What Hawke Media does

Hawke Media is a privately held, Santa Monica-headquartered digital marketing agency founded in 2014 by Erik Huberman, operating an "Outsourced CMO" model that delivers senior-level marketing leadership and channel specialists to brands ranging from high-growth startups to established global companies. The company has supported more than 6,000 brands and currently manages in excess of $1.43 billion in annual media spend, served from offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and international locations in Canada (via Seriously Creative and Morphio) and the United Kingdom (via Social Nucleus).

The core technology platform is HawkeAI, a proprietary AI-powered marketing strategy and insights system launched in September 2022 following the acquisition of the Canadian MarTech platform Morphio. HawkeAI centralizes data across paid media, social, SEO, email, and Amazon channels and applies machine learning for performance tracking, trend prediction, and strategy-level automation. Adjacent AI capabilities are delivered through a Birdeye distribution partnership exposing BirdAI for generative review responses, image generation, webchat, and sentiment benchmarking. The December 2025 launch of GEO/AEO services extends HawkeAI into AI-search optimization for platforms such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. Sub-brands include Hawke Ventures, Hawke Capital, Hawke Deal Network, and HawkeZ (a Gen Z-focused TikTok influencer unit).

The business model is professional services on an à la carte, quote-based pricing structure with no publicly disclosed tiers. Revenue is generated through full-service engagements covering paid search, paid social, SEO/GEO, content, social media management, web design, branding, lifecycle marketing, Amazon services, public relations, and connected TV. Customer acquisition combines direct consultative sales, a free-consultation website funnel, platform partner directories (Google Premier Partner, TikTok Certified, Microsoft Advertising Partner), and the annual Hawkefest conference at the Santa Monica Pier, which has scaled to over 800 attendees since 2017. The company has executed at least 10 documented acquisitions since 2018, with the firm's own materials citing 23 acquisitions in total, indicating a sustained roll-up growth strategy.

Name

Hawke Media

Legal name

Hawke Media LLC

Website

https://hawkemedia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Hawke Media is a privately held, Santa Monica-based digital marketing agency founded in 2014 that provides outsourced CMO services across paid media, SEO, social, content, branding, and AI-driven strategy to more than 6,000 brands ranging from startups to global enterprises.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Marketing Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Media Buying Agencies (54183)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Media Planning, Buying & Optimization (BPAFAAAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Retail Media & Marketplace Advertising (Amazon/Walmart/Instacart, etc.) (BPAFACAD), Full-Service Media Planning & Buying (MPAAABAA)

Keywords

• Outsourced marketing services
• Digital marketing agency
• Performance marketing services
• Paid media management
• Brand strategy consulting

Headquarters

HQ city

Santa Monica

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations

Revenue model

1. Marketing Agency Services: Hawke Media generates revenue through providing comprehensive marketing agency services as an outsourced CMO. Services are offered à la carte including strategy, paid media, content, social media, SEO, web design, branding, and more. The company provides senior-level marketing leadership and channel specialists.
2. Hawke AI Platform: Proprietary AI system offered as part of the service offerings, serving as a key differentiator for the marketing agency.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Hawke Media is an outsourced CMO marketing agency that sells senior-level marketing leadership, channel specialists, and a proprietary AI analytics platform (Hawke AI) to brands on an à la carte basis. Services span paid search, paid social, SEO/GEO, content, social media, branding, web design, PR, lifecycle marketing, Amazon services, and reputation management through Birdeye, supporting brands from high-growth startups to established global companies.

Product overview

Hawke Media is an independent marketing agency based in Santa Monica, California, founded in 2014, offering an outsourced CMO model as its core service. The company operates a platform-plus-services architecture built around its proprietary AI system (Hawke AI) for automated marketing strategy and insights, complemented by a comprehensive portfolio of à la carte marketing services (Affiliate Marketing, Amazon Services, Birdeye, Branded Entertainment, Branding & Design, Connected TV, Content, Custom Print Services, Lifecycle Marketing/Email/SMS, Media Buying, Out of Home Marketing, Paid Search, Paid Social, Personal Branding, Photo & Video, Programmatic Retail, Public Relations, SEO/GEO, Social Media, Web Design, and Strategy). Additional offerings include Generative Engine Optimization (GEO/AEO), investment arms (Hawke Ventures, Hawke Deal Network), and the annual Hawkefest conference. The company has made 14 acquisitions including Morphio (2022, powering Hawke AI), Social Nucleus (2022, UK expansion), Seriously Creative (2021, Canada), SimplyBe (2024, personal branding), Leverage Marketing (2023, performance marketing), and Blue Light Media (2025, content marketing). Hawke Media has supported over 6,000 brands and maintains offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, and China.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Hawke AI: Proprietary AI-powered marketing strategy and insights platform that centralizes data across digital marketing channels, providing performance tracking and trend prediction using machine learning.
• Hawke Ventures
• Hawke Deal Network
• Hawke Capital
• HawkeZ

Products and services

• Outsourced CMO Hawke Media's flagship service model providing senior-level marketing leadership, channel specialists, and outsourced CMO functions to brands, acting as an extension of the client's in-house marketing team.
• Hawke AI Hawke Media's proprietary AI-powered marketing strategy and insights platform that centralizes data across digital marketing channels (paid media, social, SEO, email, Amazon), tracks performance, predicts market trends, and offers strategy-level automation using machine learning.
• Marketing Services Portfolio (à la carte) Comprehensive à la carte marketing services portfolio including Affiliate Marketing, Amazon Services, Branded Entertainment, Branding & Design, Connected TV, Content, Custom Print, Lifecycle Marketing (Email/SMS), Media Buying, Out of Home, Paid Search, Paid Social, Personal Branding, Photo & Video, Programmatic Retail, Public Relations, SEO, Social Media, Web Design, and Strategy.
• Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) / Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) AI-powered search optimization service helping brands appear in AI-driven experiences (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity) via AI search footprint audits, GEO content and schema strategy, site and knowledge graph optimization, and ongoing content production and monitoring.
• Birdeye Reputation and customer experience platform offered through Hawke Media covering review monitoring and response, messaging, webchat, surveys, customer referral software, and BirdAI-powered AI capabilities, integrating with 3,000+ CRMs/PMSs including Salesforce, HubSpot, and QuickBooks.

Quantifiable outcome

• 485% ROAS for K-Swiss paid social campaigns
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

AI capability10 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• Blue Light MediacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 7 April 2025Acquired Irvine-based marketing firm Blue Light Media on March 25, 2025, as part of broader expansion strategy focusing on content-driven marketing.
• SimplyBe (Jessica Zweig Inc.)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2024Acquired branding firm SimplyBe to expand services and leverage its market presence. SimplyBe's CEO Jessica Zweig remains with the company.
• Leverage MarketingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 May 2023Acquired digital marketing agency Leverage Marketing to strengthen performance marketing capabilities and offer enhanced digital marketing solutions.
• MorphioflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 September 2022Acquired Canadian-based MarTech platform Morphio to enhance launch of hawke.ai automated marketing strategy and insights tool with AI-enabled features.
• Social NucleuscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 March 2022Acquired Manchester-based digital marketing firm Social Nucleus for UK expansion and European presence enhancement.
• Seriously CreativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2021Acquired Canadian digital marketing agency Seriously Creative to enhance web development capabilities and expand international presence. Deal completed in six weeks.
• ShopifycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerShopify is a sponsor of Hawkefest 2026 conference, supporting the annual marketing and business event for founders, CMOs, and brand builders.
• KlaviyocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerKlaviyo is a sponsor of Hawkefest 2026 conference, providing support for the annual marketing event.
• AmazoncoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAmazon is a sponsor of Hawkefest 2026 conference.
• Customers.aicoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHawke Media is described as a preferred partner of Customers.ai, delivering exceptional results for companies across verticals and channels with experts in various marketing specialties.
• Microsoft AdvertisingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHawke Media is a Microsoft Advertising partner, managing campaigns across the Microsoft Search Network including Bing, Yahoo, and MSN.
• TikTokcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerHawke Media is a TikTok Certified Agency, enabling them to run TikTok advertising campaigns and affiliate programs.
• GoogleflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerHawke Media is a Google Marketing Partner and 2026 Google Premier Partner, ranked among top 3% globally. Selected as first agency in Google's International Growth Certified Partner Program.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• R/GA: Global digital agency offering strategy, design, technology, and marketing services to enterprise brands. Overlaps with Hawke Media's full-service outsourced marketing approach, particularly around digital transformation and brand-led innovation.
• SmartSites: Full-service digital marketing agency offering SEO, paid media, web design, and branding to SMB and mid-market clients. Closely comparable in service mix and target customer to Hawke Media's outsourced CMO model.
• Neil Patel Digital: Digital marketing agency specializing in SEO, paid media, and content marketing, with proprietary analytics tooling (Ubersuggest). Comparable to Hawke Media in combining agency services with technology-driven insights for performance marketing clients.
• Tinuiti: Large independent performance marketing agency in the US specializing in paid media, SEO, social, and Amazon advertising. Closely comparable to Hawke Media in serving mid-market and enterprise brands with full-funnel digital marketing services.
• Disruptive Advertising: Digital marketing agency focused on paid media, SEO, and lifecycle marketing for mid-market and ecommerce brands. Comparable outsourced CMO-style offering with proprietary analytics and a similar client profile to Hawke Media.

Broad incumbents

• WPP: Largest global advertising holding company with agencies across media, creative, and digital marketing. Direct competitor in outsourced marketing services and media planning/buying, but with enterprise-grade infrastructure and Fortune 500 client focus.
• Omnicom Group: Global advertising holding company with deep capabilities in media planning, digital marketing, and performance advertising. Overlaps with Hawke Media across the full-service agency value chain, particularly in paid media and SEO.
• GroupM: WPP's media investment arm managing over $60B in media spend annually. Comparable to Hawke Media's media buying and planning capabilities but at dramatically larger scale and with holding-company infrastructure.
• HubSpot Agency Partners: HubSpot's partner ecosystem of marketing agencies uses its CRM/marketing platform as a foundation for client services. Comparable in offering outsourced marketing operations to mid-market clients, though anchored to HubSpot's SaaS ecosystem rather than an independent AI platform.
• Publicis Groupe: Global advertising holding company with full-service agency networks spanning media planning, buying, digital, and creative. Comparable to Hawke Media in offering end-to-end marketing services but at vastly greater scale and geographic reach.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/hawke-media
• TikToktiktok.com/@hawkemedia
• Xx.com/gohawke
• Facebookfacebook.com/hawkemedia

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A11 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hawke Media