# Jeffrey Herzog

> Jeffrey Herzog is a Miami-based marketing founder and operator who built iCrossing at the beginning of commercial search, launched and sold ZOG Digital, and returned in 2023 with Avenue Z. His latest thesis is that public relations, creator-led media, performance marketing, and technical content must work together because discovery is shifting from lists of links toward AI-generated answers.

- **Role:** Founder and CEO at Avenue Z
- **Organizations:** Avenue Z, iCrossing, ZOG Digital, Investis Digital
- **Education:** Bachelor's degree in Communications, Legal Institutions, Economics and Government, American University
- **Known for:** Founded iCrossing near the beginning of commercial search marketing and helped expand it into a global digital agency., Built iCrossing to 620 employees in 15 offices by 2008, according to contemporaneous coverage., Led iCrossing through multiple acquisitions and its expansion from search into broader digital marketing before Hearst acquired the company in 2010.

## Career timeline

- **1998** — Founded iCrossing as an early search engine optimization and search marketing company.
- **2005** — iCrossing was named MediaPost's Agency of the Year for search.
- **2007** — iCrossing acquired Proxicom after a string of acquisitions that expanded it beyond search into broader digital services.
- **2008** — Moved from CEO to vice chairman of iCrossing's board as the company reported 620 employees across 15 US and European offices.
- **2010** — Hearst announced its acquisition of iCrossing; the companies did not disclose the financial terms in the original announcement.
- **2011** — Launched ZOG Digital, focused on search, content, social media, and performance marketing.
- **2018** — ZOG Digital was acquired and integrated by Investis, which rebranded as Investis Digital.
- **2018-2020** — Served as a senior advisor at Investis Digital.
- **2023** — Launched Avenue Z with backing from Herzog and Baleon Capital, then acquired The Snow Agency, Bevel, and Designzillas during its first expansion phase.
- **2025** — Completed the acquisition of Baleon Capital's remaining ownership interest in Avenue Z, becoming the company's full owner.
- **2026** — Avenue Z acquired Shopify specialist Varfaj; Herzog was named to the ADWEEK AI Power 50 and PRovoke Media's Innovator 25 Americas.

## Achievements

- Founded iCrossing near the beginning of commercial search marketing and helped expand it into a global digital agency.
- Built iCrossing to 620 employees in 15 offices by 2008, according to contemporaneous coverage.
- Led iCrossing through multiple acquisitions and its expansion from search into broader digital marketing before Hearst acquired the company in 2010.
- Founded ZOG Digital, which Investis acquired and integrated in 2018.
- Launched Avenue Z and assembled PR, performance, creative, and commerce capabilities through acquisitions.
- Named to ADWEEK's AI Power 50 in 2026.
- Named to PRovoke Media's Innovator 25 Americas in 2026.

## Latest updates

- **2026-09** — Published a Forbes Business Council article arguing that creator-led media and AI search are complementary channels for brand trust and discovery.
- **2026-08** — Appeared as a TechRound US50 2026 judge and discussed how founders can distinguish durable technology shifts from hype.
- **2026-07** — Named to PRovoke Media's Innovator 25 Americas 2026 for work connecting communications strategy with AI-driven discoverability.
- **2026-03** — Named to ADWEEK's AI Power 50 2026.
- **2026-02** — Avenue Z announced the acquisition of Varfaj, adding Shopify development and conversion-rate optimization capabilities.

## Links

- Website: https://avenuez.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-herzog-94502a249/
- Twitter/X: https://x.com/jeffreyZOG

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/jeffrey-herzog
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-24