We’re halfway through 2025 and AI is the buzzword on everyone's lips. And while it’s changing marketing fast, is the hype legitimate? Host James Lawrence is joined by Rocket Agency’s co-founder, David Lawrence, to unpack what AI adoption actually looks like on the ground, and how Australian marketers can equip themselves for what’s to come - inside agencies, in-house teams and across different marketing roles.

• Reality check: Has AI lived up to the hype - or has it already surpassed it in some areas?
• Where today’s large language models (like ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude) are genuinely delivering value, and where the hype still outweighs results
• The shift from AI anxiety to AI empowerment and what that means for marketers’ careers
• What it means to adopt an “AI-first” mindset across different levels of marketing maturity
• How voice prompting and tools like Wispr are helping break old habits and unlock better output
• Why your workflow, not the tool, should determine which AI platforms you use
• A realistic look at AI in recruiting, what employers are really looking for and how to future-proof your role
• Tips for staying current: trusted newsletters to read and pragmatic influencers to follow

David Lawrence is the MD and Co-Founder of Rocket, an award-winning Australian full-service digital marketing agency. He is also the co-author of the Amazon #1 best-selling marketing book, Smarter Marketer. David has presented at several events, including Inbound Boston, Search Marketing Summit, Mumbrella360, CEO Institute, and various seminars and in-house sessions.

You can follow David on LinkedIn.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

What makes people say "yes"? Rocket Agency’s Co-Founder James Lawrence sits down with Dr. Robert Cialdini, the godfather of influence and the world’s foremost authority on the psychology of persuasion, to talk about the timeless principles behind his work, his seventh principle of influence - Unity - and how AI, ethics and empathy are shaping persuasion in modern marketing.

• Origin story: How Dr. Cialdini went “undercover” in multiple industries to discover the universal principles of influence
• A walkthrough of the original six principles - Reciprocity, Scarcity, Authority, Consistency, Liking and Social Proof
• The 7th principle - Unity: Why bonds formed by shared identity matter today
• The importance of ethics: Why marketers should use persuasion techniques truthfully and responsibly
• Influence vs cultural differences: How different regions (e.g., Australia, Asia, Scandinavia) prioritise different principles of influence
• The rise of AI: How marketers are using AI to apply Cialdini’s principles
• The science of “pre-suasion” and how setting context before your message boosts effectiveness
• Real-world examples of effective use of influence and persuasion from brands like Avis, L’Oreal and Best Buy

Dr. Robert Cialdini is a globally renowned psychologist and the bestselling author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion, Pre-Suasion, and Yes!. His groundbreaking research on why people say 'yes' has shaped the way professionals across marketing, sales, leadership and behavioral science approach persuasion.

He is often referred to as the godfather of influence, and his principles of influence drive ethical influence strategies today.

You can follow Dr. Cialdini on LinkedIn.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.

With the growth of AI and LLMs like ChatGPT, the question "Is Google dying?" is often being asked. In this episode, James Lawrence sits down with Rocket’s Head of SEO, Joe Alder, to cut through the hype and discuss the facts about how AI is impacting SEO and search traffic in 2025. The conversation is backed by Australian-first research from Rocket’s SEO team.

Also discussed are the similarities and differences as it relates to SEO and AIO. Whether you're a CMO under pressure to ‘AI everything’ or an in-house marketer navigating new search norms, this is your guide to what’s actually changing and importantly, what is not.

• The current landscape - a reality check on AI traffic and its actual impact on search behaviour
• How Google remains resilient amid AI growth
• AI Overviews - What they are and who they impact
• 6 practical strategies to rank in LLMs that actually work
• The importance of doing good SEO
• How to optimise technical SEO
• Why high-quality content creation matters
• How to structure for ranking high
• How to build brand authority
• How to monitor and adapt to the changing landscape
• The future - How AI and SEO will change in the next 1-5 years

Joe Alder is the Head of SEO at Rocket, where he leads all SEO services and projects. He has over 8 years of experience in implementing complex SEO campaigns and driving tangible results for B2C, B2B and government organisations. Over the course of his career, he has worked for notable brands such as Amazon, Qudos, P&O Cruises, PE Nation, Fujitsu, and Coates, among others.

You can follow Joe on LinkedIn.

Access our free webinar with AdNews on AI and SEO in 2025.

James Lawrence LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jameslawrenceoz/

Smarter Marketer Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/smarter-marketer-podcast

Rocket Agency Website: https://rocketagency.com.au/

Rocket Agency LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rocket-agency-pty-ltd/

Hardcover: https://amzn.to/30O63kg

Kindle: https://amzn.to/2ZqfCWm

This is the definitive podcast for Australian marketers. Join Rocket Agency Co-Founder and best-selling author, James Lawrence in conversation with marketers, leaders, and thinkers about what it takes to be a smarter and more successful marketer.