New Frontier: The AI, ecommerce & entrepreneurship podcast

Max Sinclair sits down with Simon Cockram to reflect on his biggest learnings as a Founder from his three years building Azoma (previously Ecomtent) thus far, in a must-listen episode for prospective tech founders. Max starts by emphasising the importance of having a distinct edge and a counterintuitive belief when launching a venture. He walks through the ideation process learned at Entrepreneur First, and the power of leveraging inflection such as a rapidly changing technological or regulatory landscape. Max then dives into the intricacies of validating ideas quickly through MVPs, and how he raised early capital through angels and accelerator programs like Techstars. He shares tactical strategies around storytelling, customer validation, and go-to-market strategies. The episode closes with a thought-provoking discussion on the future of AI, its potential impact on education, employment, and governance. Max offers both optimism about AI’s role in democratizing entrepreneurship and learning, and caution around data centralization and ethical risks. From startup hustle to global implications, this is a must-listen for anyone curious about how AI is reshaping business and society.This podcast is brought to you by ⁠Amazing Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azoma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecomtent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/maxsinclair4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of New Frontier, Jo Lambadjieva hosts Alina Vlaic, a Romanian entrepreneur and founder of aRank, which has facilitated over 6,000 Amazon product launches. Alina shares how her failed private label baby product unexpectedly led to creating her successful agency. She explains that Amazon's ranking algorithm has evolved dramatically since 2017, shifting from simple giveaway strategies to a complex system focused on "relevance" where listings must align perfectly with categories and keywords.The conversation explores controversial ranking strategies like "search find buy," which Alina describes as in a "light gray area" of Amazon's terms of service but still effective when done properly. They discuss Amazon's AI assistant Rufus, with Alina suggesting sellers shouldn't overreact to the hype as traditional keyword searching still dominates. Alina also introduces her company PressX, which connects brands with high-authority publishers to generate authentic articles that provide both social proof and valuable external traffic to Amazon listings.This podcast is brought to you by Amazing Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Azoma⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecomtent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Connect with us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/maxsinclair4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Announcement: Ecomtent have just launched a Freemium version, check it out hereIn this episode of The New Frontier, Max and Jo welcome brand strategist and author Trevor Bradford to celebrate the launch of his new book, What Captures the Heart Goes in the Cart (learn more). Trevor has 35 years of experience in branding as an agency owner, is a mentor in the Titan Network, and owns his own 6 figure brand. Trevor introduces listeners to his IDEA framework—Insight, Distinctiveness, Empathy, and Authenticity—which underpins his approach to branding. He details how this methodology, combined with a revamped "Avatar 2.0" customer profiling tool, helps sellers understand and connect with their customers on a deeper emotional level. By anchoring branding in real buyer intent and emotional triggers rather than traditional demographics, Trevor aims to foster genuine trust and loyalty. He also discusses the importance of consistent brand voice across platforms and the power of personalization, citing Trinny London's success as a model of customer-centric innovation.The conversation closes with a compelling discussion on the implications of AI in e-commerce. Trevor emphasizes the need for authenticity and humanity in AI-generated content to maintain customer trust. He advocates for sellers to build personal brands and multi-channel strategies to avoid over-reliance on platforms like Amazon. The episode wraps up with Trevor providing details on where to purchase his book and how sellers can reach out for brand consultations. This episode is a masterclass in aligning brand strategy with customer psychology in the age of AI.This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Azoma⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecomtent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazing Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Connect with us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/maxsinclair4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of New Frontier, Jo Lambadjieva hosts Leo Sgovio, a seven-figure Amazon seller and AI expert who first caught her attention when he won the Billion Dollar Seller Summit 2022 competition. Leo shares his journey from accidentally landing in Canada at age 23 to working for a large travel company, where he developed deep expertise in digital marketing, SEO, web analytics, and conversion optimization before transitioning to Amazon selling.The conversation explores how the Amazon selling mindset is shifting from tactical "hacks" toward traditional marketing fundamentals. Leo discusses how search is evolving with AI-powered tools like Google's AI snippets, perplexity, and ChatGPT, emphasizing the importance of optimizing content for easy retrieval by AI systems while avoiding AI-generated content that contains hidden watermarks that search engines can detect.Leo also details his innovative approach to AI-generated UGC (User Generated Content) through his company Splice.io, which helps brands connect with affiliates and influencers. Rather than creating entirely AI-generated people, his approach involves collecting authentic customer videos and then using AI to multiply this content for various marketing purposes.This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠Azoma⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecomtent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazing Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Connect with us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/maxsinclair4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode Max Sinclair dives into the rapidly evolving world of AI-driven commerce. The discussion kicks off with a deep dive into GEO, or Generative Engine Optimization, a fresh paradigm that parallels SEO but targets visibility within AI platforms like Amazon’s Rufus, ChatGPT, and Google’s Gemini. Max shares how AI tools are fundamentally reshaping customer discovery, revealing just how pervasive AI has become in the modern shopping experience—especially on platforms like Amazon, where Rufus now influences up to 14% of all searches.Max unpacks the technological leap from traditional algorithms to large language models, detailing how tools like COSMO and Rufus are trained to understand not just keywords, but context, audience, and purpose. He outlines actionable strategies for sellers to optimize their listings both visually and textually—incorporating seasonality, event-based relevance, and customer use cases—to thrive in AI-powered search environments. Listeners also get a glimpse into how tools like Ecomtent help brands stay ahead with continuous listing optimization and trend tracking across generative platforms.Looking ahead, Max shares his predictions for the AI-driven future of e-commerce: more voice-based, personalized shopping journeys and lower barriers for entrepreneurs to launch their own ventures with AI-powered efficiency. While excited about the opportunities, he also raises critical concerns about global job displacement and digital inequality. This episode is a must-listen for sellers eager to stay competitive in the age of AI.This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠Azoma⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecomtent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazing Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Connect with us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/maxsinclair4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this enlightening discussion, Sim Mahon, who runs an impressive eight-figure business with multiple Amazon brands, shares his insights on the latest in AI image generation. He explains how ChatGPT-4o's photorealistic capabilities are revolutionizing eCommerce, allowing businesses to easily generate A+ content and ads. Sim highlights the essential partnership between human creativity and AI, optimizing design processes. He also introduces Genspark, a powerful tool streamlining operations and boosting productivity in the competitive eCommerce landscape.

In this episode of The New Frontier, Max and Jo reunite after a busy conference season, to welcome Shannon Curley, a seasoned marketing leader with deep expertise in brand storytelling, content strategy, and audience engagement—most recently the Director of Marketing at Carbon6, which was acquired for $210 million.The conversation dives deep into the future of building effective teams in an AI-powered workforce. Shannon challenges the idea that teams must justify human roles by first proving AI can't do the job, instead flipping the script to focus on how humans can add more value. She emphasizes AI as a collaborative tool—an "intern" of sorts—not a replacement. Drawing from her leadership experience, she shares how to encourage AI adoption, train creative teams, and maintain morale, especially in the face of automation anxiety. They explore the balance between efficiency and creativity, how AI agents can support (but not supplant) team culture, and the importance of retaining human oversight and strategic thinking.Shannon also addresses the broader implications of AI on workforce dynamics, particularly its potential impact on junior roles and hiring practices. She advocates for skill-based recruitment over traditional role-based models and underscores the need for hiring managers to rethink what qualifies as relevant experience in an AI-enhanced workplace. From upskilling strategies and agent integration to preserving creativity in content work, Shannon offers a clear-eyed yet optimistic vision for how organizations can thoughtfully and responsibly build the teams of tomorrow.This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecomtent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazing Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Connect with us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/maxsinclair4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The New Frontier, Jo takes a deep dive with veteran Amazon Seller Ben Webber, who has built and scaled an incredible nine brands to eight figures. The conversation centers around Ben's recent presentation on "deserved ranking" — a concept focused on how products naturally position within Amazon’s search results based on value, not just aggressive advertising. Ben breaks down how understanding buyer intent and nuanced positioning within sub-niches can unlock major profit potential, offering real-world examples like rebranding compostable bowls for feeding stray cats.Ben also shares his evolution from arbitrage hustler to building a systematized, scalable business, including the importance of working closely with manufacturers and hiring full-time VAs to build a loyal and process-driven remote team. He highlights how the ability to delegate, standardize, and focus on "good enough" execution was key to scaling multiple brands successfully. From building strong supplier relationships to encouraging innovation within his team, Ben offers a wealth of operational wisdom for sellers aiming to grow beyond the solopreneur stage.The conversation wraps with a forward-looking take on AI’s expanding role in e-commerce. Ben shares how he’s using custom GPTs, AI schedulers, and semantic SEO tools to automate and scale smarter — while also exploring underutilized strategies like buying underperforming patents. With insights into Amazon’s future under Rufus and a potential case study brand launch on the horizon, this episode is a must-listen for any Amazon seller serious about strategic growth and adaptation in a fast-changing marketplace.This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecomtent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazing Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Connect with us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/maxsinclair4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode of The New Frontier, Max welcomes Andrea Leigh, an e-commerce expert with over 20 years of experience, including a decade as a senior executive at Amazon. Andrea dives deep into the key factors that determine success for brands on Amazon, emphasizing agility, curiosity, and data-driven decision-making. She explains how Amazon's self-service, algorithm-driven marketplace requires brands to be nimble, analytical, and focused on foundational elements like inventory management and profitability before exploring advanced strategies like AI-driven content optimization.The conversation shifts to the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in retail and how brands must adapt to the rise of AI-powered search and personalization. Andrea discusses the increasing role of tools like Amazon’s Rufus and external AI-driven shopping assistants, which are reshaping the way consumers discover and purchase products. She highlights the importance of optimizing for AI by leveraging strong product content, robust direct-to-consumer websites, and an evolving approach to retail media strategies. The discussion also touches on Amazon's challenge of balancing its lucrative ad business with the inevitable shift toward AI-driven shopping experiences.Andrea then shares fascinating stories from her early days at Amazon, painting a picture of its scrappy, high-growth culture in the mid-2000s. From working on the first automated price-matching system to launching Amazon’s grocery category and navigating private-label missteps, she provides a behind-the-scenes look at how the company scaled into a retail giant. Wrapping up, she reflects on Amazon’s winning formula—an unwavering commitment to experimentation and a culture that embraces failure as a learning opportunity. Whether you're a brand looking to stay ahead in e-commerce or just a fan of Amazon’s growth story, this episode is packed with insights and insider stories.This podcast is brought to you by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ecomtent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazing Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Connect with us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/maxsinclair4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, Max takes a turn in the hot seat to discuss the rapidly evolving landscape of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and its impact on search and shopping behaviors. With 60% of U.S. adults using AI chatbots in the past 30 days and ChatGPT receiving a billion messages daily, brands need to rethink their digital strategies. Max highlights how search queries are becoming longer and more intent-driven, shifting how consumers find products and information. He emphasizes that optimizing for AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Amazon's Rufus is not just an extension of SEO but a new marketing channel that requires a strategic, high-level approach.As AI-powered search engines gain traction, brands must adapt their content strategies to match the way these models process and present information. Max explains that traditional keyword stuffing is no longer effective, and instead, context, visuals, and relevance to consumer intent are now key ranking factors. He shares insights from Amazon's science papers, which detail the importance of event relevance, target audience, and product context in product listings. He also highlights strategies for improving visibility on ChatGPT, such as leveraging authoritative sources and creating custom GPTs to enhance brand presence.Max stresses that GEO presents a major opportunity for early adopters, much like SEO did in the early 2000s. Companies that invest in AI-driven optimization now can gain a competitive edge as these technologies become mainstream. He encourages senior leadership to recognize GEO as a fundamental shift in digital marketing and to allocate resources accordingly. Wrapping up, he shares valuable resources, including his blog on GEO trends and insights, to help brands stay ahead in this fast-moving landscape.This podcast is brought to you by Azoma, ⁠⁠⁠Ecomtent⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Amazing Wave⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Connect with us:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://twitter.com/maxsinclair4⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-sinclair-ai/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannalambadjieva/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠