Edgar Hernandez began his role as the first Chief Commercial Officer at ATTN: on February 17, 2026, according to an announcement from the social influence publisher. Hernandez will lead the company’s sales organization and its proceed-to-market strategy, encompassing branded content, agency services, intellectual property, and social media partnerships.
The appointment follows ATTN:’s recent return to independent ownership after being sold back to co-founders Matthew Segal and Jarrett Moreno, along with a new investor group, earlier in the year. ATTN: reported 50% year-over-year revenue growth on an eight-figure business, prompting the need for a dedicated commercial leader.
Hernandez joins ATTN: from My Code, where he served as Chief Strategy Officer. Prior to that, he held senior revenue roles at BuzzFeed and Complex Networks, where he oversaw the scaling of franchises like Hot Ones, Sneaker Shopping, and ComplexCon. At BuzzFeed, he managed global revenue operations, generating over $300 million annually, according to ATTN:.
“A lot of publishers have tried to transition into a social and creative agency and failed,” Hernandez told Adweek. “It’s very hard to be in the publisher business—at ATTN:, the creative work and the audience strategy really sit together.”
ATTN:’s CEO and co-founder, Matthew Segal, stated that the company’s combined branded content and agency services are now its largest business. He emphasized the competitive advantage ATTN: gains from integrating its publishing expertise into brand storytelling. “Being able to seize the learnings we have as a publisher and apply those to the world…is a hugely competitively advantaged lane for us,” Segal said.
The company plans to expand its public affairs work, targeting clients in sectors such as universities, trade associations, government agencies, and healthcare systems. ATTN: is already working with the state of California on mental health storytelling initiatives. ATTN: is developing new niche social brands and exploring the launch of additional media properties, even as continuing to create original content for brands and streaming partners.
Hernandez identified three key growth areas for ATTN: – expanding branded intellectual property, scaling brand campaign work, and strengthening agency-of-record relationships with major marketers including Google, TikTok, and Mattel. The company is currently developing short-form branded formats, such as microdramas, exemplified by a recent partnership with Dunkin’ and comedian Druski to engage younger audiences with golf. Another initiative is underway with the U.S. Soccer Foundation to recruit new youth coaches.
According to Crunchbase, Hernandez previously served as Chief Revenue Officer at BuzzFeed. BuzzFeed, Inc. Named Hernandez as Chief Revenue Officer in January 2021, alongside Ken Blom as Executive Vice President of Business Strategy and Operations, as part of a restructuring led by COO Christian Baesler. However, BuzzFeed later shut down its news division and laid off 15% of its staff in April 2023, with both Baesler and Hernandez departing the company.
