Ep. 115 - AI, Search, and the Future of Agencies - Alex Melen
In this episode of Future Fuzz, Justin sits down with Alex Melen, award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and co-founder of SmartSites - America’s top-rated digital marketing agency. Alex shares how he and his brother scaled the business from a small team into a 400+ person global agency, landing a spot on the Inc. 5000 list nine years in a row.
From navigating rapid technological shifts to staying ahead in a generative AI–driven world, Alex offers candid insights on sustaining growth, working with family, and helping SMBs thrive in changing markets. He also unpacks his views on the future of search, the rise of authentic video content, and why change is the biggest opportunity for agencies today.
Guest Bio
Alex Melen is the co-founder of SmartSites, a digital marketing agency consistently ranked among America’s fastest-growing companies by Adweek and the Inc. 5000. Under Alex’s leadership, SmartSites has expanded to over 400 employees across six offices worldwide, earning a reputation for its data-driven, customer-centric approach.
A serial entrepreneur since 1997, Alex has founded multiple tech ventures, authored best-selling books, and become a recognized thought leader in SEO, paid media, and digital transformation. Known for his industry candor, he’s spoken at leading conferences on topics ranging from AI in marketing to SMB growth strategies.
Takeaways
- Sustaining growth requires discipline — SmartSites has achieved 35%+ year-over-year growth for over a decade.
- Partnering with family can work if roles and strengths are clearly divided.
- Generative AI poses the first real existential threat to the search model since its inception.
- Click volumes from search may decrease, but their value will rise.
- Authentic, unpolished short-form video outperforms big-budget productions for engagement.
- SMBs are agile but vulnerable in crises — diversification is key.
- Change creates opportunities for agencies willing to adapt quickly.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Future Fuzz & Guest Intro
01:04 SmartSites’ 9-Year Streak on the Inc. 5000
03:05 Building a Business with a Sibling
06:14 The Existential Threat to Search Marketing
08:50 Generative AI vs. Traditional Search
13:37 Why Click Value Will Rise Despite Lower Volume
14:36 Lessons from TikTok’s Early Ad Days
16:09 The Future of Video Content in Marketing
18:15 Authenticity Over Production in Video Strategy
20:25 Embracing Change as a Competitive Advantage
22:30 Microsoft, AI, and Shifting Industry Perceptions
26:13 Serving SMBs — Opportunities and Risks
28:36 Staying Industry-Agnostic & Performance-Focused
29:20 Closing Thoughts & Future Outlook
Follow Alex Melen on LinkedIn here
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