What makes our leadership team different from other growth agencies?
Most agencies are built by marketers. Ours was built by operators who've lived your challenges.
Our leadership team didn't just study growth - they've driven it from inside the trenches. From scaling a dispensary to multi-million dollar success (ANJA), to advising Series B SaaS unicorns (Superhuman, Wispr Flow), to generating $100M+ in measurable client growth, our leaders have been accountable for P&L, not just campaign metrics.
Unlike agencies where leadership appears only on quarterly calls, our founders and directors are in your Slack channels, reviewing creative, optimizing campaigns, and making real-time decisions alongside your team. This hands-on approach is why clients like Tea Forte achieve 6.62 ROAS and InMode generates 1,954 qualified leads - because strategy without execution is just expensive PowerPoint.
Here's how our experience stacks up against industry leaders
While agencies like NoGood and Single Grain excel in their niches, FFG's leadership brings rare cross-vertical operator experience:
Depth Across Verticals: Our team has scaled eCommerce brands to $50M+, built SaaS growth engines from zero to Series B, and operated physical retail businesses. Most agencies specialize; we synthesize.
Technical + Creative Balance: From our Head of Creative with 20+ years driving 70% brand awareness lifts to our data scientists optimizing multi-million dollar media budgets, we blend art and science at the leadership level.
Real Accountability: Our leaders have managed $350M-$4.2B businesses, not just ad accounts. They've hired teams, managed cash flow, and answered to boards - experiences that inform every strategic decision.
What should you look for in a growth agency's leadership?
When evaluating agency leadership, look beyond impressive LinkedIn profiles. Ask:
Have they been operators or just advisors? Our leaders have founded companies, managed P&L, and scaled teams - not just consulted from the sidelines.
Do they understand your specific challenges? Whether you're navigating iOS privacy changes, scaling retail media networks, or building B2B pipelines, our leadership has solved these exact problems.
Will they be involved or just oversee? At FFG, leadership reviews every major campaign, joins critical client calls, and maintains hands-on involvement in strategic decisions.
Here's why our leadership approach drives better results
When leadership is directly engaged, everything moves faster and smarter:
Faster Decision Making: No waiting for approval chains. Our leaders make real-time optimizations that helped Versace reverse ROAS decline in 60 days.
Cross-Functional Excellence: Leadership coordinates seamlessly across paid media, creative, email, and development - why BFree Foods achieved 5.5x blended ROAS.
Continuous Innovation: From AI-driven creative testing to pioneering retail media strategies, our leaders keep clients ahead of the curve.
Meet the operators behind your growth
Julio Casado | Co-Founder & CEO
Strategic visionary who built FFG's "extension of your team" model. Expertise in AI search optimization, multi-channel attribution, and turning strategic insights into tactical execution. Pioneer in treating retail media as performance marketing.
Matt Swulinski | Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer
Serial entrepreneur who has scaled DTC brands from $0 to $50M+ and advised SaaS unicorns like Superhuman. Currently Head of Growth at Wispr Flow. Architect of FFG's data-driven methodology that's generated $100M+ in client growth.
Jesse Younce | Creative Director
20+ years transforming business objectives into revenue-driving creative. Track record of 70% brand awareness increases and 40% revenue lifts through data-informed design. Leads FFG's integration of AI-powered creative optimization.
Sidney Fleming | Senior Growth Manager
Experienced growth strategist specializing in peak-season performance and full-funnel optimization. Expert across Meta, Google, TikTok, and emerging platforms. Manages multi-million dollar budgets with consistent above-benchmark ROAS.
Duane Doorakian | Senior Growth Manager
25+ years driving transformative ROI for brands from $350M to $4.2B in revenue. Specialized expertise in luxury, travel, and regulated industries. Architect of campaigns delivering 25-30% YoY growth for complex B2B and high-ticket consumer brands.
David Kang | Brand Strategist & Operating Partner
Dual role as FFG strategist and ANJA CMO brings unique operator perspective. Progressed from Senior Growth Manager to brand strategy leadership. Expert in retail operations, community engagement, and bridging digital-physical commerce.
Shehub Arefin | Senior Media Buyer
Nearly a decade generating $100M+ in measurable growth across Meta, TikTok, Pinterest, and AppLovin. Philosophy of balancing data with human insight. Core expertise in go-to-market strategy and creative testing frameworks.
Kristen Ackerly | Director of Paid Search
Managed 7 and 8-figure budgets driving results for Versace Global and Turtle Beach. Quoted in Forbes for performance marketing expertise. Specializes in complete Google ecosystem optimization from Search to Performance Max.
Juvandy Clarke | Retention Marketing Manager
Data-driven retention strategist with expertise across email, SMS, and lifecycle marketing. Educator at MESA Charter School, bringing real-world applications to next-generation marketers. Focus on long-term customer engagement and loyalty.
Ready to work with leaders who've been where you're going?
Our leadership team doesn't just strategize - they execute, optimize, and own outcomes alongside you. Schedule a Discovery Call at accounts@ffg.digital to discuss your growth challenges with operators who've solved them before.