Marius Badenhorst

Platform Development & Innovation (2020-2025):

• Jointly crafted and evolved the award-winning Metis platform - winner of Best Search Software at EU Search Awards 2024
• Built proprietary market data insights technology that tracks demand 4x faster than competitors
• Developed AI-powered category page generation system (Metis Accelerate) that creates hundreds of optimised pages at scale
• Platform now embedded across multiple major brands, delivering transformative growth results
• Drive the development and enhancement of the Metis product, ensuring alignment with business needs and market trends.
• Monitor product performance and define improvements based on data-driven analysis.
• Collaborate with UX/UI designers to optimise user experience.
• Gather and document stakeholder requirements to enhance product functionality.
• Conduct competitor research and industry analysis to identify trends and opportunities.
• Work closely with the engineering team to implement AI-driven solutions and process automation.
• Lead workshops and demos with clients and internal teams to improve Metis adoption and retention.

Client Strategy & Results:

• 340% organic traffic growth across major brand portfolios using Metis-powered strategies - real, measurable results
• 280% increase in organic revenue over multiple campaign cycles - money talks
• Built and managed high-performing SEO teams that consistently deliver using data-driven insights
• Successfully managed multi-million pound digital budgets with exceptional ROI

Recent Innovation Leadership (2025) :

• Led complete Freshdesk implementation across the organisation - 25 internal staff and 5 client teams (30 people) now working more efficiently
• Developed and deployed 20+ proof-of-concept applications using Replit.ai - turning ideas into working solutions fast
• Delivered 100 hours per month in time savings across 3 agency departments - that's real operational impact
• Managed end-to-end change management process with zero resistance - people actually wanted to use the new systems

How I Did It:

• Co-developed the award-winning Metis platform that transforms market data into actionable SEO strategies 4x faster than competitors
• Implemented Metis-powered integrated SEO strategies combining technical optimisation, strategic content development, and creative Digital PR
• Led digital growth for major brands including New Look, Primark, Abbott Lyon, BBC Good Food Shows, Boux Avenue, Hobbs, Aquascutum, Crabtree & Evelyn, Dickies Store and Holiday Malta using proprietary market insights
• Built AI-powered category page generation systems that create hundreds of optimised landing pages at scale
• Developed data-driven measurement frameworks using Metis insights alongside Google Analytics, GTM, and comprehensive content performance tracking
• Created content strategies and editorial frameworks powered by real-time market demand data that improved average rankings by 2.3 positions whilst driving user engagement
• Pioneered weekly market trend analysis methodologies that identify high-value opportunities ahead of competitors
• Built content optimisation processes that enhanced both search visibility and user experience using proprietary market data
• Created automation tools and advanced spreadsheet solutions that streamlined reporting and improved decision-making efficiency
• Pioneered technical SEO implementations that significantly improved site performance and search visibility
• Built custom system configurations and user training programmes that teams actually adopt and use