In this episode of the Human First AI Marketing podcast, host Mike Monague sits down with Zeke Camusio, founder of Data Speaks AI, to explore how small and mid-sized businesses can unlock the true potential of their marketing data. With decades of experience in both marketing and data science, Zeke breaks down how AI-powered analytics can help SMBs cut through complexity, eliminate guesswork, and make smarter, ROI-driven decisions—without replacing the human expertise that makes marketing truly impactful.

Together, Mike and Zeke dive into the critical difference between accurate data and meaningful insights, the shortcomings of traditional attribution models, and the rising importance of accessible, real-time reporting. You’ll hear about the evolving role of the marketer in an AI-assisted world, the value of human-in-the-loop systems, and how to build a culture that treats data as a tool for learning, not a weapon for judgment. If your business wants to work smarter, not harder, with its ad spend and analytics stack, this episode is your roadmap.

On this episode of the Human First AI Marketing podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Zeke Camusio, founder of Data Speaks AI, to answer that exact question. Zeke’s on a mission to help marketers (especially small and mid-sized businesses) stop guessing and start making confident, data-driven decisions with the help of AI.

Here’s what we learned and why it matters to you as a marketing leader or business owner trying to get the most from every dollar spent.

1. AI Isn’t Here to Replace Marketers, It’s Here to Empower Us

Zeke makes it clear: the future of marketing isn’t about handing over the reins to robots. It’s about supercharging human creativity and judgment with better, faster data. AI can scan through millions of data points, prioritize what matters, and present actionable insights all in seconds. You still call the shots, but now you’ve got a turbocharged co-pilot.

“There’s no right strategy that works for every business,” Zeke said. “The human context, intuition, and nuance still matter more than ever.”

2. The Data Isn’t the Problem, It’s the Accessibility and Accuracy

Most SMBs use 12 or more marketing platforms, from email and social to Google Analytics and Shopify. Logging into each one, aggregating the data, and trying to get a clear picture of what’s working? It’s a full-time job.

Zeke’s team builds AI systems that pull all your data into one dashboard, cross-reference it against your actual business outcomes (not just what pixels think happened), and deliver recommendations you can trust. That’s where real ROI lives.

3. Attribution Is Broken, Stop Trusting Pixels Alone

Here’s the tough truth: most attribution models are flawed. Whether it’s last-click, first-click, or split evenly across every touchpoint, these methods don’t reflect real customer journeys. As Zeke put it, “Just because someone saw your Instagram ad doesn’t mean it caused the sale.”

With cookie loss, blocked trackers, and privacy changes, over 40% of conversions are no longer being tracked accurately. If you’re still optimizing based on what Facebook or Google says drove a sale, you’re probably flying blind.

4. Smarter Marketing Starts with the Right Framework: Platform, Process, People

Zeke outlined a simple but powerful trifecta:

• Platform: You need a centralized, intelligent system to gather and analyze your data.
• Process: Use a scientific, test-and-learn mindset to build hypotheses, test them, and adjust based on outcomes.
• People: Keep marketers in the loop. AI is a tool, not a replacement.

That last point really stuck with me. The best insights come when AI and human creativity work hand-in-hand, not at odds.

5. Want Better Results? Focus on Learning, Not Blame

Too many companies use data as a weapon either to reward or punish performance. Zeke suggests flipping that mindset. Think of data as a learning engine, where you test ideas, see what works, and evolve.

That kind of culture creates momentum and innovation, not fear. And let’s be honest nobody does their best work when they’re just trying not to get fired.

Final Thought: AI Won’t Save You, But It Can Help You Win

The takeaway here isn’t that AI is a silver bullet. It’s that AI is finally mature enough to help SMBs compete smarter, especially when used with a human-first approach. You don’t need to hire a team of data scientists. You just need the right tools, the right mindset, and a commitment to learning from your data.

At Avenue9, that’s exactly what we’re about: human-first AI marketing that helps you build a smarter strategy without losing your soul (or your sanity).

Want to learn more about how AI is reshaping sales and marketing? Check out the Human-First AI Marketing Podcast for expert insights and practical strategies, or contact us to talk to a human at Avenue9.