5W CEO Matt Caiola Named to Profound's Marketing Agency Leaders to Watch List

Recognition highlights 5W's leadership in helping brands earn visibility across ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 5W, one of the largest independently owned PR and digital marketing agencies in the U.S., today announced that CEO Matt Caiola has been named to Profound's Marketing Agency Leaders to Watch list, which recognizes leaders shaping the future of marketing in the AI era.

Profound, the answer engine optimization platform, compiled the list as brand discovery moves from search results to AI-generated answers. Caiola appears alongside leaders from agencies including Edelman, Golin, Ketchum, Omnicom, and Publicis Media.

5W has built Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) into its communications work. It combines earned media, digital marketing, and proprietary AI visibility research so that brands are represented accurately and prominently when buyers ask AI platforms for recommendations. This year the agency released the 5W AI Platform Citation Source Index, which synthesizes 680 million AI citations, and launched the 5W Reputation Index to measure how AI engines portray prominent people and institutions.

"Matt has led 5W through the biggest shift our industry has seen in 25 years. Our agency understands early that public relations now has to work on people and on the AI platforms they ask, and we have built the team and the research to deliver on both. This recognition is well deserved, and it reflects what our clients see every day. We plan to continue to lead the agency in all forms of AI Visibility," said Ronn Torossian, Founder and Chairman of 5W.

The recognition follows a year of growth for 5W, including its selection as a Top 100 PR Firm by The PR Net for 2026 and its expansion across New York, Miami, and Tampa.

For more information about 5W, visit www.5wpr.com.

About 5W
5W is a full-service PR agency known for cutting-edge programs that engage with businesses, issues, and ideas. In addition to its business accolades, 5W was named to the Digiday WorkLife Employer of the Year list. For more information and to join our team, visit 5W Careers.

Danielle Patterson
SVP, Marketing
[email protected]

SOURCE 5W Public Relations