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Marketing Episodes

10
May 15, 2026

The Real Reason Industry Giants Win at Affiliate Marketing

If you're a digital marketing professional, agency leader, affiliate marketer, or entrepreneur looking to scale your business, this episode is packed with actionable insights: Affiliate Marketing Essentials in 2026: Learn what it takes to start and scale a successful affiliate business—how to vet advertisers, select profitable offers, and avoid common payment pitfalls. Building a Sustainable Agency: Stas shares his blueprint for transitioning from solo affiliate marketer to leading a 20-p...
9
April 8, 2026

The Website Mistakes Killing Your ROAS (And How To Fix Them)

In this episode of Digital Marketing Stories Jim Banks sits down with Ivan Janku for an honest chat about running an agency, surviving in the ever-changing marketing world, and the real challenges behind the scenes. If you want a peek into what it truly takes to make it in digital marketing, you don’t want to miss this episode. YouTube - No BS Ads LinkedIn Instagram - No BS Ads Digital Rocket - Full-Stack Growth Marketing Agency I have one small favour to ask. Would you please follo...
Guests: Jim Banks , Ivan Janku
7
Nov. 11, 2025

The Art of Surviving Google’s AI Takeover in Paid Search

From conference travels in London, Berlin, and Bologna, to candid discussions about how the world of Pay Per Click advertising has shifted, Kirk and Jim peel back the curtain on everything from early Google Ads hacks to today's AI-driven campaigns. Dive into topics including: PPC Evolution: How the landscape has dramatically changed in the past two years and what digital marketers MUST know to stay ahead. Brand Bidding Masterclass: Should you bid on your own brand or not? Discover the ...
6
Oct. 21, 2025

The Marketing Mistake You’re Making That’s Killing Your Business

In today’s episode, Jim welcomes John Dwyer (JD), founder of the Institute of Wow, for a dynamic and entertaining conversation packed with real-world marketing wisdom and a few cheeky stories along the way. Jim and John dive deep into the world of direct response marketing, sharing how classic principles from marketing legends like Claude Hopkins are still at the heart of successful campaigns, even as platforms and technologies evolve. With stories of behind-the-scenes secrets of incentive...
Guests: Jim Banks , John Dwyer
3
Aug. 26, 2025

The PPC Agency Tactics That Turn Failing Campaigns Into Gold

Welcome to another episode of Digital Marketing Stories. This week, Jim talks to Joel Bondorowsky, a seasoned digital marketer and founder of PPC Designs, a boutique agency specializing in helping startups and e-commerce brands grow through paid media. Introduced by a previous guest, Anton Shulke, Joel shares his journey from the early days of dial-up internet, when concepts like click-through rates and conversion rates were brand new, to building successful campaigns for well-known brands...
23
April 16, 2025

Ben Jones on Effective YouTube Ad Strategies

In this podcast episode, Jim interviews Ben Jones, CEO of Titan Marketer, a YouTube advertising agency based in Perth, Australia. They discuss the transformation and strategy behind successful YouTube ad campaigns. Ben delves into his agency's specialization in YouTube ads, explaining how they transitioned from consulting to offering full-fledged ad management. He highlights the effectiveness of YouTube ads for service-based businesses with high client lifetime values, listing various industries they've worked with. The conversation also touches on the pitfalls and challenges of Performance Max campaigns versus YouTube, emphasising quality over quantity in lead generation. Ben shares targeting strategies that have proven successful, such as warm audiences and custom URL domains. He discusses the importance of high-quality video creative in YouTube ads and offers practical tips for businesses hesitant to create their own video content. The episode concludes …
Guests: Jim Banks , Ben Jones
22
April 9, 2025

Cracking the Code of Digital Marketing - Insights from Strategic Pete

In this episode of Digital Marketing Stories, Jim interviews Peter Murphy Lewis, also known as Strategic Pete. Pete discusses his background growing up in Kansas, working in Boston, and living in Chile. He explains his work as a fractional CMO, including his transition back to the U.S. and how he helps companies scale, rebrand, and increase revenue within a six to 18 month window before disengaging. They discuss common mistakes businesses make, such as hiring agencies without a strategy and struggling with attribution in B2B marketing. Pete also shares insights on the importance of organic social media, using data-driven techniques, and the value of CEOs hosting podcasts. The episode highlights Pete's approach to solving problems, working with a dedicated team, and pushing marketing efforts to new limits. Listen in wherever you get your podcasts, search for Digital Marketing Stories.
20
March 26, 2025

Challenges and Triumphs in Agtech and Biotech

Angela and Travis, cousins with a deep background in marketing, discuss their journey into the business together, specializing in biotech and agricultural technology (agtech). Angela, based in Oregon, focuses on biotech, while Travis, from Idaho, brings his farming experience to agtech. The conversation covers their business strategies, client engagements, and the balance of old and new technologies in their industries. They also touch upon the rapid evolution of AI, its applications in marketing and efficiency, and the ethical considerations surrounding its use. The discussion extends to broader topics such as climate change, mental health, and the responsibility of marketing professionals to ensure ethical practices. A comprehensive overview of the challenges and innovations within the biotech and agtech marketing.
14
Feb. 21, 2025

Ensuring Brand Consistency in the Digital Space

In this episode of Digital Marketing Stories, host Jim Banks chats with Grace Clemens, a digital marketing expert hailing from the United States, but currently based in Barcelona, Spain. We delve into Grace's career journey, focusing on her e-commerce expertise and the significance and value of digital marketing audits for e-commerce brands, nonprofits, and B2B companies. Grace explains in detail her audit process, stressing the importance of branding consistency, purposeful content across mul...
13
Feb. 19, 2025

Exploring the Impact of AI and Marketing Strategies with Benjamin Hoehn

The discussion today touches on topics including the complex business strategies needed to succeed today to the rapid evolution of AI. Ben Hoehn is a fractional CMO whose personal brand is Mojo Mogul. Ben explains his passion for working with early-stage startups and his unique approach to 'strategic-cution.' The conversation dives deep into the AI landscape, discussing its impact on jobs, workforce, and business operations. Key discussion points include the role of business webinars (along ...
10
Feb. 12, 2025

Navigating the Freelance Landscape in Paid Media with Sam Noble

In this episode of Digital Marketing Stories, host Jim Banks chats with Sam Noble about her journey and experiences in the digital marketing industry. Sam shares insights from her transitional career, starting at a travel agency and moving through various roles in marketing, financial services, and agencies, before establishing her own freelance consultancy, Biddable Moments. She discusses the pros and cons of freelancing, the importance of networking, and how she manages work-life balance. J...
9
Feb. 5, 2025

How To Thrive After Starting A Business At Completely The Worst Time

Welcome to another episode of Digital Marketing Stories. Today we're diving into a fascinating journey with Drew Donaldson, the founder of GroHaus, an innovative marketing agency. Despite launching his business just three months before the onset of COVID-19, Drew navigated the challenging landscape to build a successful agency that defies conventional marketing pitfalls. In this episode, Drew shares his incredible story of resilience and strategic thinking. We chat about the complexities of ...
2
Oct. 16, 2024

Her Biggest Digital Marketing Fails

Big Click Co. - Search Engine Marketing - PPC Ads - Lisa Raehsler I have one small favour to ask, as you listen to the episode would you please follow the show on whichever platform you prefer to listen to podcasts on. If you consume video podcasts then subscribe to the podcast over on YouTube Music is your best choice and you can subscribe to receive notifications of future episodes. For audio, find and follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever else you listen, ju...
1
Sept. 25, 2024

From Stress To Flexibility - How Sarah Stemen Did It

Welcome back to another episode of "Bad Decisions with Jim Banks." After a brief summer hiatus, we’re diving right back into the thick of things with an exceptional guest, Sarah Stemen. Sarah, a seasoned marketing expert who recently transitioned into consulting, joins us to talk about the significant and impactful decisions she has made throughout her career and personal life. In this episode, Sarah reveals the lessons she learned from referring clients to larger agencies, the evolving...
21
Sept. 11, 2024

Affiliate Marketing Success - Lee-Ann Johnstone Shares Her Journey and Tips

I have one small favour to ask, as you listen to the episode would you please follow the show on whichever platform you prefer to listen to podcasts on. If you like video then I suggest YouTube or YouTube Music is your best choice and you can subscribe to receive notifications of future episodes. For audio, find and follow the podcast on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music and wherever else you listen, just search for Bad Decisions with Jim Banks.
20
June 5, 2024

From Google to Optmyzr Navigating the Complex World of Ad Tech

In this episode of Bad Decisions with Jim Banks, we sit down with Fred Vallaeys, CEO of Optmyzr to explore the evolution of the advertising industry and the role of AI in shaping the future. Join us as we delve into Fred's fascinating journey and insights. Topics discussed include - The importance of continuous experimentation in Google Ads. - Transitioning from in-person conferences to online PPC town halls. - The potential of AI to preserve industry knowledge for future generati...
19
May 29, 2024

Unveiling Google's Ad Secrets - Revealing the truth with Boris Beceric

In this episode of Bad Decisions with Jim Banks, Boris Beceric, a PPC consultant specialising in Google Ads, joins Jim to discuss the challenges and insights of Google Ads advertising strategies. We discuss the : - Subjectivity of "cheap" in marketing - The impact of AI in Google Ads - The challenges in data tracking and understanding the value of conversions - The role Google reps play in managing Google Ads accounts - The importance of aligning strategies with client objectiv...
18
May 15, 2024

Exploring Bad Business Choices and SEO Insights with Ash Nallawalla

Today, we have an incredible story that traverses continents, careers, and the evolving digital age. Joining me is Ash Nallawalla, an SEO consultant with an extraordinary journey. From his humble beginnings in Bombay, India, to his unexpected career shifts in Australia and New Zealand, Ash has navigated the turbulent waters of technology, marketing, and entrepreneurship. In this episode, we discuss the challenges of competing with AI in the publishing industry, the highs and lows of SEO consu...
17
May 8, 2024

How One Huge Gamble on a Newsletter Ignited a Digital Empire

Today's guest, Emanuel Cinca, also known as Manu, joins us to share his unique journey from a struggling university student to a professional poker player, and finally to a successful digital marketing publisher. Manu pioneered Stacked Marketer, a newsletter that now commands an impressive audience of over 100,000 subscribers. We dive deep into the acquisition of complementary newsletters, the challenges of digital advertising, and how maintaining a reader-engaging tone has been pivotal in...
16
May 1, 2024

From War to Web - A Journey of Survival and Influence

Anton Shulke is an inspiration. He is from Ukraine and when the war started everyone in the search community rushed to Facebook looking for the video that Anton posted of himself drinking a coffee. Since then he has moved on to many countries. He is also fantastic at creating influencer communities. So enjoy this discussion with Anton on Bad Decisions with Jim Banks Discussed during the episode SEO for Paws Announcement Ukrainian Cats & Dogs Initiative Duda - eCommerce Website Bu...
15
April 24, 2024

Revealing Digital Marketing Missteps that Made Her a Star

Today, we're in for a special treat as we're joined by Purna Virji, a renowned PPC expert, author, consultant, and all-around guru in digital marketing. In today's episode, we're diving deep into the labyrinth of explaining digital marketing to the uninitiated, tackling the misconceptions and complexities with Purna's incisive clarity. We'll get a glimpse into her world – from university days in Cardiff to her big move to the US, navigating through her auspicious career trajectory that led...
14
April 17, 2024

From SEO Missteps to PPC Triumphs - Navah Hopkins Unveils Her Bad Decisions

In this episode we dive into conversation with my guest, the PPC evangelist from Optmyzr, Navah Hopkins. Navah shares her wisdom on the industry’s pressing need for diversity, her own challenges on the speaking circuit, and the pivotal role brands have in creating an ecosystem that embraces underrepresented voices, especially women. We unpack the importance of providing a platform and opportunities to speak at industry conferences. Navah's insights on navigating the complexities of SEO ...
12
April 10, 2024

Mistakes in Marketing Ashley Segura Confesses Biggest Content Marketing Blunders

This week's guest is Ashley Segura, the co-founder of Content Yum. We take a deep dive into content marketing, SEO, and the evolving role AI is playing today. Listen as we explore Ashley's new venture, Content Yum, and its human-centric approach to content creation. We discuss the competition posed by AI-generated content and its impact on SEO and content marketing. Ashley shares personal stories about the negative effects of spam content and the importance of authenticity in user-ge...
10
April 3, 2024

Confessions of Digital Marketing Missteps with Dave Roth

In episode 10 Jim delves into the twists and turns of agency life, working in-house with 20 year digital marketing veteran Dave Roth and his bumpy journey as a digital marketer. Discover the high-stakes world of managing campaigns with an insider's perspective from his time at Yahoo and realtor.com Learn about Dave's early involvement in "that search engine thing" which led to a decade at Yahoo managing substantial search engine marketing budgets for their internal paid media channels and ...
Guests: Jim Banks , Dave Roth
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