She took a bite, and in that moment, a $35 bagel became the most talked-about dish in New York. One post, one perfectly framed shot, and suddenly, Caviar Kaspia—a Parisian luxury dining spot tucked inside The Mark Hotel—had lines stretching around the block. It wasn’t a Michelin star, a New York Times review, or a celebrity endorsement that set the city buzzing. It was an influencer.
Rachel Brotman, known as "The Carboholic," turned a simple breakfast item into an exclusive social currency overnight. Her curated feed, packed with mouthwatering snapshots of NYC’s hidden culinary gems, had built a cult-like following. When she featured the bagel, it wasn’t just about food—it was about status, experience, and belonging to an in-the-know community.
This is the power of influencer marketing in New York—the city where trends are born, brands are made, and the right endorsement can redefine success. But behind these viral moments are the minds that engineer them. The CEOs of New York’s top influencer marketing agencies are the architects of this new digital economy, shaping how brands capture attention, drive demand, and create cultural moments.
Top 14 CEOs of Influencer Marketing Companies in New York
New York’s influencer marketing scene isn’t just competitive—it’s a battleground where only the most strategic and visionary CEOs thrive. These leaders aren’t just running agencies; they’re orchestrating cultural shifts, turning brands into viral sensations overnight. From hyper-targeted micro-influencer campaigns to high-impact collaborations with global icons, their firms are reshaping digital engagement.
The following list spotlights the top CEOs of influencer marketing companies in New York, the masterminds behind the city’s most talked-about campaigns. Whether you’re a brand looking for the right agency or an aspiring marketer studying the best, these names define the industry’s cutting edge.
1. Alessandro Bogliari
Alessandro Bogliari isn’t just keeping up with influencer marketing trends—he’s shaping them. As the Co-Founder and CEO of The Influencer Marketing Factory, he’s built a globally recognized agency that connects brands with Gen Z and Millennials across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. What started in 2018 with just $1,500 has now grown into an eight-figure powerhouse, collaborating with industry giants like Google, SONY Music, and Snapchat.
A growth hacker at heart, Alessandro’s expertise extends beyond influencer campaigns—he’s a digital entrepreneur with a deep understanding of SEO, data analytics, and performance marketing. His thought leadership has earned him a spot on the Forbes Agency Council, and his insights have been featured in top-tier publications like Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, and AdAge.
Beyond leading one of New York’s top influencer marketing agencies, Alessandro shares his knowledge as a public speaker at institutions like NYU and the University of Texas at Austin, and as the host of The Influence Factor podcast.
2. Gilad Bechar
Gilad Bechar doesn’t just follow mobile marketing trends—he pioneers them. As the Founder and CEO of Moburst, he has built a global influencer marketing powerhouse that helps brands dominate the digital space. What started in Israel in 2013 quickly expanded to New York, San Francisco, and beyond, turning Moburst into a go-to agency for companies looking to scale their digital presence.
With over 14 years of experience in brand development, media, and startups, Gilad has led campaigns for some of the world’s biggest names, including Google, YouTube, Uber, and Samsung. Beyond running a top-tier agency, Gilad is a mentor and educator, having shared his expertise at Microsoft Accelerator and Tel Aviv University. His thought leadership has been featured in VentureBeat, Entrepreneur, and Business of Apps, solidifying his reputation as a leading voice in mobile growth strategies.
Under his leadership, Moburst has earned recognition as a top global performance influencer marketing agency, helping brands surpass their goals and become category leaders.
3. Arron Shepherd
As the Co-Founder and CEO of The Goat Agency, he has transformed the agency into a global powerhouse, working with top brands like Dell, Unilever, and Tesco.
Arron’s journey started in 2012 when he and his co-founders saw the untapped potential of social media users and fan pages. By 2015, they launched The Goat Agency with a clear mission: to build a social-first advertising agency that delivers measurable ROI. That vision paid off—big time. Today, The Goat Agency boasts 400+ employees across offices in New York, London, and Singapore, running influencer campaigns in 70+ countries and 28 languages.
Under Arron’s leadership, the agency has tracked data from 100,000+ influencers and 500,000+ pieces of content, ensuring every campaign is backed by data-driven insights. This approach earned Goat the title of 4th Fastest Growing Global Agency by Adweek and multiple industry accolades, including Social Media Agency of the Year by The Drum.
Beyond running an industry-leading agency, Arron is an entrepreneur, investor, and thought leader. His insights into the $100 billion influencer marketing space make him a sought-after expert in the industry.
With a PE-backed acquisition by WPP in 2023, Arron continues to scale The Goat Agency, proving that influencer marketing isn’t just the future—it’s the present.
4. Mae Karwowski
Mae Karwowski isn’t just running an influencer marketing agency—she’s setting the standard for how it’s done. As the Founder and CEO of Obviously, she has transformed the industry by combining data-driven precision with large-scale execution, working with global powerhouses like Google, Amazon, Coca-Cola, and Ulta Beauty.
With a background in social media strategy for brands like Gilt Groupe, Bravo, and UGG, Mae recognized early on that influencer marketing wasn’t just about brand awareness—it was about real business impact. In 2014, she launched Obviously to bring scalability, efficiency, and results-driven strategies to the space. That vision paid off: Obviously now has offices in New York, San Francisco, and Paris, serving top-tier brands across multiple industries.
Under Mae’s leadership, Obviously has built a proprietary platform of 5 million influencers, allowing the agency to manage massive campaigns with precision and ease. The agency’s ability to merge technology, strategy, and personal influencer relationships has earned it over 13 industry awards in the past five years—including recognition as Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agency.
Beyond the agency, Mae is a thought leader in the influencer marketing space, frequently featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Forbes.
5. Brandon Perlman
As the Founder and CEO of Social Studies, Inc., Brandong Perlman has built an influencer marketing powerhouse, aligning brands with emerging creators to spark authentic, high-impact conversations.
Before launching Social Studies, Brandon honed his expertise in digital strategy at Hearst Digital Media, where he developed and executed marketing campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable brands. In 2015, he founded The Gramlist, which later evolved into Social Studies—an agency that seamlessly blends proprietary technology with a white-glove approach, ensuring efficiency, scalability, and measurable success for clients.
Under Brandon’s leadership, Social Studies has been named one of Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies in both 2019 and 2020, solidifying its place as a leader in the next-generation influencer marketing space. Beyond running a top agency, Brandon is a thought leader in the influencer space, regularly contributing to Adweek and sharing insights on the evolution of digital marketing.
6. Liz Kaplow
Liz Kaplow, a pioneer in brand storytelling, is the founder and CEO of Kaplow Communications where she spent over three decades redefining how brands connect with consumers, turning PR into a powerful tool for engagement, influence, and trust.
Since launching Kaplow Communications in 1991, Liz has championed an approach that blends strategic storytelling with emerging digital trends, helping brands like Target, Bluemercury, CVS, and 23andMe craft compelling narratives that resonate with audiences. Her agency’s ability to merge influencer marketing with PR ensures that every campaign is as authentic as it is impactful.
Under Liz’s leadership, Kaplow Communications has earned top industry honors, including PRWeek’s Global Campaign of the Year and recognition as a Top Place to Work in PR. Her commitment to mentorship and diversity has also made her a champion for women in the workplace, earning her accolades like the Matrix Award from New York Women in Communications and induction into PRWeek’s Hall of Femme.
Beyond the agency, Liz is a trusted advisor to C-suite executives, a board member for industry-leading organizations, and a recognized thought leader, frequently featured on PR power lists.
7. Alyson Roy
Alyson Roy is proof that boutique agencies can make a massive impact. As the Co-Founder and CEO of AMP3 Public Relations, she has built a powerhouse PR and influencer marketing firm, helping brands cut through the noise with strategic storytelling, digital campaigns, and experiential events.
Before launching AMP3 in 2004, Alyson honed her skills in music PR at Arista Records before transitioning into fashion and lifestyle communications. This diverse background shaped AMP3’s signature three-pronged approach: earned media, influencer marketing, and experiential activations—a formula that has driven billions of impressions for clients like Fossil Group, Wrangler, and Derma E.
Under Alyson’s leadership, AMP3 has been named Agency of the Year at the Bespoke Communication Awards (BCAs) and consistently ranks among O’Dwyer’s Top 10 Fashion & Beauty PR firms. Alyson herself has been recognized as a "Top Woman in PR" by PR News, a "Communicator of The Year" by BCA, and one of PR News’ "50 Game-Changers of PR".
At the heart of AMP3’s success is its cutting-edge influencer marketing strategy. The agency’s data-driven influencer activations have earned it industry accolades, including Best Influencer Activation of the Year. With over 20 years at the helm, Alyson continues to redefine what’s possible for boutique agencies in the digital age.
8. Courtney Spritzer
Courtney Spritzer is the Co-Founder and CEO of Socialfly. Over the years, she has built a powerhouse influencer marketing and digital agency, helping brands like Discovery, WeTV, Conair, and Girl Scouts leverage social media to drive real results.
Since co-founding Socialfly in 2011, Courtney has overseen the development of strategic social media campaigns for over 200 brands. Her agency’s success has landed Socialfly on Adweek’s 100 Fastest Growing Agencies list, proving that its innovative, audience-first approach is more than just a trend—it’s the future of marketing.
Beyond running Socialfly, Courtney is a serial entrepreneur and thought leader. She co-hosts The Entreprenista Podcast, where she shares insights on digital marketing, entrepreneurship, and scaling businesses. She also co-founded Entreprenista Media, a platform dedicated to empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs.
Her industry expertise has earned her accolades like the Smart CEO Brava Award and a spot on Drum’s 50 Under 30 in Digital Marketing. She’s also been featured in Bloomberg, Entrepreneur, MarketWatch, and CheddarTV, sharing her expertise on social media’s evolving landscape.
9. Jack Bedwani
As the Founder and CEO of New Moon, Jack Bedwani has built a global creative powerhouse, crafting experiential campaigns and influencer strategies for some of the world’s most iconic luxury and lifestyle brands, including Amazon, Coach, Moët Hennessy, Porsche, and Tommy Hilfiger.
Jack’s career began with an internship at the Sydney Opera House, sparking his passion for immersive brand storytelling. In 2008, he launched New Moon with a mission to create culturally relevant, emotionally engaging experiences that extend beyond traditional marketing. With offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Sydney, New Moon operates on a global scale, setting a new standard for influencer marketing, creative direction, and experiential design.
Under his leadership, New Moon has earned multiple industry awards, including Best Travel Campaign at the Influencer Marketing Awards, Best Social Influencer Campaign at the UK Social Media Awards, and a Gold win at the New York Design Awards. The agency was also ranked #24 on Adweek’s 100 Fastest Growing Agencies list and named Best Event of the Decade for Millennials/Gen Z by BizBash.
Jack’s innovative approach to influencer marketing goes beyond one-off collaborations—New Moon builds lasting relationships between brands and creators, using proprietary Return on Influence metrics to measure real impact. Recognized as a BizBash Industry Innovator, Jack continues to push boundaries, ensuring that every campaign is as culturally relevant as it is commercially successful.
10. Amra & Elma Beganovich
Amra and Elma Beganovich have built a digital marketing empire. As the co-founders and co-CEOs of Amra & Elma, they have transformed their own success as influencers into a full-service agency, helping Fortune 500 brands like Johnson & Johnson, LVMH, Procter & Gamble, Uber, and Nestlé reach millions of consumers.
Before launching their agency in 2015, the sisters took different paths—Amra as an economist working on World Bank projects, and Elma as a practicing attorney. However, their passion for digital marketing and content creation led them to build one of the most recognized influencer agencies today.
With a network of over 1 million influencers, 2 million social media followers, and viral content reaching 20 million+ Instagram users, Amra & Elma have mastered the art of scaling brand influence. Their expertise spans media buying, PR, content production, SEO, and branding, making them a go-to agency for companies looking to maximize digital impact.
Their thought leadership has been featured in Forbes, Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, ELLE, and Cosmopolitan, where they’re consistently recognized as top digital marketing experts.
11. Michael Heller
Michael Heller is a trailblazer in celebrity and influencer marketing, bridging the gap between brands and talent long before social media took over the advertising landscape. As the Founder and CEO of Talent Resources, he has transformed influencer marketing into a high-impact, data-driven strategy for some of the world's most recognizable brands.
Starting his career in entertainment law, Michael negotiated commercial deals for A-list celebrities like Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Mischa Barton. Recognizing the untapped potential of strategic brand partnerships, he launched Talent Resources in 2007 to seamlessly connect brands with influencers and celebrities, creating campaigns that drive engagement and cultural relevance.
Under his leadership, Talent Resources has expanded globally, with offices in New York, Chicago, London, Dubai, and beyond, leveraging technology to identify and align brands with the right influencers. His agency specializes in moment marketing, ensuring brands capitalize on timely trends, viral moments, and high-visibility events.
Michael has been featured as a leading industry expert in major outlets like CNBC, Business Insider, Fortune, Fox Business, and Vanity Fair, sharing insights on celebrity endorsements, influencer ROI, and the future of digital marketing.
12. Stacey Miyamoto
Stacey Miyamoto is setting the standard for beauty and lifestyle marketing. As the Founder and CEO of Creative Media Marketing (CMM), she has built a full-service PR and influencer marketing powerhouse, helping top brands like La Roche-Posay, OPI, LolaVie, Haus Labs by Lady Gaga, and European Wax Center craft strategic, high-impact campaigns.
When she launched CMM in 2000, Stacey had a clear vision: to create a team of entrepreneurial, forward-thinking professionals who prioritize client success and push the boundaries of beauty marketing. That vision has paid off—CMM was named Best Public Relations Agency at BeautyMatter’s NEXT Awards in 2023, cementing its reputation as a leader in the space.
CMM’s influencer marketing expertise extends beyond simple collaborations—it’s a 360-degree approach that includes celebrity partnerships, experiential events, pop-up activations, and talent-driven campaigns. As a female-owned agency, they ensure every campaign aligns with brand identity and drives meaningful engagement.
13. Omer Farkash
Omer Farkash, the Co-founder and CEO of Mayple, hails from Tel Aviv, Israel. Mayple has a branch in New York City, where Omer spends a significant amount of his time. He has created a data-driven digital marketing platform that matches businesses with vetted marketing experts, including specialists in influencer marketing, SEO, paid advertising, and social media management.
Since launching Mayple in 2017, Omer has transformed the hiring process for marketing professionals, ensuring businesses work with experts who have a proven track record—not just a good sales pitch. By leveraging AI-powered matching and performance monitoring, Mayple provides customized, high-impact marketing solutions tailored to each brand’s unique needs.
A serial entrepreneur and innovation-driven leader, Omer has founded multiple companies across AI, predictive analytics, and e-commerce, always pushing the boundaries of technology and marketing. His thought leadership on hiring top marketing talent and optimizing influencer campaigns has positioned him as a key figure in the future of marketing automation and influencer strategy.
14. Michael Coppola
Michael Coppola is a visionary leader in data-driven marketing, blending performance marketing, digital media, and influencer strategy to help brands scale. As the CEO of Amsive Digital, he leads a top-tier marketing agency that specializes in customer acquisition, audience engagement, and influencer marketing, helping businesses achieve measurable success.
Before taking the helm at Amsive in 2025, Michael founded Path Interactive, a highly successful digital agency specializing in SEO, paid search, and social media marketing. After Path Interactive was acquired by Amsive in 2019, he played a pivotal role in integrating advanced data solutions into the agency’s performance marketing strategies, eventually becoming President in 2021 before stepping into the CEO role.
Under his leadership, Amsive has been recognized as Crain’s Best Place to Work in NYC and has been a Google Premier Partner for over a decade. The agency has also earned multiple industry nominations, including four US Search Awards and three Search Engine Land Awards.
Amsive’s influencer marketing expertise is backed by Audience Science®, a proprietary data system that helps brands identify, connect, and engage with the right influencers for maximum impact.
Beyond Amsive, Michael has shared his expertise as an Adjunct Instructor of Digital Marketing at NYU, mentoring the next generation of marketing professionals.
Shaping the Future: The CEOs Defining Influencer Marketing in NYC
In a city where trends rise and fall in an instant, the CEOs of top influencer marketing firms are the masterminds behind today’s most powerful digital campaigns. They don’t just connect brands with influencers—they engineer cultural moments, leveraging data, strategy, and creativity to turn social media into an engine of influence and revenue.
From boutique agencies to global powerhouses, these leaders are redefining the industry, proving that in the fast-moving world of digital engagement, the right service firm can make or break a brand’s success. Their expertise shapes not just trends, but the future of marketing itself.
