Overview: Who Is Disruptive Advertising?

Disruptive Advertising is Utah's premier performance marketing agency, recently crowned Marketing Company of the Year (2025) at the Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame Awards. Founded in 2013 by Jacob Baadsgaard in Pleasant Grove, Utah, Disruptive has grown from a basement startup to a 125+ person agency generating $51 million in annual revenue while maintaining a fierce commitment to their "Win/Win/Win" philosophy and authenticity-first approach.

What makes Disruptive truly different is their specialized focus on the intersection of PPC advertising + Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) + Lifecycle Marketing—what they call "full-funnel performance marketing." Unlike generalist agencies, Disruptive doesn't just send traffic; they optimize every step from first click to loyal customer, backed by a 90-day results guarantee and no long-term contracts.

Quick Facts About Disruptive Advertising

The Disruptive Story: From Adobe Basement to $51M Utah Powerhouse

The Origin: Jacob Baadsgaard's Journey (Pre-2013)

Before Disruptive existed, Jacob Baadsgaard spent 5 years consulting enterprise companies at Adobe, where he learned how to use web analytics to make smart marketing decisions that boost revenue and maximize returns.

The Realization: "It became apparent to me that most businesses lacked the bandwidth or expertise to do so themselves which is why I started Disruptive Advertising."

The First Client Success: After branching out on his own, Jacob helped his first client:

• 15X lead volume

• 2.5X profitability on each lead

• These results enabled them to raise several large rounds of capital

• Fueled their growth from 25 to over 300 employees

Jake's Epiphany: "At this point, I was hooked and knew I could do this for the rest of my life and decided to start Disruptive."

The Basement Startup Era (2013-2015)

2013: Founded Disruptive Advertising

• Started in Jake's basement with 2 employees

• Philosophy: Use PPC to send right traffic + CRO to maximize that traffic + click-to-close analytics to track bottom-line impact

• Mission: "We're changing the world—one click at a time"

2014-2015: Early traction through thought leadership

• Jacob became regular contributor to Entrepreneur, Forbes, SearchEngine Land, Marketing Land, Search Engine Journal

• Witty, engaging writing style built reputation

• Speaking engagements at SMX, Kissmetrics, Unbounce, VWO

Explosive Growth Phase (2016-2021)

2016: Breakthrough year

• Named #145 on Inc. 500 list (not 5000—actual 500!)

• Grew from basement to 50+ employees

• First Inc. 5000 recognition

2017: Continued momentum

• Revenue run rate exceeded $18 million

• Team size: 120+ employees

• Listed as USA Today's Best Places to Work in Salt Lake City (2019)

2018-2021: Sustained high growth

• 4x Inc. 5000 recognition (4 consecutive years)

• 5x UV50 Fastest Growing Companies in Utah

• Expanded from Pleasant Grove to multiple Utah locations

Silicon Slopes Recognition Era (2020-Present)

2020: Transitioned to 100% remote-first

• Became fully distributed team (pre-pandemic decision)

• Maintained Utah roots while hiring nationally

2021-2024: Refinement and specialization

• Developed "Authenticity Wins™" brand positioning

• Created "Win/Win/Win" philosophy

• Limited client onboarding to 10 new clients monthly (selectivity)

• Launched Disruptive University (internal training program)

• Grew revenue from ~$20M to $51M

2025: Marketing Company of the Year Recently recognized with the Marketing Company of the Year (2025) Awards at the Silicon Slopes Hall of Fame Awards, cementing reputation as one of Utah's most trusted marketing partners.

The Stat That Validates: "About 85% of reviewers highlighting their deep expertise in Google and Meta ads, attention to detail, and clear communication."

Current Positioning (2025)

"Authenticity Wins™" "Disruptive Advertising is the best performance marketing agency for authentic brands and marketers."

Core Values:

1. Authenticity: Work exclusively with brands/people we believe in

2. Top Talent: Team of top-notch marketers + Disruptive University

3. Strategy First: Align business goals to right marketing strategy

4. Breakthroughs: Right people, tools, technology for results

5. Exclusivity: Access to exclusive relationships, content, community

Services Offered: Full-Funnel Performance Marketing

Disruptive's service model centers on three interconnected pillars that drive results: PPC + CRO + Lifecycle Marketing.

The Disruptive Difference: Three-Pillar Approach

Why This Matters: "By combining these three elements, we unlock the potential of digital marketing for our clients."

Most agencies do #1 (PPC). Some do #1 + #2. Almost none integrate all three to optimize the complete customer journey.

Core Services Breakdown

1. PPC (Pay-Per-Click) Advertising

Platforms Managed:

• Google Ads (Search, Display, Shopping, Performance Max, YouTube)

• Meta (Facebook & Instagram)

• LinkedIn Ads

• Pinterest Ads

• TikTok Ads

• Snapchat Ads

• Microsoft Advertising (Bing)

Specialized Expertise: "About 85% of reviewers highlight their deep expertise in Google and Meta ads."

Approach:

• Data-driven campaign structuring

• Continuous A/B testing

• Budget optimization across platforms

• Creative strategy aligned with audience psychology

• Attribution modeling (click-to-close analytics)

Client Results: "We manage hundreds of millions of dollars in digital advertising budgets annually" with "$1B+ managed in ad spend" (lifetime).

2. Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO)

What's Included:

• Landing page optimization

• A/B and multivariate testing

• User experience (UX) analysis

• Funnel analysis and optimization

• Heat mapping and session recordings

• Form optimization

• Mobile optimization

The Problem Disruptive Solves: "After thousands of audits, we've found that 76% of marketing spend goes to waste."

CRO ensures you get maximum value from every dollar spent on traffic.

3. Lifecycle Marketing

Components:

• Email marketing automation

• SMS marketing

• Retention campaigns

• Win-back sequences

• Referral programs

• Customer nurturing

• LTV optimization

Why It Matters: Most agencies focus only on acquisition. Disruptive optimizes the entire customer lifecycle from awareness through advocacy.

4. Creative Strategy

Services:

• Ad creative development (static, video, carousel)

• Landing page design

• Brand messaging

• Copywriting

• Video production

• UX/UI design

Integration Advantage: Creative isn't outsourced—it's developed by performance marketers who understand what drives clicks and conversions.

5. SEO Services

Offerings:

• Technical SEO

• On-page optimization

• Content strategy

• Link building

• Local SEO

Note: While offered, PPC and paid media remain Disruptive's core strength.

Pricing & Investment: Transparent Model Breakdown

Disruptive operates on custom pricing but provides unusual transparency about agency economics.

How Agency Pricing Actually Works (Per Jacob Baadsgaard)

In March 2025 blog post "The Marketing Agency Model Exposed," Jacob revealed exactly where client money goes:

Allocation Breakdown:

Jacob's Transparency: "At Disruptive, we don't waste your budget; we maximize it. Our job isn't just to run ads — it's to align marketing with business growth."

Estimated Pricing Ranges

Based on competitor analyses and review data:

Free Marketing Audit

What You Get: "After thousands of audits, we've found that 76% of marketing spend goes to waste. We'll show you where yours is leaking and how to fix it fast."

Process:

• No-strings-attached audit

• Clear roadmap whether you hire them or not

• Identifies wasted spend and missed opportunities

Value: Free (typically $2,000 - $5,000 value)

The 90-Day Guarantee

"If we don't deliver, you don't pay."

For qualifying brands, Disruptive guarantees:

• Measurable growth within 90 days

• Or your money back

• No fluff, no long-term contracts, just real results

Why This Matters: Most agencies lock you into 6-12 month contracts. Disruptive's confidence in results allows no long-term commitment.

Value Proposition: Why Pay Disruptive?

1. Proven Results at Scale

• $1B+ in ad spend managed (lifetime)

• $51M annual revenue (demonstrates client satisfaction)

• 1,000+ positive reviews

2. Specialized Expertise 85% of reviewers highlight Google and Meta ads expertise—not general dabbling, but deep platform mastery.

3. Full-Funnel Optimization PPC + CRO + Lifecycle = maximize every stage, not just traffic.

4. Authenticity Screening "We work exclusively with brands and people we believe in"—selective onboarding (10 clients/month max) ensures quality.

5. No Long-Term Lock-In 90-day guarantee + no contracts = agency must prove value continuously.

Client Portfolio & Results

Disruptive serves "hundreds" of clients with selective onboarding maintaining quality.

Client Testimonials & Results

Performance Statistics

From Official Sources:

• 93% of clients report measurable success in lead generation and cost reduction

• 85% of reviewers specifically highlight Google and Meta ads expertise

• 76% waste found in audits (average across 10,000+ audits)

• $1B+ ad spend managed (lifetime)

• 1,000+ positive reviews across platforms

Real Client Experiences: The Good, The Bad, The Truth

The Good: Consistent Praise

1. Expert Account Management "The account managers we work with are experts and they are always on top of any platform changes and strategies."

2. Partnership Feeling "We truly feel like a valued partner and appreciate how well our account managers know our brand."

3. Communication Excellence "Communication is top notch."

4. Better Than Competitors "We switched over from another reputable agency and the difference is night and day."

5. Deep Platform Expertise "About 85% of reviewers highlighting their deep expertise in Google and Meta ads."

6. Collaborative Strategy "We love how they all work together to create a cohesive marketing strategy across platforms."

7. Investment in Relationship "They are as invested in our company as we are in theirs."

The Bad: Serious Criticisms to Consider

1. Not Ideal for Small Brands "Disruptive Advertising may be a good fit for you, but if you are a small to mid-sized brand I would think twice. I believe they are better suited for big brands with really big budgets."

Context: Reviewer felt team was "very professional and kind" but didn't spend enough time understanding the brand.

2. Shallow Brand Understanding (Specific Case) "Where that was lost in translation is that they do not spend time to really get to know your brand."

"I left Disruptive after 6 months of disappointing campaign performance on both Amazon and Google. After leaving Disruptive, I took the reigns back on my own advertising and I was able to do substantially better on both platforms, simply by understanding my brand and digging deep."

3. Time/Attention Constraints "While they don't disclose what you are paying them per hour, I believe that you get very little time from the team."

4. Total Failure Case (Most Severe) "Title: $17,000 Spent. Zero Results. Deeply Disappointed."

"I spent over $17,000 total including Google Ads. They delivered zero leads. The landing page was rushed, unprofessional, and full of errors. Their strategy relied on basic Google suggestions, not advanced tactics."

Context: This is extreme outlier but represents worst-case scenario.

Important Context

Volume Consideration:

• 1,000+ positive reviews

• 93% report measurable success

• Negative reviews represent <10% of total feedback

Pattern Recognition:

• Clients with $2M businesses sometimes feel underserved

• Works best for larger brands ($10M+ revenue)

• Time/attention inversely proportional to company size

Disruptive vs. Competitors

Comprehensive Comparison Table

Disruptive vs. Typical PPC Agencies

Who Should Work With Disruptive Advertising?

Ideal Client Profile

Perfect Fit

✅ E-commerce brands with $5M+ annual revenue
✅ B2B companies with strong product-market fit
✅ Companies with proven offers ready to scale
✅ Brands valuing full-funnel optimization (not just traffic)
✅ Businesses tired of underperforming agencies
✅ Organizations wanting 90-day guarantee + no lock-in
✅ Companies with $10,000 - $50,000/month total budget (fees + ad spend)
✅ Authentic brands aligned with Win/Win/Win philosophy

Not the Best Fit

❌ Very small businesses ($500K - $2M revenue)
❌ Startups without product-market fit
❌ Budget below $5,000/month total
❌ Need only SEO or content (not Disruptive's strength)
❌ Want full-service (web design, branding, PR)
❌ Prefer local/in-person collaboration

The Verdict: Should You Choose Disruptive?

Overall Rating: 8.5/10

Strengths

🏆 Marketing Company of Year 2025 (Silicon Slopes)
⚡ Full-Funnel Mastery: PPC + CRO + Lifecycle integration
✅ 90-Day Guarantee: Results or money back
🔓 No Lock-In: No long-term contracts
🎯 Proven Expertise: 85% cite Google/Meta mastery
📈 Scale Success: $51M revenue, $1B+ managed
🤝 Authenticity Focus: Selective onboarding
💰 Free Audit: 10,000+ completed, 76% waste found
👥 Utah Powerhouse: Silicon Slopes leader
📊 93% Success Rate: Client-reported

Weaknesses

💰 Not Budget-Friendly: $5K+ monthly minimum
🏢 Mid-to-Large Focus: Small businesses may feel underserved
📉 Mixed Small Brand Experience: <$5M revenue challenging
🎨 Limited Full-Service: PPC/CRO specialists, not generalists
🌐 Remote-Only: No in-person collaboration
⚠️ Extreme Outliers: Some complete failures reported

Final Recommendation

Disruptive Advertising represents an excellent choice for mid-to-large companies ($5M+ revenue) seeking specialized performance marketing through integrated PPC + CRO + Lifecycle strategies, backed by Utah's Marketing Company of the Year 2025 and a 90-day results guarantee.

Choose Disruptive if you:

• Have $10,000 - $50,000+/month total budget (fees + ad spend)

• Are established business ($5M+ revenue) ready to scale

• Value full-funnel optimization (not just traffic)

• Want 90-day guarantee + no long-term contracts

• Appreciate selectivity (10 clients/month ensures attention)

• Trust 93% client success rate and $1B+ managed

• Believe in "Authenticity Wins" philosophy

• Need Google/Meta ads expertise (85% cite this)

Bottom Line:

For mid-to-large companies serious about performance marketing, Disruptive delivers Utah's most awarded combination of PPC + CRO + Lifecycle expertise, backed by $51M in revenue proving client satisfaction and a 90-day guarantee proving confidence.

If your company is established ($5M+ revenue), ready to scale through performance marketing, and wants an agency confident enough to guarantee results within 90 days without long-term contracts—Disruptive Advertising absolutely deserves top consideration.

Review Status: Based on comprehensive research, official company data ($51M revenue, 125+ team), review aggregation (1,000+), Marketing Company of Year 2025 recognition, and founder transparency

Disclaimer: Independent review based on publicly available information. Specific pricing should be confirmed with Disruptive. Keetdo is not affiliated with or compensated by Disruptive Advertising.