From Strategy to Execution — Rob Smith on Unlocking Digital Transformation

In this episode, I sit down with Rob Smith — founder of Fractional Digital, strategic advisor, and fractional CMO — to unpack what digital transformation really means for mid-sized businesses and manufacturers. With a career spanning 3M, global marketing ops, and building four companies of his own, Rob has seen firsthand how companies waste millions chasing tools without a strategy.

We cover:

• Why transformation fails when tech is bought before process and people are aligned
• The “two-in-a-box” method to end the sales vs. marketing blame game
• How Ella, his SaaS platform, helps fractional CMOs compress 8 weeks of work into hours
• Why there’s no bad technology, only bad implementation
• The financial upside of fixing operations before scaling growth
• How to align global tech stacks while staying agile in local markets

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Digital transformation is about people → process → technology (in that order)
• Most companies don’t need more tools — they need to connect the ones they already have
• Profitability gains often come from the middle of the P&L, not the top line
• Embedding marketing and sales under shared KPIs unlocks growth
• AI should be seen as augmented intelligence — a thought partner, not a replacement

This episode is for leaders navigating tech overload, founders scaling without burning cash, and marketers who want to connect strategy with execution for real business outcomes.

🔗 Connect with Rob:

• LinkedIn
• Fractional Digital
• Ella Ai

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From AI Flood to Originality — Jonathan Gillham on Protecting Authentic Content in 2025

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan — founder and CEO of Originality.ai, co-founder of Motion Invest, and one of the earliest voices warning about generative AI’s impact on publishing — to dig into the evolving battle between authenticity and automation. From building the first-ever paid AI detection tool (launched days before ChatGPT) to spotting the gray zone between ethical and spammy AI content, Jonathan shares what it takes to keep your brand’s voice intact while still working at the speed of modern marketing.

We cover:

• Why Google’s “AI forward” messaging hides a war on mass-produced AI content
• How AI-assisted ≠ AI-authored — and where the detection line gets drawn
• The fatal flaw in copy-paste AI blogs and why they’re tanking site authority
• Why “value beyond words” is the new SEO edge in an AI-saturated world
• What publishers, marketers, and site buyers now demand as proof of authenticity
• How AI hallucinations are already warping book publishing, journalism, and search results

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• AI is a tool, not a replacement — human oversight is non-negotiable
• Mass-produced AI content will eventually tank your rankings
• Adding value beyond text (data, tools, design) is your long-term moat
• Have an internal AI policy — and enforce it with detection and QC systems
• Authenticity is now a competitive advantage you can’t fake

This episode is for marketers balancing speed with substance, publishers guarding brand trust, and business owners who want to win with SEO without sacrificing integrity.

🔗 Connect with Jonathan:
LinkedIn
Originality.ai
Motion Invest

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▶️ YouTube: Uncomplicated Marketing - YouTube

🎙 From Google to Growth Engine — Cody Jensen on Building Ethical SEO That Actually Works

What do Groupon knockoffs, offshore shortcuts, and a Lil Wayne lyric have in common? For Cody Jensen, they were all lessons on his path to building Search Bloom — a multimillion-dollar SEO and digital marketing agency built on transparency, strategy, and results.

In this episode, I sit down with Cody — former Googler, data-obsessed strategist, and CEO of Search Bloom — to pull back the curtain on what actually works in SEO today. From the dark side of snake oil tactics to the surprising power of AI (used right), we unpack the foundational mindset and methodology that’s helped his team generate over $800B in attributable revenue for clients.

We cover:

• Why SEO isn't dead — it’s just misunderstood
• What white hat really means, and how Search Bloom built a business that clients don’t want to leave
• The evolution from ART to ARTS (Authority, Relevance, Trust, Strategy) and why it still holds up in an AI-dominated world
• Local SEO that actually works — from Google Business Profile hacks to citations that matter
• Why organic + paid is the growth combo most businesses ignore
• AI-generated blogs? Why they’re killing your site (and what to do instead)

🎯 Key Takeaways:

• Real SEO is built, not bought. If it’s $500/month, you’re likely getting nothing.
• Do SEO from the bottom up. Start with ROI, not just rankings.
• Local SEO can deliver ROI in 2 weeks — but only if you're doing it right.
• AI is a tool, not a shortcut. Use it for strategy, not content dumps.
• Strategy is the new secret sauce. Your roadmap is your edge.

This episode is for small business owners navigating digital growth, marketers who’ve been burned by bad SEO, and anyone curious about ethical, high-ROI search marketing in 2025.

🔗 Connect with Cody:

• LinkedIn
• Search Bloom

Follow Us:
📸 Instagram: Uncomplicate It!
▶️ YouTube: Uncomplicated Marketing - YouTube