How Avenue Z's Johnny Hughes is Transforming Marketing with Funnel GPT and Human Creativity
Avenue Z is a visionary at the forefront of AI-driven marketing, led by CEO Jeffrey Herzog and his incredibly talented team that includes CMO and Chairman of the Global AI Council, Johnny Hughes. With over 30 years of leadership in media and marketing, Avenue Z has consistently redefined what's possible in digital communications.
From pioneering mobile-first design to driving conversion at scale, the agency blends cutting-edge technology, performance media, and strategic PR to help brands build reputation and grow revenue. As the agency for influence, Avenue Z isn't just adapting to the future - it’s building it. Hughes has been instrumental in the firm's rapid growth, contributing over 17 years of experience in digital innovation.
In an exclusive interview with AI World Today, Hughes shares his insights on the transformative power of AI in marketing, the evolution of Funnel GPT, and the delicate balance between artificial intelligence and human creativity. His unique perspective, shaped by years of experience in mobile-first design and AI optimization, offers a glimpse into the future of digital marketing and the ethical considerations that come with it.
Can you start by introducing yourself and sharing a bit about your journey in the world of AI and digital marketing?
I've been building digital products since the early 2000s, back when dial-up was still a thing and mobile-first meant trying to make your site work on a BlackBerry. I'm Johnny Hughes, CMO of Avenue Z, and for the last 17+ years, I've been leading the charge at the intersection of creativity, code, and conversion. From founding and scaling Designzillas into one of the top B2B agencies in the Southeast, to pioneering mobile design before the first iPhone was even released, my passion has always been about pushing boundaries. Today, my mission is to merge AI with human creativity to help brands dominate the digital jungle - without losing their soul in the process.
As the CMO and Chairman of the Global AI Council, how do you see AI reshaping the marketing landscape in the next 5 years?
AI isn't just another trend; it's the tectonic shift. In the next five years, we're going to see AI evolve from assistant to architect. Campaigns will self-optimize in real-time, personalization will feel psychic, and marketers who understand prompt engineering will have more power than those who master the tech stack. But here's the kicker: the brands that win won't be the ones with the most AI; it'll be the ones who use it to sound more human, not less.
You've been at the forefront of mobile-first design since the launch of the first iPhone. How has this experience influenced your approach to AI-driven marketing strategies?
Designing for mobile back in the day taught me one vital truth: constraints drive creativity. When you only have 320 pixels to make an impact, every word, every interaction matters. That same mindset applies to AI. AI gives you speed, but it's still up to us to make it meaningful. The lesson from mobile-first? Don't just optimize for the device - optimize for the moment. Same goes for AI - amplify what matters, don't just automate.
Can you explain the concept of "Funnel GPT" and how it's revolutionizing website conversions?
Funnel GPT is like having your best marketer, strategist, and copywriter working 24/7 without coffee breaks. I built it to mimic how we train our team to think strategically about content, funnels, and conversion. It's a custom-trained GPT that actually understands buyer psychology and can architect entire funnel systems based on a few prompts. It's already helped over 1,000 users build conversion-focused content faster and smarter, and not a single "slop" blog post in sight.
With your experience in AI optimization and AI SEO, what are some key strategies businesses should adopt to stay competitive in search rankings?
First, understand that search isn't just Google anymore. Your Gen Z buyer is searching TikTok. Your Gen Alpha customer? They're voice-commanding their way through Alexa. So, diversify your SEO portfolio. Optimize for AI Overviews, structure your data like you mean it, and build content with both algorithms and humans in mind. And please, stop chasing keywords like it's 2010. Focus on content that satisfies real intent.
How are emerging technologies like Web3 and Web XR integrating with AI to create new marketing opportunities?
Web3 and AI are the perfect storm. Imagine an immersive product demo in Web XR that personalizes itself based on your blockchain-backed behavior profile. Or a loyalty program that dynamically shifts based on engagement - no forms, no friction. The convergence of these techs will make marketing less about transactions and more about transformative experiences.
You've worked with notable clients across various industries. Can you share a case study where AI significantly improved a client's marketing outcomes?
We recently helped a beauty brand explode on TikTok Shop using AI-driven SEO strategies. In 45 days, we took a brand-new domain and ranked it #1 for "TikTok Shop Agency." The secret? AI-enhanced content workflows, a cross-domain linking strategy, and real-time optimization using AI-generated performance predictions. That campaign alone drove 103 qualified leads and six figures in new business.
What inspired you to create the "Funnel GPT Playbook," and how can marketers best utilize this tool?
I created it because I was sick of slop. Marketers deserve better than one-size-fits-all AI outputs. The Funnel GPT Playbook isn't just a tool; it's a methodology. It trains marketers to think critically about each step in the buyer's journey and then arms them with AI prompts that execute that vision at scale. If you're tired of filling your funnel with noise, this is your blueprint for clarity and conversion.
How do you see the role of human creativity evolving in an increasingly AI-driven marketing world?
Creativity isn't going anywhere - it's evolving. AI can write copy, but it can't feel tension. It can design, but it can't intuit taste. The best marketers will be those who use AI as a co-pilot but keep their hands on the wheel. The job of creativity is to make people feel something. AI can't replace that, but it can help us get there faster.
Can you discuss some ethical considerations marketers should keep in mind when implementing AI in their strategies?
Transparency is non-negotiable. If you're using AI, say so. Don't let your chatbot pretend to be a human. Also, data ethics - just because AI can use it doesn't mean it should. Build systems with bias checks. Respect consent. And always remember: just because something is possible doesn't mean it aligns with your brand's values.
You've spoken about "Outcome-Based Marketing." How does AI factor into achieving revenue, reputation, and reach goals?
AI helps tie everything together. From predictive modeling that tells you where to spend your next dollar to reputation monitoring tools that flag sentiment before it becomes a crisis - AI gives you foresight and focus. But you still need to steer the ship. Revenue, reputation, and reach don't happen by accident. AI just helps make sure you're not flying blind.
With the rise of AI-generated content, how can brands maintain authenticity and build trust with their audience?
Two words: human oversight. AI can draft, but a human must direct. Infuse your stories with real experiences. Use AI to save time, not to replace your voice. And above all, keep it real. Your audience doesn't want perfection - they want connection.
What advice would you give to marketing professionals looking to upskill in AI and stay relevant in the industry?
Start playing. Don't wait for a course or certification. Get your hands dirty. Build a GPT. Train it. Break it. Rebuild it. Understand how prompts work. The future belongs to the marketers who can wield AI like a paintbrush, not just a hammer.
How is AI transforming team leadership and management in marketing departments?
AI is making leaders more data-driven and less gut-driven. But the real superpower? It's freeing up time. Time to coach. Time to innovate. Time to lead. The best CMOs I know are now using AI to automate the noise so they can focus on people. That's leadership in the AI era.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of AI in marketing, and what potential challenges should we be prepared for?
What excites me? The personalization renaissance. We're about to enter an era where marketing finally feels like magic, like someone reading your mind and delivering exactly what you needed. The challenge? Avoiding the trap of laziness. Just because AI can do it doesn't mean it's good. The real winners will be the ones who combine scale with soul.
As AI continues to reshape the marketing landscape, Avenue Z stands at the vanguard of this revolution, championing a future where technology amplifies human creativity rather than replacing it. The agency's innovative approaches, from Funnel GPT to outcome-based marketing, are setting new standards in the industry. Their approach fuses AI with authenticity, empowering brands to deliver personalized, ethical, and resonant experiences across every channel. As we navigate this AI-driven era, Hughes's insights serve as a valuable guide for marketers seeking to harness the power of AI while maintaining authenticity and ethical integrity. The future of marketing, as Avenue Z envisions it, is not just about algorithms and automation, but about creating meaningful, personalized experiences that resonate on a human level.