Johnny Russo

Shaping the Ecommerce, Digital Marketing, Social Media Landscape

Rangle Podcast: Explosive Ecommerce Growth During The Pandemic

by Leave a Comment

In February 2021, Rangle asked me to be on their very first podcast. The fantastic Rebecca Holland is the host, and I met Rebecca at a Digital Marketing and Ecommerce event years back, and we kept in touch.

I was honoured to be chosen to kick this off for Rangle, a company that partners with organizations to build high-quality, customer-centric software experiences.

Rangle’s newest podcast series explores the intersection of people and technology.  
 
People-Centered Innovation puts the spotlight on leaders in digital to share their perspectives, their innovative work, and their advice.  

We chatted about a range of topics, including:

  • Explosive Ecommerce growth during the pandemic
  • Framework for Digital Transformation
  • Investing in your team
  • Partnership ecosystem and philosophy
  • My leadership book coming out in 2022

You can view or listen to the podcast on various channels linked below:

YouTube: People-Centered Innovation. Episode 1: Johnny Russo

Spotify: People-Centered Innovation. Episode 1: Johnny Russo

Apple: People-Centered Innovation. Episode 1: Johnny Russo

The Cast of Ecommerce, Now and Always

by Leave a Comment

On March 2, 2021, I was asked to sit on a panel for one of the best Retail and Technology events on the planet – DX3. In light of the global COVID pandemic, it was their first virtual edition. The panel’s topic was Ecommerce, Now and Always, which discussed how the pandemic has changed the Ecommerce, Digital, and Retail landscape. Below is a transcribed version of my answers to some of the moderator’s questions.

How has e-commerce changed over the past year?

Well, everyone is talking about it. Those who didn’t believe in it are now leading the charge. Less selling is needed when talking about Digital. Investments are being made. Talent is being brought in. For those leaders and companies who were trying to delay their entrance or launch into Digital, they are now trying to figure out a way to leapfrog their competitors. I’ve been in Retail for almost 12 years. I’ve always been in a Digital capacity. And I remember the discussions about social media’s impact, the importance of reviews, and email as the best Marketing channel. And it was always like “Johnny, we know…. But we’re going to keep investing in TV, flyers, and billboards, all the things that got us here in the past.” And I kept thinking 5% market share today is going to be 15% next year, and 50% in a few years. And that’s exactly what was going to happen. But COVID made us all fast forward at least 3 years in our planning. I truly believe those that are the most nimble and best at adapting to this wave, will be the ones to win. Not necessarily the biggest or ones with the most cash.

What are we expecting in the future?

A built-in excuse many companies had for not embracing Digital sooner, was legacy ERP systems, or just legacy technology in general. Well, those same leaders of those same companies now have to step up to the plate and swing for the fences. They need to build a future proof tech stack as much as possible, or at least ones that are adaptable. I once had a large email provider quote for $30k implementation fee for an abandoned cart program. We obviously changed providers after that insane quote. But today, especially if you are using Shopify, you can turn on cart emails instantly, with a number of providers of your choosing. Technology today is setup to help the users and business leaders drive business, rather than constantly worrying about things breaking, or trouble implementing different technologies together.

[Read more…]

DX3 Retail Event: The Cast of Ecommerce, Now and Always

by Leave a Comment

From March 2-5, 2021 DX3 Canada will be hosting its first virtual event in its 10th season of hosting live conferences. Usually, this is one of the best in-person events of the year for anyone in retail, digital, or tech. In light of COVID-19, this one will look a little different.

I will be speaking on a panel about the major trends in Ecommerce, Digital, and how COVID-19 has impacted all retail businesses, and its everlasting impact on the Ecommerce landscape.

Please join me and others at this fantastic event. See you there.

Avenue Code Spotlight Series: How to Prioritize Digital Investments That Yield a High ROI

by Leave a Comment

In January of 2021, Avenue Code asked me to be featured in a Spotlight Series about Digital Transformation. We had a great chat about how to transform businesses digitally, how to prioritize digital investments, and how data plays a key role.

Thanks to Avenue Code for featuring me, and for Retail Insider for publishing it.

Here is the excerpt of that article as it appeared:

By Avenue Code

COVID-19 created a unique opportunity for accelerated executive buy-in on digital investments supporting e-commerce. Avenue Code chatted with Johnny Russo, VP of Marketing and Ecommerce at The Kersheh Group, to get practical tips on how to prioritize digital investments that yield a high ROI.   

Avenue Code: Tell us about your career path. How did you get to where you are today?

Johnny Russo: I studied journalism and wanted to be a TV sports broadcaster but ended up channeling my writing expertise into marketing. After only two weeks, I fell in love with marketing, advertising, and branding, and I knew it was where I wanted to be. I immersed myself in research and reading to learn all that I could. Digital was emerging at the time, which made it easy for me to get ahead of the curve in learning about SEO, email marketing, social media, etc.

I should note that I’m still very passionate about writing. I run my own blog, and I’m in the process of writing a book that presents tangible, bite-sized tips for leaders. These tips are a combination of my research and my own learnings as I transitioned from management to executive-level leadership, and they cover both what to do and what not to do.

[Read more…]

From Writer to Marketer, and How I Embraced the Curveballs Along the Way

by Leave a Comment

From Writer to Marketer, and How I Embraced the Curveballs Along the Way

I read a book called Mind Platter last year. It’s by a Canadian-Lebanese author named Najwa Zebian. It’s one of those books where every page or two is a different topic, or chapter.

She had many topics on life, success, happiness, family, positivity, personal development, heartbreak, and career.

I highly recommend reading that book, but this is not a book review. There was one particular section on change that made me stop and think about my own life and career. I often take images of quotes or writings that resonate with me, and upload them into Evernote for safe keeping and future use. This was one of those times.

“Sometimes we choose to stand at a closed door and hope that it will somehow open,” writes Zebian.

Chase Growth, Embrace Change

I don’t know about you, but my oh my, do we change a lot over the years. In my case, I think that’s a great thing. If you follow my blog or my social channel, you know that I embrace change (not just for change’s sake) but real, solid, growth change.

When I was growing up, I didn’t have too many frustrating days. I’d play lots of sports, my parents and family would support me, financially and otherwise, and even when I bought my first car, a 2000 Toyota Celica, my parents were there to throw in the extra cash I needed. Things came easy.

My grades in high school were pretty good, and then in College (Cégep in Quebec) and University, as I got more independent and more interested in what I was learning (sorry Physics and Chemistry classes, you just weren’t my jam), my grades and work went from good to great.

I Was Going to Be a Hall of Fame Sportswriter

However, things always seemed to come relatively easy for me then. I got into one of the best Journalism programs in Canada (Concordia University), got an internship at the only English language newspaper in Montreal (the Montreal Gazette, my dream place to work), got published a few times in print, worked for the Montreal Canadiens writing blog posts and news articles (interesting, since I detested the Canadiens since I was 9) and then I graduated with a high GPA. All good I thought. Easy. Next up, my dream job, which was either working at aforementioned Montreal Gazette, to be a sportswriter and learn under the great Red Fisher, or to be a sportscaster on TSN.

[Read more…]

About the Blog

Johnny Russo Logo

I have been following blogs for over 15 years. I have also written blog posts for many of the companies I have worked for. So it only made sense that I finally (yes, I said finally) made the plunge and launched my own blog in 2015. So what … Read More

Experience

Digital Experience - Johnny Russo

I have 13+ years experience in the Retail, Start-up, Technology, and Manufacturing industries. I have led growth and strategies in Ecommerce, Digital Marketing, Marketing, Branding Social Media, Mobile, and Omni-Channel … Read More

Current Project

Working as the Vice President of Marketing & Ecommerce at The Kersheh Group, an apparel retailer and manufacturer that specializes predominately in kids sleepwear. The Kersheh Group manufactures and markets sleepwear for boys, girls, adults, and the entire family. Our cozy, … Read More