Within the vibrant streets of Phoenix, the 2021 Rue 21 Satisfaction marketing campaign grew to become a textbook instance of how influencer-driven advertising can do extra than simply promote—it could spark real connections and amplify a model’s voice on social points. Led by The Lilac Company, this marketing campaign tapped into the simple energy of social media influencers to showcase Rue 21’s unique Satisfaction assortment throughout Satisfaction month.
By enlisting creators on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, they elevated Rue 21’s message of inclusivity and variety, turning a style assortment right into a celebration of satisfaction.
What made this marketing campaign stand out wasn’t simply the flashy visuals or the model publicity—it was the genuine, heart-felt tales influencers shared via TikTok movies, carousel posts, and Instagram Tales. These creators introduced their private Satisfaction journeys to life, resonating deeply with the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. The consequence? An enormous spike in impressions and engagement that not solely met however exceeded expectations. It’s clear that influencer advertising, when finished proper, can transcend past model consciousness and spark actual social affect.
And talking of Phoenix, as influencer advertising continues to reshape the panorama, let’s dive into the highest CEOs of the town’s finest businesses main the cost. These movers and shakers are the masterminds behind campaigns like Rue 21’s, shaping the way forward for how manufacturers join with various, engaged audiences.
Prime 9 CEOs of Influencer Advertising Firms in Phoenix
The masterminds behind Phoenix’s prime influencer advertising corporations aren’t simply working businesses—they’re redefining how manufacturers join with audiences. These CEOs have constructed powerhouse firms that craft viral campaigns, drive engagement, and switch influencers into model ambassadors.
1. Brianna Doe
Brianna Doe is rewriting the foundations of influencer advertising—actually. The founding father of Verbatim runs a boutique company that makes a speciality of influencer partnerships, content material technique, and development advertising, serving to manufacturers make an affect in a world the place consideration is fleeting.
Her insights don’t keep behind closed company doorways. By Cease The Scroll, her podcast, and a LinkedIn e-newsletter with 200,000+ subscribers, she demystifies digital advertising for manufacturers seeking to reduce via the noise. This thought management has landed her in Quick Firm, CNBC, HubSpot, and on stage at Stanford, Sprout Social, and HubSpot conferences.
Recognition follows the place outcomes lead. She’s been named a Prime 30 RevOps Chief, a Prime 100 B2B GTM Feminine Chief, and a Prime 50 International LinkedIn Creator—a formidable feat for somebody who’s labored with trade giants like Dropbox, HubSpot, and Sprout Social.
Outdoors of labor, storytelling takes completely different kinds—whether or not in a darkish movie show, watching stand-up comedy, or obsessing over the Oxford comma. A love for mentorship, movie festivals, and meals adventures along with her fiancé and two canine retains life as dynamic as her profession.
2. Brandon Tigrett
Main The Tigrett Company in Scottsdale, Brandon Tigrett merges industrial images, storytelling, and strategic advertising to create campaigns that depart a long-lasting impression.
His company is greater than a advertising agency; it’s a content material powerhouse. Providing every thing from influencer partnerships to high-end video manufacturing, Tigrett ensures manufacturers like Puma Hoops, Jollibee, LifeWTR, and Therabody stand out in aggressive industries.
Creativity extends past his company partitions. A devoted health fanatic and whiskey aficionado, he brings a pointy eye for visuals formed by years of portrait and lively life-style images. This eager sense of aesthetics influences each marketing campaign, making storytelling the spine of his work.
Tigrett’s affect hasn’t gone unnoticed. Membership within the American Promoting Federation Phoenix underscores his popularity as a pacesetter in branding and inventive technique. His philosophy? Advertising isn’t about pushing merchandise—it’s about fostering emotional connections.
3. Chris (CJ) Johnson
Chris (CJ) Johnson has constructed one of many Southwest’s most formidable impartial advertising businesses, trusted by manufacturers like Pink Bull, Microsoft, Apple, and BMW.
His company, LaneTerralever, stands aside by placing prospects first. Each marketing campaign, whether or not in influencer advertising, model technique, or digital engagement, is tailor-made to create genuine, long-lasting connections. No cookie-cutter influencer offers—solely partnerships designed for affect.
Underneath his course, LaneTerralever has helped manufacturers just like the Arizona Cardinals, Lyft, and Phoenix Youngsters’s Hospital forge deeper relationships with their audiences. AI in influencer advertising is one other of his specialties, making certain manufacturers leverage expertise to boost—not change—human creativity.
Past LaneTerralever, he’s a part of Expertise Dynamic, a collaboration between his company and Persuade & Convert, designed to create seamless buyer journeys. Effectivity, innovation, and data-driven decision-making are his emblems.
4. Tatiana Bolaños
Tatiana Bolaños is reshaping the influencer trade. The Lilac Company, based in 2015, is greater than a enterprise; it’s a motion constructed on inclusivity, range, and psychological well being advocacy.
Her company operates with a “psychological well being first, enterprise second” mindset, treating expertise as household quite than simply names on a roster. Specializing as a multicultural influencer company throughout magnificence, style, LGBTQ+, and physique positivity areas, The Lilac Company ensures each marketing campaign resonates with cultural authenticity.
Manufacturers like Gillette, Estée Lauder, Converse, and Amazon Prime belief her company to deliver illustration into their advertising. Whether or not amplifying Hispanic Heritage Month or championing inclusivity with Rue 21, each undertaking leaves an affect.
Bolaños leads with goal. A proud advocate for the Latinx creators, she ensures underrepresented voices are heard—and valued. When not shaping the way forward for influencer advertising, she’s spinning, mountain climbing, or vibing to reggaetón.
5. Becca Booker
Becca Booker turns influencer advertising into an artwork and a science. Main Selfmade Social, the boutique company she based, she makes a speciality of crafting data-backed campaigns that interact Gen-Z and millennial audiences.
Her company’s success speaks volumes. Recognized for focused influencer methods, social media administration, and Fb promoting, Selfmade Social has helped manufacturers like Derma Well being Pores and skin & Laser maximize publicity and engagement.
However her affect extends past advertising campaigns. She’s an advocate for feminine management, psychological well being in digital areas, and creating work environments that steadiness ambition with well-being. In 2021, she expanded her company and rebranded to mirror a good stronger imaginative and prescient.
She doesn’t simply develop manufacturers—she educates others on how you can do the identical. Talking engagements and contributions to CanvasRebel Journal make her a trusted voice in advertising circles.
6. Joe Maglio
Joe Maglio is popping McKinney into an promoting powerhouse. Since taking up as CEO in 2018, he has expanded the company’s footprint to incorporate key areas like Durham, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and New York—all whereas delivering award-winning work for Popeyes, Blue Diamond Growers, Little Caesars, and Samsung.
His background contains management roles at Havas, Publicis, and Ogilvy, giving him a deep understanding of brand name storytelling. In 2023, he made one in all his boldest strikes but: buying August United, a top-tier influencer advertising company, absolutely integrating influencer technique into McKinney’s DNA.
Underneath his management, McKinney has been named an Advert Age A-Checklist Company Standout and a 2024 Greatest Place to Work, with accolades from Cannes Lions, Effies, CLIO, and The Webby Awards. He’s additionally taken the helm at Barbarian, one other Cheil Worldwide company, increasing his affect even additional.
His involvement with the 4A’s board and VCU Brandcenter retains him plugged into the way forward for advertising, making certain McKinney stays forward of trade shifts.
7. Tyler Rathjen
Tyler Rathjen blends branding, PR, and influencer advertising into one seamless technique. On the helm of Decibel Blue, he has reworked the company right into a powerhouse throughout Phoenix and Denver.
Rising via the ranks since 2006, he grew to become a accomplice in 2016 and now leads an company recognized for influencer campaigns with manufacturers like PetSmart, Floyd’s 99 Barbershops, Cox Communications, and Baskin-Robbins. His Public Engagement™ applications guarantee campaigns aren’t simply seen—they resonate.
His observe document speaks for itself. Driving 78% income development for My Sister’s Closet, launching over 100 Dunkin’ Donuts areas, and incomes OBIE Award recognition place him in an elite firm.
Past advertising, he’s an advocate for training and neighborhood initiatives, serving on the board of Phoenix Suns 88 Charities.
8. Juan E. Galvan
A serial entrepreneur and digital advertising strategist, Juan E. Galvan has spent the previous decade redefining the intersection of expertise, advertising, and enterprise development. Because the CEO of Kobe Digital, he leads a performance-driven company that makes a speciality of influencer advertising, internet growth, and video manufacturing, serving to manufacturers create high-impact digital experiences.
Juan’s experience extends far past conventional advertising. He’s additionally the Founding Associate of QLE Ventures, an funding group centered on scaling digital businesses and tech firms via mergers and acquisitions. His expertise in lead technology, conversion optimization, and inbound advertising provides him a data-driven edge in influencer advertising, making certain that campaigns don’t simply generate engagement—they drive actual enterprise development.
Underneath his management, Kobe Digital has developed a strategic method to influencer advertising, providing manufacturers insights into choosing the precise creators, maximizing ROI, and leveraging social media presence for affect. His capacity to merge creativity with analytics has made Kobe Digital a go-to company for companies seeking to scale.
Past enterprise, Juan is a lifelong entrepreneur who has acquired seven digital firms with out utilizing his personal cash, proving his capacity to determine, spend money on, and develop high-potential companies.
9. Jonathan Heit
Jonathan Heit co-founded Allison Worldwide and turned it into a world chief in built-in advertising and communications. In January 2024, he took the helm as International CEO, succeeding Scott Allison and ushering in a brand new period of development, innovation, and digital transformation.
Allison Worldwide stands out for its cutting-edge method to influencer advertising, mixing model transformation, popularity administration, and AI-driven influencer methods to create impactful campaigns. By integrating AI influencers and data-backed storytelling, the company is redefining how manufacturers interact with audiences in an evolving digital panorama.
With a presence in Phoenix, Allison Worldwide leverages its regional experience to assist manufacturers join with native markets whereas sustaining a world attain. Underneath Jonathan’s management, the company continues to push boundaries, using the most recent developments in digital media, branding, and expert-building to ship results-driven advertising methods.
Jonathan’s profession is a testomony to his strategic imaginative and prescient and management, having served as International President and COO earlier than entering into the CEO position. His deep understanding of digital media and positioning has made Allison a trusted accomplice for manufacturers seeking to navigate the fashionable advertising ecosystem.
Shaping the Way forward for Influencer Advertising in Phoenix
In Phoenix, the rise of visionary CEOs in influencer advertising is unmistakable. From fastidiously curated influencer campaigns just like the viral Phoenix Style Week to groundbreaking methods shaping native and nationwide manufacturers, these CEOs aren’t simply following developments—they’re creating them.
Main corporations equivalent to Verbatim, The Tigrett Company, and LaneTerralever have redefined how manufacturers join with their audiences, mixing creativity, knowledge, and genuine storytelling. As Phoenix continues to thrive as a hub for influencer advertising, these CEOs and their corporations are undoubtedly on the forefront, driving the way forward for digital advertising within the area.
Concerning the Creator
Author
Dan Atkins is a famend search engine marketing specialist and digital advertising guide, acknowledged for reinforcing small enterprise visibility on-line. With experience in AdWords, ecommerce, and social media optimization, he has collaborated with quite a few businesses, enhancing B2B lead technology methods. His hands-on consulting expertise empowers him to impart superior insights and revolutionary ways to his readers.
