Today we’d like to introduce you to David Azar.
David, Can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story began in France, the country where I was born and raised. The day I received an acceptance letter notifying me that I was accepted to attend the University of Miami, I was over the moon. But I had one problem – I was a 17-year-old avid fan of the Paris basketball team. My dad owned the team and as a family, we lived and breathed basketball. I was devastated to think I would have no way to follow the team from the US as websites weren’t what they are today. That pain point led me to pursue a fantastic opportunity. I was given a chance to create a state-of-the-art website for the team. The result was the world’s first professional sports team e-commerce website. The sponsors loved it, I loved it, and in the end, I was able to follow my team from the US. That was 15 years ago.
I learned a lot from that early opportunity. I learned what a pain point is. I learned the joy of embracing the latest technology, exploring its capabilities, and being among the first to identify its potential and mold it into a solution. I realized that I’m a passionate innovator and relentless problem solver looking to always do more with less. I experienced the power of digital marketing – both as the customer and as the strategist – and I fell in love with it!
Over the years, I’ve used this experience to springboard to new opportunities. In college, while sponging up everything there was to know about traditional marketing, I was implementing forward-thinking strategies for the event company I had started. When Facebook Events & Ads were introduced, I was among the first to harness their power, driving traffic to my events. After graduation, I landed a position with the world’s largest global distribution system: Amadeus, and created their social media presence and strategy. As technology continued to advance, I developed a cash savings app that CNET named one of the year’s top savings tools and that Rakuten Linkshare named a website to watch.
Since then, a lot has transpired, but one thing has held steady—my passion for inventively molding the latest tech capabilities into business solutions most others have not yet envisioned. That passion led me to found Outsmart Labs in 2013. I built a team of passionate and talented digital adventurers who share my love for continually exploring what’s new and what’s next to offer clients innovative solutions that drive business results. We offer tried-and-true tactics augmented with cutting edge opportunities. From omnichannel strategies to Google tools to TikTok, we’re constantly scanning the horizon for new capabilities that will give our clients a competitive edge.
We’ve been impressed with Outsmart Labs, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Even if you’ve never heard of Outsmart Labs, you’ve likely been impacted by the work we do for our clients. We provide 360 digital solutions for world-class brands, including LVMH, Hilton and Universal as well as some of Miami’s local gems. We equip forward-thinking brands with innovative scaling tactics. We’ve been named a Top Rising Agency by Google. Locally we work with Miami Design District. It has been rewarding to drive traffic to this iconic neighborhood and help it evolve into the sumptuous destination it has become. With the pandemic’s impact on brick-and-mortar locations, we’ve considered it a privilege to help them face the challenge, implementing and communicating safety guidelines that have enabled it to remain a favorite local destination. We are known for crafting innovative digital marketing solutions that deliver leads, increase engagement and cultivate brand advocates. We are digital innovators. We never stop. We’re continually exploring promising new opportunities and building out our state-of-the-art capabilities.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
While Covid has been a global game-changer this year, at Outsmart Labs, we’ve faced it with team commitment and determination. It has been yet another opportunity to employ the outside-of-the-box thinking and problem solving, for which we’ve become known and we’ve never had as many incoming requests. The lockdowns and isolation caused by Covid spurred new prospects and current clients to find new ways to connect. Digital marketing has solidified its value as e-commerce has surged in response to the virus. As difficult as the impacts caused by Covid have been, we’ve been grateful to be able to come to the table with digital solutions that have positioned our clients to pivot and grow. Social platforms like TikTok and Linkedin, and strong content strategies, have all shown unprecedented ROI. Businesses who took advantage of the pandemic to refocus on their digital efforts are seeing unprecedented results. Lesson learned: even in difficult times there are opportunities if you maintain a positive mindset and keep your eyes open.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Digital marketing is challenging in many ways, but at Outsmart Labs, we see every challenge as an opportunity.
- It’s continuously evolving. Digital marketing is not a rest-on-your-laurels profession. To succeed, you must have a solid understanding of marketing principles and a voracious appetite for learning. If you ever take your eyes off the horizon or stop learning, digital marketing will move on and leave you behind.
- It’s complex. We provide enterprise-level solutions for clients ready to scale. As business counselors, our clients count on us for insight and oversight. We consider it a privilege to navigate our clients to success. Some want to understand the nuances of the latest strategies, and others hand us the reins.
- It’s critical. For brands to succeed, they must have a robust digital strategy. Covid has made this more essential than ever. Business leaders know that but don’t have the time or energy, to stay ahead of the curve. They need expertise. That’s why they call Outsmart Labs.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Outsmart Labs is global and local. We advise and serve world-class brands, and we invest in our city. I’ve been involved in the growth of French Tech Miami since its earliest days and serve on its board. I also invest in Miami’s digital marketing community and recently served on the panel of General Assembly Miami’s Marketing Trends of 2021 panel. Our world is changing. Businesses face economic challenges like never before. Connection has never been more desired. Innovation has never been more essential. Digital marketing is uniquely positioned to offer solutions. At Outsmart Labs, we bring the ingenuity we’ve become known for to bear on that. We believe we all rise together.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1657 N Miami Ave Ste 913, Miami, FL 33136
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://outsmartlabs.com/
- Instagram: @outsmartlabs
- Facebook: @outsmartlabs
- Twitter: @outsmartlabs
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/OutsmartLabsMiami
