Agency Operators Podcast

Beyond Amazon US: The 2026 Expansion Strategy

Host: Pasha Knish - CEO @ AMZ Optimized Speakers: Gabriela Yero - Founding BD officer @ AVASK Jérôme de Guigné - Group CEO @ eComas Stephanie Khalikyar  - Strategic Partnerships Manager @Uncapped This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

How to Build Smarter Agency Relationships — Drew Hart on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 83

Most brands don’t have an agency problem. They have a visibility problem. They hire agencies without defining operational ownership, performance expectations, or accountability systems. Then they wonder why revenue grows while margin and cash flow deteriorate. In Episode 83 of the Agency Operators Podcast, Drew Hart joins us to discuss how brands should actually work with Amazon agencies — from vetting partners properly to creating systems that keep performance measurable and operationally aligned. In this episode, we cover: — How to identify the right projects for agencies — Why testing agencies on focused operational tasks matters — The importance of outside audits and performance pressure — How founder-led and PE-backed brands should evaluate Amazon partners Packed with practical insights for operators who want Amazon to function like a real business unit — not just a collection of disconnected tactics. About Drew Hart: Drew Hart is the Founder & CEO of Vinculum Services, an Amazon-focused firm helping brands improve advertising performance, conversion, and marketplace operations through commerce intelligence and structured execution. Before founding Vinculum, Drew spent 10 years in a Fortune 500 management rotation program across finance, marketing, operations, and strategy before building and exiting two Amazon brands in 2024. “Amazon is a profitable platform, but only with the right partners.” Connect with Drew Hart: https://linkedin.com/in/drewhart [https://linkedin.com/in/drewhart] Key Discussion Topics • Identifying the right projects for agencies • Testing agencies through focused operational work • Building a list of qualified agency partners • Using outside audits to improve accountability and performance Why You Should Tune In This episode is especially relevant for founders, ecommerce directors, and operators managing growing Amazon businesses with increasing operational complexity. Drew breaks down how strong brands structure agency relationships to improve visibility across advertising, conversion, inventory, and profitability — while avoiding the common trap of outsourcing responsibility without operational oversight. If you want Amazon performance tied closer to revenue quality, margin health, and cash flow efficiency, this conversation delivers practical frameworks worth paying attention to. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

How to Navigate Acquisitions Without Breaking Your Business – Jessica Wright on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 82

What makes some acquisitions actually work… while others fall apart after the deal is signed? Most teams obsess over strategy. Very few are prepared for the operational reality that follows. In this episode, Jessica Wright — CEO of AO2 — shares what it really takes to navigate acquisitions successfully after going through two in just two years. We cover: * Why execution—not strategy—determines acquisition success * How culture influences decisions more than most leaders expect * What it takes to maintain client continuity during transitions * The operational blind spots that quietly derail growth Packed with real-world lessons and practical insights—this is a conversation for anyone thinking about scaling through acquisition. About Jessica Wright: Jessica Wright is the CEO of AO2, a full-service Amazon agency helping brands grow profitably while protecting long-term value. With nearly two decades of experience across brand leadership, partnerships, and agency operations, she brings a grounded, operator-first perspective to eCommerce. Connect with Jessica Wright: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rene-wright/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-rene-wright/] Key Discussion Topics • Why acquisitions succeed or fail in operations—not strategy • The role of culture in post-acquisition decisions • How to maintain client trust and continuity • Lessons from navigating two acquisitions in two years Why You Should Tune In If you’re considering an acquisition—or currently in the middle of one—this episode gives you a clearer picture of what actually drives success after the deal closes. Jessica breaks down the operational realities most teams overlook, from aligning culture to protecting client relationships. You’ll walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately, whether you’re scaling an agency or managing complex transitions. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

The Hidden Operational Gaps Quietly Slowing Your Agency Down – Tiara Tragas on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 81

What’s actually slowing your agency down—and why can’t you spot it? Many agency owners assume growth problems come from weak sales or inconsistent marketing. But more often, the real issue sits inside operations—hidden in unclear systems, broken processes, and blind spots no one’s tracking. In this episode, Tiara Tragas, Founder of Tragas Consulting, shares how agencies can uncover and fix the operational gaps that quietly limit growth. You’ll learn how to identify inefficiencies, simplify your internal systems, and build operations that actually support scale—not slow it down. Packed with practical insights you can apply immediately to run a more efficient, scalable agency. About Tiara Tragas: Tiara Tragas is the Founder of Tragas Consulting, where she helps agencies improve their internal operations and streamline processes for growth. She’s known for identifying operational blind spots and building systems that make teams more efficient and scalable. “You don’t know what you don’t know when it comes to operations.” Connect with Tiara Tragas: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiara-tragas-55158b1b4/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiara-tragas-55158b1b4/] Key Discussion Topics • Why agencies misdiagnose their growth challenges • The most common operational blind spots • How to simplify systems without creating more complexity Why You Should Tune In If your agency feels harder to run than it should, this episode will help you pinpoint why. You’ll walk away with a clearer understanding of how operations impact growth—and what to fix first to create a smoother, more scalable business. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.

How to Get Your Brand Seen Through Entertainment – Jack Connor on the Agency Operators Podcast Ep 80

Why do some brands get remembered, while others get skipped? In this episode, I sit down with Jack Connor, CEO of Almery Group, to talk about how brands are showing up differently by becoming part of the content people already watch. This isn’t about better ads. It’s about a different approach to visibility. We’ll cover: * What narrative marketing actually looks like in practice * How brands are getting placed inside entertainment and media * Why traditional marketing is losing attention * Where storytelling fits into modern brand strategy Packed with practical examples on how brands are getting seen without relying on interruption. About the Guest About Jack Connor:  Jack Connor is the CEO of Almery Group, with a background in tech and film. He works with brands to help them break into entertainment and build visibility through storytelling instead of traditional advertising. “If you want to be seen you need to be in the entertainment, not an interruption to it.” Connect with Jack Connor:  linkedin.com/in/jackconnor Key Discussion Topics • Narrative marketing and what it means for brands today • How brands are entering entertainment and media • Why interruption-based marketing is losing effectiveness Why You Should Tune In  Most brands are still competing for attention in the same places. Ads, feeds, short windows to capture interest. This episode breaks down a different path. One where brands show up inside the content people already choose to watch. If you’re thinking about how to stay relevant as attention shifts, this conversation gives you a more practical direction. This podcast is tailor-made to provide valuable insights to our community of exceptional operators who have been through a lot in their efforts to foster brand growth and positively impact lives. Whether you’re a marketer yourself or want to get into the industry this is a great opportunity to learn from agency owners who know the successful tactics to implement.