In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with James Kaatz, co-founder and CEO of Illumination Marketing, to explore what it really takes to build a marketing agency rooted in trust, ethics, and long-term thinking. James’ journey spans entertainment, agency leadership, healthcare marketing, and ultimately founding Illumination Marketing after a personal moment that reshaped how he viewed business, purpose, and impact. From helping Fortune 500 brands grow to turning down high-revenue clients when values do not align, James shares a rare, honest look at the human decisions behind sustainable growth. This conversation is reflective, grounded, and deeply practical, unpacking how marketing has evolved, where AI fits, and why authenticity and human connection matter more than ever. 🎙️ We dive into • Early lessons from entertainment and media • Finding leverage inside competitive agency environments • Building Illumination Marketing with purpose, not ego • Navigating the pandemic and pivoting under pressure • Transitioning from social media to intent-based SEO • How AI accelerates bad marketing without strong fundamentals • Why prompting matters more than tools • Authentic video as the future of trust and visibility • Ethical decision-making and turning down misaligned revenue • The balance between scale, capacity, and quality • Why trust is the real currency of modern marketing James shares sharp insight on leadership, AI implementation, client selection, and building a business that serves people without sacrificing integrity. If you are running a service business, navigating marketing noise, or trying to grow without losing your values, this episode offers clarity and perspective. 👉 Learn more about Illumination Marketing marketingillumination.com 👉 Connect with James Kaatz on LinkedIn and explore Illumination Marketing’s work across SEO, strategy, and human-centered growth 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders, operators, and creators building what is next 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast #FastForwardPodcast #Entrepreneurship #MarketingLeadership #Founders #AgencyLife #AIandMarketing #SEO #HumanCenteredBusiness #LongGame #Podcast

⏱️ CHAPTERS 00:00 From Entertainment to Entrepreneurship 02:47 Building Illumination Marketing: A Personal Mission 05:33 Adapting to Change During the Pandemic 08:09 Shifting from Restaurants to SEO 11:00 AI, Authenticity, and the Future of Marketing 13:35 Human Connection in a Digital World 17:14 The Risks of AI Misinformation 19:03 AI as a Tool, Not a Shortcut 22:44 Ethics, Integrity, and Client Selection 25:54 The Future of Marketing Agencies 29:30 Building Trust That Scales 32:31 Final Thoughts and Where to Connect