Zilker Media lands on Inc.'s 2026 Best Workplaces list

By AI, Created 4:01 PM UTC, June 02, 2026, /AGP/ – Austin PR and brand marketing agency Zilker Media has been named to Inc.’s 2026 Best Workplaces list, a nod to its employee culture and internal investment. The recognition comes as the firm grows its profile in earned media, executive branding and AI-focused visibility work.

Why it matters: - Zilker Media’s latest honor points to workplace culture as a business advantage, not just an internal perk. - The recognition can help the Austin agency compete for talent and reinforce the people-first brand it promotes to clients. - Inc.’s list is built from employee feedback and a benefits audit, so the award carries outside validation.

What happened: - Zilker Media announced it was named to Inc.’s 2026 Best Workplaces list. - The Austin-based agency joins 507 companies recognized this year. - Inc. said the honor follows an employee survey by Quantum Workplace and an independent audit of company benefits. - Paige Velasquez Budde, co-founder and CEO, said the award reflects how Zilker Media hires, leads and supports its team.

The details: - Zilker Media was founded in 2017 and works with executives, entrepreneurs and mission-driven companies. - The agency focuses on earned media, thought leadership, executive brand strategy and its AI Discoverability Ecosystem. - Zilker Media says its culture is built around consistency, trust and authenticity. - The company is based in Austin and positions itself as a PR, brand strategy and creative design agency. - Zilker Media works across health care, construction, banking, fintech, venture capital, B2G, commercial real estate, law and other industries. - The firm says it helps leaders become visible and trusted across traditional and AI-driven platforms. - The company includes AI-optimized digital footprints, high-authority media placements and executive brand strategy in its client work. - The announcement also pointed to recent recognition for the leadership team. - Budde received honors including 2025 Austin Executive of the Year from the Austin Chamber of Commerce, 2025 Best CEO from the Austin Business Journal, Greater Austin Business Awards Executive Leader of the Year and an Austin Business Journal Women in Business Award honor. - Senior Strategist Saxonee Arreaga was named a 2026 PRNEWS Top Women in PR & Communications honoree. - Zilker Media’s team is also being recognized as a Best Place to Work by the Austin Business Journal in 2026. - Inc. editorial director Bonny Ghosh said the Best Workplaces list highlights companies making sustained investment in employees. - Ghosh said that commitment can improve retention, engagement and overall business performance. - Inc. published the Austin-area winners list at the full Austin-area winners list.

Between the lines: - The award fits Zilker Media’s broader message that trust and credibility start inside the company before they are projected to clients. - The agency is using workplace recognition to reinforce a larger positioning strategy around authenticity, visibility and AI-era discoverability. - Multiple individual honors suggest Zilker Media is trying to turn leadership recognition into proof of a strong internal bench, not just a strong external brand.

What’s next: - Zilker Media is likely to keep leaning on workplace and leadership awards as it markets itself to clients and job candidates. - The company will continue expanding around its earned media and AI discoverability offerings as the market for executive visibility evolves. - Inc.’s list may give the agency added credibility with prospects looking for firms that pair strategy with a stable culture.