Few would dispute the pivotal role of marketing for businesses—not only in promoting products or services, but also as a catalyst for structural transformation. That’s especially true today, as artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the business landscape, according to Stelios Eliakis, co-founder and CEO of Sleed, a Greek digital marketing agency.
A Company Forged in Crisis
Sleed was founded in 2010—just as Greece entered the era of austerity memoranda and the imposition of a fiscal adjustment mechanism. At the time, Eliakis recalls, many businesses were still debating whether they even needed a presence on social media. Since then, everything has changed. Digital marketing is no longer about posting updates—it’s a complex discipline demanding specialized services, strategic planning, data analytics, and integrated customer relationship management (CRM). Today, Sleed employs around 200 people and operates as a full-service digital partner for brands across sectors.
Growth and Outlook
For this year, Sleed expects 15% growth and revenues of approximately €10 million. According to Eliakis, the company has consistently grown by about 20% annually since its founding. Its operational model centers on bridging business activity with communication and technology—creating synergy between strategy, execution, and innovation.
Marketing, Technology, and AI: An Inseparable Triad
Digital marketing—now a cornerstone of overall corporate strategy—has become an indispensable tool. As Eliakis puts it, marketing and technology now move hand-in-hand. “Until recently, ‘technology’ meant the internet. Today, it means marketing, the internet, and artificial intelligence,” he says.
He adds that as technology evolves, staying competitive becomes increasingly difficult for any business that doesn’t know how to use the right tools effectively.
AI as Transformation—Not Replacement
In his interview with newsit.gr, Eliakis compares the rise of AI to the Industrial Revolution—highlighting both its immense opportunities and its challenges. “It’s an ongoing race,” he notes. “Those who adopt AI as an additional tool—enhancing what they already do—will likely achieve significantly better results.”
For instance, AI-driven data analysis now enables smaller companies to draw actionable insights in days rather than months—a process that once required large teams and extensive timelines. “AI demands a different way of thinking—and that’s exactly what we’re trying to instill in our team,” Eliakis concludes.