In this episode of the Seven Figures and Beyond e-commerce marketing podcast, host Greg Shuey welcomes Chris Porteous, founder and CEO of SearchEye, to discuss the transformative role of automation in online public relations. Chris shares his unique journey from finance to digital marketing, detailing how his experience led him to build an innovative PR platform that aims to make high-quality media placements accessible to companies of all sizes. Traditional PR, often requiring extensive resources and costly relationships, has historically been a luxury reserved for well-funded brands. However, SearchEye’s automated approach enables smaller brands to scale their reach by matching them with media opportunities that would otherwise be unattainable, creating a more level playing field for brand visibility.

Chris highlights the delicate balance between automation and relationship-building, noting that while technology has streamlined the outreach process, the value of authentic, human connections remains irreplaceable. SearchEye uses AI to optimize pitches and personalize them to meet publishers’ criteria, effectively increasing acceptance rates and relevance. However, as automation tools flood the PR landscape, maintaining quality and relevance is becoming more challenging. Chris explains that brands can no longer rely on a “spray and pray” approach to outreach; instead, they must focus on targeted, meaningful engagements with the right media outlets to truly stand out.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the broader impact of AI and evolving consumer behavior on organic marketing. Chris believes that while the rise of AI presents new opportunities for efficiency, it also heightens competition as the volume of automated pitches surges. This shift is driving brands to invest more in their identity, building a recognizable presence across multiple channels to navigate an increasingly competitive landscape. In the face of these changes, Chris emphasizes that investing in brand-building is more crucial than ever, as a strong brand is what ultimately drives sustainable growth and customer loyalty in today’s digital world.
Episode Links

Greg Shuey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-shuey/

Chris Porteous LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-porteous-9594323/

SearchEye: https://searcheye.io/
https://www.stryde.com/scale-brand-reach-with-automated-online-pr/