In this episode of Fully Managed, host Daniella sits down with Eric Ritter, founder and CEO of Digital Neighbor—a marketing agency built on kindness, trust, and neighborly service. From growing up in Germany with Fred Rogers as a role model to becoming known as the “SEO Sommelier,” Eric’s story is anything but ordinary. They explore how to run a people-first agency in a world increasingly dominated by automation, what AI can’t do, and why empathy might just be the greatest marketing strategy of all. Plus, Eric shares his thoughts on the future of search—from TikTok to ChatGPT—and why the next wave of SEO is about understanding where your customers are searching, not just what they’re typing.
Three Valuable Lessons from the Episode:
Kindness scales better than cold efficiency.
Eric built his agency on a kindness clause—literally. From clients to employees, everyone is expected to lead with respect and transparency. It’s not just feel-good; it’s good business.
AI is a tool, not a replacement.
Content, SEO, and even call analysis are evolving—but the human spark is still essential. Digital Neighbor uses AI for speed and support, but always with a human editor at the end.
Search is no longer just Google.
From TikTok to ChatGPT, the way people discover brands is shifting fast. The key? Understand search intent and optimize for where people actually are—not just where they used to be.
Listen now to learn how Eric’s agency stands out by blending strategy with soul—and why nut butter and wine might be the real secret ingredients.