EP31: Why Do eCommerce Agencies Suck? Lessons Learned and Red Flags to Avoid

In this episode of the ASOM Pod hosts John Roman (CEO of BattlBox), Amer Grozdanic (CEO of Praella), Bryan McDonald (Director of eCommerce at Oma's Pride), and Jimmy Kim (CEO of eCom Email Marketer & Founder of Sendlane) tackle the complex and often misunderstood world of agencies. From full-service powerhouses to boutique specialists and freelancers, they explore the challenges brands face when selecting, managing, and evolving their agency relationships. The team dives into the importance of setting clear KPIs, fostering strong communication, and aligning on mutual roles for a successful partnership. They also debate the impact of AI on the future of agencies, predicting cost reductions, increased efficiency, and even a shake-up in traditional agency models What You’ll Learn: - The pros and cons of full-service, specialized, boutique agencies, and freelancers - Why clear KPIs and communication are crucial for agency success - How AI is transforming the agency landscape and reshaping business models - The debate on performance-based pricing and agency loyalty - Practical strategies for navigating the agency selection process This episode is a must-listen for marketers and brand leaders looking to make informed decisions about their agency partnerships. Tune in for actionable insights, future-focused predictions, and a few spicy takes along the way! _______ Big thanks to Omnisend for sponsoring the pod! With 125,000+ eCommerce merchants, Omnisend is the all-in-one email & SMS marketing platform built to deliver seamless, personalized experiences with ease. Learn more at https://www.omnisend.com/ Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at ⁠https://asompod.com _______ 00:00 Teaser Trailer 00:26 The Impact of AI on Agencies 01:13 Uber vs. Lyft: A Personal Story 03:47 Welcome to the ASOM Pod 05:12 Agency Experiences and Hot Takes 07:03 Choosing the Right Agency 15:22 Full Service vs. Specialized Agencies 32:19 Freelancers vs. Contractors 40:49 Navigating the Agency Selection Process 42:01 Overcoming Business Hurdles 42:26 Choosing the Right Agency 44:29 The Importance of Networking 48:43 Client References and Expectations 56:27 Agency and Brand Relationships 01:00:14 The Future of Agencies with AI 01:04:43 Debating Agency Models 01:18:19 Bryan's Buy or Sell 01:24:15 Next Episode Preview _____ Follow Jimmy Kim at:  X:  https://www.twitter.com/yojimmykim  Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/yojimmykim IG: https://www.instagram.com/@yojimmykim  Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yojimmykim Follow Bryan MacDonald at: X: https://www.twitter.com/bryanomaspride LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-macdonald-ct IG: https://www.instagram.com/@anythingbutasalad Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@anythingbutasalad Follow John Roman at:  X: https://www.twitter.com/@JohnMRoman Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-roman/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/@johnnyromes Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmroman Follow Amer Grozdanic at:  X: https://www.twitter.com/@AmerGrozdanic Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amer-grozdanic IG: https://www.instagram.com/@amergrozdanic Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@amergrozdanic Contact us at [email protected] for sponsorships, appearance requests, interviews, or general information! Subscribe to our newsletter! We drop weekly hot takes, totally unfiltered. Join us at ⁠⁠https://asompod.com⁠