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Smarter Marketer

Smarter Marketer

Written by: James Lawrence
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About this listen

 Hosted by James Lawrence - Co-Founder of Rocket Agency and B&T Marketer of the Year finalist, each episode features candid conversations with marketers, leaders and innovators on what’s really working in today’s fast-changing landscape. This is the definitive podcast for Australian Marketers.Copyright 2026 James Lawrence Careers Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales Personal Success
Episodes
  • 108. How to Get the Most Out of Your Agency w. Neon Ambition’s Jordan Slover

    108. How to Get the Most Out of Your Agency w. Neon Ambition’s Jordan Slover
    Apr 21 2026
    Episode Description:

    What does a great agency relationship actually look like when pressure on marketing performance has never been higher? As budgets tighten and expectations rise, the difference between an average agency partnership and a high-performing one often comes down to how well both sides work together, not just what’s delivered.

    In this episode, Host James Lawrence sits down with Jordan Slover, founder of one of the fastest-growing agencies in the US, Neon Ambition, to unpack what it really takes to get the best out of your agency partners. Drawing on years of experience on both the agency and client side, they explore the habits, behaviours and expectations that separate strong, results-driven relationships from the ones that quietly fall apart.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Why agreeing on clear goals and KPIs upfront sets the foundation for better performance
    • How feedback, both positive and constructive, shapes stronger agency output over time
    • What separates a true partnership from a transactional client-agency relationship
    • The role of trust, and why over-directing your agency can limit results
    • How transparency from the client side leads to better decision-making and outcomes
    • Why consistent communication (without micromanaging) keeps things moving forward
    • The importance of staying involved, even when you’ve outsourced execution
    • How small human factors (respect, empathy, rapport) impact performance more than you think

    Guest:

    Jordan Slover is the founder of Neon Ambition, a US-based digital agency specialising in paid media, SEO and content marketing. With a background at Google and experience working across international markets, Jordan brings a practical, grounded perspective on how agencies and clients can work better together to drive meaningful results.

    You can follow Jordan on LinkedIn.

    Find Us Online:

    James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/

    Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

    Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/

    Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

    Buy Smarter Marketer:

    Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg

    Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm

    About the Podcast:

    This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.
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    38 mins
  • 107. What Australian Influencer Research Says About Creator Marketing in 2026 w. Impact Agency’s Trish McGee

    107. What Australian Influencer Research Says About Creator Marketing in 2026 w. Impact Agency’s Trish McGee
    Apr 7 2026
    Episode Description:

    How should Australian marketers adapt their approach to influencers and content creators as algorithmic changes, platform shifts and changing audience expectations reshape the landscape?

    Host James Lawrence sits down with Trish McGee, Group Account Director at Impact Agency, to unpack the findings of Impact's 2026 Influencer Pulse Check, Australian research that goes straight to the source, surveying local content creators from micro to mega. From platform preferences and AI concerns to what good measurement looks like, this is a valuable listen for any marketer working in or considering the influencer space.

    Key Takeaways:
    • Why authenticity and long-term partnerships remain the foundation of effective influencer marketing
    • How creators are using AI, and why they're cautious about brands that rely on it too heavily
    • Which platforms creators prefer for paid collaborations versus organic content
    • Why giving creators genuine creative control leads to better outcomes, and why it's harder than it sounds
    • How measurement is evolving beyond reach, with saves, shares and quality comments becoming stronger indicators of success
    • Why white-listing is still meeting resistance from creators
    • Where Australia sits in the global influencer landscape, and why there's still significant room to grow

    Read: The 2026 Influencer Pulse Check Report

    Guest:

    Trish McGee is Group Account Director at Impact Agency, a full-service communications agency headquartered in Sydney. Trish leads client strategy and partnerships while overseeing Impact's Victorian presence. She was a key driver behind the 2026 Influencer Pulse Check, which surveys Australian content creators across all tiers on how they're navigating AI, changing algorithms, brand partnerships and the road ahead.

    You can follow Trish on LinkedIn.

    Find Us Online:

    James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/

    Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

    Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/

    Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

    Buy Smarter Marketer:

    Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg

    Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm

    About the Podcast:

    This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.
    Show More Show Less
    29 mins
  • 106. Digital Marketing in Australia in 2026 - Your Questions Answered w. Rocket Agency's Top Experts

    106. Digital Marketing in Australia in 2026 - Your Questions Answered w. Rocket Agency's Top Experts
    Mar 24 2026
    Episode Description: What would great marketing look like in Australia this year, especially when the rules are changing faster than most teams can keep up? In this episode, Rocket Agency’s top experts unpack the biggest shifts shaping digital marketing in 2026, from AI search and zero-click behaviour to rising costs, evolving content expectations and the growing importance of creative.Host James Lawrence discusses marketers’ most pressing questions with Mariano Di Lascio (Head of Digital), Joe Alder (Head of SEO), Leesa Mealing (Digital Creative Lead) and David Lawrence (MD). What follows is a practical, honest look at what’s working, what’s not and where marketers should be focusing next.Key Takeaways:Key trends shaping the Australian marketing landscape this yearIf zero-click search continues to grow, how should marketers measure SEO success differently?With AI-generated content flooding the internet, what does “good” content look like now?One AI use case that’s genuinely delivering ROI?With CPCs rising and competition intensifying, what are the first three levers you’d pull before increasing budget?If you’re leading marketing in 2026, what are you actually automating with AI, and what are you deliberately keeping human?LinkedIn for B2B: are most brands under-investing in creative, targeting, or measurement?Is the funnel broken or are marketers just running the same message at every stage?If you’re a lean team with limited budget, what’s the one channel and one capability you would prioritise this year?With Meta and Google controlling audience data, how much should brands invest in building owned channels right now?… and more pressing questions.Guests:Mariano Di Lascio leads a team of outstanding marketers at Rocket Agency across paid search and paid social channels. Together with the team, he has won some outstanding awards for client campaigns, including Best Integrated Campaign at APAC Search Awards, Best Integration of Search into Cross-Channel Marketing at Search Engine Land Awards and Best Integrated Campaign at Semrush Awards.Joe Alder is an award-winning SEO expert and has driven organic growth for global brands like Amazon, Coca-Cola, ANZ and Dulux through innovative strategies and data-driven insights. With over 20 industry award nominations, Joe is recognised as a leader in the field.Leesa Mealing is the Digital Creative Lead at Rocket, bringing over 15 years of experience across creative direction, art direction and design. She blends big-picture thinking with hands-on execution, shaping concepts while staying close to the work. Her background spans everything from branding and packaging to UI/UX, content and campaign production, and she’s just as comfortable leading a shoot as she is refining the details on screen.David Lawrence is the MD and Co-Founder of Rocket, an award-winning Australian full-service digital marketing agency. He is also the co-author of the Amazon #1 best-selling marketing book, Smarter Marketer. David has presented at several events, including Inbound Boston, Search Marketing Summit, Mumbrella360, CEO Institute, and various seminars and in-house sessions.Find Us Online:James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcastRocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/Buy Smarter Marketer:Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kgKindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWmAbout the Podcast:This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.
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    53 mins
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