1526: AI & SEO Mastery: Boost Visibility and B2B Growth with Melih Oztalay

Friday, January 9, 2026

Melih Oztalay is the CEO of Smart Finds Marketing, an accomplished digital agency leader with over 38 years of experience in the marketing industry. Renowned for blending traditional and digital strategies, Melih has successfully guided clients through economic downturns, market disruptions, and the accelerating pace of technological change. As the architect of the "Four A's" philosophy (Anticipate, Accept, Adapt, Adopt), he empowers businesses to stay competitive and proactive in the age of AI, navigating uncertainty with logic and resilience.

In this episode of Marketer of the Day, Melih Oztalay sits down with Robert Plank to discuss surviving and thriving through seismic industry changes, such as the 2009 financial crisis and the COVID pandemic. Melih shares how the art of “pivoting” underpins long-term success and how digital transformation is more than following trends; it’s about measurable, strategic action. He details the evolution from SEO to AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), why businesses must transition from pursuing rankings to being referenced by AI, and how schema/JSON scripts can elevate AI's visibility. Listeners will gain actionable strategies for embracing change, breaking through emotional resistance, and leveraging both human teams and AI to solve core business challenges.

Quotes:

“Marketing isn’t about promotion; it’s a discipline of problem-solving. The brands that win are the ones that solve real problems faster and better.”

“When change is inevitable, emotion is optional. Anticipate it, accept it, adapt fast, and adopt smarter—that’s how you stay ahead.”

“In an AI-driven world, rankings matter less than relevance. The future belongs to those who are referenced, not just found.”

Resources:

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 32:36 — 44.8MB) | Embed

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Filed in: Interview • Podcast

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