Announcing the Launch of Zilker Media

I have some big news to share today on the blog!

It is my true pleasure to announce that I have come to an agreement with my colleagues at Advantage Media Group, who acquired Shelton Interactive early in 2016, that provides an open door for me to do two things I really want to do moving forward – continue working closely with their team as we grow the Advantage Family and ForbesBooks imprint and start a brand-new independent agency – Zilker Media.

With this post I am exceedingly excited to announce the launch of Zilker Media, a brand new communications agency based in Austin, TX that will provide PR, Digital Marketing and Platform Development for the world’s leading brands, authors and thought leaders.

Few things in my life have been more rewarding than my entrepreneurial journey. When I first opened the doors to Shelton Interactive in 2010 I had no idea I was in for the ride of my life thanks to an amazing team/family and awesome clients and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be back in “start-up” mode with Zilker Media. Here is our corporate deck, which will give you more details on our model:

Our vision for Zilker Media is two-fold:

• To create a model that integrates PR, digital marketing and platform development under one roof to help our clients make the biggest, most positive impact with their message
• To have a lot of fun along the way by providing the best agency experience our clients and team members will ever have

We’re committed to making Zilker Media a gathering point for good ideas, meaningful relationships and good vibes and I’m humbled and honored by the great leadership team the agency already has in place.

Longtime Shelton Interactive Senior Publicist Shelby Janner has been named Zilker Media’s Publicity Director and Paige Velasquez will be the agency’s Digital Marketing Director. Patti Conrad will take on the role of Accounting/HR and we’re excited to have Nichole Davidson as our Digital Marketing Strategist. Each of them have been instrumental in our successful launch and will play a huge role in the bright future of the agency. We also look forward to bringing on additional talent as we grow this year.

I have been waiting a while to share this news, as Zilker Media officially got underway with a “soft” launch late this spring with several high-profile “founding” clients on board, including Chicken Soup for the Soul, Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, James Sudakow, Lisa Tener, Dr. Marilyn Paul, Dr. Mark McLaughlin, John Carter, Dr. John Brown Miller, Dr. Sebastian Sepulveda and Jessica Honegger and I want to thank each of them for being a part of the Zilker Media founding client family.

Zilker Media will work closely with several partners moving forward, including Advantage Media Group/ForbesBooks and Nick Alter and the team at Alter Endeavors (who will lead our website work). I also look forward to working closely with many of the friends, agents, partners and agencies I have had the pleasure of working with through the years.

I want to thank my fellow EO’er, friend and Advantage Media Group/ForbesBooks Founder & CEO Adam Witty for helping me to open this door – I look forward to continuing to work with you and all of the company’s Members on the Road to 1,000.

Finally, I would also like to thank each and every client, team member, friend and family member that has helped me in my entrepreneurial journey, which has the been the greatest gift of my life outside my family.

In anticipation of a few potential questions, I have linked to our FAQ page but feel free to email me directly with any additional questions at rusty@zilkermedia.com.