Zen Media is making a bold bet on the future of marketing. The Las Vegas–based PR Agency has acquired Miami’s Optimum7, an ecommerce and Shopify performance agency, in a $10 million deal aimed at creating what both companies are calling the first AI-native, outcome-driven growth agency.

The transaction isn’t just another roll-up. It’s a signal that the traditional agency model — siloed PR, media buying, and SEO services — is increasingly out of step with what growth-stage and enterprise clients want: a single system that connects visibility directly to revenue outcomes.

New Leadership, New Ambition

Under the agreement, Duran Inci, founder of Optimum7, becomes CEO of Zen Media. Shama Hyder, who founded Zen Media in 2009 and built its reputation as a digital-first PR firm, moves into the role of Chief Visionary Officer.

That change matters. Inci brings technical chops and ecommerce expertise; Hyder brings category creation and narrative firepower. Together, the two leaders are betting on an integrated growth architecture that unifies AI-powered PR, generative SEO, predictive paid media, conversion optimization, and revenue operations under one roof.

Why This Matters for the Market

For years, agencies have sold “activity” — impressions, mentions, clicks — but struggled to tie them back to ROI. The Zen–Optimum7 deal is explicitly about closing that loop. The combined company’s offering includes:

  • AI-enhanced PR and storytelling designed for both humans and generative search engines like ChatGPT and Perplexity.
  • Generative SEO and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) to surface brands inside AI-driven results.
  • Predictive paid media modeling that adjusts budgets and creative in real time.
  • Closed-loop attribution that ties campaigns to buyer behavior across the funnel.

If Zen can deliver, the model could set a precedent for how mid-market agencies position themselves in an AI-dominated landscape — not as service vendors, but as productized growth platforms.

Bigger Than One Deal

This move also speaks to the broader consolidation trend in the agency world. As generative AI reshapes how people search, shop, and consume information, the lines between PR, performance marketing, and revenue ops are blurring.

For holding companies, the risk is watching smaller, more agile players like Zen Media seize the AI-native high ground. For startups and growth-stage brands, the opportunity is getting enterprise-grade capabilities without stitching together five different vendors.

Risks to Watch

Of course, execution risk is high. Productizing services is notoriously difficult, and clients are quick to spot when promises don’t align with delivery. Zen Media says it is already preparing a suite of proprietary AI visibility tools — currently in stealth — that could differentiate it from larger incumbents.

If those tools succeed, the $10 million price tag for Optimum7 may end up looking like a bargain.

The Bottom Line

Zen Media’s acquisition of Optimum7 is more than just a merger — it’s a bet that outcome-driven, AI-integrated growth is the next agency model. If the market agrees, expect more deals like this to follow.

This industry announcement article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.