It wasn’t just another tourist ad. It was a cultural statement wrapped in a Spanglish tagline, a rhythmic pulse that echoed through TikTok, Instagram, and television screens nationwide. Filadelfia — You Gotta Feel It wasn’t just a campaign; it was a movement. In 2019, Visit Philadelphia flipped the script on traditional tourism marketing, tapping into the power of Latinx influencers to reintroduce the city in a way it had never been seen before.
The result? A viral explosion of vibrant visuals, emotional storytelling, and a five-part video series that turned everyday travelers into engaged participants. But behind the scenes of this wildly successful campaign was something even more compelling—the strategic masterminds shaping the future of influencer marketing in Philadelphia.
Who are the visionaries pulling the strings behind these groundbreaking campaigns? Meet the top 10 CEOs of Philadelphia’s most influential marketing agencies—the architects of viral moments, brand revolutions, and social media dominance.
Top 10 CEOs of Influencer Marketing Companies in Philadelphia
Behind every viral campaign and brand-defining moment, there’s a visionary pulling the strings. Philadelphia is home to some of the most innovative influencer marketing agencies, led by CEOs who are redefining digital influence, engagement, and storytelling. These leaders aren’t just following trends—they’re creating them.
1. David Neff
David Neff has been shaping Philadelphia’s marketing landscape for decades, building Neff into an award-winning, full-service agency known for its expertise in branding, advertising, and PR. Since launching in 1987, he has championed an integrated approach, combining public relations, social media, media buying, and web development to create campaigns that do more than just reach audiences—they resonate.
His firm has become a go-to partner for industries ranging from real estate to hospitality, tourism, and B2B companies. Influencer marketing plays a crucial role in Neff’s strategy, ensuring brands connect authentically with digital audiences through carefully curated partnerships. Clients consistently see results, with leaders like Kim McCully, CEO of 21st Century Cyber Charter School, crediting his team with delivering year-over-year enrollment growth.
Beyond driving client success, Neff’s impact is recognized industry-wide, with numerous awards highlighting his firm’s excellence in marketing innovation. His active presence on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) keeps him engaged with emerging trends, cementing his reputation as both a strategist and thought leader.
2. Benjamin B. Kaplan
Few marketing leaders understand the mechanics of virality quite like Benjamin B. Kaplan. At the helm of TOP Agency, he has turned his firm into a global network spanning 20+ countries, specializing in everything from PR and influencer marketing to polling, market research, and political advocacy.
His approach to influencer marketing is deeply analytical, leveraging data-driven methodologies to identify creators who consistently produce viral content. Rather than relying on traditional celebrity endorsements, his agency prioritizes high-engagement mid-tier influencers—those who foster genuine audience connections and deliver superior ROI.
Beyond leading a global agency, Kaplan is a Harvard-trained economist, author, and media personality with over 5,000 TV and radio appearances, including Oprah and Good Morning America. His insights on digital influence, PR, and branding have shaped modern marketing strategies, earning him recognition as a top industry expert.
With a firm grasp on both media trends and technological advancements, Kaplan continues to push the boundaries of influencer marketing, ensuring that TOP Agency’s clients aren’t just part of the conversation—they drive it.
3. Benjamin B. Kaplan
Featured twice on our list, Benjamin B. Kaplan is also the founder of PR Hacker. Since launching the agency into the mainstream in 2013, he has pioneered an approach that optimizes campaigns through real-time A/B testing and analytics, ensuring brands maximize their impact.
PR Hacker focuses on the power of mid-tier influencers, recognizing that authenticity and engagement are key to effective brand partnerships. Despite utilizing smaller creators (compared to celebrities) the agency has worked with global names like Budweiser, Meow Mix, and Postmates, crafting influencer-driven campaigns that feel organic and deliver tangible results.
Kaplan’s expertise extends beyond marketing—his background as a Harvard-trained economist allows him to approach influencer strategy with precision, treating campaigns as iterative experiments designed for maximum reach. His deep industry knowledge has led to features on major media outlets, as well as spokesperson roles for brands like Dr. Pepper and Discover Card.
With a presence in Philadelphia, PR Hacker blends national media influence with localized expertise, making it a powerhouse in influencer-driven storytelling. Whether engineering viral holiday campaigns through National Today or refining PR strategies with his Test, Optimize, Perform (TOP) methodology, Kaplan continues to shape the future of digital influence.
4. Bill Gehrman
For nearly two decades, Bill Gehrman has been redefining how destinations market themselves, turning cities, museums, and cultural institutions into must-visit experiences. En Route Marketing, the agency he founded in 2007, specializes in this type of marketing, using public relations and influencer partnerships that go beyond promotion to tell a compelling story.
His experience in tourism marketing runs deep. Before launching En Route, he served as Director of Marketing for the Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s tourism appeal. Today, his agency continues that mission, working with clients to attract visitors, boost engagement, and foster long-term community impact.
Influencer collaborations play a crucial role in En Route’s success, ensuring that marketing efforts feel authentic and credible. Whether promoting new museum exhibits, launching city-wide tourism initiatives, or elevating cultural festivals, Gehrman’s team connects brands with the right digital voices to maximize engagement.
But his passion extends beyond marketing—he is a dedicated advocate for Philadelphia’s cultural and economic growth. His commitment to destination storytelling and influencer engagement ensures that both locals and visitors experience the city in a way that is meaningful and unforgettable.
5. Kate Marlys
If there’s a pulse on Philadelphia’s cultural scene, Kate Marlys has her finger on it. Philly PR Girl, her baby, has evolved from a special events blog into a powerhouse for event planning, influencer collaborations, and social media strategy. With its signature blend of PR savvy and Philly grit, the firm ensures brands aren’t just seen—they’re talked about.
Understanding that influencer marketing thrives on authenticity, Marlys and her team craft campaigns that resonate with real audiences, building community-driven engagement rather than fleeting visibility. Marlys has built more than just an agency—she’s cultivated a vast network of media professionals, influencers, and industry leaders. This ability to forge lasting relationships has earned her firm features in Philadelphia Magazine, Philadelphia Style, Fox29, and NBC10, as well as recognition with the Who’s Next in Communications award by Billy Penn.
Beyond PR, she’s an innovator. In 2018, she launched Photo Pop Philly, the city’s first interactive art pop-up, proving that social media, local art, and experiential marketing can be a game-changing combination.
6. Patrick McKenna
For Patrick McKenna, influencer marketing is all about performance. Leading DMi Partners, a full-service digital marketing agency, he has built a firm where data-driven strategies meet high-impact influencer collaborations.
Since founding DMi in 2003, McKenna has taken a results-first approach, crafting tailored influencer marketing solutions that prioritize engagement, conversions, and ROI. His agency is a leader in affiliate marketing, working with major networks like LTK and ShopStyle to connect brands with the right digital voices. Unlike agencies that focus solely on reach, DMi ensures influencer partnerships align with measurable business objectives.
McKenna believes relationships drive long-term success, whether with clients, affiliates, or his internal team. This commitment to company culture has placed DMi Partners on AdAge’s Best Places to Work list for 2025, a reflection of his people-first leadership.
With two decades of experience shaping digital marketing in Philadelphia, McKenna continues to push the boundaries of influencer and affiliate marketing, proving that strong partnerships fuel sustainable business growth.
7. Marc Brownstein
Few marketing leaders blend legacy with innovation as seamlessly as Marc Brownstein. Under his leadership, Brownstein has evolved from a family-run agency into a nationally recognized powerhouse, offering brand strategy, digital media, PR, and influencer marketing.
Recognizing the power of influencers in brand storytelling, Brownstein launched Poster Child in 2023, a dedicated influencer relations division designed to move beyond vanity metrics. By prioritizing credibility, brand alignment, and high-quality content integration, this initiative redefines how brands engage with digital creators.
Brownstein’s reputation extends well beyond his agency’s walls. Named one of Philadelphia Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs in 2024, he has solidified his status as an industry leader committed to creativity and business excellence. Under his guidance, the agency was also a finalist in Adweek’s 2023 Small Agency of the Year Awards.
With more than 30 years in the industry, Brownstein has mastered the art of brand evolution. Whether through influencer campaigns, digital storytelling, or strategic PR, his agency continues to lead the way in Philadelphia’s marketing scene.
8. John M. Bertino
Marketing decisions can make or break a brand, and John M. Bertino ensures companies choose wisely. Through The Agency Guide (TAG), he connects businesses with top-tier marketing agencies, including leading influencer marketing firms, ensuring brands find partners who deliver real impact.
TAG isn’t just a referral service—it’s a carefully curated network of over 200 vetted agencies, designed to help businesses navigate an oversaturated marketing landscape. Whether companies need expertise in influencer partnerships, digital PR, or content marketing, Bertino’s team matches them with specialists who align with their goals.
His background in SEO, content strategy, and digital marketing, combined with years of agency-side experience, gives him a unique perspective on what makes a marketing firm truly effective. Before launching TAG in 2014, he worked hands-on in these fields, gaining the insight needed to help brands invest wisely.
Beyond agency matchmaking, Bertino shares his expertise on The Niche Marketing Podcast, offering guidance on influencer marketing, brand partnerships, and niche marketing strategies. His ability to blend marketing strategy with industry insights makes him a key figure in Philadelphia’s business ecosystem.
9. Rachel Vandernick
Rachel Vandernick has made it her specialty to help beauty, lifestyle, and travel brands scale through the power of influencers and digital mediums. But instead of chasing viral moments, her agency, The Vander Group, focuses on integrating influencer-generated content into paid advertising strategies. The results speak for themselves—campaigns that drive 30% over target retail clicks, Amazon rankings that surge by 40% week-over-week, and measurable revenue growth for global brands.
With experience spanning SEO, paid media, and influencer activations, Vandernick has worked with top-tier brands like Neutrogena, RoC Skincare, and Costco. Her data-backed strategies ensure that influencer marketing isn’t just a branding exercise—it’s a revenue-generating machine.
She’s also an educator and speaker, serving as adjunct faculty at Delaware County Community College and leading industry training sessions. Executives at Nuuly (URBN) and Visit Philadelphia have praised her ability to integrate seamlessly with marketing teams, optimizing strategies for maximum performance.
From TikTok ads to Pinterest strategies, Vandernick is redefining how brands use influencer marketing to drive measurable results.
10. Rakia Reynolds
At the helm of Skai Blue Media, Rakia Reynolds leads a team of strategists, content creators, and branding experts who transform visibility into influence. More than just an agency, SBM operates as a creative powerhouse, blending public relations, influencer marketing, and experiential storytelling to craft campaigns that spark engagement and drive lasting impact.
With a presence in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles, her firm has built a reputation for elevating industry leaders and global brands alike. Clients like Airbnb, Nasdaq, Comcast/Xfinity, Dell, Serena Williams, and Jill Scott turn to SBM for its ability to seamlessly integrate authentic storytelling with strategic influencer partnerships. Reynolds ensures brands aren’t just part of the conversation—they define it.
Her background as a TV producer before pivoting into branding gives her a sharp instinct for narrative and audience engagement. Beyond agency work, she’s a recognized thought leader, sharing insights with Forbes, Inc.com, HuffPost, and Fast Company. Inc. Magazine named her one of 27 Business Leaders Aiming to Change the World, while the New York Women in Communications honored her with the 2024 Matrix Award.
Whether she’s shaping the strategy behind Serena Williams’ WYN Beauty brand, commanding the stage at TEDx and SXSW, or helping brands navigate the intersection of commerce and culture, Reynolds remains a force in the evolution of influencer marketing and creative storytelling.
Shaping the Future of Influencer Marketing: Philadelphia’s Top 10 CEOs Leading the Way
In a city that thrives on innovation, the CEOs of Philadelphia’s top influencer marketing firms are redefining the landscape with cutting-edge strategies and impactful campaigns. From crafting viral tourism experiences to engineering data-driven digital outreach, these leaders are proving that influencer marketing is more than just trends—it’s a powerful business engine.
Their firms specialize in everything from PR and branding to content creation and digital growth, offering services that elevate brands beyond visibility to real engagement and revenue. As Philadelphia cements its place as a marketing powerhouse, these CEOs continue to push the boundaries of influence, strategy, and success.
