John Surdakowski

Avex E-commerce

Leading eCommerce agency providing creative, development, email marketing & strategy for brands such as: Mondelez, Hugo Boss, KITH, O’Neil, HAUS, Undefeated, Marchesa, Balance Athletica, TomBoyX, Wolf & Shepherd, Badgley Mischka & Iconix Brand Group.

Founder & CEO

Agency-X Podcast

Agency X — Hosted by John Surdakowski, is a Podcast that takes a dive deep into the world of ecommerce, digital strategy, and the evolving landscape of marketing technology. From the challenges of building a brand to mastering the latest tools shaping the future of commerce, Agency X offers insights drawn from real experiences at Avex. Each week, we break down what works, what doesn’t, and the bold moves that drive growth for leading brands.

Host

Shogun

Shogun empowers brands and agencies to create unique ecommerce experiences by making it easy to build and optimize online stores. Shogun is seamlessly integrated with leading ecommerce platforms, and is trusted by over 12,000 eCommerce brands, including Leesa mattresses, MVMT watches, Gaiam yoga apparel, K-Swiss, and Chubbies shorts

Investor

GRIN

Grin is the #1 all-in-one influencer marketing platform designed to help brands own their influencer relationships. With our tools in your corner, you’ll build a pool of credible ambassadors and reap the financial and brand rewards that come with it. GRIN puts every aspect of your influencer marketing program at your fingertips, empowering you to own it every step of the way.

Inveterate, Inc

Govalo

Kinn

Consulting

Freelance creative direction, web design and development for various brands and agencies, including Google, Samsung, Havas, JWT, Campfire, USANetwork, Cinemax and Sony

Creative Contractor

Havas

Designed digital experiences such as: websites, mobile ads, video story boards and rich media campaigns.

Sr. Art Director Consultant

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.

Designed and developed digital campaigns for Estee Lauder’s online creative department.

Art Director Consultant

Founder & CEO at Avex, a New York City based creative, technology and e-commerce agency for fashion & lifestyle brands. 

With 20 years of experience creating for the web, I’ve seen the digital landscape evolve. From Web 1.0 and Flash animation, to the explosion of mobile and e-commerce. I utilize my vast experience in creative, technology and business to help DTC brands achieve rapid growth. 

Throughout the years I've consulted for JWT, Havas, Estee Lauder, BBDO, NBC, MRM Worldwide, Nickelodeon, MTV Networks and many other New York based companies.

In 2015 I started growing my freelance business into a boutique digital agency, with focus on fashion, lifestyle and premium products. 

Avex has partnered with major brands such as: Hugo Boss, KITH, O’Neill, Undefeated, Simmons Serta Bedding, Marchesa, Eugenia Kim, Badgley Mishka, Ports V, Reem Acra, Iconix Brand Group, Google, PONY, Starter, Rocawear, Shutterstock, 88Rising, USANetwork, HBO, UBISoft, Sony Music and many more. 

Today, I continue to act as CEO and Founder (among other titles) of Avex. I’ve applied my experience and ability to adapt to creating a business that I am immensely passionate about. I love working with other creatives, building my team and taking on new challenges.

In 2019 Avex was invited to become a Shopify Plus Partner. Our agency focuses on helping brands navigate eCommerce.

Marco De Paulis

Director of eCommerce & Optimization

Loop

Director of Partnerships

Various SaaS Companies

Advising, consultant, and/or investor for:

PartnerPage.io, Swapt, Fermat, Cart Stars, Pandium, and other SaaS providers and digital agencies.

Advisor/Consultant/Investor

Partnership Leaders

As a Chapter Host at Partnership Leaders, I spearheaded member-led events for our regional chapter. In this role, I played a pivotal part in fostering community engagement and facilitating meaningful connections among members. By organizing and coordinating a series of dynamic events, I provided a platform for members to share insights, collaborate on industry challenges, and network with like-minded professionals. Through effective communication and strategic planning, I contributed to the growth and success of our chapter, creating valuable opportunities for learning, collaboration, and professional development.

Executive Member & Philadelphia Chapter Host

Pavilion

Member

Ryder System, Inc.

Ryder acquired Whiplash in December, 2021.

• Designed the strategy and built the first-ever partnerships ecosystem to a team of 4 with 50+ partners onboarded
• Worked with the team to build high 8-figures in net new pipeline, 7-figures in net new revenue, and 7-figures in expansion revenue through net new and existing customers, respectively
• Lead partner marketing initiatives including e-books, case studies, blog swaps, and partner co-marketing campaigns to drive qualified leads
• Developed various commercial agreements with a wide range of partners to expand services and revenue streams
• Created cross-functional collaborative motions with Sales, Customer Success, and Operations to expand offerings and value to customers and prospects alike
• Elevated product team and feature set by building integration proposals to prioritize integration development that would open maximum commercial opportunities

Director, Ecommerce Partnerships (through Whiplash acquisition)

Whiplash

Whiplash was acquired by Ryder in December, 2021 to become the face of the new eCommerce fulfillment division.

Brought in to develop and launch the first ever Partnerships department at Whiplash from scratch for technology and referral partners. Program structure design through launch. Cross-departmental process creation with Sales, CS, Marketing, and Venture. Driving leads and revenue realization in under 6 months.

Partnerships range from integration, referral, agency, operations, and services.

Privy (Acquired by Attentive)

Privy is the #1 reviewed sales app in the Shopify App Store. Used by 500,000+ eCommerce brands around the world.

• Led Agency partner program, grew from 20 to 750+ partners
• Promoted from Agency Partner Manager to Director to lead Partnerships team, consisting of Partner Managers, Channel Sales, and Customer Success Managers dedicated to Partnerships
• Drove 1,027% increase in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) in two years
• Restructured and launched updated partner program to reflect new product offerings and new customer personas and market positioning
• Coordinated all co-marketing initiatives
• Collaborate with Sales, Marketing, Support, and Customer Success teams to create cross-functional motions to support mutual goals

Director of Agency Partnerships

Agency Partnerships Manager

Noticed

• Head of business development, account management, marketing, and strategic partnerships
Promoted after a year and a half to grow Marketing team and build out new retainer services
• Built first ever partner program with SaaS technology and service providers, leading to 1/3 of new clients in first year of program
• Maintained partner relations to strategically plan co-marketing initiatives, share leads, identify joint sales opportunities, and improve joint value
• Developed and implemented a consultative sales and pipeline management process across three services to exceed revenue goals and quotas, growing department revenue 34% in first year
• Launched a new service model and go-to-market strategy, growing recurring annual retainers by 300% through new and existing business
• New clients include: Anheuser-Busch InBev, Dan Bilzerian’s Ignite.co, Decathlon International, Watsco Inc., Vintage Frames Company, Fink’s Jewelers, and more

Director of eCommerce Solutions

Zivtech

• Promoted from Director of Sales after first year to lead the Marketing team, in addition to Sales
• Developed and implemented first ever consultative sales and pipeline management process
• Led all new business development efforts through full sales lifecycle selling end-to-end custom software engagements and Developer staff augmentations
• Owned and managed partner relationships to drive new business
• Collaborated with Project Managers to create Client Engagement team to consistently foster and grow projects and accounts, growing initial contract value as much as 400%
• Improved revenue stability by growing  recurring revenue retainers by 200% through new business and converting existing contracts

Director of Sales and Marketing

My clients include Princeton University, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), City of Philadelphia, Healthcare Without Harm, Law School Admission Council, Carleton College, Greatist, and many more.

Director of Sales

Capgemini

Electronic Ink (acquired by LiquidHub and Capgemini) is an international business system Design Consultancy dedicated to improving the way people interact with technology, environments and one another.

• Supported Client Strategy/Sales team in identifying new business opportunities
• Created, refactored, and implemented a consultative sales process
• Innovated and executed new form of pipeline management and revenue forecasting
• Planned and led complete company website re-design from concept to launch by working cross-functionally with internal and external resources and actively managed execution
• Developed and implemented new content strategy for Marketing efforts including Social Media plan
• Managed all social media accounts and managed editorial calendar for all content development and collateral
• Worked with cross-functional teams and outside vendors to coordinate Marketing events including client roundtables, conference presentations and booths, webinars, and community events
• Salesforce administrator; managed sales operations and reporting to objectively measure performance, pipelines, weighted probabilities, revenue, and key accounts

Sales & Marketing Operations

Partnerships @ Loop | Strategic Advisor & Consultant

Built & scaled ecommerce agency, tech, and fulfillment Partnerships functions to multiple exits. 

Currently, the Director of Partnerships at Loop leading an incredible team.

Conference speaker at Crossbeam's Supernode and Partnership Leader's Catalyst.

In my last role I built the first-ever partnerships program and ecosystem at Whiplash (acquired by Ryder) to improve customer value, new pipeline and revenue, and product connectivity and features.

Previously I was the Director of Agency Partnerships at Privy (acquired by Attentive) and grew the program 10X in partner size and revenue in two years to a program of over 700 agencies.

taplio

The Battle

John Surdakowski

Marco De Paulis

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