We're back for 2026!

And today's episode we unpack advertising in the age of AI! With OpenAI announcing ads in ChatGPT and Google already running ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode, understanding how to show up in AI-generated answers has never been more important for your marketing strategy.

My key insight? No amount of ad budget fixes invisible!

In this episode, we dive into:

- Why AI search ads are fundamentally different to traditional search advertising

- How AI models decide which brands to mention (and which to ignore)

- The trust signals that actually matter like Google reviews, testimonials, and getting others to talk about you

- How to audit your AI visibility right now before ads roll out in NZ and Australia

OpenAI's new browser - Atlas - has been launched. And we need to understand what this potentially changes for how customers find and interact with our businesses.

In this episode, Jordan McFadyen has a look at the strategic parallels between Google's rise and OpenAI's current moves.

We're moving beyond traditional SEO and Google Ads into an era of "agentic commerce," where AI assistants make purchasing decisions for your customers.

Learn the practical steps you need to take to adapt your digital marketing strategy, build brand authority, and ensure your business is the one recommended by AI.

Chapters:

(01:20) Unveiling OpenAI's New Browser: Atlas(02:38) Google's Strategic Playbook: A Look Back(06:06) OpenAI's Path to Dominance(09:20) Implications for Marketers and Business Owners(13:13) Adapting to the AI-Driven Future

A recent MIT report found 95% of business AI projects fail to deliver any return on investment. The reason is simple: most businesses grab generic tools that look good in a demo but break under the pressure of real, complex work.

Essentially, they're trying to build on a messy foundation.

Success with AI isn't about buying the latest tool; it's about getting your house in order first.

In this episode, I'm sharing a condensed conversation with business consultant Kieran Lee, who explains why a process-first approach is the only way to join the 5% of businesses that are actually getting results.

Tune in to learn:

• The critical difference between the 95% of failing AI projects and the 5% that succeed.

• Why mapping your internal processes is the essential first step before you even think about AI.

• How to start structuring your business data so it's ready for effective automation.

• A practical framework to avoid wasting money on tech that won't deliver real value.

  
  

If you're feeling the pressure to adopt AI but want to do it smartly, this conversation provides the foundational roadmap you need.

Chapters:

01:23 The Rush to Adopt AI: Common Pitfalls01:55 Interview with Kieran Lee: Getting Your House in Order02:58 Understanding Business Processes and AI Integration06:13 The Role of Technology in Modern Consulting08:23 Automation and AI: Opportunities and Challenges11:45 Preparing for the Future: Structuring Your Business for AI