The Truth About Social Ads

Building a disruptive product brand takes more than a great idea. This episode explores entrepreneurship, podcast marketing, UFC sponsorships, and scaling a direct-to-consumer business through persistence and execution. ABOUT THE EPISODE ⸻ In this episode of The Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith sits down with Robert Patton, founder and CEO of Sheath Underwear, to unpack the unconventional journey behind one of the most recognizable pouch underwear brands in the market. Robert shares how the original concept for Sheath was born during his deployment in Iraq after struggling with discomfort in extreme heat conditions. What started as hand-drawn sketches and a military tailor prototype eventually evolved into a direct-to-consumer brand recognized among the fastest-growing veteran-owned companies in America. The conversation dives deep into the realities of entrepreneurship, including failed inventory launches, risking personal savings, podcast sponsorship marketing, UFC partnerships, influencer advertising, and the long-term persistence required to scale a product-based business. Jason and Robert also discuss attribution challenges in digital advertising, Meta ad tracking, podcast ROI, and why execution separates successful founders from everyone else. ABOUT THE GUEST ⸻ Robert Patton is the founder and CEO of Sheath Underwear, a direct-to-consumer apparel company known for pioneering pouch underwear technology. A U.S. Army veteran who served two tours in Iraq, Robert developed the original concept for Sheath while deployed overseas. Since launching the company, he has grown the brand through podcast sponsorships, influencer partnerships, UFC collaborations, and direct response marketing strategies. Sheath Underwear has been recognized among the fastest-growing veteran-owned companies in America.

AI is reshaping how agencies generate leads, automate outreach, and scale without adding headcount. Ken McLoud breaks down how custom AI systems turn traffic into qualified sales opportunities. In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith sits down with Ken McLoud of Laconic Tech to explore how AI is transforming lead generation, sales funnels, and agency efficiency. Ken shares how he builds custom AI software that helps companies automate internal operations and increase revenue without hiring more staff.The conversation dives into AI-powered lead magnets, personalized ad audits, and automated cold outreach systems that enrich leads using tools like Meta Ads Library, Apollo, and Hunter.io. Jason and Ken also break down how agencies can segment leads, test multiple funnel endpoints, and use AI agents to identify and contact hyper-targeted prospects. This episode is a practical look at how AI is already reshaping modern marketing workflows. Ken McLoud is the founder of Laconic Tech, a software company that builds custom AI-powered systems for businesses and marketing agencies. His work focuses on helping companies use AI to improve lead generation, streamline operations, and boost profitability without increasing headcount. Ken specializes in building practical, production-level AI tools that integrate with existing workflows and data sources.

Restaurant marketing is changing fast with AI search, voice tools, and local discovery reshaping how customers find food businesses. This episode breaks down strategies that drive real foot traffic. In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith speaks with Mario Russo, founder of W3 Marketing and co-founder and CTO of MealDeals, a location-based platform helping restaurants drive local visibility and customer traffic. Mario shares insights from nearly 20 years in digital marketing across Brazil, Canada, and the U.S. The discussion covers how restaurants can use geo-targeted ads, structured data, and AI search optimization to stay competitive after the rise of delivery apps. They also explore how voice search and generative AI are changing how customers discover local businesses, and why traditional SEO is no longer enough on its own. Mario breaks down MealDeals’ three-layer marketing system and explains why tracking ROI in local marketing requires a different approach than e-commerce campaigns. Mario Russo is the founder of W3 Marketing and co-founder and CTO of MealDeals. With nearly 20 years of experience in digital marketing and web development, he has worked across Brazil, Canada, and the United States. His expertise includes SEO, paid advertising, structured data, and AI-driven search optimization, with a strong focus on helping restaurants improve local visibility and customer acquisition through geo-targeted strategies.

Heidi Sturrock is a Search Marketing Advisor and Funnel Fixer with 24 years of experience in paid search, working independently with brands and agencies to optimize ad performance on Google, YouTube, and Microsoft. She is recognized for her proven track record of building high-performing campaigns and her expertise in leveraging automation, AI-driven strategies, and holistic, multichannel marketing to drive business growth even in challenging markets. In this episode…In a landscape where ad budgets are tighter and performance metrics are under the microscope, brands are under pressure to prove what’s really driving growth. With platforms like Facebook and Google often competing for credit, how can marketers ensure they’re not cutting off the very traffic that fuels their conversions? According to Heidi Sturrock, a veteran Search Marketing Advisor and Funnel Fixer, true sustainable growth happens when Facebook and Google ads work together, not in isolation. She highlights that Facebook’s top-of-funnel awareness campaigns directly influence Google’s bottom-of-funnel conversions, creating an ecosystem that drives long-term performance. Heidi emphasizes the importance of incrementality testing, modern campaign structures, and understanding automation’s role in scaling efficiently. By aligning paid search and social strategies, brands can maintain momentum even when the market shifts and avoid the costly mistake of cutting off key demand channels. In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Heidi Sturrock to discuss how integrated Facebook and Google ad strategies unlock sustainable growth. They explore the importance of multi-touch attribution, why automation should be approached with caution, and how brands can test incrementality before slashing budgets. Heidi also shares insights on adapting to AI-driven ad changes while staying true to brand integrity.

David Kestner is the Vice President of Marketing and E-commerce of Diamondback Toolbelts, a leading manufacturer of premium modular tool belts, vests, and work gear for tradespeople. Known for his customer-centric approach to scaling brand growth, David has held senior roles in digital marketing and e-commerce, including at ALPEN Storage and SpotTrot. At Diamondback, he leads strategies to grow online sales and drive brand visibility. He holds a master’s degree from the University of Kentucky in sports administration. In this episode… Building a premium brand for hardworking tradespeople takes more than quality materials. It demands constant innovation, close attention to customer feedback, and smart marketing to reach the right audience. How does a niche tool belt company turn these principles into rapid growth and industry recognition? According to David Kestner, a marketing and e-commerce leader, success comes from combining customer-driven product development with disciplined digital strategy. He highlights how Diamondback relies on input from real tradespeople to design ergonomic and modular belts and vests that outperform traditional leather gear. By focusing on authentic user-generated content and community engagement, the company built trust without relying on paid influencers. Careful tracking of metrics, such as the marketing efficiency ratio, allowed the team to scale ad spend intelligently, ensuring steady growth while maintaining profitability. Diamondback’s commitment to continuous product launches and responding to feedback keeps customers engaged and returning. In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with David Kestner, Vice President of Marketing and E-commerce of Diamondback Toolbelts, to talk about building a premium tradesmen brand through innovation and customer feedback. They discuss how user-generated content fuels marketing success, why focusing on marketing efficiency over return on ad spend drives growth, and the importance of constant product innovation.

Hugo Patrão is the Director of Creatives at Spotlight Social Advertising, a results-driven agency that helps brands scale with high-converting social media campaigns. He specializes in crafting ad copy and creative strategies that align with each stage of the marketing funnel. With over seven years of experience writing Facebook, Instagram, and email marketing copy, Hugo has tested thousands of variations to find what truly drives clicks and conversions. He also integrates AI tools into his workflow to streamline research and spark fresh creative ideas. In this episode… One-liner ad copy might seem like the quickest way to grab attention, but does it really work when you’re trying to attract new customers at the top of the funnel? Many brands assume that short and punchy is always better, yet their results often tell a different story. So why do these simple one-liners fail to convert when it matters most? According to Hugo Patrão, a seasoned copywriter with years of experience testing thousands of ad variations, one-liners fail because they don’t match the customer’s stage in the buying journey. He highlights that top-of-funnel ads need to introduce the brand, establish credibility, and set it apart from competitors rather than focusing immediately on overcoming objections. This mismatch often leads to plummeting click-through rates and wasted ad spend. He explains that strong ad copy should combine brand storytelling, clear calls to action, and structured formatting, ensuring the audience connects with the message before being prompted to act. In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Hugo Patrão, Director of Creatives at Spotlight Social Advertising, to talk about why one-liner ad copy fails at the top of funnel. They discuss how to craft copy that fits each stage of the funnel, the dangers of ignoring data-driven results, and the role of AI in shaping better headlines and ideas. Hugo also shares his process for aligning ad copy with visuals to create cohesive, high-converting campaigns.

Scott Desgrosseilliers is the CEO of Wicked Reports, a SaaS company that helps small to midsize businesses accurately track and optimize multi‑touch marketing attribution across paid ads, email, SEO, and offline channels. He founded the company in 2015 after building a custom ROI-tracking system for a friend’s e‑commerce business, then scaled it into a full platform that integrates deeply with Facebook and Google Ads. Under his leadership, Wicked Reports has grown profitably to several million in annual recurring revenue with around 28 employees and remains bootstrapped to focus on sustainable, data-driven growth. In this episode…Marketing platforms often make it look like your ads are crushing it — but are they really? Inflated ROAS, misattributed conversions, and murky data leave business owners and marketers flying blind. What if there were a smarter way to track your marketing performance and turn data into profit? According to Scott Desgrosseilliers, a pioneer in marketing attribution and optimization, the key is aligning your measurement strategy with your business goals using clean data and AI. He highlights that while accurate data is essential, what you do with it determines your growth. Scott emphasizes the importance of understanding top-of-funnel cold traffic performance, setting expectations before launching campaigns, and using “Scale Chill Kill” zones to guide spend decisions. The result is actionable insight that empowers smarter, faster marketing decisions and eliminates guesswork. In this episode of Truth About Social Ads, host Jason Smith sits down with Scott Desgrosseilliers, CEO of Wicked Reports, to discuss using AI and attribution to turn marketing data into profit. They break down the Five Forces framework, explain how to fix flawed Meta reporting, and demonstrate why customer segmentation matters. Scott also shares how agencies and in-house teams can use data to make better decisions and look smarter doing it.

Jason Smith is the Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, LLC, a company specializing in creating high-converting social media campaigns on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Founded in 2016, the agency has grown to manage robust campaigns across various social media platforms, primarily focusing on e-commerce clients. Prior to his venture into digital marketing, Jason served as a Los Angeles police officer for 13 years. In this episode… Selling a high-ticket offer through social media ads might seem impossible, but it doesn’t have to be. What separates campaigns that convert from those that just burn cash? According to Jason Smith, a seasoned paid social strategist, high-ticket offers can thrive with cold audiences if you build deep, customized funnels that mirror the buyer journey. He highlights how tailoring ad copy, creative, and targeting at every stage — from first impression to checkout — drives conversions, even for $10K products. This strategy, backed by a 91x ROAS case study, shows the power of full-funnel thinking. From top-of-funnel awareness to bottom-of-funnel urgency, each piece must speak directly to where the customer is in their decision process. In this episode of the Truth About Social Ads, Jason Smith, Owner and CEO of Spotlight Social Advertising, is interviewed by Dr. Jeremy Weisz of Rise25 to discuss how to convert cold traffic into high-ticket buyers. Jason shares his multi-phase ad strategy, explains why personalization at each stage is critical, and reveals how to time scarcity and urgency. Jason also provides insights on spotting and fixing common funnel mistakes.