Agency X
Agency X
agency-x
Agency X — a podcast that takes you behind the scenes of running a digital agency. Hosted by John and Tommy, we dive deep into the world of ecommerce, digital strategy, and the evolving landscape of marketing technology. From the challenges of building a brand to mastering the latest tools shaping the future of commerce, Agency X offers insights drawn from real experiences at Avex. Each week, we break down what works, what doesn’t, and the bold moves that drive growth for leading brands. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, marketer, or ecommerce enthusiast, Agency X is your go-to for practical str
Shopify Theme Development is a Commodity: Pricing Strategies
John discusses the commoditization of Shopify theme development, competition in the agency space, and pricing strategies.
May 5, 2025
17 min
Why Are Brands Leaving Homegrown Systems for Shopify Plus?
More brands are making the leap from custom platforms to Shopify Plus. Avex shares what’s driving this shift, from reducing the total cost of ownership to the appeal of a flexible, scalable platform. Listen in for insights on adapting teams, overcoming resistance to change, and the powerful short- and long-term returns brands are seeing on Shopify.
Nov 19, 2024
30 min
The Loyalist by Yotpo: Unmasking Your Brand Heroes
In this episode of the Agency X Podcast, John Surdakowski is joined by Yotpo’s VP of Product Marketing, Kim Winter, to unpack the genius behind Yotpo's groundbreaking "Loyalists: Unmask Your Brand Heroes" campaign. With insights from over 3 million shoppers, Yotpo uncovers the key behaviors of your most loyal customers—your brand heroes. Tune in to find out how this campaign can reshape your approach to customer loyalty and long-term engagement.
Oct 15, 2024
43 min
Is Headless Commerce Dead?
Has the headless commerce hype run its course? In this episode of the Agency X Podcast, we dive into the debate surrounding headless architecture. Join us as we look into why some brands are shifting away from headless solutions, highlight situations where it’s still the right approach, and look at how Shopify’s native features can meet the needs of most eCommerce brands. Visit our website to learn more about our Headless Commerce Services
Oct 7, 2024
34 min
What Merchants Need to Know About Retention Platform Migration
Thinking about migrating your retention platform or already in the thick of it? This podcast is for you! Join John as he answers the most common questions merchants have about retention platform migration. We’ll discuss important considerations, share best practices, and help you set clear expectations for the process. Tune in to catch all the insights, and stay for a special offer at the end! Visit our website for more insights on our retention marketing services
Oct 2, 2024
23 min
The Agency Owner's Hot Seat: Most Asked Questions
In this episode, Tommy Harris takes center stage to ask John Surdakowski, the founder of Avex, the questions everyone wants answers to. From client relationships to agency growth, John offers his perspective on the highs, lows, and everything in between when running a successful agency. Tune in for a real, no-holds-barred conversation about agency life.
Sep 16, 2024
47 min
We're Back!
The agency X Podcast is back. We have some new programming, topics and guests. Stay tuned for more.
Sep 5, 2024
3 min
Growing A Digital Agency: My Story and Key Things to Focus on for Success
In this episode, John Surdakowski touches on some of the core things he focused on in the early days to grow Avex Designs, an eCommerce agency, as well as provides a little background about how he got started.
Sep 18, 2023
31 min
Why Luxury Brands are Migrating to Shopify Plus?
We've been seeing more and more luxury brands migrate to Shopify Plus. In this episode, John Surdakowski takes an in-depth look into the rationale that drives those brands to re-platform and examines what lies ahead for the world of e-commerce.
Sep 13, 2023
13 min
Building Brand Awareness
5 years ago it was easy to grow a DTC brand with social media ads…. Today, it’s 100X more difficult.  Here are 3 things successful eCommerce brands are doing today, that you’re probably not.  Social media ads still need to be part of your advertising plans, but if you're not focusing on these three things, you’re leaving money (and customers) on the table. Everyone wants an easy solution, but growing a successful brand is never easy. The brands winning right now do these 3 things very well, and it's not a one-size-fits-all approach. Brand awareness is how familiar customers are with your brand and what it stands for. Focusing here helps you to attract new customers and build relationships with existing ones. Beyond just running branded ads, you need to focus on organic social, storytelling, and…our next point. Community. Building a community around your brand means creating a group of people who are passionate (or obsessed) about your brand and its products. A strong community will help you to build brand awareness, generate word-of-mouth, and get feedback from your customers. Brand collaborations and partnerships between two or more brands are great for reaching new audiences, cross-promoting your products, and increasing both brand awareness and community. When done well, brand collaborations can be a win-win for both brands involved. If you’re struggling with performance marketing right now, you’ll thank yourself 5 years from now, because you started to focus on your brand.
Sep 12, 2023
9 min
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