About AdShark
Our goal is simple: deliver the best customer experience possible.
We know how it can be working with agencies, and we’re looking to change that experience. AdShark offers 100% transparency, proactive strategy (not reactive blabbery), and a shared investment in your company’s growth.
10+ Years of Growing Clients
In 2013, AdShark founders Rick Berg and Sean Maki met and created a business that was rooted in utilizing digital marketing channels to increase client performance. At the time, we were North Dakota’s first Google Partner and on-boarded our first ever digital advertising client.
Today, our marketing agency in Fargo, ND has 19 team members and have worked with over 200 brands on their digital advertising, SEO, and web projects. Through 2022, we’ve helped our partners generate over $250 million in online revenue and over 200,000 leads.
And that first client we talked about? They’re still with us today and have increased their annual revenue by over 1,300%. We love scaling businesses through strategic marketing, and would welcome a chance to scale yours.
Our History
Company Founded
Our company was founded on August 21st, 2013 by Rick Berg (our present-day CEO) and Sean Maki (our present-day President). We signed our first substantial client that year, Heat Transfer Warehouse, and also became recognized as the first Google Partner in North Dakota.
AdShark’s First Year
In our first full year of operation, there were many milestone moments that took place. In January of 2014, we hired our first (non-owner) employee, and by February of that year, we were on stage for a local event 1 Million Cups. We also moved into the Meadowlark Building in Downtown Fargo & surpassed 25 clients!
Team Keeps Growing 🌱
AdShark turned 2 years old and celebrated by adding our 6th team member + had some milestone achievements for our clients. By September of this year, we had officially surpassed 40 clients served, whom we raised $7 Million in online sales for, and drove over 11,000 leads for.
Over $25 Million in Sales
We were invited to speak at Cart Summit (an eCommerce Conference) on how to improve conversion rates + we hired 4 new team members by October of this year. In addition, we surpassed $25 million in online sales and 16,000 leads driven for our clients.
New Office Space
In July of this year, AdShark moved into a larger office space in the Meadowlark Building to accommodate our growing team. We adjusted to the new space, made it our own, and held several client meetings and company gatherings in this new space.
AdShark Turns 5!
In April of 2018, our team reached a size of 10 full-time employees. We also were recognized as Google’s Featured Business in their 2018 economic report. To make things even more exciting, we celebrated our 5-year anniversary that August.
Intern Program Launched
In 2019, we launched our intern program, helping our team size rise up to 15 employees. In addition, our social media activity started to take off and we reached over 1,200 likes on our Facebook page thanks to our most successful “AdShark Week” ever!
AdShark on Inc. 5000
What was one of the most memorable years in all of our lives (for a mix of reasons), 2020 brought an abundance of change to the AdShark team. As we added a lot of new clients to our team, we were recognized as a member of the Inc 5000 list of fastest-growing, privately-held companies.
Explosive Growth 🤯
Our space continued to expand to accommodate our growing team, and we adjusted back to being fully in our Fargo office. The staff size grew to 18, our social media following grew to 4,000+, and AdShark once again found itself on the list of fastest-growing, privately-held companies (Inc 5000).
A HUGE Year For Us!
In 2022 alone, our team had generated $248M in online client revenue from our ads, we serviced 198 clients with our marketing services, and gained recognition as a Google Premier Partner. On top of that, we were recognized as a runner up for “Best Place to Work” through our local chamber of commerce.
Best Place to Work 🏆
What a year it was! 2023 saw us grow our team size to 20, while we also added a new vertical: email & SMS marketing. Our client list surpassed 200 (all-time), and we won two incredibly special honors: #1 – being named the “Best Place to Work” at our local Chamber’s award ceremony, and #2 – becoming the first Google Premier Partner in North Dakota.
Riding The Wave 🌊
What’s to come this year? We can’t wait to see. If you’re a prospective client looking to work with AdShark: we hope to visit with you soon! If you’re looking for a great place to work: we hope you’ll consider joining our team. 2024 should be a great year, and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it.
Our Mission
To help companies grow faster by delivering performance-based marketing strategy and an irreplaceable client experience.
CORE VALUES
Committed to Client Success
We have a client-first philosophy that ensures our goals are strategically aligned with our clients’ and we are willing to do what it takes to make them more successful.
Do What’s Right
The world is full of people and businesses that care about what’s in it for them, especially in our industry. We want to break that mold and be a trusted partner that looks out for the well-being of those around us.
Strive for Excellence
Why be good when you can be great? We have an unwavering drive to be the best and produce excellence in all we do.
Happiness
We want to make a positive impact on the world and the people around us. We achieve this by being committed to spreading happiness to our team members, clients, and the people we work with.
Embrace Change & Innovation
In digital marketing the only constant is change. We act as leaders in this industry by predicting change, adapting quickly, and finding ways to innovate.
The AdShark Difference
You have a million and five agencies (or Fiverr contacts) to choose from with your digital marketing. You also have the ability to learn the digital marketing world internally, and require no agency at all. Regardless, you’re on this page & considering using an agency (specifically, this agency) for a reason.
SO, WHY ADSHARK?
Experience with Businesses of All Shapes and Sizes
From mom & pop shops to multi-million dollar online storefronts: we’ve worked with all kinds of businesses. In the process, we’ve become Google Premier Partners, Addy Award Winners, and have generated over $250 million in revenue + 200k qualified leads for our clients.
Proactive Campaign Strategy, Execution, and Optimization
Your agency shouldn’t be order-takers. They should be contributing members of your marketing team that make value-adding contributions, and help guide you on how to improve your online performance. Each AdShark team member is committed to being proactive.
Transparent Pricing & No Long-Term Commitments
When you work with AdShark, you’ll receive 100% transparency with our pricing model. And although we suggest a 90-day verbal commitment, there are no contractual obligations. If we’re doing our job well, we believe that client retention is naturally achieved.
Meet The Sharks
Get to know the incredible crew that makes AdShark the best in the biz.
Join Our Award Winning Culture
For the past two years, AdShark has been recognized as a Finalist by FMWF Chamber for the “YP Best Place to Work” Award. Though we don’t do it for the recognition, it certainly doesn’t hurt. I mean, it got you to read this, didn’t it? Now watch this video to learn more.
Ready to Grow?
Let’s get started! Our favorite clients are the ones who are results-driven and motivated by increased numbers, such as ROI and total revenue. If that sounds like you, we’d love to connect.
When you reach out, our team will be happy to provide a free personalized digital strategy that makes sense for your business.