The pizza was delicious, but that’s not what made it famous. It was the Instagram story—a single, casual post of a gooey, cheese-stretching slice from Amici Pizza—that sent the internet into a frenzy. Within hours, the small, family-owned pizzeria found itself at the center of a viral storm, with orders flooding in faster than they could bake.
Foodies, social media influencers, and even national media picked up the story, turning Amici into an overnight sensation.
But here’s the thing: virality doesn’t happen by accident. Behind every social media explosion is a strategist who understands the mechanics of engagement, the psychology of shareability, and the delicate balance between authenticity and marketing.
In Phoenix, a new generation of marketing leaders is redefining what it means to be seen. These are the CEOs behind the agencies that don’t just chase trends—they create them.
Let’s meet the masterminds behind Phoenix’s most powerful social media marketing agencies.
Top CEOs of Social Media Marketing Firms in Phoenix
Phoenix is home to some of the most innovative and successful CEOs leading the charge in social media marketing. These visionaries are transforming how brands connect with audiences, leveraging creativity, strategy, and data to drive growth and engagement.
1. Eric Olsen
Eric Olsen is the visionary CEO and founder of Fasturtle, a standout in the digital marketing world. Since founding the agency back in 2000, Eric has nurtured it into a trusted name for small to mid-sized businesses seeking comprehensive digital marketing solutions.
Fasturtle’s growth under Eric's leadership is a testament to his strategic vision and deep expertise. From website design and search engine optimization to paid advertising and social media management, Eric has cultivated a full-service agency that delivers measurable results. His ability to adapt and grow Fasturtle through client acquisition and partnerships across the U.S. has made Fasturtle a key player in helping businesses enhance their digital presence.
Eric’s commitment to providing ROI-driven digital strategies is at the heart of Fasturtle’s success. His firm is known for creating tailored marketing campaigns that generate leads and revenue, making a significant impact for clients in various industries. Fasturtle’s reputation as one of Arizona’s top-ranking firms reflects Eric’s ability to stay ahead of trends and deliver solutions that matter.
In addition to his business acumen, Eric is deeply engaged with the community and supports Arizona State University athletics, all while balancing his family life. His entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond Fasturtle, as evidenced by his involvement with Refered, a company dedicated to recruitment and retention software for hourly employers, and his role as a managing partner at The Olsen Equity Group.
2. Ryan Russell
Ryan Russell is an entrepreneur driven by innovation and a passion for helping small businesses grow. With over 20 years of experience in founding and running high-paced companies, Russell has built BizIQ into a leading provider of smart local marketing solutions. His leadership has been key in BizIQ's remarkable growth, including being featured in the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies for five consecutive years.
At BizIQ, Russell’s philosophy is rooted in action. He firmly believes in testing theories and experimenting for continual improvement. His focus on results-driven strategies has made BizIQ a go-to agency for small businesses looking to build their brand and attract new customers.
Russell’s entrepreneurial mindset and willingness to tackle tough challenges are central to his leadership style. Whether it's disrupting industries or creating breakthrough strategies, he thrives on working with smart teams to develop winning solutions for both clients and employees. His focus on constant innovation ensures that BizIQ stays ahead of the curve, providing businesses with the tools they need to succeed in a competitive market.
With a passion for both growth and improvement, Ryan Russell continues to lead BizIQ to new heights, making it one of Phoenix’s most promising and influential marketing agencies.
3. Andrew Gilby
Andrew Gilby is a highly accomplished leader, known for his hands-on approach and strong technical expertise. Since founding VMS Data in 2012, he has steered the company toward success by offering comprehensive services, from social media marketing to SEO, web development, and business consulting. Under his leadership, VMS Data has earned a strong reputation for helping businesses improve their online presence and visibility.
Gilby brings a diverse professional background to his role. Prior to launching VMS Data, he gained valuable experience in the marketing field as a Resort Marketer at Diamond Resorts, where he utilized both online and face-to-face strategies to attract new customers.
He is actively involved in client interactions, providing personalized solutions to enhance Google web presence and helping businesses navigate the ever-changing landscape of online marketing. His focus on building strong, lasting relationships with clients has helped VMS Data become an accredited A+ rated business with the Better Business Bureau.
Gilby’s leadership extends beyond business operations. He is passionate about family, community engagement, and various personal interests, including animal welfare and travel. His commitment to continuously improving both his company's and his client’s success makes him one of Phoenix’s standout CEOs in the digital marketing world.
4. Marc Young
With a diverse background in broadcasting and digital media, Marc Young has positioned MyCreative as a go-to agency for companies looking to enhance their online presence through innovative content and impactful branding.
Before founding MyCreative in 2019, Marc honed his skills in a variety of roles, including as Chief Digital Officer at r360solutions, where he created viral video content and executed successful social media strategies. Under Marc's leadership, MyCreative has become known for its creative marketing solutions, offering services ranging from social media management and website development to detailed analytics and video content creation.
His passion for crafting meaningful consumer experiences has earned him accolades, including multiple Best Phoenix Radio Station awards during his time at Riviera Broadcasting.
Marc's ability to build and lead multi-disciplinary teams—focusing on everything from video content to social media marketing—has set MyCreative apart in a crowded market. His entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on approach to digital marketing make him one of Phoenix’s top CEOs in the social media marketing industry, with a deep commitment to helping clients achieve their digital marketing goals.
5. Jason Patrick Kelly
Jason Patrick Kelly is the founder and CEO of Phoenix AZ Ad Agency, a results-driven marketing agency established in 2016 and rebranded in 2019. His agency specializes in offering comprehensive digital solutions for small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on website design, social media management, SEO, email marketing, and more. Under Jason's leadership, the agency has become a go-to resource for businesses looking to boost their online presence with tailored, high-impact strategies.
What sets Jason apart is not just his deep expertise in digital marketing, but also his dedication to community and philanthropic causes. He is particularly passionate about supporting veteran-owned businesses and local nonprofits. His work extends beyond the professional realm—he’s actively involved in initiatives like providing clothing and resources to foster children in Arizona.
As a professional photographer, videographer, and drone pilot student, Jason’s multifaceted skills extend into his work, bringing a creative and technical edge to his agency’s offerings. During Jason's leadership, Phoenix AZ has enjoyed its 7th year as a BBB-accredited business and was even nominated for a Torch Award for Small Business Ethics. He is also committed to expanding his business knowledge and community involvement, regularly engaging with the Greater Phoenix Chamber and Visit Phoenix.
6. Scott Smigler
Scott Smigler is a seasoned powerhouse in digital marketing, particularly within the eCommerce sector. His experience starts with Exclusive Concepts, one of the first agencies to focus exclusively on eCommerce. After over 26 years of leading Exclusive Concepts, the agency became Agital, where he has played a crucial role in shaping its innovative digital marketing approach.
As Division President at Agital, Scott has significantly enhanced the company’s eCommerce strategies, introducing the Virtuous Activity Cycle framework. This model, which focuses on five key outcomes—Awareness, Consideration, Conversion, Loyalty, and Advocacy—has helped Agital deliver sustainable growth for its clients. Under his leadership, Agital has experienced rapid expansion, landing on the prestigious 2024 Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies.
Agital's success in social media marketing, among other digital services, can be attributed to Scott's strategic vision and commitment to challenging the status quo. His leadership emphasizes not only growth but also value creation and innovation, setting a high bar for what digital marketing services can achieve.
Having successfully transitioned the agency from Exclusive Concepts to Agital, Scott continues to drive the company's mission of building the leading digital marketing services firm, with a team that is as invested in clients’ success as he is.
7. Scott Tobias
Scott Tobias, CEO of V Digital Services, has transformed the agency into one of Phoenix’s premier digital marketing firms, driving its evolution from the ground up since its founding in 2013. Under his leadership, V Digital Services has quickly expanded, growing from zero to managing nearly 2,000 local SEO accounts in just five years. This rapid growth has earned the agency recognition, including being named Company of the Year by the Globee Awards and ranking No. 4 on the Phoenix Business Journal’s list of top interactive marketing firms.
Tobias is not just a visionary leader—his hands-on approach to overseeing sales, operations, web development, and finance has ensured V Digital Services stays agile in a fast-paced industry. His strategic focus on combining organic and paid social media strategies has helped clients boost engagement and ROI through highly targeted campaigns, effective ad copy, and quality landing pages that drive conversions.
The agency’s success under Tobias’s leadership extends beyond social media marketing, expanding into SEO, PPC, and programmatic advertising. V Digital Services has grown to operate 12 regional offices across the U.S. and is making strides internationally.
Tobias’s leadership is widely respected, as evidenced by a 90% approval rating from Owler. His dedication to fostering a workplace culture that balances growth and innovation with employee satisfaction has earned V Digital Services accolades as a top employer, showcasing his ability to lead both effectively and sustainably.
8. Rebecca Bunch
Since launching Homemade Social in 2017, Rebecca Bunch has skillfully blended her journalism background with her extensive marketing expertise, creating an agency that offers white-glove services to eCommerce and lifestyle brands.
Bunch's hands-on approach to social media management, content creation, and influencer marketing has resonated with both her clients and the industry at large. She excels at navigating platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, crafting strategies that appeal to Gen-Z and millennial audiences. Her commitment to fostering healthy online relationships and combating vanity metrics has set her apart as a thought leader, and it’s no surprise that she’s been dubbed the "modern social media queen" by AZ Foothills. The same magazine awarded her company the Best of Our Valley Award in the Social Media Category.
Under her leadership, Homemade Social has been featured in Channel 3 News and Create & Cultivate, cementing Bunch's reputation as a key figure in Phoenix's digital marketing scene. Her passion for both her clients' success and the larger social media community is evident in her work and her lifestyle blog, According To Bbooks, where she shares valuable insights into business, skincare, and social media trends.
Conclusion: Leading the Charge in Social Media Marketing
The CEOs driving Phoenix's top social media marketing firms are reshaping the digital landscape, combining creative strategies with data-driven solutions. From fostering community engagement to delivering measurable results, these visionaries are helping businesses thrive in an increasingly competitive market.
With a deep understanding of how to harness the power of social media, these leaders, including Rebecca Booker of Homemade Social, are at the forefront of the marketing revolution. Their innovative approaches continue to elevate brands, proving that in the world of social media marketing, the right leadership can turn strategy into success.
