Global Technology Leader | Seasoned Startup & Board Advisor | Formerly at Amazon, Zillow, Lending Tree

I never set out to be a personal brand. I have always seen myself as an operator and partner to other people’s projects, not someone who needs the spotlight.

I also know what it feels like to have a strong track record and still feel invisible.

For more than fifteen years I worked inside large organisations. At Amazon in the United States, United Kingdom and Australia I led sales, marketing and partnerships. I helped launch private brands, build small business innovation programs and grow advertising and search products across regions. At a global music and media company I led streaming and commercial partnerships around music and film catalogues, working closely with artists, managers and platforms.

I was proud of the work. We launched real products, moved real numbers and helped brands grow. But outside those walls none of that automatically translated into the next opportunity. Titles and logos only tell part of the story.

Returning to Sydney, I shifted from large company roles into building systems directly around creators and smaller teams. I work with podcasters, musicians and direct to consumer brands on the unglamorous pieces that actually drive growth. Planning topics. Turning long form video into short form clips. Tightening hooks, captions and calls to action. Building simple engines that make consistent content and audience growth possible.

In parallel I do what I used to do at Amazon and AWS, now with modern tools. I design revenue and marketing systems powered by AI, Zapier and automation. Lead capture, messages, tagging, reporting, content calendars, launch plans. All the operational plumbing that lets teams scale without burning out. I am familiar with the major content creation tools and with implementing digital transformation strategies that stick.

The common thread is simple. There are capable and humble people doing good work who are overlooked because their sales, marketing and content systems are weak or missing. They do not need viral fame. They do need a clear story, a repeatable way to show up and operations that hold together when things get busy.

That is what I help with now.

Building sales and marketing playbooks from first touch to close.
Turning podcasts, video and expertise into consistent content that drives enquiry.
Using AI and automation to remove manual work and give leaders clear numbers.

If you are in Sydney or remote and you are trying to grow revenue, sort out your marketing or figure out where AI and automation fit into your business, send me a message and tell me what you are working on.

Chadd SJ Ciccarelli

Ján Kasper, PhD., MBA, PhD.

Co-Founder & Managing Partner @ZAKA.VC

As the Co-Founder and Managing Partner at ZAKA VC, I manage a €17M venture capital fund. 
We invest in early-stage startups with a global mindset, primarily in the healthcare, biotech, and industrial tech sectors. 
Our portfolio currently includes over 80 companies across the USA and Europe.

My entrepreneurial journey began in 1988, and today, I am at the forefront of over 53 profitable companies operating in 6 diverse industries. These ventures collectively boast a workforce of more than 690 employees and generate revenues that soar past the 700-million-euro mark. My experience spans across various sectors, including communication, energetics, car dealership, leisure & hospitality, real estate, development, and IT.

My academic credentials include a technical diploma from the Slovak University of Technology, an MBA from Webster University in Vienna, and not one, but two PhDs — in Marketing from the University of Economics in Bratislava, and in Management from Comenius University.

Aside from my professional endeavours, I was part of the original team that brought the Bratislava Jazz Days festival to life in 1974 — a cultural staple that continues to thrive. Though my marathon running days are over, my enthusiasm for sports remains undiminished, as I'm an ardent fan of both the NBA and the Champions League. I also take great pleasure in exploring the world of fine red wines.

At the heart of my world are 4 remarkable women — my dear wife Alexandra and our three daughters: Valentina, Karolina, and Alexandra Jr., complemented by our son, Jan Jr. 
I speak 4 languages, studied at 4 universities, and ran 4 marathons. 
There are 4 countries I reside in – predominantly in Italy, with regular stays in Spain, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

And so it seems, the number 4 not only signifies the pillars of my life but also appears to be my lucky charm.

taplio

The Battle

Chadd SJ Ciccarelli

Ján Kasper, PhD., MBA, PhD.

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