Sircle Media CEO Adam Brown on Digital Marketing and Entrepreneurship [Video]

Some people may not be sure they're cut out to lead a team. Adam Brown is not one of those people.

At a time when the virtual world is integrating almost too seamlessly into our daily lives, managing it is no easy task. It takes the right leader to meet the challenge head-on. And when digital marketing is the industry at hand, there really is no choice.

The influence of digital marketing has gone far beyond basic campaigns and advertisements. It's no longer a "nice to have"; it is a necessity for a successful business. As the world continues to connect in this way, businesses of all sizes are compelled to not only embrace but also master the art of digital marketing. This is why many of them will turn to agencies like Sircle Media.

After graduating during the internet boom of the late 1990s, Adam Brown found himself working in sales for one of the early advertising networks, 24/7 Media. He spent nine years outside of the industry to finally feel the digital marketing pushback.

His goal? Create an "anti-agency" (but we'll talk about that later).

As part of the latest installment of our Industry Insights series, I spoke with Adam about all things digital marketing, software, and entrepreneurship.

What you will learn in this article: The Crucial Values ​​Needed to Build a Strong Team How Artificial Intelligence and Digital Marketing Work Together Why Adam started a business and his advice to aspiring entrepreneurs How Businesses Can Prioritize Transparency in the Digital Age

Check out the full conversation below:

The components of starting a business

It's easy to just say you want to start a business. It's not easy to follow.

It all starts with a vision. What are you trying to accomplish? Why does the industry need you? How will you do ?

Create an anti-agency

With Adam Brown, it all started with the idea of ​​creating an “anti-agency”.

Adam describes a parallel between marketing agencies and dating (stay with me here). He feels that many companies may have been “dating” in the market and had bad experiences. But they know they have to go back because they just have to find the agency that suits them.

“I think most people hate agencies. I just wanted to create an agency that actually cares and treats clients well. »

Adam BrownCEO, Sircle Media Build a team

Adam Brown was very attached to the type of people he wanted to work with. For him, it was a growth mindset.

According to Adam, “customer service is tough.” When building his team, he was looking for people who were passionate about this field. "We're looking for people who understand there will be challenges and obstacles along the way, but want to learn how to navigate them."

It takes a popular approach of hiring the person before hiring the employee. Many people will have a glowing resume; few people can actually match the culture and energy you are looking for. Adam would much rather "have a good human and then teach him".

AI and its role in digital marketing

Artificial intelligence (AI) is literally everywhere. It would therefore be foolish to assume that it has not caught on in almost every sector.

The AI ​​keeps Sircle Media on its toes. What's the best novelty? How do they present it to their customers?

of marketers say they need to increase their use of AI to meet customer expectations and stay competitive in their industry.

Source: Mailchimp

Adam is convinced by the use of AI to improve the functioning of his digital marketing agency. "It allows us to optimize and speed up mundane tasks so that we can devote more time and attention to the more nuanced tasks." He continues: "I don't think the AI ​​has that yet."

Transparency is key

It's easy to get carried away with the AI. In an ever-changing industry like digital marketing, it's a great tool. But where should companies draw the line?

For Adam and many others...