NEW YORK — A search discoverability and AI optimization platform powered by NVIDIA technologies has inked a strategic partnership with Audacy Inc. that puts the wheels in motion on a tool designed to boost local and regional businesses across the U.S.
The partnership with Next Net results in the coming launch of NextNet AI – AI Search Discoverability Optimization. Audacy and Next Net say the product is designed to help local and regional businesses remain visible as consumer search rapidly shifts toward AI-driven experiences.
As consumer behavior rapidly shifts toward agentic search, AI assistants, and recommendation-driven discovery, traditional SEO and paid media alone are no longer sufficient, Next Net argues. “Large national brands have the resources to adapt quickly, while local and regional businesses risk becoming invisible in both traditional and AI-powered search environments,” it notes.
Addressing that shortfall, Next Net and Audacy seek to bring ” enterprise-grade AI discoverability capabilities to small and mid-sized businesses that are being excluded from emerging search and discovery channels due to cost, complexity, and technical barriers.”
Audacy’s 550+ ad sales specialists will be utilizing the tool, as it is bundled into Audacy’s digital and media offerings. This, says Audacy, makes advanced AI visibility accessible, practical, and scalable for local advertisers.
“This partnership is about leveling the playing field at a moment of massive transition,” said Mark Mansfield, Sr. VP and Head of Partnerships & Strategic Growth at Next Net. “Audacy brings unmatched local reach and trusted market relationships, while Next Net brings the AI discoverability infrastructure required for the next era of search. Together, we’re protecting local businesses from obscurity and unlocking capabilities that were previously reserved for the largest, best-resourced brands.”
Sr. VP of Digital Jenny Sutton added, “Local advertisers can be overwhelmed by the pace of change in digital marketing and discovery. By partnering with Next Net, we’re giving our clients a future-ready solution that integrates AI discoverability directly into the media and marketing strategies they already know and trust, without requiring technical resources or additional burden on the business owner.”
NextNet AI optimizes websites and digital assets at the domain level.
