We Drive

Revenue & Reputation

From ChatGPT to The Wall Street Journal, TikTok to Shopify, Meta to Google – we power the earned, owned, and performance media channels driving influence.

Our
Story.

We are the AI-first agency – a digital marketing and PR company engineered to move fast. With 30 years of search leadership, from SEO to AEO (AI Search Optimization) – we’ve built a company designed to build reputation, accelerate growth, and drive revenue across all channels.

$3B+

Commerce Driven

$100B

Transactions Represented

70+

Tech Partnerships

#1

Top AI Search Agency

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2026

Avenue Z acquires Shopify Premier Partner Varfaj, adding best-in-class eCommerce design, development and Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) to our solution set. The combination creates a true full-funnel growth engine and positions the company at the forefront of agentic commerce.

Varfaj ecommerce website designs displayed across multiple digital screens

1998

In 1998, before Google was Google, Jeffrey Herzog founded iCrossing to engineer a way to the top of search results for brands. The company scaled rapidly, acquiring numerous national and international agencies, positioning itself at the center of the digital marketing and SEO industry.

Jeffery Herzog seated indoors

2010

Hearst Corporation acquires Herzog’s global digital marketing firm iCrossing – with 17 offices, $140 million in annual revenue. The deal, valued at ~$450 million, made waves in the marketing industry, marking a new starting point in digital transformation for the media industry.

Illustration of Hearst Magazines and iCrossing connected by a growth pathway

2018

Herzog’s ZOG Digital was acquired by UK-based Investis Digital in 2018. The high-growth search and content marketing leader, which was founded in 2011, marked international validation of its PR performance model and ushered in a new era of digital influence through social media.

Illustration of ZOG Digital and Investis Digital connected through a digital growth platform

2023

Avenue Z was founded to address the convergence of marketing, AI technology (ChatGPT launched public access in November 2022), PR, and eCommerce. Akin to pioneering SEO in 1998 with Google’s launch, Herzog set out to engineer influence – building reputation, driving revenue, and top answers in AI Search.

Illustration of Google Search, ChatGPT, and Avenue Z connected by a path from search to AI influence

2023

Over a span of six months, Avenue Z completed three strategic acquisitions – The Snow Agency, Designzillas, and Bevel PR – rapidly expanding capabilities across digital, commerce, and communications, and accelerating its evolution into a fully integrated, full-funnel growth partner.

Avenue Z platform illustration connecting Bevel, Designzillas, and Snow Agency through integrated growth

2024

Avenue Z featured at the top of PRWeek’s Agency Business Report 2024, spotlighting its foundational growth, strategic acquisitions, and expanding capabilities with the agency’s rapid rise and growing impact on the digital marketing and communications landscape.

Avenue Z and PRWeek illustration highlighting top agency recognition in the Agency Business Report 2024

2024

Avenue Z forges key partnerships with TikTok Shops and Shopify, becoming a certified TikTok Shops Agency and Shopify Plus Partner. These alliances expand social commerce expertise, deepen platform access, and empower brands to increase revenue, elevate reputation, and engage consumers across discovery-to-purchase experiences.

TikTok Shops and Shopify dashboard illustration showing social commerce growth and conversion

2025

After engineering its own #1 AI search ranking, Avenue Z launches the industry’s first comprehensive AI Optimization (AIO / AEO) solution – uniting authoritative PR, strategic content and technical optimization to help first-mover brands compete in the new era of search and digital discoverability.

Search interface illustration featuring Top AI Search agencies and Avenue Z’s AI optimization leadership

2025

Avenue Z takes the digital marketing and PR industry by storm with the launch of the industry’s first AI Search Optimization (AEO) solution – earning AI Breakthrough Award, Startup of the Year, InnoFire, ThinkAdvisor Luminaries, Money 20/20 RiseUp, and Global Recognition honors and press – with TechCrunch spotlighting leadership in AI optimization.

Stack of industry award plaques representing Avenue Z’s AI search and marketing recognition

Shopify Platform Partner

Forbes 2026 America's Best Startup Employers

Our
Expertise.

AI & Emerging Technology

Precision messaging, thought leadership, and AI-optimized strategies that accelerate revenue, attract capital, and build market-defining reputations.

Read Case Study

Finance & Fintech

Positioning to lead with trust, command market confidence, and accelerate adoption through strategic PR, AI optimization, that strengthens reputation and fuels revenue growth.

Read Case Study

DTC & Consumer Brands

A full-funnel growth engine – we blend creative, commerce, and performance to accelerate AI-led buying and merchant revenue for DTC / consumer brands.

Read Case Study

Illustration of revenue growth metrics including qualified traffic, return on ad spend, and conversion lift across AI media buying, SEO visibility, and social commerce

Revenue.

We Drive Revenue. Revenue is the multiplier. Reputation is the mandate. Influence is the ultimate outcome. Revenue is engineered through performance media, PR, and AI optimization across every channel – finely tuned with CRO and fueled with AI-accelerated content. This is the future of rapid, full-funnel revenue growth.

Reputation.

We Drive Reputation. Reputation is earned through credibility, built through strategic PR, performance media, and AI-optimized content across every channel. It establishes credibility, reduces friction, and strengthens conversion – fueling revenue growth that compounds into sustained influence and enduring market leadership.

Our
Leadership.

Jeffrey Herzog

Jeffrey Herzog

CEO

Whitney Hart

Whitney Hart

Chief Strategy Officer

Jon Snow

Jon Snow

Chief Innovation Officer

David Corchado

David Corchado

Chief Technology Officer

David Conforti

David Conforti

Chief Growth Officer

Thomas Stern

Thomas Stern

Chief Revenue Officer

Rachael Zahn

Rachael Zahn

Chief Brand Officer

Brett Higginbotham

Brett Higginbotham

Senior VP, Finance

Dianna Gatto

Dianna Gatto

Group Vice President

Bristol Jones

Bristol Jones

VP, PR, Head of Miami

Libbie Wilcox

Libbie Wilcox

VP, PR, Head of New York

Alex Zamora

Alex Zamora

VP, Growth

Lisette Ortiz

Lisette Ortiz

VP, People

Tina Fleming

Tina Fleming

VP, AI Strategy

James Antonucci

James Antonucci

Senior Director, Performance Strategy

Alita Giacone

Alita Giacone

Director, Pursuits

Nick Osler

Nick Osler

Director, Marketing Technology

Melena Gurganus

Melena Gurganus

Director, AEO

Serge Wheaton

Creative Director

Maddie Miranda

Director, Client Services

Cameron Beardmore

Director, Performance Operations

Spencer Tait

Spencer Tait

Associate Director, PR

Annie Zeigler

Annie Zeigler

Associate Director, PR

Amir Eldick

Amir Eldick

Assoc. Director, Paid Search

Sarah Chung

Sarah Chung

Senior Associate, PR

Andrea Rodriguez

Andrea Rodriguez

Associate Director, LATAM Lead

Kate Murphy

Kate Murphy

Senior Associate, PR

Tamar Terell

Tamar Terell

Editorial Director

Our team in
the Press.

Forbes tests prediction platform as engagement strategies move past search

Shopify (NASDAQ:SHOP) Stock Price Up 8.4% – What’s Next?

Pro Rata Premium: First Look

Digital media company acquires e-commerce developer

Avenue Z Acquires Varfaj, Creating a Full-Funnel Shopify Growth Engine for DTC Brands

20 Ways B2B Salespeople Can Still Assist Self-Serve Buyers

AppLovin Is Suddenly Surging. Is It Sustainable?

Below the Radar: How a Former U.S. Air Force Orthodontist Is Architecting Influence in the AI Era

Avenue Z Expands NYC Office to Match Strategic Communications & AI Optimization Demand

AppLovin’s Ad Product Growing Fast, Taking Market Share

Ecwid Vs. Shopify 2025 Comparison

Back to School Collab: Chipotle and Urban Outfitters

Bringing On A Business Partner? 20 Considerations Before Committing

5 Top Agencies Providing GEO Audits to Boost Your AI Search Visibility

Shot of a Desktop Computer with Food App User Interface Developing Software Standing on the Wooden Desk in the Creative Cozy Living Room. In the Background Warm Evening Lighting and Open Space Studio.

From Visibility to Influence: Why Website Optimization is the New Brand Equity

Johnny Hughes, CMO of Avenue Z, featured in an Orlando Business Journal graphic for “Most Influential Leaders,” showing his professional portrait beside the award title on a dark gradient background.

Avenue Z’s CMO Named to Orlando Business Journal’s Most Influential Leaders Class of 2025

AI prompt chat bot. Search website to generate data, text or image. Man using computer with artificial intelligence app. Virtual assistant in digital creative work. Content generator technology.

Want to Be Found in AI Search? Focus Where AI Looks with Johnny Hughes

Scenic view of downtown Miami’s waterfront skyline with modern high-rise buildings, a boat cruising across the turquoise bay, and bright blue skies with scattered clouds.

Avenue Z Named Top South Florida Public Relations Firm in 2025

New Research Reveals Top 100 Fintech Brands Ranking in AI Search

Global Recognition Awards (GRA) “Winner” graphic featuring a gold and black circular GRA emblem with the words “REAL | TRUSTED | INDEPENDENT,” set against a digital blue network background with the word “WINNER” in bold gold text below.

Avenue Z Receives 2025 Global Recognition Award for Demonstrating World-Class Achievement

Avenue Z Wins 2025 AI Breakthrough Award for AI Search Optimization Solution

Three professionals smiling in front of a light gray background with diagonal blue and purple graphic accents.

Avenue Z Announces Strategic Promotions Fueling Next Phase of Rapid Growth

AI at Cannes Lions 2025: From Hype to Hands-On with Whitney Hart

Large digital billboards displaying ads for brands like GAP, JD, and Samsung at a busy city square filled with people and cranes in the background.

How AI is Influencing Advertising with Jonathan Snow

Businesswoman Leads Meeting Around Table Shot Through Door

Leadership Isn’t What It Used to Be (And That’s a Good Thing) with Jonathan Snow

this A visual depiction of B2B e-commerce competitive analysis and market positioning.

Why Your B2B Sales Pipeline Needs AI Optimization Now with Jeffrey Herzog

Jeff and Bristol in Miami office

Avenue Z Wins Business of the Year H. Wayne Huizenga Startup Award

Digital art of a woman wearing headphones, her face illuminated with blue and pink light patterns forming a futuristic network, symbolizing AI and technology integration.

Why AI Agents Are Already Rewriting Your eCommerce Brand Strategy with Jonathan Snow

Serious businesswomen in meeting

How to Successfully Deliver Bad News to Stakeholders with Nneka Etoniru

Futuristic news broadcast visualizing the capabilities of a quantum internet with holographic reporters delivering real time updates from around the world

Owning the Narrative: How Businesses Can Adapt to the New Media Era with Jeffrey Herzog

DeepSeek’s Security Risks: What Business Leaders Need to Know with Johnny Hughes

Abstract glass shape on light background, 3d render

Avenue Z Featured in TechCrunch: Leading the Charge in AI Optimization

Modern TV studio set with curved red couches, a glass coffee table, vibrant LED lighting, and a large digital screen displaying bright orange visuals.

Mastering Your Next Media Interview: 18 Tips for Success

Digital Wall Displaying a Network of Videos and Images. Social Media and Online Content Sharing.

Legacy Media Isn’t Dead, It’s Ready for Repositioning with Jeffrey Herzog

AI Slop is Everywhere We Look — Here's How Businesses Can Avoid the AI Slop Cycle

AI Slop is Everywhere We Look — Here’s How Businesses Can Avoid the AI Slop Cycle with Johnny Hughes

Person holding a pink breast cancer awareness ribbon.

Breaking the Pinkwashing Cycle with Nneka Etoniru

Miami beach

Digital media company more than triples Miami office space

a crypto influencer recording a podcast in a futuristic brightly lit digital studio

Why Every Brand Needs an Influencer Strategy with Johnny Hughes

Board room at sunset with view of New York City.

How Leaders Can Align Competing Board Interests with Jeffrey Herzog

Rethink Rebrand Text Message Sign, Generative AI

The Fine Line Interview with Nneka Etoniru

Digital marketing, online business technology, social media advertisement, business plan and strategy concept. Businessman with digital media marketing, IoT Internet of, Generative AI

How Social Commerce Data Can Transform Brand Strategies with David Corchado

Woman wearing a glowing neon pink jacket looks at her phone while walking through a brightly lit city street at night.

How to Win Black Friday
and Cyber Monday This
Year with AI

Businessperson or engineer checking quality control standard assurance protocols

11 Brand Strategies to Ensure Product and Service Quality Control

Two kids wearing sunglasses ride bikes on a sunny road, smiling and carefree in warm golden light.

TikTok: It’s Time To Be On It. Learn How with Jonathan Snow

Two young women smiling and posing for a selfie with a camera against a purple and pink stylized city background.

How to Go Viral: Building an Affiliate Influencer Army

A glowing digital hand made of circuit lines types on a keyboard, symbolizing artificial intelligence and technology integration.

Convergence Marketing: Balancing Automation With Human Relationships with David Corchado

David Corchado on AI and Strategic Innovation — AItech365 Interview.

David Corchado on AI and Strategic Innovation: AItech365 Interview

Join
OUR TEAM

We’re engineered to move fast, built to win, and constantly pushing what’s next. From AI Search Optimization to agentic commerce, full-funnel performance to earned media that lands in The Wall Street Journal and ChatGPT — Avenue Z is where the future of marketing gets made. We’re looking for driven, curious, and relentlessly passionate people who want to build something that actually matters at the intersection of AI, PR, and commerce. If that’s you, check out our open roles — we’d love to have you on the team.

Illustration of growth, hiring, and opportunity featuring a Forbes America’s Best Startup Employers 2025 award

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