Meet Jeffrey Herzog: The Tech Titan and Search Pioneer Behind Avenue Z’s Influence Revolution

6 min read •

Jeffrey Herzog, the visionary behind Avenue Z, is redefining influence for the AI era—blending search marketing, media, and technology to help brands control their narrative and drive measurable impact.

By Rachael Zahn

Feb 5, 2025

At Avenue Z, we don’t just follow the digital evolution—we drive it. And at the heart of our mission is our founder, Jeffrey Herzog, a trailblazer in search marketing, technology, and media.

For decades, Herzog has redefined influence, helping brands cut through the noise and control their narrative in an increasingly digital and decentralized world. As the mastermind behind Avenue Z, he’s taking it to the next level—building a powerhouse that blends comms, media, and content to unlock greater reputation, revenue, and reach for growth-focused clients.

This isn’t new territory for him. Jeffrey pioneered search marketing with iCrossing, scaling it into a global leader before its $450M acquisition by Hearst. He’s built and sold over $500M in media and technology agencies, always staying ahead of what’s next. Now, with Avenue Z, he’s doing it again—this time, by redefining influence for the AI era.

“The future isn’t just about SEO; it’s about AI Optimization—using media, content, and communications to position brands where they need to be found.” says Herzog. “Today, visibility alone isn’t enough. To win, brands must combine high-profile media placements with authority-driven content that spans social, corporate, and industry channels. That’s how you build trust. That’s how you cement influence. And that’s exactly what we do.”

To understand his approach, it’s important to understand where he’s been. Let’s dive into how he’s reshaping the future of influence. 👇

The Rise of a Digital Marketing Pioneer

Herzog’s journey began at the dawn of search marketing. Long before digital advertising was the billion-dollar industry it is today, he recognized the potential of SEO and digital optimization to transform brand visibility.

In 1998, he founded iCrossing, which grew into one of the largest independent digital agencies in the world. Under his leadership, it expanded to 12 global offices and generated over $120 million in revenue, before being acquired by Hearst in 2010.

But Herzog didn’t stop there. In 2011, he launched ZOG Digital, which became a leading player in content marketing and digital strategy before being acquired by London-based Investis Digital in 2018.

Now, with Avenue Z, Herzog is leading the charge in a new era—one where traditional PR, media, and digital marketing can be combined to drive influence, build reputation and revenue for companies across all sectors, from finance to consumer brands, emerging tech, web3/blockchain and the venture capital / private equity that backs it.

Avenue Z: The Next Evolution in Influence

In 2023, Herzog launched Avenue Z, a media and technology company designed to help brands navigate the modern landscape of real-time engagement, digital reputation management, and next-gen storytelling.

Avenue Z quickly made strategic acquisitions, merging The Snow Agency (Miami), Bevel PR (New York), and DesignZillas (Orlando) into a unified powerhouse. The vision? To blend PR, digital marketing, and analytics into a single, high-impact approach that drives measurable influence.

Herzog sees Avenue Z as a vehicle to utilize the media and technology that have fundamentally reshaped consumer behavior. Today, brands no longer rely solely on traditional media—they must engage across digital channels, control their narrative in real time, and leverage data to create hyper-personalized experiences.

Herzog’s Vision for CEOs in the Digital Age

Herzog believes that legacy media isn’t dead, it’s ready for repositioning. In a recent piece with Forbes, he urges CEOs to rethink their approach to brand influence. Here’s what he sees as the future of leadership in media and technology:

Owning Your Digital Narrative – In today’s landscape, reputation is no longer controlled by traditional media gatekeepers. Brands must take ownership of their story through strategic digital channels, real-time content, and proactive crisis management.
Leveraging AI and Data for Precision Marketing – AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a necessity for brands that want to scale personalized engagement. Herzog emphasizes that companies must use AI to predict trends, optimize messaging, and deliver content that resonates with micro-audiences.
Integrating PR, Content, and Digital Strategy – The days of siloed marketing teams are over. Herzog’s model at Avenue Z is built on the seamless integration of PR, branding, and performance marketing, ensuring that every touchpoint—earned, owned, and paid media—works in unison.
Embracing Creator-Led Influence – Traditional advertising is losing its power. Consumers trust creators, not corporations. Herzog encourages brands to lean into influencer partnerships, community-driven content, and decentralized media strategies to maintain credibility.
Navigating Crisis in a Hyper-Aware World – The digital age has made reputation more fragile than ever. Herzog stresses that CEOs must be proactive, not reactive, in crisis management, using predictive analytics and real-time messaging to stay ahead of potential PR challenges.

The Future of Influence: A Data-Driven, Digital-First Approach

Jeffrey Herzog’s career has been defined by predicting where digital media is heading—and getting there first.

With Avenue Z, he’s not just building another agency; he’s creating a model for how brands will drive influence in the next decade. From AI-powered brand positioning to real-time digital reputation management, his vision is clear:

The future belongs to companies that understand media as an ever-evolving ecosystem—one where influence isn’t just about visibility, but about credibility, engagement, and precision storytelling.

As a tech titan, a digital marketing pioneer, and an industry disruptor, Jeffrey Herzog is once again at the forefront of defining what it means to lead in the modern media landscape.