AdShark

What AdShark does

AdShark is a Fargo, North Dakota-based digital marketing and e-commerce agency founded in 2013 by Rick Berg (CEO) and Sean Maki (President). The company delivers full-service marketing across paid search (Google Ads, Bing), paid social (Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, YouTube), SEO, email and SMS marketing (via Klaviyo), streaming TV/OTT and online radio advertising, and web design and development (WordPress for lead generation, BigCommerce and Shopify for eCommerce, including headless commerce architectures). It is the sole Google Premier Partner in North Dakota, placing it in the top 3% of US Google Partners, and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree (2020, 2021, 2025). The firm serves a horizontal mix of SMB, mid-market, and enterprise clients across eCommerce, retail, healthcare, automotive, education, and nonprofit verticals, with no single customer dominating the book.

The business operates on a professional-services revenue model combining tiered monthly management fees (correlated to client ad spend), ongoing SEO and email/SMS retainers, and project-based fees for web design and SEO audits. Go-to-market is sales-led, relying on inbound website inquiries, free customized strategy proposals, referral networks, and chamber/community involvement, with no channel partners, resellers, or marketplace listings. A dedicated Strategist and Creative are paired with each client, and contracts are short (90-day verbal commitments) rather than multi-year. The agency has tracked over $401 million in client-generated online revenue and 421,000+ leads across 200+ brands through 2023.

Technology is built primarily on third-party platform integrations rather than proprietary systems. AdShark implements Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager, Facebook Pixel, Klaviyo, BigCommerce, Shopify, and WordPress for client delivery, and leverages native machine learning features within Google Ads (responsive search ads, Performance Max, automated bidding) and Meta as optimization levers. The agency holds no patents and has not disclosed proprietary AI/ML models, positioning it as an AI-assisted operator applying platform-native automation rather than as an AI-native technology firm. The company is privately held, bootstrapped with no disclosed external funding rounds, and operates from a single headquarters in downtown Fargo.

Name

AdShark

Legal name

AdShark

Website

https://adshark.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AdShark is a Fargo, North Dakota-based digital marketing agency founded in 2013 that delivers paid search, paid social, SEO, email/SMS, streaming TV, and web design services to 200+ SMB, mid-market, and enterprise clients across eCommerce, retail, healthcare, and other verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Digital Marketing Services

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (54181)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Performance Marketing (SEM, Paid Social, Programmatic) (BPAFAAAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Paid Social Advertising (BPAFACAB), Direct Marketing, CRM & Lifecycle (Email, SMS, Loyalty) (BPAFAAAJ), Marketing Technology, AdTech & MarTech Services (BPAFAAAN)

Keywords

• Digital marketing services
• Paid search advertising
• Paid social advertising
• Search engine optimization
• Ecommerce web design

Headquarters

HQ city

Fargo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Digital Marketing Agency Services: Full-service digital marketing agency revenue from managing paid search (PPC), paid social, SEO, email marketing, streaming TV/online radio advertising, and web design/development for clients. Revenue is generated through management fees (tiered based on ad spend levels) and project-based fees for web design and development. The agency uses a tiered billing system where management fees correspond to various levels of client advertising spend.
2. Web Design & Development: Custom website design and development services for lead generation businesses and eCommerce sellers. Includes one-time project fees for website builds on WordPress, BigCommerce, and Shopify platforms, as well as ongoing web hosting and support plans.
3. SEO Services: SEO engagements include one-time SEO audits (fixed project fee based on scoped hours) and ongoing SEO management (monthly retainer with dedicated hours). Services include audits, keyword research, on-site optimizations, local SEO, content writing, and performance measurement.
4. Email & SMS Marketing Services: Email marketing and SMS marketing management integrated with Klaviyo, including email automation, promotional email campaigns, and SMS marketing. Revenue derived from management fees and campaign execution.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

AdShark is a full-service digital marketing agency that plans, manages, and optimizes paid advertising campaigns across search, social, and streaming channels for business clients. The agency also provides SEO, email/SMS marketing through Klaviyo, eCommerce-focused web design and development on WordPress, BigCommerce, and Shopify, and ongoing web hosting services.

Product overview

AdShark is a digital marketing and e-commerce agency offering a comprehensive suite of services rather than a single software product. The core offerings include Search Advertising (PPC) through Google and Bing, Social Media Advertising across Meta, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest and YouTube, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Email Marketing & SMS (powered by Klaviyo), eCommerce Marketing, and Streaming TV & Online Radio Ads. Web services include custom Web Design & Development (WordPress for lead gen) and eCommerce Web Design (BigCommerce and Shopify platforms). The company operates as a unified agency with all services delivered by in-house teams of digital strategists and creatives, rather than as modular software products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Search Advertising (PPC) Management Paid search campaign management on Google Ads and Bing Ads, including keyword research, ad copy, bid management, and ongoing optimization for business clients seeking lead generation or eCommerce sales.
• Social Media Advertising Paid social campaign management across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and YouTube, including audience targeting, creative coordination, and performance optimization for B2B and B2C advertisers.
• SEO Services Search engine optimization services covering technical SEO, on-page optimization, content recommendations, and link building to improve organic search visibility and traffic.
• Email Marketing and SMS (Klaviyo) Email and SMS marketing managed through the Klaviyo platform, including automation flows, segmentation, and campaign sends for eCommerce brands focused on retention and lifecycle marketing.
• eCommerce Marketing Integrated digital marketing programs for eCommerce brands, combining paid acquisition, SEO, and retention channels to drive online sales and customer lifetime value.
• Streaming TV and Online Radio Advertising Planning, buying, and management of streaming TV (CTV/OTT) and online radio ad placements as an extension of clients' digital media mixes.
• Web Design and Development Website design and development services on WordPress, BigCommerce, and Shopify, including custom themes, landing pages, and eCommerce storefront builds for business clients.
• Web Hosting Managed web hosting services for client websites, typically bundled with web design and development engagements to provide ongoing site availability and maintenance.

Quantifiable outcome

• $401M+ in online revenue generated for clients (through 2023)
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

AI capability7 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• KlaviyocoreTechnology or IntegrationAdShark is a Klaviyo partner, leveraging the email marketing platform for client email and SMS campaigns. Their expertise with Klaviyo's integration with BigCommerce and Shopify makes them well-suited for eCommerce email marketing needs.
• Google (Premier Partner)coreTechnology or IntegrationAdShark is the sole Google Premier Partner in North Dakota — a distinction reserved for only the top 3% of Google Partners in the US. Status is based on client growth, client retention, ad account performance, certifications, and ad spend managed. This partnership enables access to Google's advertising platforms, tools, and support resources.
• BigCommercecoreTechnology or IntegrationAdShark has over 10 years of experience developing eCommerce websites on BigCommerce. Their team of strategists, content writers, product specialists, designers, and web developers collaborate on BigCommerce projects including website migrations, product feed solutions, and full eCommerce builds.
• ShopifycoreTechnology or IntegrationAdShark offers Shopify website development services, building online storefronts on the nation's most popular eCommerce platform. They have helped several clients with Shopify redesigns and new developments, including headless commerce implementations using Shopify plugins.
• WordPresscoreTechnology or IntegrationAdShark uses WordPress for lead generation websites and headless commerce implementations. Their WordPress development includes custom design, CRM integrations, and content management for clients across industries.
• FMWF Chamber of CommercecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive member and award recipient of the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo Chamber of Commerce. AdShark participates in chamber events, community initiatives, and was recognized as the Best Place to Work (2023) and runner-up (2022) through the chamber's award programs. The agency attends chamber events regularly for networking.
• AAF-ND (American Advertising Federation North Dakota)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdShark is connected with the local AAF-ND chapter and participates in industry events and programs organized by the advertising federation.
• Emerging PrairieminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdShark participates in events organized by Emerging Prairie, a Fargo-based organization supporting entrepreneurship and technology in the community.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KlientBoost: Performance marketing agency specializing in PPC, paid social, and conversion rate optimization. Competes head-to-head on Google Ads management and CRO, with similar 'results-driven' positioning and SMB/mid-market focus.
• WebFX: Pennsylvania-based digital marketing agency offering SEO, PPC, social, web design, and eCommerce marketing — a near-direct overlap with AdShark's service portfolio and target customer (SMB to mid-market online retailers and lead-gen businesses).
• Ignite Visibility: San Diego-based digital marketing agency providing SEO, paid media, social, email, and web design. Comparable full-service agency model and target market; Google Premier Partner with similar capability set to AdShark.
• SmartSites: New Jersey-based digital agency offering web design, PPC, SEO, and email marketing. Multiple-time Inc. 5000 honoree with a comparable full-service agency model and SMB/mid-market focus.
• Disruptive Advertising: Utah-based full-service digital marketing agency offering paid search, paid social, and SEO across Google and Meta. Closely comparable service mix, similar SMB/mid-market client profile, and competing for the same Google Premier Partner validation.
• Power Digital Marketing: San Diego-based performance marketing agency with paid media, SEO, content, and eCommerce services. Direct competitor for the same mid-market and growth-stage eCommerce clients that AdShark serves.
• LYFE Marketing: Atlanta-based digital marketing agency specializing in social media advertising, PPC, SEO, and email marketing for SMBs. Comparable service portfolio with a similar SMB-led growth positioning.
• Big Drop Inc: Digital agency providing web design, branding, and digital marketing services. Comparable web-design-plus-marketing offering, though with a heavier creative/branding emphasis than AdShark's performance focus.
• Thrive Internet Marketing Agency: Texas-based full-service digital agency offering web design, SEO, PPC, social media, and eCommerce marketing. Comparable service breadth, SMB-to-mid-market customer base, and emphasis on integrated digital solutions.

Broad incumbents

• HubSpot: Broad incumbent providing inbound marketing software plus agency services. While not a direct SMB-agency peer, HubSpot's Solutions Partner ecosystem and built-in marketing automation overlap with AdShark's email/SMS and SEO offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/adsharkmarketing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3252709
• Instagraminstagram.com/adshark
• TikToktiktok.com/@adshark
• Xx.com/AdSharkFargo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about AdShark