# Zilker Media

> Zilker Media is an Austin-based boutique public relations and brand strategy agency that helps executives, entrepreneurs, authors, and mission-driven companies turn expertise into a durable public reputation. Founded in 2017 by Rusty Shelton and Paige Velasquez Budde, the firm combines earned media, thought leadership, brand positioning, design, and AI discoverability work, selling sustained credibility rather than a short burst of attention.

- **Founded:** 2017
- **Headquarters:** Austin, United States
- **Founders:** Rusty Shelton (Co-Founder and Chairman), Paige Velasquez Budde (Co-Founder and CEO)
- **Products:** Public Relations, Brand Strategy, Branding and Design, Book and Author Promotion, AI Discoverability Ecosystem
- **Notable:** Named to Inc.'s 2026 Best Workplaces list., Recognized by the Austin Business Journal as a Best Place to Work in 2020 and 2021, ranking No. 15 and No. 13 respectively in the micro-company category., Named to Austin Inno's 2019 Coolest Companies list.

## Products & services

- **Public Relations** — Earned-media strategy, national and trade pitching, podcast booking, awards, media training, and ongoing media relations.
- **Brand Strategy** — Positioning, messaging, audience definition, content strategy, and thought-leadership planning for executives and companies.
- **Branding and Design** — Brand identities, guidelines, refreshes, corporate collateral, book covers, lead magnets, websites, and company merchandise.
- **Book and Author Promotion** — Platform development and publicity for authors, including media campaigns and launch strategy rooted in the founders' publishing experience.
- **AI Discoverability Ecosystem** — Audits and integrated earned, owned, and social media programs designed to improve how brands appear across search engines and generative AI answers.
- **Nonprofit Marketing Summit** — A free, invite-only day of practical marketing workshops for Austin-area nonprofit leaders; the company reports serving more than 100 leaders.

## Achievements

- Named to Inc.'s 2026 Best Workplaces list.
- Recognized by the Austin Business Journal as a Best Place to Work in 2020 and 2021, ranking No. 15 and No. 13 respectively in the micro-company category.
- Named to Austin Inno's 2019 Coolest Companies list.
- Named to the Austin Business Journal's 2019 list of top Austin-area advertising and marketing agencies.
- CEO Paige Velasquez Budde received the Austin Business Journal's 2025 Best CEO award in the micro-company category and a 2025 Women in Business award.
- The agency says its long-running Northern Virginia Family Practice program produced 34 media opportunities in 2023-24 and 49 in 2024-25, plus eight high-value backlinks in three months of 2025.
- The free Nonprofit Marketing Summit has served more than 100 Austin-area nonprofit leaders, according to the company.

## Latest updates

- **2026-06** — Zilker Media was named to Inc.'s 2026 Best Workplaces list; the agency also reported an Austin Business Journal Best Place to Work recognition for 2026.
- **2026-04** — The firm launched its AI Discoverability Ecosystem, packaging PR, content, brand marketing, and audits around visibility in search and generative AI platforms.
- **2025-11** — CEO Paige Velasquez Budde published The Strategic Business Influencer: Building a Brand with a Small Budget.
- **2025-09** — Paige Velasquez Budde received the Austin Business Journal's Best CEO award in the micro-company category.

## Links

- Website: https://zilkermedia.com/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zilkermedia/
- Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/zilkermedia
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zilkermedia/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZilkerMedia/

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/zilker-media
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-20