Pure SEO Interviews: John Maloyd and James Kemp

Pure SEO is fortunate to have many connections in digital marketing who are doing interesting and innovative things. We decided to reach out to two of these rockstar digital marketers – John Maloyd of ContentCorp and James Kemp of www.jameskemp.co – to get their perspective on the industry and uncover some details about what makes them tick.

John Maloyd

John Maloyd is the Managing Director at ContentCorp. With a background in Graphic Design, Web Design/Development and Account Service, John has worked in London, Johannesburg and now Auckland.

He has been in the creative industry in one form or another since 1993 and has experience working with agencies like Saatchi & Saatchi and TBWA, and brands like Motorola, EMI Music, ASB and ANZ. He is worryingly passionate about Metallica and Harley Davidson’s.

Connect with John on LinkedIn or follow him on Twitter.

1. What excites you most about digital marketing?

The fact that it never stands still. There is always something new; it’s always evolving.

2. What do you see as the biggest trend in digital marketing right now?

The desire from our clients to see an actual return on their digital marketing spend, more so in media.

3. What do you think is the most important thing a business can do to generate online sales or leads?

Speak to their clients, as in think about what their clients want to hear. Talking about your product is one thing, but talking about how your product solves problems for your clients is another thing.

4. What do you think is the biggest challenge about marketing in 2017?

Strategy, the ability for agencies to work more closely with clients and other partners and not feel threatened. The best results come from the best collaboration.

5. Which blogs do you read?

The Daily Dot and DigiDay.

6. What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

The fact that I know I’m working in an agency that challenges the normal approach to a client/agency relationship. What we do is different – we think and make, it’s so much fun!

7. Which three items could you not live without?

My phone, my motorbike, my music collection.

8. How would you describe yourself in five words?

Open, honest, friendly, passionate, Metallica.

James Kemp

James Kemp is a consultant who owns and operates www.jameskemp.co. He has helped e-commerce sites, online retailers, media companies, NGO’s and startups build growth systems to grow sales and increase revenue in seven countries over 11 years.

1. What excites you most about digital marketing?

The limitless opportunities to reach and impact people. There are no constraints to location or knowledge. The opportunities are exponential.

2. What do you see as the biggest trend in digital marketing right now?

Automation has become accessible to everyone and when implemented properly, it can be a game changer. The challenge is many businesses are doing it for efficiency reasons rather than value driven reasons.

3. What do you think is the most important thing a business can do to generate online sales or leads? 

Replicate what currently works for them and translate it into a digital environment. Too many businesses completely change their customer approach when going digital, then expect customers to change their behaviour. Use digital channels to educate, save customers time or add value. Master a simple funnel that adds value at every step; then sales and happy customers will be the natural outcome.

4. What do you think is the biggest challenge about marketing in 2017?

Accepting that Google and Facebook dominate the online space. There is a fight for attention that these channels are winning. Work with and through them rather than against them.

5. What motivates you to get out of bed in the morning?

Translating an increasingly complex world to the man in the street.

6. Which three items could you not live without?

Bose Noise Canceling headphones, Kindle and Macbook Pro.