In the early 2000s, digital transformation began to influence the foundations of traditional media. As advertising models shifted and social platforms grew in relevance, many legacy public relations and marketing firms found themselves facing new challenges. Amid this evolving landscape, smaller agencies with a stronger understanding of emerging technologies and niche audience behavior began to emerge. It was during this period of disruption that Kahn Media was founded in 2008, establishing itself not by following trends, but by responding to real shifts in how stories were told, shared, and consumed.
Founded by Dan Kahn in Moorpark, California, the agency was initially created to serve the automotive aftermarket industry, an area where Kahn had significant experience as a former journalist and magazine editor. The early years of the company were characterized by its relationships with parts manufacturers, custom builders, and enthusiast brands, where it offered traditional public relations support alongside content creation. Over time, the agency expanded its offerings and adapted to evolving digital marketing trends, gradually diversifying its client base and the sectors it served.
While the automotive sector remained central, Kahn Media’s portfolio began to include brands in luxury lifestyle, outdoor recreation, and technology. Companies such as Optima Batteries, Ringbrothers, and Lotus Cars USA became long-term clients, drawn by the agency’s hybrid model of conventional media relations combined with its embrace of influencer culture, social media campaigns, and visual storytelling. This ability to speak fluently in both the language of traditional journalism and digital-native platforms became a key factor in the company’s continued growth over the next decade.
Kahn Media’s approach integrated metrics, creativity, and platform-specific strategies. Services expanded beyond public relations to include content production, social media management, video, SEO, influencer partnerships, and paid digital campaigns. Its work with institutions like the Petersen Automotive Museum and major industry events such as the Quail Motorsports Gathering demonstrated a willingness to experiment with formats—particularly when pandemic-era conditions required events and content delivery models to shift quickly online. In 2020, the agency contributed to the development and launch of Petersen’s Digital Car Week, showcasing adaptability in the face of industry-wide disruptions.
Recognition of the agency’s growth has come in several forms. Kahn Media was featured on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies in 2018, 2019, and again in 2024. It was also included in Adweek’s list of fastest-growing agencies in the United States in 2019. Additionally, the San Fernando Valley Business Journal ranked Kahn Media as a leading PR agency in the region from 2019 through 2024, citing consistent performance and year-over-year revenue growth. While these accolades do not provide a definitive measure of cultural impact, they reflect steady growth and increasing traction in a competitive industry.
The agency’s leadership has expanded to include Cory Burns, Kelly Russell, and Luke Walsh, each contributing specific expertise across business development, client services, and digital operations. This team structure supports the company’s broadening scope of services and reinforces its ability to maintain long-standing client relationships while pursuing new markets. Despite the company’s growth, its headquarters remains in Moorpark, California, maintaining a West Coast identity while working with national and international brands.
The client roster is diverse. Campaigns have included work for Maserati North America, Lotus Evora GT, and Gearys Beverly Hills. Case studies from these engagements often highlight integrated campaign development—media outreach combined with social strategy, original creative, and event support—as a core strength. The agency has also developed brand films and mini-documentaries, including a project for RUF Automobile, demonstrating its shift towards higher production-value content and storytelling.
A notable milestone came in 2024 with the release of The New Rules of the Road, a book authored by Dan Kahn. The book outlines modern strategies for branding, PR, and digital marketing, drawing from his experience growing the agency.While not a major commercial success, the publication was covered within industry circles and serves as a reflection of the agency’s values and methodologies, particularly its focus on adaptability and relevance in a changing media environment.
Despite operating in sectors prone to hype, Kahn Media’s growth strategy has remained relatively pragmatic. Rather than building a large footprint through acquisitions or fast capital, the agency has focused on cultivating a core team of subject-matter experts. Its in-house model, which integrates creative services, media relations, and campaign execution under one roof, has allowed it to stay nimble and responsive to client needs. This structure also supports longer-term brand building, a point noted in several client testimonials and industry write-ups.
The company has also made steps to engage with emerging technologies, including AI integration for internal workflows and analytics, though it remains primarily focused on the human-led aspects of storytelling and media placement. In an increasingly fragmented media environment, the agency continues to position itself at the intersection of cultural relevance and business impact.
As of 2025, Kahn Media employs a multi-disciplinary team and continues to operate independently. Its services span public relations, digital marketing, influencer relations, content creation, and event management. With continued recognition from national business outlets and a client base that spans industries, the agency appears to be maintaining a steady growth trajectory without abandoning its original values rooted in enthusiast culture and niche media engagement.
The agency’s evolution from a boutique firm focused on automotive parts and performance brands into a full-service marketing and public relations company with national reach reflects broader trends in media, technology, and brand communication. Founded by Dan Kahn, and now led by a team including Cory Burns, Kelly Russell, and Luke Walsh, Kahn Media continues to be shaped by the industries it serves and the platforms that define its storytelling. Whether its model continues to scale or remain mid-sized by design will depend on how it navigates the next wave of platform shifts and audience behavior. For now, it remains a recognized agency operating at the intersection of media relations, digital strategy, and cultural storytelling.
