John Foundis
Growth & Digital Marketing Strategist | Entrepreneur | Fintech MBA Candidate | Community & Emerging Tech Advocate 📈🚀
John was a very great mentor. Unlike others, he didn't tell me what I am doing wrong. He actually told me what to do. In such a short time, and he tried his best, that I should do the steps he was advising me so that I can reach my goals. I definitely recommend him for anyone who is struggling on growth strategy.
Incredibly valuable session with John! He immediately understood my unique challenges with social listening for our ad account agency. His recommendations for specific social monitoring tools went way beyond the usual suggestions, and his Discord community insights were game-changing. John shared tactical automation approaches I hadn't considered and provided clear direction on prioritizing outbound channels. His experience in both high-regulation niches and community building was evident, and he packed a month's worth of actionable advice into just 15 minutes. Exactly what I needed to move forward with confidence!
I loved John's mentoring session; he asked many questions at the beginning so he could understand the whole scope of the product, and based on that, he started sharing insights and funnels he had already tried before and had been proven successful - funnels around Website & Lead Magnet Infrastructure // Influencer Strategy // Lead Magnets // PPC and Organic Content // Email; all of these insights were very helpful to me so we could adjust our go to market strategy and grow with a process. Thanks, John!
Bio
Growth Hacker | CMO | Digital Marketing Strategist with 16+ years of expertise in scaling tech startups and established brands. I specialize in crafting data-driven growth strategies, driving user acquisition, engagement, and brand loyalty through innovative and impactful marketing initiatives. Lately, my focus has been on tech SaaS and B2B-oriented businesses, including Owiwi and Echofin, where I’ve developed and executed strategies that fuel growth in highly competitive markets. With a strong foundation in content marketing, community building, and a creative approach to every challenge, I bring a holistic perspective to every project. My entrepreneurial background—having founded and grown two companies—fueled my passion for startups and my ability to execute high-impact strategies at speed. Currently pursuing an MBA in Fintech Management, I’m deeply immersed in the world of blockchain, emerging tech, and influencer marketing. As a committed volunteer, I serve as the lead co-organizer of Startup Europe Week Athens, supporting the growth of the local startup ecosystem. Additionally, I teach Digital Marketing at several colleges, mentoring the next generation of marketers while staying on top of industry trends. With a growth hacking mindset, I’m always looking for new challenges to optimize marketing strategies and achieve sustainable, data-backed growth.
Expertise
Community building
Over 10 years of expertise, with a strong focus on strategy and growth. Successfully created FashionFreaks, the #1 fashion community in Greece with 120,000 followers, through innovative engagement and content strategies. Developed fintech communities for Echofin and its clients, as well as a professional content marketing community on Clubhouse and Facebook. Expert in designing and executing community strategies that drive engagement, foster loyalty, and deliver sustainable growth.
Content marketing
Over a decade of Content Marketing expertise, known for out-of-the-box ideas and innovative campaigns. A three-time judge for Greece's Content Marketing Awards, bringing deep industry insight and creative vision. Founder of a thriving content marketing-focused Facebook group, fostering a community of professionals. Specializes in crafting engaging, strategy-driven content strategies that drive inbound traffic, build brand loyalty, and achieve measurable results across diverse industries.
Go to market strategy
Extensive experience in Go-To-Market strategy for online media and global brands, including FaShionFReaks, Revolut, Zulutrade (managing budgets of €250,000), Demium Startups Incubator, and more. Expertise in launching products, crafting strategic roadmaps, optimizing campaigns, and driving market penetration through data-driven insights and innovative approaches tailored to diverse industries.
Growth marketing
10+ years of expertise, leading my own department at GrowthRocks and implementing growth hacking tactics for brands like Septona, Nokia, and H&M, among others. Independently drove growth for Echofin, Amaze, Zulutrade, Real Natures Food, Owiwi, Click to Therapy, & more. Renowned for a holistic approach, combining innovative strategies, content-driven campaigns, and inbound traffic generation to optimize acquisition funnels, conduct impactful experiments, and deliver scalable, measurable results.
Influencer Marketing
Over 10 years of expertise in influencer marketing across fashion, beauty, tech, fintech, and more. Skilled in building strategic partnerships with creators to amplify brand awareness, drive engagement, and achieve measurable results. Proven success in crafting creative campaigns, managing collaborations, and aligning brand messaging with influencer content to maximize ROI.
Partner marketing
Over 10 years of expertise with a strategic focus on impactful collaborations. At Echofin and Owiwi, developed key partnerships driving growth and engagement. For FashionFreaks, led collaborations with brands like H&M and Diesel, boosting brand visibility. As Head of Partnerships for Startup Europe Week, connected VCs, global brands, and startups through alliances that supported the local startup ecosystem. Skilled in creating strategic alliances that align with business goals & deliver results.
Product marketing
6 years of Product Marketing experience specializing in SaaS solutions for brands like Owiwi, Echofin, and Zulutrade. Proficient in collaborating with developers, leveraging martech tools, and integrating SEO strategies to maximize results. Expertise includes crafting go-to-market strategies, positioning products effectively, driving user acquisition, and optimizing product growth through data-driven insights and cross-functional teamwork
Social media
With over 16 years of Social Media expertise, I have led strategies as Head of Social Media in agencies like GrowthRocks and MsComm, focusing recently on high-level strategic planning. I’ve driven impactful campaigns for brands like Lidl, GAEA, European Parliament, Owiwi, Echofin, Costa Navarino, ELLE, and Fortune Magazine. I specialize in crafting data-driven strategies, aligning content with business goals, and achieving measurable results across diverse industries and platforms.
Toolkit
Canva
14 years of experienceHighly proficient in Canva, utilizing its versatile tools to create professional, visually compelling content for diverse marketing needs. Skilled in designing everything from social media graphics to presentations and branding materials with efficiency and creativity. Recognized for leveraging Canva’s advanced features to produce impactful visuals that enhance campaigns and align with brand identity.
Discord
8 years of experienceSkilled in utilizing Discord to build and manage thriving online communities. Experienced in creating engaging spaces that foster collaboration, interaction, and loyalty. Proficient in designing community frameworks, setting up servers, and implementing strategies to drive engagement, enhance member retention, and achieve community growth aligned with brand and marketing objectives.
Jasper
4 years of experienceExperienced in leveraging Jasper for content creation, marketing strategies, and campaign optimization. Skilled in crafting high-quality, on-brand content efficiently, from blog posts to ad copy. Proficient in using Jasper to enhance storytelling, streamline workflows, and deliver measurable results in audience engagement and marketing performance
Sprout Social
9 years of experienceKnowledgeable in using Sprout Social for social media management, analytics, and content scheduling, with a focus on optimizing engagement and performance. While proficient with Sprout Social, I often prefer alternative tools that offer more tailored features and flexibility for specific campaign needs, ensuring maximum efficiency and results.
Taboola
10 years of experienceProficient in utilizing Taboola for content distribution and performance marketing. Successfully optimized campaigns to drive traffic and engagement, including a highlight with Septona's Dry Plus campaign, which combined Taboola's reach with strategic content placement to achieve exceptional results. Skilled in leveraging Taboola's platform to amplify brand visibility and deliver measurable ROI.
TikTok
6 years of experienceProficient in leveraging TikTok to design influencer-driven strategies that achieve top-level brand awareness. Adept at harnessing the platform's trends and creative tools to engage audiences, build brand loyalty, and drive viral campaigns. Skilled in collaborating with influencers and creating videos for clients that have garnered over 1.000.000 million views, delivering impactful and measurable results.
ChatGPT
4 years of experienceExperienced in leveraging ChatGPT to enhance marketing strategies, content creation, and campaign development. As a skilled prompt engineer, I craft precise prompts to optimize ChatGPT's performance, delivering innovative, data-driven solutions for audience engagement, brand storytelling, and measurable marketing results.
Facebook
18 years of experienceOver 16 years of experience with Facebook, mastering Pages, Groups, Ads, and community building since 2009. Skilled in leveraging the platform for brand growth, engagement, and lead generation. Experienced educator, teaching Facebook marketing strategies at the college level, covering everything from organic content to advanced advertising techniques.After all it's still a must.
LinkedIn
9 years of experienceExperienced in leveraging LinkedIn to develop strategies, build communities, and enhance personal and B2B brand presence. Skilled in crafting content and engagement plans that drive professional growth, foster connections, and generate qualified leads for B2B businesses. Expertise in using LinkedIn as a powerful tool for networking, thought leadership, and measurable marketing success.
ManyChat
8 years of experienceExperienced in creating chatbots with ManyChat to boost engagement and generate leads. Developed and managed chatbots on Messenger and Instagram, leveraging automation to enhance customer experience, streamline interactions, and achieve measurable results in lead generation and engagement.
Youtube
14 years of experienceSkilled in leveraging YouTube for influencer collaborations, strategic content creation, and audience engagement. Proficient in designing campaigns that maximize visibility, build brand loyalty, and drive measurable results. Expertise in developing YouTube strategies tailored to diverse industries, fostering partnerships with creators, and producing impactful content to grow channels and achieve marketing goals.
Industries
Consulting
During COVID, I managed all marketing efforts for Nama Group, a renowned Athens-based consulting agency led by Nancy Malerou, achieving an impressive ROI of 1:35. By crafting tailored strategies, optimizing content, and implementing impactful campaigns, I enhanced brand visibility, engagement, and client acquisition, demonstrating resilience and adaptability in challenging times.
B2B
With extensive experience in B2B marketing, I specialize in crafting strategies that drive growth, engagement, and lead generation. I’ve worked with SaaS companies like Owiwi, Echofin, and Zulutrade, leveraging content-driven approaches and community building to achieve measurable results. Skilled in LinkedIn strategies, product marketing, and fostering partnerships, I deliver tailored solutions that align with business goals and accelerate success in B2B markets.
Blockchain
With hands-on marketing experience, I specialize in marketing strategies that drive growth and adoption in this innovative sector. I’ve worked with companies throughout Echofin and Zulutrade, leveraging content, community building, and influencer collaborations to boost awareness and engagement. As a college instructor in crypto marketing and a passionate advocate for NFTs, I blend practical expertise with a deep enthusiasm for emerging technologies to deliver impactful results.
Communities
With over a decade of expertise in community building, I’ve created and managed thriving spaces across industries like fashion, fintech, and content marketing. Highlights include founding FashionFreaks with 120,000 followers, building fintech communities for Echofin, and professional groups on Facebook and Clubhouse. Skilled in leveraging platforms like Discord and LinkedIn, I craft strategic frameworks to drive engagement, retention, and growth while aligning communities with business goals.
Staffing Agency
With extensive experience in tech recruitment and talent strategies, I founded a tech recruiting agency and utilized hackathons to identify and attract top talent. As CMO at Owiwi, a psychometric tool for soft skills, I connected technology with innovative hiring methods. Skilled in community building, campaigns, and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, I drive engagement and deliver measurable results in the tech hiring space.
SaaS
With extensive experience in SaaS, I specialize in crafting growth strategies, building communities, and driving user engagement. Having worked with platforms like Owiwi, Echofin, and Zulutrade, I excel in product marketing, user acquisition, and retention strategies. Proficient in leveraging tools, analytics, and content-driven approaches, I deliver scalable solutions that align with business goals and drive measurable success.
Fashion
With over 18 years in the fashion industry, I bring expertise in retail, entrepreneurship, and digital marketing. Managed fashion retail for 6 years, ran my own fashion businesses for another 6, and led FashionFreaks, a top Greek fashion community, for 9 years. Collaborated with renowned brands like Net-a-Porter, Elle, Diesel, H&M, Noilence, Pandora, Mr Porter and Athens Fashion Week, specializing in online strategies that enhance brand visibility, community engagement, and impactful results.
Recruiting
With extensive experience in tech recruitment and talent strategies, I founded a tech recruiting agency and utilized hackathons to identify and attract top talent. As CMO at Owiwi, a psychometric tool for soft skills, I connected technology with innovative hiring methods. Skilled in community building, campaigns, and leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, I drive engagement and deliver measurable results in the tech hiring space
Trading Platform
With extensive experience in marketing for trading platforms, I’ve worked with companies like Zulutrade and Echofin to drive user acquisition, optimize strategies, and enhance platform visibility. Skilled in creating targeted campaigns, leveraging growth hacking techniques, and fostering fintech communities, I deliver measurable results. My expertise spans content creation, influencer partnerships, and user engagement tailored to the unique needs of trading platforms.
FinTech
With extensive experience in fintech, I’ve worked with leading companies like Zulutrade, Echofin, and Revolut, specializing in marketing strategies that drive growth and engagement. Skilled in community building, product marketing, and leveraging innovative tools, I create targeted campaigns that resonate with fintech audiences. My expertise includes collaborating with influencers, optimizing acquisition funnels, and developing strategies tailored to the fast-evolving fintech landscape.
Incubators
Experienced in working with incubators like Demium and The Founders Institute, supporting startups in refining strategies and achieving growth. Skilled in leveraging marketing frameworks to attract qualified leads and identify promising founders, I’ve collaborated with early-stage ventures to drive their development, align their goals with market opportunities, and foster innovation for long-term success.