From early Google Ads days to pioneering Amazon PPC and DSP, Clear Ads founder George Meressa breaks down how to launch, scale, and defend profitable growth on the world’s biggest marketplace—without chasing shiny objects or burning margin.What you’ll learn- The retail-ready checklist that drives conversion and ranking- A step-by-step Amazon launch playbook (long-tail terms → phase upgrades → organic lift)- How to use Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, and DSP in the right order- Creative ways to build audiences with Amazon’s first-party data- The “slow growth, strong profits” system: inventory, reviews, margins, forecasting- When to add variations vs. new products, and how to read category signals- Smart ways to bring external traffic (TikTok/Google) to boost rank and moat- 2025 realities: tariffs, storage fees, and cost creep—and how top brands adapt- Omnichannel strategy: why Amazon + DTC/retail increases resilience and exit multiples- Building an edge with people + AI inside your growth teamChapters:00:00 – Introduction & shiny object syndrome02:35 – George’s backstory: from sales to Google Ads05:50 – How George discovered Amazon PPC06:55 – Learning Google & Amazon media buying skills07:30 – The first services Clear Ads offered08:43 – Expanding into programmatic and full service09:43 – Why move beyond ads into listings & content10:25 – One-time setup vs ongoing optimization10:42 – What types of brands Clear Ads works with11:12 – US vs UK focus on Amazon11:49 – Criteria for “retail-ready” brands12:32 – Red flags: brands Clear Ads avoids13:34 – Why consumables make strong Amazon products14:20 – How new brands should launch on Amazon15:56 – Ads first or organic first?17:50 – Can you forecast revenue before launch?19:38 – Reviews: risk, compliance & best practices21:41 – Competition: how to judge new niches23:23 – Battling strong incumbents on Amazon24:23 – Scaling: from Sponsored Products → Brands → DSP → external traffic26:42 – When to run external traffic to Amazon27:00 – Sponsored Products vs Sponsored Brands vs DSP explained30:36 – Beyond ads: profit tracking, inventory, and slow growth33:20 – Launching variations vs new products34:14 – How to test demand for new products35:07 – Biggest growth challenges & tariffs38:29 – Should brands go all in on Amazon?41:50 – When and how to diversify outside Amazon44:39 – Launching new products vs expanding into new channels48:00 – Exits: what multiples look like in 202550:20 – How Clear Ads differentiates from other agencies52:25 – The power of people and community in agency growth55:24 – Building a network of top-tier partners01:00:00 – Balancing focus vs partners with multiple ventures01:02:30 – How George personally uses AI01:05:35 – Staying curious to stay ahead01:06:07 – Where to follow George#ecommerce #AmazonPPC #AmazonDSP #AmazonFBA #DTC #PaidMedia #CRO #RetailReady #AdsStrategy #BrandBuilding #ClearAds #MarketplaceMarketing #EcommerceStrategy #AmazonAdvertising #LongTailKeywords #InventoryManagement #Tariffs #ExitMultiples #ProgrammaticAdvertising #omnichannelmarketing