In 2023, Dunkin' Donuts took Boston’s coffee culture to a whole new level with a Super Bowl campaign that didn’t just capture attention—it made attention. Ben Affleck, a beloved local hero, wasn’t just sipping on iced coffee in the ad—he was owning the screen in an offbeat, hilarious commercial that turned his star power into a full-on cultural moment.
As millions watched him serve up laughs and an unfiltered look at his life, Dunkin’ was making history, tapping into the essence of Bostonian pride and love for humor. What followed was a campaign so impactful, even your grandmother was talking about it. Not only did Dunkin' create a buzz, they redefined what it means to bring a brand to life through social media.
This Super Bowl ad, masterminded by the Boston-based agency Hill Holliday, is the perfect example of how a top-tier social media marketing agency can push boundaries and elevate a brand to new heights. And it’s the kind of strategic brilliance we’ll be highlighting in this article, where we spotlight the top CEOs of social media marketing agencies in Boston.
- Boston’s Social Media Marketing Titans: The 8 CEOs Leading the Digital Revolution
- 1. Nick Stamoulis
- 2. Wendy Spivak and Sandy Lish
- 3. Steve Nash
- 4. AJ Gerritso, Nick Lowe and Thomas Lee
- 5. Faruk Capan
- 6. Scott Signore
- 7. David Reske
- 8. Todd Defren
- Boston’s Social Media Marketing CEOs: The Powerhouses Behind Digital Success
Boston’s Social Media Marketing Titans: The 8 CEOs Leading the Digital Revolution
Behind every successful social media marketing campaign is a visionary leader driving strategy, engagement, and innovation. These top CEOs of Boston-based firms are not only experts in digital marketing but also pioneers in shaping the future of brand storytelling, audience connection, and online growth. Here’s a look at the power players making an impact in the social media marketing world.
1. Nick Stamoulis
With over 25 years in digital marketing, Nick Stamoulis, President and Founder of Brick Marketing, has solidified his reputation as a go-to expert for businesses looking to elevate their online presence. Since launching Brick Marketing in 2005, Nick has worked hands-on with over 500 companies, providing customized SEO, content marketing, social media management, and digital advertising solutions.
What sets Nick apart? His deep expertise in B2B social media marketing. At Brick Marketing, he and his team craft high-impact content strategies, manage organic and paid social growth, and develop scheduling plans that keep brands top of mind. His thought leadership extends beyond client work—he’s penned numerous articles, led webinars, and spoken at industry events, sharing insights on content planning, audience engagement, and maximizing social ROI.
Clients consistently highlight Nick’s strategic vision and in-depth knowledge of Internet marketing. As one client put it:
“From day one, it was clear that Nick had a superior understanding of digital marketing. His team’s expertise in SEO and technical writing made a measurable difference in our online presence.”
As a Fractional CMO, Nick goes beyond agency services, acting as a hands-on marketing leader for businesses needing executive-level strategy. Whether he’s building campaigns or guiding companies through the complexities of digital growth, his results-driven approach makes him one of Boston’s top social media marketing CEOs.
2. Wendy Spivak and Sandy Lish
When Wendy Spivak and Sandy Lish founded The Castle Group in 1996, they weren’t just building a PR and marketing firm—they were redefining the industry. Nearly three decades later, their women-owned, Boston-based agency has become a powerhouse in social media marketing, public relations, crisis management, and event planning.
What makes their approach unique? Strategy with purpose. The Castle Group doesn’t just post content—they craft social media narratives that engage, inform, and inspire. From audience audits to content creation and engagement strategies, their firm helps brands cut through the noise and build lasting connections.
Recognized as a Forbes Best PR Agency and an Inc. Power Partner, The Castle Group’s success is fueled by Wendy and Sandy’s commitment to innovation, authenticity, and strategic execution. Their leadership extends beyond marketing—they champion supplier diversity, corporate social responsibility, and community impact.
Sandy, a Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee member, and Wendy, an experienced communications strategist, have built more than an agency—they’ve cultivated a trusted brand. Their expertise in social media storytelling and digital reputation management makes them two of the most influential marketing leaders in Boston.
3. Steve Nash
Since co-founding Boston Web Marketing in 2009, Steve Nash has been on a mission: to help businesses get found online, fast. As CEO, he’s built one of Boston’s leading digital marketing agencies, specializing in SEO, SEM, social media management, and website design—a one-stop shop for brands looking to dominate search rankings and social feeds alike.
What makes Steve stand out? His holistic approach to digital marketing. Under his leadership, Boston Web Marketing seamlessly integrates social media strategies with SEO efforts, ensuring clients not only get visibility but also drive engagement and conversions. Whether it’s managing social profiles, running targeted ad campaigns on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X, or optimizing content for search engines, his team prioritizes consistency across all digital channels.
Industry recognition speaks for itself. As a Google Premier Partner, Boston Web Marketing gains early access to new advertising tools and exclusive training—a major advantage for clients looking to stay ahead of the competition.
Steve’s expertise extends beyond agency leadership. His past roles as VP of Sales for multiple startups honed his skills in business growth, product monetization, and customer acquisition—all of which he now applies to helping brands scale their online presence.
4. AJ Gerritso, Nick Lowe and Thomas Lee
At Zozimus, the mantra is simple: help brands realize their dreams. Led by AJ Gerritson, Nick Lowe, and Thomas Lee, this Boston-based digital marketing and PR agency is redefining social media marketing with a strategic, data-driven approach.
Gerritson and Lowe first launched the agency (originally 451 Marketing) in 2004, with Lee joining in 2007 to lead PR efforts. Together, they’ve built Zozimus into one of Boston’s top digital marketing firms, blending social media strategy, audience engagement, content creation, and analytics to deliver real business impact.
Their formula for success? A mix of creativity and science. From community management to social listening and segmentation, Zozimus ensures brands not only speak to the right audience but also spark meaningful conversations. And they don’t just create content—they engineer engagement through strategic storytelling and deep consumer insights.
With nearly two decades in the industry, Zozimus has evolved with the digital landscape, staying ahead of trends while maintaining a focus on measurable results. As a recognized leader in Boston’s social media marketing space, the agency thrives on understanding both brand goals and audience behavior, making their strategies as impactful as they are innovative.
5. Faruk Capan
When it comes to innovation in healthcare marketing, Faruk Capan, CEO of EVERSANA INTOUCH and Chief Innovation Officer at EVERSANA, is in a league of his own. With a career spanning more than two decades, he has revolutionized digital engagement in the pharmaceutical and life sciences industries, pioneering tech-driven strategies that connect brands with patients and healthcare professionals alike.
Faruk’s journey began in the early days of digital marketing. In 1999, he founded Intouch Solutions, recognizing the untapped potential of digital platforms in pharma marketing. Under his leadership, the agency evolved into EVERSANA INTOUCH, a global powerhouse with over 1,800 employees delivering cutting-edge social media strategies, AI-driven campaigns, and patient engagement solutions tailored to life sciences brands.
His expertise in social media marketing is unparalleled. EVERSANA INTOUCH offers strategy development, content creation, community management, social listening, and analytics, ensuring pharma brands build meaningful, compliant, and impactful connections in a highly regulated space.
Faruk’s forward-thinking approach has earned him numerous accolades, including PM360’s Advertising Agency CEO of the Year and multiple industry leadership awards. Beyond business, he champions corporate philanthropy, launching “The Give Back” initiative, which encourages employees to engage in charitable causes.
6. Scott Signore
As CEO and Founder of Matter, Scott Signore has spent over two decades redefining how brands connect with their audiences. Since launching Matter in 2003, his Boston-based Brand Elevation agency has seamlessly integrated PR, marketing, and creative services, with social media as a core pillar of its success.
Matter’s approach to social media marketing is as strategic as it is creative. From content creation and community management to social listening and analytics, Scott ensures that every campaign is data-driven and impact-focused. His leadership has shaped Matter into an agency that doesn’t just follow trends—it sets them, leveraging social platforms to amplify brand messaging and drive real engagement.
Under Scott’s guidance, Matter has earned industry-wide recognition, including PRSA’s PR Agency of the Year and multiple Best Place to Work honors. With revenue exceeding $45M, the agency’s continued growth speaks to Scott’s expertise in building high-performing teams and delivering measurable results.
Beyond the business, Scott is a dedicated philanthropist, actively supporting non-profits, community initiatives, and volunteer programs. His commitment to both professional excellence and social impact makes him one of Boston’s top marketing leaders.
7. David Reske
With over two decades in digital marketing, David Reske has built a reputation as a leader in SEO, PPC, content marketing, and social media strategy. Since launching Nowspeed in 2003, he has helped businesses cut through digital noise and craft strategies that drive real growth.
Under David’s leadership, Nowspeed’s social media marketing services go beyond just posting content. His team delivers data-driven strategies, audience engagement, paid social advertising, and in-depth analytics, ensuring brands connect with the right audience at the right time. His integrated approach combines SEO, PPC, and content marketing with social media to create campaigns that don’t just attract clicks—they convert.
David is also a respected thought leader. As the host of the “In the Now” podcast, he shares insights from top industry experts, keeping businesses ahead of ever-changing digital trends. His book, "Digital Marketing in the Zone," is a go-to resource for marketers looking to master online strategies.
Beyond marketing, David is deeply involved in Boston’s entrepreneurial community. As a former President of the Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Boston Chapter, he has mentored and supported countless startups. His experience as a speaker, educator, and business strategist makes him a trusted name in digital marketing.
8. Todd Defren
Few names in Boston’s digital marketing and PR world carry the same weight as Todd Defren. A true industry innovator, Todd not only helped shape modern public relations and social media marketing but also pioneered the Social Media Press Release (SMPR) in 2006—a game-changing format that revolutionized brand storytelling by integrating multimedia elements into traditional press releases.
Under Todd’s leadership, SHIFT Communications became a powerhouse in social media strategy, content creation, community management, and analytics. His emphasis on blending earned, owned, and paid media gave brands a data-driven, engagement-first approach to digital marketing, leading SHIFT to be recognized as Digital/Social Agency of the Year (2012) and Small Agency of the Year (2013).
Beyond innovation, Todd focused on employee empowerment, restructuring SHIFT into an employee-owned agency (ESOP) in 2012, making it one of the few agencies in the industry where employees had a direct stake in the company’s success.
An early adopter of social media’s role in brand communications, Todd was also a founding board member of the Social Media Club and a PRWeek 40 Under 40 honoree. His thought leadership, paired with an unfiltered approach to industry trends (his motto: "respectfully calling bullshit"), made him a standout figure in digital marketing.
Boston’s Social Media Marketing CEOs: The Powerhouses Behind Digital Success
The CEOs leading Boston’s top social media marketing firms are shaping the future of digital engagement. These industry leaders have built agencies that not only navigate the ever-changing landscape of online marketing but also define it. From content creation and community management to analytics and paid advertising, their expertise ensures brands stay relevant and impactful in a crowded digital space. Whether through innovation, strategic storytelling, or data-driven campaigns, these CEOs exemplify the power of social media marketing in driving business success. For any brand looking to dominate the digital world, these Boston-based leaders are the ones to watch.
