Meet Jason Hunt

We recently connected with Jason Hunt and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Jason with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?

I’ve always been fueled by a relentless work ethic that I inherited from growing up in a family where sports and dedication went hand in hand. As a kid, I played baseball and hockey, where teamwork, resilience, and a strong competitive spirit were crucial on and off the field. But my greatest inspiration came from watching my dad, a workaholic who tirelessly juggled multiple jobs to support our family. That kind of unwavering dedication stuck with me.

In 2016, I was faced with a defining moment: I decided to leave the corporate world and pursue entrepreneurship, despite being offered a comfortable $100,000-a-year job as an affiliate marketing manager. It was on that very day that my wife told me she was pregnant with our second child. Knowing that we had another little one on the way, I realized there was no turning back and quitting wasn’t an option. With my back against the wall, I knew I had to make this work for my growing family.

Starting my own social media marketing business felt like stepping onto the ice for the championship game. The stakes were high, and the pressure was on. But that motivation drove me forward. I hustled harder than ever, leveraging every ounce of creativity, strategy, and relentless perseverance to build a business that would provide for my family and make me proud.

Those early days were full of uncertainty, but my sports background taught me that a strong offense and solid defense win the game. With my family depending on me, I gave it my all, pushing through challenges and staying laser-focused on my goals. My unwavering work ethic kept me going, ensuring that no matter the obstacles, I’d stay the course and turn my entrepreneurial dreams into reality.

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Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

In 2019, I took a bold step in my entrepreneurial journey and merged my thriving social media agency with an SEO company, giving birth to Merged Media. Today, we’re a full-service Canadian digital marketing agency, helping clients worldwide gain more visibility and grow their businesses online.

What excites me most about our work is seeing the direct impact we can make on businesses of all sizes. Whether we’re helping a startup get noticed or crafting advanced strategies for established brands, our team’s expertise and passion are evident in every project we take on. Our holistic approach ensures that each client receives customized solutions tailored to their unique needs, allowing them to stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

Personally, I spend much of my time as the brand ambassador for Merged Media, sharing our story and insights at marketing conferences across the globe. Additionally, I host the ‘Drop The Mic’ podcast, where I chat with industry experts to uncover the latest trends and strategies in digital marketing. My passion for sharing knowledge extends to the classroom as well—I teach Digital Tourism at George Brown College in Toronto, where I have the privilege of preparing the next generation of marketers for the rapidly evolving digital world.

At Merged Media, we’re always looking for new ways to help businesses thrive. Whether through innovative marketing campaigns, insightful podcast episodes, or empowering education, we’re here to drive meaningful growth and support our clients’ journeys.

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Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I’ve found that three essential qualities have significantly shaped my journey in digital marketing:

Adaptability: The digital marketing landscape changes rapidly, and to thrive, it’s crucial to stay agile and open to new trends and tools. Whether it’s algorithm updates or emerging platforms, being able to pivot quickly will ensure you’re always in tune with the industry’s pulse. Embrace a mindset of continuous learning. Stay curious and be ready to learn from successes and failures alike, because flexibility and willingness to experiment are key to staying relevant.

Choosing the Right Partners: Building strong partnerships is vital. Seek partners who complement your skill set, support your vision, and are as focused on collaborative goals as you are. Identify your strengths and areas where you need support. Look for partners who bring complementary skills and ensure you’re aligned on values and goals from the outset.

Patience: In digital marketing, success doesn’t happen overnight. Building a brand, establishing trust, and developing strategies take time and perseverance. Deploy patience and avoid the urge to chase quick wins. Focus on sustainable strategies that will yield long-term results, and remember that consistency and dedication are what ultimately build lasting success.

Overall, thriving in this field means understanding that growth takes time, strong partnerships are invaluable, and remaining adaptable will keep you on the cutting edge of an ever-evolving industry.

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All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

With the rapid emergence of AI and tools like ChatGPT, our agency faces the challenge of keeping pace with technological advancements while ensuring we remain at the forefront of digital marketing. Instead of viewing AI as a disruption, we’ve fully embraced it. Our approach has been to lean into emerging tech and build SaaS tools that help us scratch our own itch, streamline operations, and foster growth.

We recognize that innovation is key to staying competitive, so we’re focusing on developing solutions that directly address the needs of our agency and clients. By creating efficiencies and enhancing our services through AI, our goal is to become a leader in digital marketing innovation. We are determined to lead by example, showing that when used effectively, AI can empower agencies to deliver better, smarter, and more strategic results for their clients.

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