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Writer's picturePeter Doak

The Values Behind Campaign Success: Lessons from Digital Advertising - With Peter Doak.













Hi everyone, Peter here—founder of PDG Advertising. I want to take a moment to share the core values that not only guide our campaigns but shape how we work, grow, and succeed together.


In digital advertising, success often feels like a race against the clock. Trends shift overnight, competition grows fiercer by the day, and audiences demand more authenticity than ever. Yet, in this challenging landscape, there’s one thing that keeps campaigns on track: unwavering values.


For me, four key values—Focus, Hard Work, Kindness, and Results—form the foundation of every successful campaign. These aren’t just buzzwords; they’re principles that guide how I work with clients, lead my team, and approach every advertising challenge.


These values aren’t just something I apply professionally—they’re rooted in my personal journey, shaped by experiences that taught me what truly matters.


Why These Values Matter to Me


At 39, as I reflect on my journey, I’m reminded of a turning point in my late twenties. Around the age of 26 or 27, I found myself drifting—enjoying life on the surface but feeling unfulfilled beneath it. I was drinking excessively, having fun, but not truly achieving anything meaningful. That sense of aimlessness brought with it sadness and depression.


It was during that time I realized I didn’t want to be someone who let life happen to them. I wanted to take control of my own destiny. I began learning about the power of setting goals, staying focused on them, and working hard to make them happen. I discovered that kindness—both to myself and to others—wasn’t just a nice idea; it was essential for growth and connection. And finally, I understood the joy that comes from delivering real results, no matter how small or big.


These values—Focus, Hard Work, Kindness, and Results—didn’t just pull me out of a rough patch; they became the foundation of everything I do. They continue to guide my work, my relationships, and my personal growth, bringing purpose and fulfillment to my life.


Here’s how these values drive real results.


Focus: The Driver of Precision


Digital advertising offers infinite possibilities, but with infinite possibilities comes the risk of spreading yourself too thin. That’s where focus comes in.


A campaign’s success isn’t about trying every tactic—it’s about choosing the right ones and executing them with precision. For example, while working on a client’s campaign recently, we doubled down on a single audience segment that aligned most with the product’s value. The result? A 25% increase in ROI.


Staying focused on what matters—whether it’s a specific audience, a primary goal, or a single performance metric—means cutting through the noise to deliver results.


This means cutting through the noise and delivering on the promise of results.


Hard Work: The Foundation of Success


There’s no substitute for hard work in this business. Behind every seamless ad campaign lies hours of research, A/B testing, performance analysis, and creative iteration.


Take, for instance, a client project where initial results fell short. Instead of cutting corners or blaming the market, we rolled up our sleeves. We tested new creative approaches, refined targeting, and overhauled the landing page experience.


The outcome wasn’t immediate, but the persistence paid off—turning a struggling campaign into a 4x ROAS success story.


Hard work isn’t glamorous, but it’s always worth it.


Kindness: The Secret Sauce


You might not think of kindness as a key driver in digital advertising, but it’s one of the most powerful tools for building trust and collaboration. Whether it’s with clients, team members, or even the audiences we aim to connect with, empathy changes the game.


I remember a client who was hesitant to share honest feedback early on. They feared it might derail the campaign. By fostering an open and kind relationship, we created an environment where they felt safe sharing their concerns. That collaboration led to more aligned messaging and, ultimately, the client’s most successful ad campaign to date.


Kindness isn’t just about being nice—it’s about creating space for real connections, which drive better results.


Results: The Ultimate Goal


At the end of the day, digital advertising is about results. Every click, every impression, every dollar spent should deliver value. But results aren’t a standalone achievement—they’re the product of focus, hard work, and kindness working together.


For instance, one of my favorite campaigns involved leveraging these values to turn a small brand into a recognized name in their niche. Through meticulous targeting and consistent creative improvements, we achieved a 5x ROAS in just three months. The numbers spoke for themselves, but the story behind them was built on values.


Why Values Matter More Than Ever


In a world driven by algorithms and data, it’s easy to lose sight of the human element. But the truth is, campaigns that prioritize values—whether it’s focus, hard work, kindness, or results—consistently outperform those that don’t.


These principles aren’t just part of my approach to advertising; they’re part of how I approach life and leadership. They guide how I interact with clients, how I mentor my team, and how I create long-term impact.


-Peter


If these values resonate with your vision for digital success, let’s chat. Visit www.pdgadvertising.com to learn more or book a call today.

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