Exverus Media continues to show that a brand doesn’t have to be a top spender to take a modern approach to media. The media agency, which also won Media Agency of the Year in 2023, has delivered innovations in AI, measurement and data for its clientele of $3 million to $50 million spenders.

And Exverus Media has seen the results of its labor: in 2023, the agency grew revenue 53%, from $6.6 million to $10.1 million, and has grown headcount 30%.

Exverus has embraced the melding of media channels for clients, using AI-powered ad tech to plan and target marketing to achieve unique business outcomes and tapping into growing channels such as social commerce, retail media networks and retail ad formats in CTV.

For raw pet food brand Stella & Chewy’s, Exverus was tasked with upping sales by increasing foot traffic to local pet shops. The agency created “America’s Next Top Petfluencer,” a campaign that used social creators and targeted ads that sent young pet parents to local pet stores in order to participate in the contest. In stores, QR codes directed participants to an online form to share contact information and photos of their animals.

More than 5,500 people entered, increasing foot traffic to the stores 33%, which contributed to a 12% year-over-year sales growth for Stella & Chewy’s. Revenue directly attributed to media experienced an 84% jump during the same period, the agency said. In addition, 63% of entrants opted in to receiving promotions from the brand, significantly growing its first-party data for future marketing, according to its entry.

In the competitive beer market, New Belgium Brewing’s Voodoo Ranger was seeking to grow sales and awareness with craft beer drinkers. Exverus took a untraditional approach to match the brand’s edgy creative style by targeting young gamers on Reddit, YouTube and Snapchat as well as young streaming viewers on Max, Peacock and Paramount+.

The campaign exceeded brand goals, growing awareness 44% and increasing sales 26% year over year, the agency said.