DUBLIN, IRELAND - Aperitif Agency, the Melbourne-founded technical SEO firm born from a desire to humanise digital marketing, has been named the Best Global Small SEO Agency at the 2025 Global Search Awards.
The ceremony, held in Dublin, saw Aperitif secure a "triple crown" of honours, including Best Global Start-Up Agency and Best Use of Search – Finance (PPC). These accolades mark a full-circle moment for founder Joe Romeo, who launched the agency as a boutique alternative to the high-pressure environments of global conglomerates and hyper-growth unicorns.
A Boutique Response to the "Big Agency" Grind
Aperitif’s origin story is rooted in a pivotal shift. Before founding the agency, Joe Romeo served as one of the first growth-marketing hires for fintech giant Airwallex in Australia.
Despite the corporate success, the path led to significant burnout, sparking a vision for a different kind of agency: one that prioritises craft and deep client integration over scale and volume.
The agency further solidified its expertise when Isabelle Romeo, former Global E-commerce Marketing Manager at Frank Body, joined as Head of Performance Marketing. Together, they have transformed Aperitif from a solo "side project" into a global contender that acts as a virtual CMO for prestigious brands like JVC, James Halliday Wine Companion, and Harrolds.
Leading the AI & LLM Search Revolution
The judges at the Dublin awards highlighted Aperitif’s "craft-driven" approach as a key differentiator. This philosophy has allowed the agency to stay ahead of the curve in Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Large Language Model (LLM) visibility.
"We get the most energy when we take on a client who has traditionally had a rough time with digital agencies and we completely turn it around in the first three months," said Joe Romeo, Founder of Aperitif.
"Winning in Dublin proves that our 'human-led, AI-enhanced' model isn't just a boutique sentiment—it’s the most effective way to navigate the future of search."
Strategic Innovation for 2025 and Beyond
By focusing on Semantic Authority and Technical Resilience, Aperitif ensures that brands are not only found by humans but are recognised as authoritative sources by AI crawlers. Theirsuccess in the Finance category further demonstrates their ability to deliver ROI in the world’s most competitive digital landscapes.
For more information on Aperitif’s journey from a Melbourne start-up to a global award-winner, visit https://aperitifagency.com.au/.
About Aperitif Agency
Aperitif is a family-owned global SEO and performance marketing agency. With offices in Melbourne and Austin, Texas, Aperitif bridges the gap between traditional search and the future of AI discovery. Founded on the principle of "Growth Marketing by Good Humans," the agency specialises in technical SEO, conversion-focused creative, and deep-funnel digital strategy.
Media Contact
Company Name: Aperitif Digital Marketing Agency
Contact Person: Joe Romeo, Founder
Email: Send Email
City: Melbourne
Country: Australia
Website: https://aperitifagency.com.au/
