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Hello, I'm Mike Villar 👋 Currently CEO @ Growth Rocket. I talk about Applied AI, marketing, product, midlife and the modern agency

Today I lead Growth Rocket's work in SEO, GEO and AI development, and I draw on my background in product management and direct to consumer digital marketing.

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Topics: Applied AI, marketing, product, midlife and the modern agency.

Featured articles

The death knell for narrow-scoped apps

The death knell for narrow-scoped apps

Did I just vibe code a major redesign project?

Did I just vibe code a major redesign project?

My Dev Stack as a Non-Developer

My Dev Stack as a Non-Developer

The AI model you need isn't always generative: using a System One model in our projects

The AI model you need isn't always generative: using a System One model in our projects

Context Beats Intelligence: Building an AI That Actually Knows Me

Context Beats Intelligence: Building an AI That Actually Knows Me

building the AI platform for the modern agency content team

building the AI platform for the modern agency content team

Designing the way we work: What we learned from implementing a 4-hour work day

Designing the way we work: What we learned from implementing a 4-hour work day

What really makes a successful employee

What really makes a successful employee

Latest

30
Oct

The death knell for narrow-scoped apps

12 min read
24
Oct

Did I just vibe code a major redesign project?

7 min read
23
Oct

My Dev Stack as a Non-Developer

8 min read
22
Oct

The AI model you need isn't always generative: using a System One model in our projects

9 min read
11
Oct

Context Beats Intelligence: Building an AI That Actually Knows Me

10 min read

The journey so far

  1. Aug 2017 – Present

    CEO

    Growth Rocket · Manila, Philippines

    Founded and runs Growth Rocket, a performance marketing agency focused on customer acquisition through SEO, AI search optimization, and Meta and Google advertising.

  2. Jul 2019 – Present

    Growth Mentor

    500 Global · Seasonal

    Advises startup founders and investees on spending customer acquisition budgets efficiently through modern performance marketing.

  3. Mar 2015 – Aug 2017

    CMO and Head of Product

    ZipMatch · Manila, Philippines

    Led marketing and product for ZipMatch, a 500 Global, Kickstart Ventures, and Monk's Hill Ventures-backed real estate marketplace startup.

  4. Dec 2013 – Mar 2015

    VP Marketing and Product

    WIIO · San Jose, California

    Led go-to-market and product strategy at WIIO, a French hardware/software company for tracking and mobility in warehousing, transportation, and consumer electronics.

  5. Oct 2008 – Dec 2013

    Senior Director of Marketing

    CarParts.com · Torrance, California

    Grew marketing and CRM programs at CarParts.com, an online aftermarket auto parts retailer that acquired JC Whitney in 2010.

  6. Feb 2006 – Oct 2008

    Sr. Marketing Manager

    CarParts.com · Manila, Philippines
  7. Sep 2004 – Feb 2006

    Global Manager - Accounts

    dotPH · Manila, Philippines

What I'm reading

Recently finished

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Currently shooting with a Nikon Zf.

Explore my photos on Flickr.

A selection from my photostream

More on Flickr