What's Hot In Digital

When you're juggling dozens of clients in a fast-moving agency, how do you still deliver a high-touch, 5-star experience?In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, WHD's Executive Assistant, Letitia McClelland, joins Miller Kerta to share how our team builds long-term client relationships while managing multiple deadlines, personalities and expectations.They cover how we approach onboarding, proactive communication, tricky conversations and the internal systems we rely on to make it all feel seamless from the client side.If you're in client services or agency leadership, this is a practical and honest look at what it really takes to deliver standout client experience at scale.—Want to work with a team that truly feels like an extension of yours?Visit https://whd.au—Hosted by Miller Kerta – WHDGuest: Letitia McClelland – Executive Assistant at WHD

What does it take to launch a brand, build a loyal community and start scaling all by the age of 21?In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, Lauren Macdougall, General Manager at WHD, chats with Olivia, founder of Moocha Matcha, about how she turned a personal love for matcha into a growing business that’s capturing attention at local markets, across social media and soon in retail.They dive into:– How she created a product people keep coming back for– What’s working in organic content and community building– The behind-the-scenes of her upcoming canned matcha launch– How she’s handling growth, pressure and keeping it all realIf you’re an early-stage founder or eCommerce brand trying to grow without paid ads, this episode is full of insight and inspiration.Check out Mucha Matchahttps://www.instagram.com/moochamatcha/-------------Hosted by Lauren Macdougall – General Manager at WHDGuest: Olivia – Founder of Moocha Matcha

In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, James sits down with WHD’s newest Business Growth Specialist, Mark, to talk about the crucial questions every business should be asking before committing to working with a digital agency.From overhyped metrics like ROAS to what really drives growth in today's landscape, this episode breaks down how to think strategically about your agency partnerships and how to assess whether they're aligned with your goals.If you’ve ever wondered whether your agency is focused on real growth or just performance theatre, this one is for you.—Want to work with a team that understands real growth?Visit https://whd.au—Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Mark – Business Growth Specialist at WHD

In Part 3 of our Andromeda series, we dive into what’s working right now when it comes to Meta Ads performance.Thom shares results from a $60K+ monthly ad account that has completely removed remarketing campaigns and is seeing a 59% drop in new customer acquisition cost.We break down: - The shift to single campaign structures - How to optimise when every ad is part of the funnel - What to do with underperforming ads - How smaller brands can make changes without a full production budgetIf you’re still running your Meta Ads the old way, this is your signal to rethink your approach.You don’t need more tweaks. You need better creative and a system to test it.📌 Watch Part 1: What Meta’s Andromeda Update Means for Marketers📌 Watch Part 2: The 10 Creative Buckets You Need to Be FillingBrought to you by WHD, the digital agency for ambitious brands chasing rapid growth.Learn more at https://whd.au/learnJames Walker – Managing Director at WHDThom Riley – Senior Paid Social Specialist at WHD

Tired of watching Meta performance slide while the same three creatives fight fatigue? We lay out a clear, practical framework to thrive under Andromeda by turning creative diversity into a repeatable system. No jargon, no fluff—just the ten pillars that help you build a deep ad library, discover new angles, and keep the algorithm fed with ideas that actually convert.We start by sharpening positioning with us versus them and features and benefits that prove value in the real world, not just the spec sheet. Then we move through problem solution storytelling, high-trust UGC with smart briefs, and the brand-humanizing power of founder and employee content. Education gets its due with demos, unboxings, and setup walkthroughs that reduce buyer friction for products and services alike. When it’s time to close, we break down promo and urgency plays that shine during Black Friday and beyond, and we show how testimonials, press, and case studies build credibility that compels action.You’ll also hear why “ugly” and trend-based ads work so well in the feed, plus our favorite addition to the framework: objection handling that leads with the doubt and resolves it with proof. Finally, we talk execution—filling each bucket across formats, tailoring for avatars, and navigating the single campaign, single ad set approach with the 50-ad cap. Expect a roadmap you can run this week, whether you’re scaling ecom or a service brand looking to add momentum.If this playbook helps, follow the show, share it with your team, and leave a quick review. Want help building the system for your brand? Subscribe for more breakdowns and tell us which pillar you’re testing next.

Meta just flipped everything you know about ad targeting on its head. The Andromeda algorithm update means creative now controls who sees your ads - not your audience settings.\n\nJames Walker (Managing Director at WHD) sits down with Thom Riley (Senior Paid Social Specialist at WHD) to break down what's actually changed and how we're adapting our entire approach.\n\nWhat We Cover:\n• Why your old campaign structures are about to fail\n• The creative volume shift - from a few ads to 8-10+ variations per month\n• How Meta now treats your ad account as one full-funnel journey\n• Why killing \"bad\" performing ads might tank your results\n• The new metrics that actually matter for optimization\n\n────────\nWorried your Meta ads are running on outdated strategies?\nWHD helps brands adapt to algorithm changes without losing momentum.\nVisit https://whd.au to talk with our team.\n────────\nHosted by James Walker - Managing Director at WHD\nGuest: Thom Riley - Senior Paid Social Specialist at WHD

Here's what we're seeing: brands slash organic budgets when paid spend ramps up, but they're actually sabotaging their own conversion rates.James Walker chats with Kayla Sylvester about why organic social isn't just nice-to-have content - it's the conversion fuel your paid campaigns desperately need.What We Cover:• Why your ad clicks aren't converting (hint: check your page)• How organic audiences become your highest-performing remarketing pools• The behind-the-scenes strategy that tripled one brand's sale conversions• Why employee-generated content is outperforming big-budget creative• The quarterly vs monthly content split that's working right now────────Worried your paid budget is working harder than it should?WHD combines organic strategy with paid performance to maximize every dollar spent.Visit https://whd.au to talk with our team.────────Hosted by James Walker - Managing Director at WHDGuest: Kayla Sylvester - Head of Organic Social at WHD

TikTok's new filtering system is making it easier than ever for users to block promotional content - and that's a problem for brands.James Walker, Managing Director at WHD, and Kayla Sylvester, Head of Organic Social at WHD, break down what this means for your content strategy.What we cover:• Why TikTok's enhanced content filtering could kill your reach• The specific promotional triggers that make users hit 'block'• Whether the tiny landscape video trend is worth your time (spoiler: probably not)• Why your content needs to work across every part of the platform────────Worried your TikTok content is getting flagged as too promotional?WHD helps brands build authentic audiences that convert without the hard sell.Visit https://whd.au to talk with our team.────────Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Kayla Sylvester – Head of Organic Social at WHD

Are you burning through budget without actually growing your customer base? Most brands think their Google Ads are performing well, but they're just recycling the same customers.James Walker (Managing Director at WHD) and Brent Neale (Google Ads Specialist at WHD) break down the settings and strategies that separate new customer acquisition from remarketing spend.What We Cover:• Why your Performance Max campaigns might be wasting 70% of budget on existing customers• The customer acquisition settings most agencies don't even know exist• How brand campaigns are inflating your conversion data• Simple audience exclusions that completely change your results────────Tired of ads that look good on paper but don't grow your business?WHD helps ambitious brands turn ad spend into actual customer growth.Visit https://whd.au to talk with our team.────────Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Brent Neale – Google Ads Specialist at WHD

Most businesses struggle with Facebook lead forms - they get volume but terrible quality. Here's how Steph generated 1100 qualified leads at just $26 each in 6 weeks.What We Cover:• Why choosing 'higher intent' over 'more volume' changes everything• The 6-question formula that maintains low CPA while improving quality• How conditional logic filters out unqualified leads before you pay• The Zapier setup that turns 1100 leads into manageable workflow• Why most agencies get lead form quality completely wrong────────Tired of Facebook leads that never convert? Steph has released a course that will teach you her exact method: https://whd.au/master-meta-lead-generation-course/ ────────Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Steph McGrath – Head of Paid Social Strategy at WHD

Ever search for your own business and wonder why your ads don't show up? You're not alone - and there's actually good reasons why this happens.James Walker (Managing Director at WHD) and Tia Scott (Google Ads Specialist at WHD) break down exactly why your ads might be invisible to you, even when they're working perfectly.What We Cover:• Why new campaigns seem to disappear when you search for them• The impression share trap that catches most business owners• How Google's audience signals work against you as a business owner• Why clicking your own ads is sabotaging your budget• When you should (and shouldn't) expect to see your own ads────────Searching for your business but can't find your ads? Don't panic - it might mean they're working exactly as they should.WHD helps brands understand what's really happening with their Google Ads performance.Visit https://whd.au to talk with our team.────────Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Tia Scott – Google Ads Specialist at WHD

Your Google Ads budget is stuck on the same 5% of products while 92% of your inventory gets ignored. Here's the exact strategy that broke a 7-figure ecom brand out of stagnation and delivered 15% year-on-year growth for the first time in years.James Walker (Managing Director at WHD) and Brent Neale (Google Ads Specialist at WHD) break down the product distribution method that's working right now.What We Cover:• Why 4,500 SKU brands hit spend ceilings (and how to break through)• The script that automatically sorts products into performance buckets• When to kill underperforming products vs when to scale winners• Why your 'best sellers' might just be budget hogs• The campaign structure that forces Google to test your full range────────Stuck spending the same budget on the same products?WHD helps ecom brands unlock profitable scale across their full product range.Visit https://whd.au to talk with our team.────────Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Brent Neale – Google Ads Specialist at WHD

Meta just quietly rolled out Threads as an ad placement - but here's the catch: you can't see what your ads look like, you can't track performance, and they're already spending your budget there.James Walker (Managing Director at WHD) and Thom Riley (Senior Paid Social Specialist at WHD) break down why this launch feels half-baked and what it means for your ad accounts.What We Cover:• Why Meta's own preview tools don't show Threads ads• The tracking blackout that's hiding your spend• How this mirrors TikTok's problematic Pangle rollout • The simple campaign structure to test Threads safely• Why our Meta rep won't return calls about this────────Worried your ads are running where you can't see them?WHD helps brands reclaim control of paid social investments.Visit https://whd.au to talk with our team.────────Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Thom Riley – Senior Paid Social Specialist at WHD

If your social strategy is only focused on content pillars, you’re probably leaving reach and engagement on the table.In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, James is joined by WHD’s Head of Organic Social, Kayla, to break down the difference between reach content and nurture content — and how finding the right balance between the two can drive real brand growth.This is the framework we use across all of our organic social clients to grow audiences and build brand loyalty without relying on paid ads.What we cover:The difference between reach content and nurture contentWhy most brands get stuck posting only one typeExamples of high-performing reach and nurture contentHow to structure your content calendar for consistent growthWhat metrics actually matter when it comes to organic socialWhether you’re managing your own social media or leading a team, this episode will give you a clear structure to build a smarter strategy.Want an organic strategy that actually grows your audience and drives conversions?WHD helps brands build high-performing organic content across TikTok, Instagram and more.Visit https://whd.au to get in touch.Hosted by James Walker, Managing Director at WHDGuest: Kayla Sylvester,  Head of Organic Social at WHD

Google Ads is rolling out a new AI-powered feature called AI Max — and it could signal the next big shift in how search campaigns are run.In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, James is joined by WHD’s Google Ads Specialist, Brent Neale, to break down everything we know about AI Max so far, how it compares to Performance Max and DSA, and what advertisers should expect once it’s live.This isn’t just another feature — this could change how you structure your search strategy entirely.What we cover:What AI Max is and how it differs from standard Search and DSAWhy Google is pushing further into automation and AIHow AI Max pulls in data from across your entire ad accountWhat we still don’t know (but need to watch for)Key questions around reporting, bidding and campaign structureIf you’re spending money on Google Ads, you need to know how this will affect your account — before it rolls out.Need help navigating the latest changes in Google Ads?WHD helps ambitious brands stay ahead with smart, scalable campaign strategies.Visit https://whd.au to talk with our team.Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Brent Neale – Senior Google Ads Specialist at WHD

Think your Meta Ads are driving new customers? Think again.In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, James is joined by WHD’s Senior Paid Social Specialist, Thom Riley, to break down one of the most common issues we uncover when auditing ad accounts: budgets being quietly burned on existing customers instead of acquiring new ones.We’ll walk through the strategies we use to reduce wasted spend, take back control of your targeting, and scale new customer acquisition profitably.Here’s what we cover: • How to properly exclude existing customers using Klaviyo and Shopify • Why A+SC campaigns are often over-reporting performance • Where to set audience rules inside Meta’s backend (and what to avoid) • How to read the “New vs Existing Customer” breakdown in Ads Manager • What to expect when shifting to cold audiences — and how to structure for successIf you’re serious about growing your customer base and scaling with Meta Ads, this is a must-watch.⸻Want to stop wasting budget on warm traffic and finally scale cold acquisition?WHD builds paid social strategies that drive real growth — not just inflated ROAS.Visit https://whd.au to talk strategy.⸻Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Thom Riley – Senior Paid Social Specialist at WHD

If you’re not checking your negative keywords regularly, your Google Ads campaigns are leaking budget — fast.In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, James is joined by WHD’s Google Ads Specialist, Tia Scott, to break down the exact negative keyword process we follow to clean up traffic, improve conversion rates, and get more out of every dollar spent on Google Ads.We’re not talking theory — this is the day-to-day work that actually drives better results.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why most accounts waste budget on irrelevant or low-intent searchesHow to properly structure your negative keyword listsWhat to look for in your search query reportsWhy match type matters when negating termsThe weekly process we follow to maintain high-quality trafficNegative keyword work might sound boring, but it’s one of the highest-impact things you can do inside an ad account — especially when you’ve just taken one over or are starting fresh.Tired of irrelevant clicks and wasted ad spend?WHD helps ambitious brands run high-performance Google Ads campaigns that convert.Visit https://whd.au to talk strategy.Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Tia Scott – Google Ads Specialist at WHD

Thinking about using content creators to boost your brand’s reach and credibility?In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, WHD’s Social Media Coordinator, Miller Kerta, joins James to unpack how brands can source, brief, and manage creators to get high-performing content — without inflated costs or overhyped influencer deals.Whether you’re running paid ads or building your organic presence, this episode will show you how to do creator partnerships the right way.Here’s what we cover:• The difference between creators, influencers and ambassadors (and why it matters)• How to find aligned creators that actually convert• What to include in your outreach to get responses from high-quality talent• The contract terms you must include to protect your brand• How we manage creators to ensure content gets delivered on time, on brief, and on budgetTactical advice. Real examples. Proven processes that work.⸻Want help building a scalable content creator strategy?WHD manages creator sourcing, outreach and content delivery end-to-end — so your brand gets creator content that actually performs.Visit https://whd.au to learn more.

Your TikTok content isn’t getting the reach you expected — and you’re not alone.In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, WHD’s Organic Social Media Coordinator Emma Swan joins James to break down what’s really working on TikTok right now — and why most brands are still getting it wrong.You’ll learn:• Why deleting low-performing videos could be hurting your reach• How to use trends the right way (without chasing empty views)• What TikTok looks for in native content• Why video perfection is overrated• How to build trust and visibility through employee-generated content• And whether scheduling tools are killing your engagementWhether you’re running a personal brand, an eCom store, or service-based business — if you’re trying to grow on TikTok in 2025, this episode is packed with the strategy, insights, and real-world examples you need to move the needle.No fluff. No vague tips. Just practical advice from the team who’s been scaling TikTok results for clients (and for WHD) from the inside.👉 Ready to grow with content that converts? Visit https://whd.auHosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Emma Swan – Organic Social Media Coordinator at WHD

Want to get hired in digital marketing? This episode breaks down exactly what stands out — and what gets ignored.We’re joined by Lauren Macdougall, General Manager at WHD and the person behind most of our hiring decisions. She shares real-world insights into how applicants get noticed (and why most don’t), especially for creative, sales, and social roles.Here’s what we cover:•Why a well-written, tailored application matters more than AI perfection•How to stand out in a sea of resumes (hint: almost no one sends a video)•The biggest mistakes applicants are still making in 2025•What to include in your portfolio if you’re entry-level•Why custom TikToks and real effort get you interviewsWhether you’re applying for your first job in marketing or trying to break into a better agency — this episode is packed with practical tips you can act on today.⸻Looking for a career in digital?We’re always on the lookout for driven creatives and marketers.See open roles at https://whd.au⸻Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Lauren Macdougall – General Manager at WHD

Google shut down our Merchant Center — no warning, no real reason, no appeal.In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, James and WHD’s Senior Google Ads Specialist Brent Neale unpack what actually happened, what Google’s crackdown on AI content means for advertisers, and what every eCommerce business needs to be aware of before uploading AI-generated product images.This isn’t just about one account. With ad suspensions up over 300% in the last year, the rules are changing — and Google’s not explaining why.We cover: • Why our Google Merchant Center was permanently suspended • How Google is handling AI content — and the double standards in their policy • What “misrepresentation” actually means (and why it’s so vague) • Why good advertisers are getting punished while spammy ones slip through • What this shift means for CPCs, display ad quality, and future competitionIf you’re running eCommerce or using AI in your content, watch this before you launch your next campaign.⸻Need help navigating Google Ads policy changes?WHD helps eCommerce brands avoid ad account issues and build scalable campaigns.Visit https://whd.au to talk.⸻Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Brent Neale – Senior Google Ads Specialist at WHD

What’s working in paid social media right now?In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, WHD’s Head of Paid Social Strategy, Steph McGrath, joins James to break down the strategies that are driving performance across lead gen and eCommerce accounts — from high-quality lead forms to AI-powered Advantage+ Shopping campaigns.Whether you’re running ads for your own business or managing campaigns for clients, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.Here’s what we cover:• The lead form updates that are improving both quality and volume• How to use custom questions and conditional logic to pre-qualify leads• Why we’re using lead forms over landing pages in many accounts• How AI-driven Advantage+ Shopping campaigns are outperforming traditional setups• What to watch for when rolling these strategies out (and what not to do)Smart strategy. Better performance. Practical tips you can use today.Need help getting more from your paid social campaigns?WHD helps ambitious brands scale with performance-driven Meta Ads that convert.Visit https://whd.au to learn more.Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Steph McGrath – Head of Paid Social Strategy at WHD

If you’re still relying on platform-reported ROAS to measure your marketing success, you’re missing the bigger picture.In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, WHD’s Marketing Director Lana Hill joins James to unpack how businesses should actually be measuring marketing performance — and why most agency reports aren’t telling the full story.We break down MER (Marketing Efficiency Ratio), the hidden cost of siloed data, and how to understand true return on investment across multiple channels — especially when you’re scaling or testing top-of-funnel strategies.Here’s what we cover:• What MER is and why it matters• The problem with relying on individual platform ROAS• How to factor in platform costs, agency fees and true profitability• Why brand campaigns (like BVOD or TikTok) often look like a loss — but drive growth• The real metrics smart marketers track before scalingDon’t let vanity metrics drive your decisions. This is how to get clear on what’s actually working.Want marketing you can confidently scale?WHD helps ambitious brands track, optimise and grow through performance-first marketing.Visit https://whd.au to talk.Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Lana Hill – Marketing Director at WHD

Most businesses are leaking money on Google Ads without realising it. In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, James is joined by WHD’s Google Ads Specialist, Tia Scott, to break down the four simple but critical fixes that can immediately lift your campaign performance.If you’re running Google Ads — or paying someone else to — these are the settings you need to check.Here’s what we cover:The location targeting mistake that’s killing your local resultsHow to use negative keywords to instantly stop wasting spendWhy your match types might be attracting the wrong trafficThe conversion tracking setup that separates smart campaigns from blind onesThese are foundational — but they’re missed in the majority of accounts we audit. Don’t wait to fix them.Want Google Ads that actually drive results?WHD works with ambitious brands to build campaigns that cut waste and maximise ROI.Visit https://whd.au to talk strategy.Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Tia Scott – Google Ads Specialist at WHD

Meta is sneakily switching on ad settings that are tanking your results — and unless you know exactly where to look, you’ll never even know it’s happening.In this episode, James is joined by WHD’s Senior Paid Social Specialist, Thom Riley, to uncover the hidden traps inside Meta Ads Manager. From sneaky auto-enhancements to dangerous copy changes, we break down what to watch for — and what to turn OFF — before your campaigns go live.If you’ve ever looked at your Meta ads and thought “this isn’t what I set up,” this episode is for you.🎯 What you’ll learn: - The auto-settings that are ruining your targeting - How Meta overrides your ad copy without telling you - The hidden features adding junk to your ads (like site links and irrelevant CTAs) - Why some placements kill performance — and how to fix them - And how to take back control of your Meta Ads accountDon’t waste another cent. Watch the full breakdown now.📌 Need help fixing your Meta Ads account?WHD helps ambitious brands build paid social campaigns that actually perform.Visit https://whd.au to book a strategy session.Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Thom Riley – Senior Paid Social Specialist at WHDLearn more about WHD: https://whd.au

Google Ads has just launched a new feature called Platform Comparable Columns. While it might sound technical, it’s a game-changer for anyone running Demand Generation campaigns.In this episode of What’s Hot in Digital, James is joined by WHD’s Senior Google Ads Specialist, Brent Neale, to unpack exactly what this update means, why it matters, and how it can give you a clearer picture of what’s really driving conversions in your account.If you’re running Demand Gen and not seeing results, this might be why. This new metric gives credit where it’s due — and finally shows the impact of YouTube and Display activity that was previously hidden in your reporting.Here’s what we cover:• What Platform Comparable Columns actually are• Why your current reporting might be underplaying Demand Gen performance• How this update separates Demand Gen into its own ecosystem• The right way to structure your campaigns to get a true read on effectiveness• How to start comparing channel performance properly — without guessworkWe’re also setting up an in-house campaign to test this firsthand, so stay tuned for the results in a future episode.Need help getting more out of your Google Ads account?WHD works with ambitious brands to drive performance through smart, transparent campaigns.Visit https://whd.au to talk strategy.Hosted by James Walker – Managing Director at WHDGuest: Brent Neale – Google Ads Specialist at WHD