When Tommy Jeans set out to launch its TikTok channel, the challenge was clear: How do you make an established fashion brand stand out on a platform where traditional ads often fall flat? The answer? Ditch the sales pitch and spotlight creativity. Behind this innovative approach was Combo Agency, an Amsterdam-based influencer marketing agency that knows how to turn brands into cultural conversations.
Even before its official debut, Tommy Jeans had racked up 44.3 million TikTok views thanks to fans naturally featuring the brand in their content. Building on that momentum, the brand flipped the script on influencer marketing with The Creative Exchange—a campaign that handed the spotlight to “community frontrunners” from across TikTok.
Instead of typical brand promotions, artists from diverse creative fields like sculpture, dance, makeup, illustration, and digital art took center stage. Armed with creative freedom and Tommy Jeans apparel, each influencer crafted TikTok art that seamlessly integrated the brand’s aesthetic into their unique craft. To pull audiences deeper into the creative process, influencers posted duets explaining the inspiration and techniques behind their work, turning viewers into collaborators.
The result? Over 1 million organic views and 43,400 TikTok followers in a single campaign. More importantly, Tommy Jeans didn’t just break into TikTok—they became a part of the platform’s creative culture, proving that when brands empower creators, they capture more than attention—they capture hearts.
For CEOs of influencer marketing agencies in Amsterdam, this campaign serves as a powerful example of how embracing community, creativity, and authenticity can drive unparalleled success in the competitive digital landscape.
Top 8 CEOs of Influencer Marketing Companies in Amsterdam
Amsterdam’s influencer marketing leaders aren’t just running agencies—they’re shaping culture. These CEOs and creative directors have mastered the art of blending authenticity with strategy, ensuring that brands don’t just reach audiences but resonate with them.
From data-driven influencer matchmaking to storytelling that sparks viral engagement, these visionaries are redefining digital marketing in the Netherlands and beyond.
1. Baba Touré
Baba Touré is the founder and CEO of Combo, a full-service influencer marketing agency. During his time at the helm, Touré has built a brand that goes beyond partnerships and campaigns. His approach? Making brands an authentic part of culture by connecting them with the right voices—community frontrunners who shape narratives rather than follow them.
But Combo is only part of the story. Touré is also the mastermind behind Home, a social-first creative agency that’s as much about impact as it is about innovation. Under his leadership, Home has worked with powerhouse brands like Zalando, HelloFresh, and Rituals—all while holding a B-Corp certification, proving that profitability and purpose can go hand in hand.
Beyond his agencies, Touré is a driving force in pushing the industry forward. As Chairman of Reframe, he’s accelerating DEI transformation in Dutch marketing, ensuring inclusivity isn’t just a buzzword but a standard. His influence extends further through board memberships at VIA Nederland and ADCN, as well as jury roles for prestigious awards like Cannes Lions and the Google YouTube Works Awards.
Touré’s vision for advertising isn’t just about selling products—it’s about shaping perspectives. He understands that marketing influences more than buying behavior; it sets cultural norms. And with every campaign, every initiative, and every boardroom discussion, he’s ensuring those norms evolve for the better.
2. Sara Rottenberg
Sara Rottenberg is an influential figure in the influencer marketing world, particularly in Amsterdam. Since establishing Content Icons (now ACE) in 2019, she’s built the agency into a powerhouse, with collaborations spanning global brands like Dior, Zalando, and Coca-Cola. What sets Sara apart is her talent-first approach — she ensures that influencers play a key role in shaping the campaigns from the get-go, fostering authentic partnerships that resonate with audiences.
Under Sara’s leadership, Content Icons has thrived, particularly with its recent expansion through a partnership with ACE in 2022. This move bolstered the agency's focus on youth culture and emerging talent, allowing it to stay ahead of trends and tap into fresh, innovative opportunities. Sara’s forward-thinking perspective on influencer marketing suggests that the industry has only scratched the surface of its growth potential.
Beyond her work in influencer marketing, Sara also wears multiple hats as an investor and real estate developer, with an active presence on Instagram where she offers a glimpse into her diverse professional life. Her multifaceted approach underscores her business acumen and ambition.
As a leader, Sara Rottenberg exemplifies the future of influencer marketing: collaborative, authentic, and driven by both talent and innovation. Her commitment to creating meaningful campaigns and her expansion into new talent spaces ensures Content Icons remains at the forefront of this ever-evolving industry. She’s not just a CEO — she’s a trailblazer in a field that's quickly becoming the heart of modern marketing.
3. Lisanne de Bruijn
Lisanne de Bruijn has built a powerhouse that represents a carefully selected roster of talent. In a space where authenticity is everything, de Bruijn’s strategic and tailored approach has set LIS The Agency apart as a go-to agency in Amsterdam’s ever-evolving influencer landscape.
Before launching LIS in 2018, de Bruijn sharpened her marketing expertise at H&M, Rob Peetoom, and Red Bull, leading influencer strategies, PR campaigns, and high-profile fashion projects.
What makes LIS The Agency different? It’s the balance of personal connection and the use of data-driven methodologies. De Bruijn understands that influencer marketing isn’t just about numbers; it’s about storytelling, engagement, and long-term brand relationships. That philosophy has helped LIS grow into one of the most respected boutique agencies in Amsterdam, working with brands that prioritize both reach and relevance.
Beyond the boardroom, de Bruijn brings her expertise directly to her audience, sharing insights on Instagram and TikTok, where she blends professional advice with personal glimpses into life as a woman-owned business founder and mother.
4. Melissa Slotemaker
Melissa Slotemaker, co-founder and CEO of MOOI The Agency, has been shaping the influencer industry for nearly two decades. Her visionary leadership has transformed the agency from a boutique PR firm into a full-service communication powerhouse, specializing in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. During that time, MOOI has mastered the art of connecting brands with audiences, creating engagement, and driving influence—a philosophy that’s as effective as it is simple.
Slotemaker’s impact goes beyond expansion. She spearheaded a bold rebrand three years ago, ensuring MOOI’s visual identity and messaging aligned with its evolution. And in 2024, she led the agency into a new era by integrating with Newww Media Group, strengthening MOOI’s reach and service capabilities. .
With over 18 years of experience, Slotemaker is a true industry veteran. Before founding MOOI, she honed her skills at TBWA\PR Company, Unlimited PR, and XXL Communicacion in Barcelona, gaining deep insights into brand communication across different markets. This expertise now fuels MOOI’s ability to craft standout campaigns that not only capture attention but also create lasting brand affinity.
Beyond strategy and execution, Slotemaker is known for her personalized approach, ensuring every collaboration—whether with brands, influencers, or media—is built on authenticity and strategic alignment.
5. Andreas Bonte
Andreas Bonte leads one of the most experienced and progressive influencer marketing agencies in the Netherlands, We Are First. He personally oversees an independent network of 3,000+ Dutch-speaking influencers and executes campaigns for powerhouse brands like Kruidvat, Uber, Het Rijksmuseum, and Alpro.
Bonte’s journey with First started in 2017 as Commercial Director, where he played a key role in shaping the agency’s growth. By 2019, he took the reins as General Director, bringing a strategic vision that blends data-driven marketing with cultural relevance. His leadership has solidified First as a go-to for brands looking to create impactful, influencer-led campaigns that don’t just generate buzz—they drive real results.
His background in media and project management at Elsevier Weekblad and Mediaplanet gave him a strong foundation in narrative-driven marketing, a skill that now fuels his ability to craft compelling brand stories through influencer collaborations.
Bonte understands that influencer marketing isn’t just about reach—it’s about trust, engagement, and authenticity. By staying ahead of industry shifts and prioritizing long-term influencer partnerships, he ensures First remains at the cutting edge of digital influence.
6. Lyddia Roy & Mie Van der Auwera
Lyddia Roy and Mie Van der Auwera are a force to be reckoned with. As the leaders of MMBSY, a full-service communications agency with offices in Amsterdam and Antwerp, they have mastered the art of blending storytelling with strategic influence to amplify brands across industries.
Lyddia Roy, Managing Director of MMBSY Amsterdam, brings over 20 years of PR experience to the table. From launching Tommy Hilfiger’s European PR network at just 23 to working with A-list celebrities in New York, she has built an impressive career spanning fashion, luxury, beauty, and hospitality. She even led the high-profile launch of W Amsterdam Hotel and has worked with icons like Lewis Hamilton and Helena Christensen. Since joining MMBSY in 2021, she has been expanding the agency’s presence in the Netherlands, helping brands craft PR strategies that are as stylish as they are impactful.
Meanwhile, Mie Van der Auwera, CEO & Managing Partner of MMBSY Antwerp, is a storytelling powerhouse with deep roots in journalism and publishing. Having led top Belgian magazines like Flair and Glam*it, she knows exactly how to craft content that captivates audiences. Her expertise in brand storytelling and press relations ensures MMBSY’s clients—including Maybelline, Mazda, and A.S. Adventure—are always one step ahead in the media landscape.
Together, Roy and Van der Auwera have turned MMBSY into a go-to agency for brands looking to connect, engage, and influence.
7. Naci Yilmaz
With over a decade of experience in digital marketing, Naci Yilmaz brings a level of expertise that spans SEO, social media, and content strategy, giving him a 360-degree view of how brands can maximize their online presence. His journey includes roles as a trainer for Google Digitale Werkplaats and a lecturer in online marketing, making him not just a leader, but an educator in the industry.
Since launching Onfluence in 2020, he has turned the agency into a powerhouse, partnering with brands like Netflix, HelloFresh, KFC, Nike, and OLAY. Specializing in influencer matchmaking, campaign execution, and content production, Onfluence operates across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Snapchat, ensuring brands stay ahead in the ever-changing social media landscape.
But Yilmaz’s influence doesn’t stop at business. He is a thought leader in influencer marketing trends, regularly sharing insights through publications on Frankwatching and his own social media channels. His passion for etnomarketing—authentically connecting brands with multicultural audiences—sets him apart in an industry where authenticity is everything.
8. Isabelle Dacz
Isabelle Dacz stands out as one of the most influential leaders in Amsterdam’s influencer marketing landscape. As the Group CEO of Publicis Groupe Netherlands since April 2024, Dacz oversees a diverse range of operations, from media and data to social content and production through the Boomerang brand. Her extensive experience, spanning over two decades in media and communications, has shaped her into a dynamic force in the industry.
Under her leadership, Boomerang grew into a leading player in social content and influencer marketing, aligning digital trends with client needs. Dacz's ability to adapt and drive transformation was further demonstrated during her tenure as CEO at Wavemaker. There, she orchestrated a significant shift, transitioning Wavemaker from a media agency to a media-content powerhouse, using data and technology to bolster content and influencer marketing efforts. This shift positioned her as a visionary in adapting to the digital age.
Her journey, which started in France, included key roles at global agencies like MEC and Starcom, where she refined her expertise in media strategies and digital integration. Today, her role at Publicis Groupe emphasizes her commitment to bridging creativity and technology, especially in the realm of social content and influencer marketing.
Isabelle Dacz’s leadership is marked by her strategic foresight, her ability to foster innovation, and her unwavering passion for communications—making her a standout CEO in the influencer marketing space.
The Visionary CEOs Defining Amsterdam’s Influencer Marketing Scene
Amsterdam’s influencer marketing industry is thriving, thanks to the bold leadership of its top CEOs. These innovators are not just running agencies—they’re crafting impactful brand narratives through cutting-edge influencer marketing services and creative firms.
By blending cultural relevance with data-driven strategy, they ensure brands connect with audiences in meaningful ways. Whether it’s purpose-driven campaigns, viral content strategies, or long-term brand partnerships, these leaders are shaping the future of digital influence. As the landscape evolves, one thing remains clear: Amsterdam’s top CEOs aren’t just following trends—they’re setting them.
