Zen Media Acquires Optimum7 in $10M Deal, Creating First AI-Native Growth Agency

By Spencer Hulse Spencer Hulse has been verified by Muck Rack's editorial team
Updated on September 16, 2025

Zen Media has announced the acquisition of Optimum7, a Miami-based eCommerce and Shopify Plus Agency, in a $10 million deal that redefines what an agency can be in the AI era.

The newly combined company positions itself as the first AI-native, outcome-driven growth agency, uniting PR, performance marketing, SEO, and revenue operations into one productized platform.

Beyond the Traditional Model

Zen Media, long recognized as a modern PR agency, has now moved beyond traditional service delivery. By merging with Optimum7, the company aims to offer a full-funnel growth architecture designed for speed, scalability, and measurable outcomes.

“This acquisition redefines how agencies deliver growth,” said Duran Inci, founder of Optimum7 and now CEO of Zen Media. “We’ve eliminated the gap between visibility and ROI by building an AI-native growth platform. Clients no longer need to stitch together disconnected vendors — they get outcomes that are fast, intelligent, and measurable.”

New Leadership Structure

  • Duran Inci will serve as CEO of Zen Media.
  • Shama Hyder, Zen Media’s founder, will assume the role of Chief Visionary Officer.
  • Sarah Evans remains as partner and head of PR.

“This isn’t just an evolution, it’s the creation of a new category,” Hyder said. “With Optimum7, we’re laying the foundation for a model where PR, performance marketing, and RevOps operate as one intelligent system. It’s not about isolated wins; it’s about sustainable outcomes across the funnel.”

Integrated Capabilities

The combined firm now offers:

  • Strategic Communications & AI-Enhanced PR: Storytelling designed for both human audiences and generative AI systems.
  • Generative SEO + AEO (Answer Engine Optimization): Content strategies built for Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity.
  • Paid Media & Predictive Performance: Budget optimization with algorithm-aware creative.
  • Conversion Optimization & Development: Ecommerce infrastructure integrated with AI testing tools.
  • Revenue Operations & Attribution: Closed-loop analytics linking investments to buyer behavior.
  • Executive Visibility & Thought Leadership: Multi-channel amplification across press, LinkedIn, newsletters, and podcasts.

Market Expansion

Zen Media and Optimum7 will serve growth-stage and enterprise companies in sectors such as:

  • B2B ecommerce and DTC retail
  • SaaS and technology
  • Industrial and manufacturing
  • Professional services

The firm is also preparing to launch proprietary AI-powered visibility solutions in stealth mode — tools aimed not only at brands, but also at other agencies seeking to scale in AI-powered markets.

Why It Matters

The acquisition signals a broader shift in the agency landscape. As brands look to tie every marketing investment directly to outcomes, the traditional separation of PR, SEO, paid media, and RevOps is giving way to integrated, productized models.

With this move, Zen Media and Optimum7 are betting that the future of growth is measurable, AI-native, and outcome-driven.

By Spencer Hulse Spencer Hulse has been verified by Muck Rack's editorial team

Spencer Hulse is the Editorial Director at Grit Daily. He is responsible for overseeing other editors and writers, day-to-day operations, and covering breaking news.

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