When your marketing competitors headline their Google ads with, “Hawke Media Alternative,” you know that you’ve created something worth imitating. Enter Erik Huberman, founder of Hawke Media (2013) and Hawke Ventures (2018). He’s a featured Forbes 30 Under 30 serial entrepreneur now leading a team of more than 220 employees. Clients include big brands like Alibaba, Red Bull, and Proactiv. His team also enables up-and-coming brands.
The key to digital marketing success is being data-driven. As a result, Hawke Media has generated massive success for more than 600 clients. And that success has rubbed off: the company now has a valuation of over $80 million. When asked why his agency was the fastest growing marketing company in the world, he said, “One, we have a really good team that does really great work. We’re also flexible with ‘accessibility to great marketing for everyone.’ I’m also a big fan of partnerships to get things off the ground; that third party validation builds trust.”
Marketing for Success
Grit Daily News probed on what constitutes a foundation for marketing success. Huberman was quick to respond. “We have three pillars: awareness, nurturing, and trust.” When he was asked if he’d undo any moves that he’s made at Hawke Media, his response was both insightful and directional. “In 2018, we planned for hypothetical growth. And that put us so tight that it actually held us back from growing the way we could have at that time.” Entrepreneurs face this dilemma all the time juggling planning for growth with cashflow. There is no magic formula and “every business is different,” he added.
There are numerous accolades: almost too numerous to mention. Industry recognition includes five Stevie Awards, three from Fortune, and two from INC 500. These marketing awards prove that Hawke Media has both the credibility and the creativity needed for mega success. But there’s one more essential ingredient: passion.
Earlier this year, Huberman received an offer to buy Hawke Media. Although the size of the deal is unknown, it was substantial enough to make Huberman – and his future grandchildren – incredibly wealthy. But here’s how that deal unfolded. “In February 2021,” he mused, “I received an offer to buy my company – and it’s worth a lot – so much that generational wealth was now available to my grandchildren. But I realized that I love what I do. And I don’t want to retire right now. I want to build something big.”
A Plan for Growth
With millions of Shopify e-stores all looking to grow, Huberman is using his hawk-eye to spot new growth opportunities. “There is so much that we can do. We could expand internationally and really build this out.” Although he didn’t reveal what happens next, one thing is for sure: Hawke Media will likely be soaring for a long time.
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