Optidge

The day Aashna Makin was offered a promotion... she quit.

That bold decision launched a career that's led to managing over $75 million in ad spend across 150+ industries and becoming a trusted voice in paid media.

In this episode, Danny and Aashna dive into what separates paid ads that drive real business growth from campaigns that simply burn budget, why lead generation is a different beast than e-commerce, and the mindset every paid media specialist should develop from day one.

🎧 Tune in now: https://optidge.com/podcast/118-aashna-makin-habit-that-defines-great-media-buyers/

Happy 2-Year Work Anniversary, Sara! From NICU nurse to Paid Search Strategist, Sara’s journey to Optidge has been anything but ordinary.

She joined us as an intern while still picking up nursing shifts, bringing with her the curiosity, pattern recognition, and problem-solving mindset that nursing taught her.
Two years later, she’s grown into a key part of our paid search team and recently earned a well-deserved promotion to Paid Search Strategist.

We’re grateful for everything you bring to the team, Sara. Here’s to what’s next!

The trophies were just the beginning. Our latest case studies are now live, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at the strategy, ex*****on, and measurable results behind the campaigns that earned AMA Crystal Awards recognition this year.

If you've ever wondered what goes into award-winning marketing, these are the stories behind the headlines, from the challenges we faced to the tactics that moved the needle.

🔗 https://optidge.com/case-studies/

AI is becoming a bigger part of paid media, but automation doesn’t replace strategy. In our latest blog, Danny breaks down the real opportunities behind agentic AI, from smarter workflows and faster insights to where human judgment remains essential.

Because the future of PPC isn’t humans vs. AI. It’s knowing how to use both.

Read the full breakdown at https://optidge.com/agentic-ppc-ai-paid-search-human-oversight/.

At Optidge, we believe the best partnerships are built on trust, collaboration, and a genuine commitment to finding the right solutions for every client. We're grateful for the opportunity to work with amazing teams and for the relationships we build along the way!

If you’ve enjoyed working with our team, we’d love to hear from you too. Leaving us a Google Review at https://bit.ly/4fryxmN!

AI is changing paid search, but what happens when we hand over too much control? The conversation around agentic AI in PPC is growing fast. 🤖 But beyond the buzzwords, there’s a bigger question: Where does AI truly make campaigns smarter, and where does human expertise still matter?

Danny recently explored this topic at SMX Advanced, joining industry experts to discuss what’s real, what’s hype, and what’s next for AI-powered paid media.

A deeper dive is coming soon. Stay tuned!

Reviews like this mean the world to us! We're proud to help businesses turn great ideas into smart, scalable solutions, and we're grateful to our clients for trusting us along the way. 🖤

If you've enjoyed working with Optidge, we'd love to hear from you too. Leaving us a Google Review at the link below!

https://bit.ly/4fryxmN

At 18, Sophie Brannon moved to London to chase a career in music journalism, earning concert tickets and festival passes for her reviews at Kerrang Magazine. When that path ran its course, she pivoted into digital marketing, and never looked back.

Now co-founder and Director of StudioHawk, Sophie shares her journey from rock journalism to SEO leadership, cuts through the AI search noise, and explains why genuine relationships are still the biggest driver of success.

🎙️ Tune in now https://optidge.com/podcast/117-sophie-brannon-concert-tikets-to-client-contracts-studiohawk-us/