In influencer marketing, standing out requires more than just jumping on trends – it’s about delivering something that cuts through the noise and captures attention. Enter DAH! Artisan Yogurts, a brand in the crowded health and wellness space was determined to make its mark. Despite having an in-house influencer program, they couldn’t quite crack the code for creating the level of buzz needed to rise above the competition.
That’s where Get Hyped came in. They didn’t just hit the ground running—they first took a deep dive into DAH!’s existing influencer strategies, pinpointing gaps and areas for improvement. Then, Get Hyped crafted a viral campaign that didn’t just involve influencers; it partnered with the influencers.
The result? A campaign that blew up online with a 9.7% engagement rate and over 100 videos and images that had the social media world buzzing. It was a prime example of how influencer marketing, when done right, doesn’t just boost engagement—it drives massive brand awareness, positioning DAH! Artisan Yogurts as a true player in the wellness game.
And this campaign? It didn’t just showcase the power of influencer marketing—it highlighted the type of strategic brilliance that the top SF influencer marketing agencies bring to the table. These agencies are led by leaders who are redefining the landscape with cutting-edge campaigns and an uncanny ability to connect brands with the right influencers.
These industry leaders know how to turn a good campaign into a game-changer, and their expertise is exactly what brands need to rise above the noise in today’s competitive digital space.
Top 9 CEOs of Influencer Marketing Companies in San Francisco
San Francisco is home to some of the most visionary influencer marketing CEOs and leading agencies that turn ideas into viral movements. These industry pioneers don’t just follow trends—they create them, driving real impact for brands worldwide.
1. Robert Duncan
Robert Duncan has built an agency that’s as fearless as it is innovative. The agency in question, Duncan Channon, has earned several prestigious titles over the years, such as Ad Age’s Small Agency of the Year four times. But Duncan’s influence doesn’t stop at traditional advertising—his agency’s influencer division, DCLA (formerly A2G), has been behind some of the industry’s most talked-about campaigns, including e.l.f. Cosmetics' viral TikTok challenge, which racked up 7 billion views and shattered records as the fastest campaign to hit 1 billion views on the platform.
A former rock journalist with bylines in Rolling Stone and Creem, Duncan brings a storyteller’s edge to marketing, blending cultural insight with cutting-edge strategy. His ability to fuse authenticity, creativity, and community has made Duncan Channon a powerhouse in the influencer space, shaping how brands connect with audiences in an era where trust is everything.
Beyond business, Duncan’s creative streak runs deep—his novel LOUDMOUTH captures the raw energy of rock ‘n’ roll, mirroring the same bold, rebellious spirit that fuels his agency’s campaigns. His leadership isn’t just about numbers; it’s about fostering an environment where big ideas thrive and real connections matter.
2. Chuck McBride
As the Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Cutwater, McBride leads a powerhouse agency that turns brands into channels and customers into fans. With offices in San Francisco and New York, Cutwater is redefining modern advertising through a bold mix of storytelling, strategy, and influencer marketing.
McBride’s career reads like a highlight reel of advertising’s greatest hits. From creating the Ray-Ban "Never Hide" campaign, which helped propel the brand to global dominance, to shaping Nike’s legendary "Just Do It" relaunch, his work has influenced some of the world’s most iconic brands. Under his leadership, Cutwater has led innovative influencer-driven campaigns for brands like San Francisco Bay Coffee and Harvest Snaps, proving that authenticity and creativity win in today’s market.
But McBride isn’t just about the big ideas—he’s about bringing them to life. His agency’s influencer marketing efforts go beyond social trends, tapping into cultural movements and real human connections. As a keynote speaker at the Bend Design Conference, he’s shared his philosophy on how creativity drives business, offering a rare blend of artistry and strategy that few can match.
Before founding Cutwater, McBride held top creative roles at TBWA\Chiat\Day, Wieden+Kennedy, and Goodby Silverstein & Partners, where he worked on everything from Levi’s and Lexus to Adidas and PlayStation. His work has not only shaped brands but has also earned industry-wide recognition, including Cannes Lions and AdAge Agency of the Year awards.
3. Eric Facas
Facas’s journey to leading one of the most impactful agencies in the nonprofit space is nothing short of impressive. Media Cause, his prized possession, is a mission-driven marketing powerhouse that helps nonprofits and social impact organizations amplify their voices and drive real change. From securing clients like the It Gets Better Project to delivering 300+ hours of pro-bono services in a single year, his work proves that marketing can be a force for good.
Before Media Cause, he co-founded Tallwave, a digital business accelerator, and spent five years at Google, where he played a key role in launching the AdWords API program, earning him a prestigious EMG/Founder’s Award. His expertise in digital strategy and performance marketing has shaped the way nonprofits navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape.
But his influence doesn’t stop at marketing. Facas is also the creator of Rally Starter, a digital advocacy platform designed to help anyone build movements for change, and he co-hosts the "If Not Us" podcast, where he spotlights individuals making a positive impact in the world.
Under his leadership, Media Cause has grown to a team of 60+ employees, won 22 industry awards, and continues to set the standard for how influencer marketing, digital strategy, and social good can intersect.
4. Peter Finn
Peter Finn has managed to grow FINN Partners into one of the world's largest, independent marketing and communications firms with 1,300+ employees across 34 offices on three continents. As a global marketing powerhouse, Peter has dabbled in the ever-evolving world of influencer marketing, where in a surprisingly short amount of time, he is setting the bar high.
Under Finn’s leadership, the agency has mastered the art and science of influencer marketing, crafting campaigns that prioritize authenticity, audience engagement, and ROI. Whether it’s branded content, social activations, or experiential events, FINN Partners ensures brands connect with the right voices to amplify their message.
But what makes Finn’s approach different? Relationships. FINN Partners has cultivated long-term connections with influencers, media, and industry leaders worldwide, turning influencer marketing into a strategic asset rather than just a trend. His vision has helped the agency secure major industry accolades, including recognition as PRWeek Power List honoree in 2023, a testament to his bold leadership and innovative growth strategies.
Before founding FINN Partners in 2011, Finn spent nearly three decades at Ruder Finn, where he sharpened his expertise in brand strategy, public relations, and digital marketing. Today, his agency has grown to $196 million in annual fees, proving that a commitment to meaningful marketing and genuine influence is a winning formula.
5. Amra & Elma Beganovich
Amra and Elma Beganovich are the Co-brains of the operations behind Amra & Elma. This dynamic duo has built a digital marketing empire, leveraging their own 2 million+ followers to help brands connect with audiences in authentic, high-impact ways.
With backgrounds in economics, law, and global finance, Amra and Elma took an unconventional path to the world of influencer marketing. But their expertise in data-driven strategy, business development, and creative storytelling has made them go-to partners for Fortune 500 giants like LVMH, Nestlé, Johnson & Johnson, Uber, and Procter & Gamble. Their agency’s secret? A unique approach that blends AI-driven influencer selection, trend forecasting, and powerful brand storytelling—ensuring every campaign isn’t just seen, but remembered.
What sets them apart is their dual perspective—as both marketers and influencers, they understand what truly resonates with digital audiences. Their campaigns span social media, branded content, PR, SEO, and experiential marketing, making them a one-stop shop for influencer-led brand growth.
Their success hasn’t gone unnoticed. Forbes, Business Insider, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal have all recognized Amra & Elma as leaders in digital marketing, while Yahoo News credits them with shaping the future of influencer-driven advertising.
6. Gustav Lindell & Race Johnson
Gustav Lindell and Race Johnson are another duo that's redefining influencer marketing at scale. As co-founders of Pixly, they’ve built an agency that thrives on data, creative execution, and performance-driven influencer activations. Since launching in 2017, Pixly has executed over 25,000 sponsored activations, generating 20 billion+ video views and running 500+ campaigns monthly—numbers that prove they know how to turn influence into impact.
Lindell, Pixly’s CEO, leads the agency’s strategic direction, advertiser partnerships, and company growth. With over seven years of experience in digital advertising, he’s developed a keen ability to merge technology with influencer marketing, helping brands scale their reach with precision and authenticity.
Johnson, Pixly’s COO, oversees product development, operational growth, and strategic partnerships. With a background in mobile marketing dating back to 2012, he’s played a critical role in optimizing the agency’s infrastructure, ensuring brands connect with the right influencers at the right time, on the right platforms.
Their client roster speaks volumes—Pixly has collaborated with Epic Games, miHoYo, Opera, Manscaped, Casetify, and many more, helping them tap into YouTube, TikTok, Twitch, and Instagram with custom influencer campaigns that drive measurable results.
7. Jon Davids
Jon David understood the potential of YouTube as a brand-building machine back in 2011. This foresight has taken him down the influencer marketing path with Influicity, where he's the founder and CEO. Since his time at the helm, David's has built one of the earliest influencer marketing agencies.
Davids’ journey into digital marketing started early. In college, he built an online magazine, monetized it with digital ads, and sold it to a major publisher in 2009. But instead of coasting on that success, he saw the next big opportunity: influencers. By 2015, he launched Influicity, and since then, his agency has worked with Warner Bros, Walmart, Bank of America, and other major brands, proving that strategic influencer campaigns can drive serious ROI.
But Influicity isn’t just about influencers—it’s about owning influence. Under Davids’ leadership, the agency has expanded into podcast production, social media growth strategies, paid media campaigns, and AI-powered content marketing. And with over 100 brands in its portfolio, Influicity continues to push the boundaries of modern marketing.
Beyond running a top-tier agency, Davids is a content machine himself. He hosts the podcast Making It with Jon Davids (now a top 10 marketing podcast worldwide) and is a sought-after keynote speaker, sharing insights on growth, branding, and digital strategy.
8. Nader Alizadeh
What happens when Fortune 500 companies trust you with all their influencer marketing need? Well, you get to call yourself the pioneer of the industry. That's exactly who Nader Alizadeh is - the Co-founder and CEO of Linqia.
Before launching Linqia, Alizadeh was already a trailblazer in digital engagement. As Senior Vice President and co-founder of Lithium Technologies, he played a key role in shaping social CRM solutions that helped brands like Best Buy, Sony, and PayPal tap into online communities for growth.
Since founding Linqia in 2012, Alizadeh has led the agency to work with over 650 clients, including Clorox, McDonald’s, Anheuser-Busch, General Motors, and Bayer. Under his leadership, Linqia has run thousands of successful influencer campaigns, proving that influencer marketing isn’t just about reach—it’s about real, measurable impact.
What sets Linqia apart? Performance-based influencer marketing. Alizadeh’s vision has shaped Linqia into a platform where brands don’t just hope for engagement—they pay for actual results. By leveraging AI-powered analytics and precision-matched influencers, Linqia ensures brands get the highest possible ROI on every campaign.
With a 91% CEO approval rating from his employees, Alizadeh’s leadership is not only respected but also deeply valued by his team.
9. Jason Harris
Jason Harris is the pioneering CEO of Mekanism, a San Francisco-based creative marketing agency that has redefined brand storytelling through its unique "Soul + Science" approach. Founded in 2006, Mekanism has become a powerhouse in the marketing world, working with iconic brands like Peloton, Ben & Jerry's, and Charles Schwab.
Under Harris's leadership, the agency has garnered significant recognition, including Independent Agency of the Year by The Drum and a spot among the top 10 Most Effective Independent Agencies in the U.S.
A thought leader in the industry, Harris authored the bestselling book "The Soulful Art of Persuasion," which offers insights into influential marketing strategies. His methodologies have been so impactful that they're studied at Harvard Business School.
Harris's influence reaches beyond agency work. He hosts the "Soul & Science" podcast, interviewing leading marketers and exploring brand culture. His commitment to social impact is evident through his co-founding of the Creative Alliance, a group of communication experts dedicated to positive societal change. Recently acquired by Plus Company, Mekanism continues to push boundaries in performance marketing.
The Visionaries Redefining Influence: San Francisco’s Top CEOs of Influencer Marketing Firms
In a world where attention is the most valuable currency, these CEOs are proving that influencer marketing isn’t just about trends—it’s about strategic impact. From performance-driven influencer firms to creative storytelling agencies, they are shaping the future of brand-consumer relationships.
Whether through AI-powered insights, viral content, or mission-driven campaigns, each of these leaders is redefining what it means to influence at scale. As brands navigate the evolving digital landscape, these San Francisco-based CEOs continue to set the standard, proving that the right influencer marketing service can turn engagement into real, measurable success.
