Drop The Mic with Jason Hunt

Jitendra (aka Jitu) is the founder of a kickass marketing blog bloggersideas.com where he has interviewed marketing legends like Neil Patel and Rand Fishkin.

He is an international keynote speaker, digital marketing consultant and digital nomad.

His key to success is: “Do what you love most and get everything you want in your life.”

In today's bonus episode of the podcast, David Louch and co-host, Jason Hunt, talk social platforms.

This week's episode of the Merged Marketing Podcast features not 1, but 2 entrepreneurs that have taken a very interesting path, which has taken their business from $100k in revenue to over a Million in 1 year!

First, we have Todd Foster, whom you may remember from episode 3, so go back and check out that episode! Todd is the Co-Founder of 4 different companies, and is a true Digital Marketing expert, specializing in all things SEO.

Second we have Colin MacMillan, a 22 year old entrepreneur at the head of a new landscaping and construction company.

He started out mowing lawns 3 years ago, and now directs a capable team of 20 people and drives a fast growing business.

Mike Ulmer enjoyed a 25-year career in newspapering and worked for the Woodstock Sentinel-Review, The Hamilton Spectator, The Hockey News, Southam News, National Post and as a sports columnist for 7 years at The Toronto Sun. 

He has also written 12 books. 

His opinion pieces have appeared in all four Toronto based daily newspapers:  The Sun, Globe and Mail, National Post and Toronto Star.

From a Director of Marketing at EMPIRE Distribution, to a house DJ, Moody Jones does it all. 

He has worked as a digital marketing manager at Jagermister where he managed their digital brand across Canada and ran their first influencer campaign program that reached over 23% of the total Canadian gross rating point. He also worked as a Sales and Marketing Manager at Seedbox where he successfully helped improve the company’s online and offline marketing strategies. Evidently gaining much experience in the music and lifestyle industry, he has worked his way up to EMPIRE’S Director of Marketing and has been able to work with some of the biggest artists in the world such as Tyga, Iggy Azalea, and many more. 

With his marketing and management skills he has been able to get Tyga’s single, Taste, to reach a 5x Platinum single as well as Iggy Azalea’s single, Sally Walker, to reach #1 on YouTubes most trending with 6 million views in 24 hours. Dedicating his time to supporting labels, managers, and artists to help them get the right exposure and grow their fan base, he has been able to help artists break into the top 10 Billboard, Top 5 on Spotify and Apple Music, and #1 on Beatport. 

Moody’s positive outlook on the challenges he faces in life has contributed to his success, and I quote “With any challenge or any struggle try to see the light at the end because that light is way brighter than the light you had before.

Itay Paz is an entrepreneur, an international speaker and a veteran in the digital and affiliate marketing world.

His fast business success worldwide and his ability to motivate others to take action and achieve big results has earned him the status of a leader and a world expert in digital marketing and affiliate marketing helping entrepreneurs & business owners worldwide to grow their businesses using the power of the internet. 

He is the managing director at the Digital Marketing & Affiliate Marketing International Expo (#DMIEXPO) and most recently, the Founder & CEO of the Morning Dough.

Today’s episode features another incredible entrepreneur, Benjamin Strusnik of Golden Web.

Benjamin started his Digital Marketing journey at the age of 12. 

He later turned specifically towards technical SEO, specializing in finding advanced website issues that hold webmasters back from ranking at the top of page 1.

Today we’re going to be diving deep into 5 specific best practices to ensure that your website’s technical SEO is on point!

Anna Gita is the CEO of MaxWeb, the fastest growing affiliate network in the world. MaxWeb is dominating the industry thanks to really CARING about its affiliates! 

Without any previous experience in Affiliate Marketing, Anna built a 7 figure business from scratch and became one of the best known names in the Affiliate Marketing industry.

In this week's episode, learn how to set up and grow an affiliate program and more about MaxWeb!

Nicole Myles Brook is a multi-passionate entrepreneur delivering carefully crafted, highly effective marketing, PR, publicity and brand growth for Big Erics Inc where she is at the helm of the marketing team as the Director of Marketing. Big Erics Inc is Atlantic Canada’s full-service solution provider in commercial kitchen design-build, commercial kitchen, sanitation, concession and convenience equipment and supplies. She has iterated her skills as a digital marketer, leading the team at Big Erics through the build, testing and live implementation of Big Erics new e-commerce store powered by Shopify.

Previously, Nicole has worked as a marketing generalist with niche specialty in personal branding and influencer marketing and has fostered strong relationships with both brands and social media influencers connecting often with local and national media outlets in print, broadcast and new media. She had innovated aspects of both marketing and brand work for her clients through her company Core Elements Advisors Inc.

Nicole has prior experience in events management and has worked alongside award-winning event strategists and event marketers for privately funded corporations like Cadillac Fairview (property management), Melissa Andre Events (offices in Toronto, ON, Los Angeles USA) Mer Et Solei (Agency of Atlantic Canada), and local and national non-profit organizations like the YMCA. Born and raised in St. John’s Newfoundland but having permanently relocated to Halifax after attending Mount Saint Vincent University, where Nicole graduated with First-Class Honours in Public Relations. She continued her education at both Dalhousie School of Architecture and Saint Mary’s University.

Nicole’s favourite titles are, Wife to Brian (Captain Air Force, Retired) and Mother, to Alexis and Step-Mother to Cameron. Together with her husband Brian, they own and operate the popular cafe and lounge The Nook, with a location in downtown Halifax, Nova Scotia. Nicole and Brian introduced the successful Nook Token program supporting and nourishing food insecure members of their city and offering up dignity on the side of coffee and a meal. 

The Nook Token Program has garnered local, national and international attention, via various radio, print and digital media. More notably the Program has received recognition in the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia with commendation from local MLA in the Nova Scotia Legislature. The Nook Token Program promotes the slogan “Kindness is Currency” and aims to not only provide nourishing food but help in a small way to break down stigmas attached to groups of people facing hard times.

In addition to her involvement as the Director of Marketing at Big Erics Inc, and Co-Ownership of The Nook Espresso Bar & Lounge Nicole is an event partner for Leading Ladies Networking event series, selling-out events in Halifax for 10 years running. Leading Ladies run events every 6 weeks with the goal to connect women in business for the purposes of business growth and development. Nicole is a powerhouse entrepreneur who creatively innovates for social growth within both for her profession and community. Her big heart is at the centre of all that she does.

Deepak Anand, Chief Executive Officer and Director, has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the global cannabis industry. He is a public speaker and is regularly engaged with Canadian and International media on all subjects related to the Cannabis industry. Mr. Anand holds a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and Management from Vancouver Island University. He is a recognized thought leader and brings 15 years of leadership experience in the health, charitable/non-profit, and private sectors in Canada.

Within the global cannabis sector, Mr. Anand has worked with senior government officials, politicians, policy makers, health professional organizations, clinical practitioners, educators, investor, patients as well as producers. He has also served on the boards of various pharmaceutical associations across Canada, the United States and Europe.

Currently, Mr. Anand serves on a variety of boards within the international cannabis space which include not for profit, advocacy and patient driven organizations

Prominent positions, Mr. Anand has previously held in the Cannabis industry include:

• Vice President of Business Development and Government Relations at Deloitte- CCI., Canada.

• Vice President for Zenabis Global Inc. (A Health Canada License Holder) with operations in Canada and Malta.

• Adjunct Professor at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU). At KPU, Mr. Anand wrote, and taught Canada’s first and only Cannabis course titled ‘Cannabis Professional Series’ taught via an online module.

• Executive Director for the Canadian National Medical Marijuana Association (CNMMA). The CNMMA was the first and only industry association that factored in all facets of the nascent Cannabis industry in Canada.