doing it wrong.

💥 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The difference between branding and direct response (and why small businesses can’t afford to confuse the two)
• JD’s problem → solution → proof → incentive framework that drives fast results
• Why incentives outperform discounts (and the psychology behind it)
• How contests and giveaways can generate thousands of high-intent leads
• The “WOW factor” that allows challenger brands to beat industry giants
• Real-world case studies from dentists, landscapers, dog food brands, banks, and more

If you’re a business owner, marketer, or agency tired of guessing and hoping your ads work — this episode will challenge how you think about marketing forever.

🔗 Connect with John Dwyer & The Institute of WOW

🌐 Website: https://theinstituteofwow.com/
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/instituteofwow/
📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theinstituteofwow

📈 About MarketSurge
At MarketSurge, we help businesses grow smarter, faster, and louder with systems that turn marketing into measurable revenue — not just noise.

👉 Learn more: https://marketsurge.io
🎧 Subscribe to the podcast: https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/

If this episode helped you think differently about marketing, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share — and drop a comment with your biggest takeaway.

In this episode of Inside Marketing with MarketSurge, we dive into a topic most companies think they understand — but few actually do well: cross-cultural integration.

We’re joined by Sandra Bonifacio, cross-cultural leadership coach, emotional intelligence expert, and founder of XPattitudes, to unpack why cross-cultural teams break down, how emotional misunderstandings derail performance, and what leaders can do to build truly inclusive, high-performing teams in a global workplace.

Whether you lead remote teams, manage expats, or work across cultures daily — this conversation is a must-watch.

---

💡 What You’ll Learn

* Why cross-cultural integration fails even in well-intentioned companies
* The hidden emotional challenges expats and multicultural teams face
* Why “culture fit” can quietly kill creativity and retention
* How communication styles, feedback, humor, and work-life balance differ across cultures
* What leaders can do to build empathy, trust, and psychological safety
* Practical habits leaders can use to support expats and diverse teams

---

👉 Key Highlights

* Cross-cultural training isn’t optional — it’s a leadership responsibility
* Emotional intelligence matters as much as technical skills
* Misunderstandings often come from tone, feedback style, and unspoken expectations
* Active listening and compassion are core leadership skills in global teams
* Strong multicultural teams don’t happen by accident — they’re designed

---

👤 About Our Guest
Sandra Bonifacio is a cross-cultural leadership coach and emotional intelligence expert with over 20 years of experience helping leaders, teams, and global organizations navigate cultural transitions. She specializes in cultural sensitivity, emotional intelligence, multicultural leadership, and supporting expats and their families through professional and personal change.

---

🔗 Connect with Sandra
Website: https://xpattitudes.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandra-bonifacio-8a66328/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xpattitudes_sandrabonifacio/

---

📈 About MarketSurge
At MarketSurge, we help businesses turn tools into systems — and systems into growth.
If you want automation that feels personal and performs like a team of 10, you’re in the right place.

🧠 Want to talk strategy or see it in action?
🎯 Book your 15-minute Value or Free Coffee Call:
https://link.marketsurge.io/widget/bookings/15minutevalueorfreecoffee

---

🔗 Useful Links
Website: https://marketsurge.io
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035121171654
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsurgeio
X / Twitter: https://x.com/marketsurging
Podcast:https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/

---

👍 If this episode helped you think differently about leadership, culture, and communication — like, subscribe, and share it with someone managing a global or diverse team.

In this episode of Inside Marketing with MarketSurge, Reed Hansen sits down with Russ Evans, Partner at ZS, to explore how AI is fundamentally changing consumer insights, brand strategy, and customer experience.

Russ leads ZS’s B2C practice, working with Fortune 100 brands to turn massive amounts of data into actionable insight — and insight into real business growth. This conversation goes beyond AI hype and into how brands can actually use AI to uncover hidden truths, map better customer journeys, and connect brand health to revenue.

If you’re a marketing leader, strategist, or founder trying to make sense of AI’s real impact on customers, this episode is required listening.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• The biggest misconceptions brands still have about AI-driven insights
• How AI fits into the modern insights workflow (and where humans still matter)
• Why unstructured data is a goldmine most brands ignore
• Real examples of “unknown unknowns” uncovered through AI analysis
• Common mistakes brands make when mapping customer journeys
• Why most journey maps fail — and how to fix them
• How to actually measure brand health in a way that connects to revenue
• What agentic AI means for the future of marketing and insights

👉 Key Highlights:

✅ AI as an Insight Engine – How brands are using AI to ask better questions, not just analyze data
✅ Hidden Customer Behavior – Why observation beats surveys in uncovering new opportunities
✅ Journey Mapping Done Right – How to turn journey maps into living, operational tools
✅ Brand Health Metrics – Why too many KPIs kill clarity (and what to focus on instead)
✅ The Next Wave of AI – What autonomous AI agents mean for insights teams

📈 At MarketSurge, we help you turn data, tools, and ideas into systems that drive real growth.
If you want marketing that’s smarter, more connected, and built to scale — you’re in the right place.

🧠 Want to talk strategy or see it in action?
🎯 Book your 15-minute Value or Free Coffee Call:
👉 https://link.marketsurge.io/widget/bookings/15minutevalueorfreecoffee

🔗 Guest & Resource Links

🌐 ZS Consulting: https://www.zs.com

🔗 MarketSurge Links

🌐 Website: https://marketsurge.io
📘 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035121171654
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsurgeio
🐦 X / Twitter: https://x.com/marketsurging
🎙️ Podcast: https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/

In this episode of Inside Marketing with MarketSurge, Reed Hansen sits down with Owen Garrity, Founder of FPW Media, to break down what actually makes storytelling work in a world flooded with AI-generated content.

Owen isn’t just talking theory — he’s built a fastest-growing agency by combining cinematic storytelling, in-house execution, and a relentless focus on authenticity. From award-winning films to brand campaigns that scale across every touchpoint, this conversation goes deep on why content is still king — and why AI doesn’t get the crown (yet).

Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or agency owner, this episode will challenge how you think about brand, content, and trust.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why most brands fail to cut through today’s attention economy
• The real role AI should play in content and storytelling
• Why “too perfect” content actually hurts conversions
• How authenticity beats automation on Meta and beyond
• Why in-house creative teams unlock speed, quality, and consistency
• How visual thinking shapes the entire customer journey
• Where brands should start when rebuilding their story

👉 Key Highlights:

✅ Story Before Platform – Why starting with ads instead of narrative kills ROI
✅ AI as a Companion, Not a Replacement – How to use AI without eroding trust
✅ Authenticity Wins – Why UGC and human flaws outperform polished perfection
✅ Visual-First Strategy – How photography and film thinking improves conversion journeys
✅ 360° Brand Consistency – Why execution across every touchpoint matters

📈 At MarketSurge, we help you turn content into systems — and systems into growth.
If you want marketing that feels human but performs like a team of 10, you’re in the right place.

🧠 Want to talk strategy or see it in action?
🎯 Book your 15-minute Value or Free Coffee Call:
👉 https://link.marketsurge.io/widget/bookings/15minutevalueorfreecoffee

🔗 Guest Links

🌐 FPW Media: https://fpwmedia.com/
💼 Owen Garrity on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/owen-garitty/

🔗 MarketSurge Links

🌐 Website: https://marketsurge.io
📘 Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035121171654
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsurgeio
🐦 X / Twitter: https://x.com/marketsurging
🎙️ Podcast: https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/

In this episode, host Reed Hansen, Chief Growth Officer at MarketSurge, sits down with Dan Nikas, Founder of Elite Brands and the strategist behind the explosive growth of GearBunch, an e-commerce brand that scaled from zero to over $5 million in its first year.

Dan’s journey is anything but typical. Before entering e-commerce, he spent 17 years as a homicide detective in Australia. That background shaped his unique approach to marketing, audience research, and customer psychology. Today, Dan is a Meta-certified lead trainer, Klaviyo partner, and a trusted voice in retention-driven growth for DTC brands.

This episode dives deep into what most brands overlook and how to unlock profit that’s already hiding inside your existing customer base.

What you’ll learn in this episode:
How Dan used investigative thinking to find buyers before building products
How GearBunch scaled to $5M in its first year
Why retention marketing beats acquisition in the long run
How to use unit economics to scale with confidence
Why most brands overspend on ads and how to fix it
How repeat customers create a lasting competitive advantage

Key takeaways:
Build audiences first, then products
Retention is where real profitability comes from
Knowing your numbers removes stress and guesswork
Better systems outperform more traffic

About our guest:
Dan Nikas is the Founder of Elite Brands, a growth and retention consultancy helping DTC brands build predictable, scalable revenue through data-driven marketing, full-funnel retention strategies, and customer experience optimization.

After scaling his own brand and working with multiple agencies, Dan built the agency he wished existed, focused on clarity, consistency, and results.

Learn more about Dan and Elite Brands:
https://www.elitebrands.org/

About the show:
Inside Marketing with MarketSurge breaks down what’s actually working in marketing today, without the fluff. Each episode delivers real-world strategies and honest conversations for founders, marketers, and growth-focused operators.

Learn more at:
https://marketsurge.io
Book a 15-Minute Value or Free Coffee Call
https://link.marketsurge.io/widget/bookings/15minutevalueorfreecoffee

Facebook Business Page
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100035121171654

Facebook Group
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/15wpKr1WmN/

LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsurgeio

X / Twitter
https://x.com/marketsurging

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/marketsurging/

Podcast: Inside Marketing with MarketSurge
https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/

YouTube Channel
https://www.youtube.com/@surgingwithmarketsurge
#ecommercegrowth #retentionmarketing #dtcmarketing #marketingstrategy
#customerlifetimevalue #digitalmarketingpodcast #founderstories #metaads #emailmarketing #scalingbusinesses

In this episode of Inside Marketing with MarketSurge, Reed Hansen sits down with Barry Labov, one of the world’s leading experts on differentiation, brand strategy, and emotional connection.

Barry is a two-time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year, founder of Labov Marketing Communications and Training, and a trusted advisor to iconic brands like Harley-Davidson, Audi, Mack Trucks, and The Macallan. He’s also the author of The Power of Differentiation, a #1 new release in marketing on Amazon, and a frequent speaker at institutions like Cambridge, Stanford, and Chicago Booth.

In a world where technology and AI are pushing brands to look, sound, and price the same, Barry explains why differentiation is no longer optional—it’s survival.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why “doing something well” is no longer enough to win
• The real difference between branding and differentiation
• How iconic brands build emotional loyalty that competitors can’t copy
• Why employees—not logos—are the true brand
• How leaders can win hearts first, then minds, then market share
• Where AI helps brand building—and where it absolutely doesn’t
• Barry’s 5-step process for uncovering authentic differentiation

👉 Key Highlights:

✅ Differentiation vs. Commoditization – Why sameness kills margins and morale
✅ Living the Brand – What Harley-Davidson and Macallan get right
✅ Emotion > Data – Why customers feel brands before they analyze them
✅ Inside-Out Branding – Why differentiation starts with employees, not ads
✅ AI with a Conscience – How to use AI without sounding generic
✅ From Solopreneurs to Global Brands – Why differentiation principles scale

🧠 About the Guest

Barry Labov is a globally recognized brand strategist, speaker, and author specializing in differentiation and emotional brand connection. Through Labov Marketing Communications and Training, Barry has helped companies across industries stand out, command premium pricing, and inspire employee loyalty.

🔗 Website: https://www.barrylabov.com
📘 Book: The Power of Differentiation (available on Amazon)
🎙️ Podcast: Difference Talks Podcast

📈 At MarketSurge, we help you turn tools into systems — and systems into growth.
If you want marketing automation that feels personal and performs like a team of 10, you’re in the right place.

🧠 Want to talk strategy or see it in action?
🎯 Book your 15-minute Value or Free Coffee Call:
👉 https://link.marketsurge.io/widget/bookings/15minutevalueorfreecoffee

🔗 Useful Links
🌐 Website: https://marketsurge.io
🐦 X / Twitter: https://x.com/marketsurging
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsurgeio
🎙️ Podcast: https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/

In this episode of Inside Marketing with MarketSurge, Reed Hansen sits down with Ivan Janku, CEO of Digital Rocket, the agency famously allergic to marketing waste.

Ivan and his team have helped e-commerce and SaaS brands generate over $250M in client revenue by fixing profit leaks across ads, CRO, email, and tracking. What makes Digital Rocket different? Their No-BS Guarantee: If they don’t deliver, you don’t pay.

This conversation is raw, practical, and unapologetically focused on what actually makes money.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• Why most agencies fail by working in silos
• The most common profit leaks killing e-commerce and SaaS brands
• Why ROI is one of the most overrated marketing metrics
• How bad tracking breaks attribution and decision-making
• What founders should audit before scaling ad spend
• How Ivan allocates ad budgets across Meta, Google, TikTok, and SMS
• Why systems and checklists beat “rockstar” marketers every time

👉 Key Highlights:

✅ No-BS Marketing – Why Ivan only gets paid when results show up
✅ The Leaky Bucket Problem – Where revenue disappears between ads and conversion
✅ Mobile UX Blind Spots – Why desktop-first thinking costs brands millions
✅ Tracking Before Tactics – Why server-side tracking is non-negotiable
✅ Channel Strategy Reality – Matching platforms to buying behavior
✅ Systems > Talent – How checklists scale agencies without chaos

🧠 About the Guest

Ivan Janku is the CEO of Digital Rocket, a performance-driven growth agency helping e-commerce and SaaS brands eliminate wasted ad spend and scale profitably. Known for his direct style and obsession with accountability, Ivan has built Digital Rocket around systems, audits, and real business outcomes—not vanity metrics.

🔗 Company Website: https://digitalrocketads.com
🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ecommerce-megalomania/?originalSubdomain=rs

📈 At MarketSurge, we help you turn tools into systems — and systems into growth.
If you want marketing automation that feels personal and performs like a team of 10, you’re in the right place.

🧠 Want to talk strategy or see it in action?
🎯 Book your 15-minute Value or Free Coffee Call:
👉 https://link.marketsurge.io/widget/bookings/15minutevalueorfreecoffee

🔗 Useful Links
🌐 Website: https://marketsurge.io
🐦 X / Twitter: https://x.com/marketsurging
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsurgeio
🎙️ Podcast: https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/

In this episode of Inside Marketing with MarketSurge, Reed Hansen sits down with Ollie James, CEO of Adttribution, to unpack one of the most confusing—and most important—topics in modern marketing: how to measure performance without destroying consumer trust.

As cookies crumble, AI reshapes search, and privacy regulations tighten worldwide, Ollie explains how brands can still prove ROI, make smarter ad decisions, and protect the ecosystem that keeps publishers and creators alive.

Whether you’re a founder, CMO, or growth marketer, this episode delivers clarity in a world full of acronyms.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

• How to explain complex ad tech concepts to non-technical teams
• Why attribution is still unsolved—and how to think about it correctly
• The real impact of AI on media buying and measurement
• Why brand, not clicks, often drives conversion
• Ethical challenges around data privacy and consent
• What happens to publishers in an AI-first internet

👉 Key Highlights:

✅ “Explain it like I’m 5” – Why simplification is the secret weapon of great marketers
✅ The Cat Analogy – A surprisingly perfect way to understand customer acquisition & retention
✅ Multi-Touch Reality – Why last-click attribution fails modern buyers
✅ AI Media Buyers – How machines are starting to buy ads (and what scares Ollie about it)
✅ Privacy vs Performance – How to balance ROI with consumer trust
✅ Saving Publishers – Why ethical ad tech matters more than ever

🧠 About the Guest

Ollie James is the CEO of adttribution, a next-generation ad tech company helping brands measure ROI across connected TV, mobile, and desktop—without compromising consumer privacy. Previously, Ollie worked at Rockerbox and Rocker Ad, partnering with global brands like Apple, iTunes, and American Express.

🔗 Website: https://adttribution.com
🔗 LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/olliejames

📈 At MarketSurge, we help you turn tools into systems — and systems into growth.
If you want marketing automation that feels personal and performs like a team of 10, you’re in the right place.

🧠 Want to talk strategy or see it in action?
🎯 Book your 15-minute Value or Free Coffee Call:
👉 https://link.marketsurge.io/widget/bookings/15minutevalueorfreecoffee

🔗 Useful Links
🌐 Website: https://marketsurge.io
🐦 X / Twitter: https://x.com/marketsurging
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/marketsurgeio
🎙️ Podcast: https://marketsurge.transistor.fm/