She was supposed to just enjoy the view. But with a single tweet, she turned a centuries-old tradition into a viral sensation.
In 2021, as Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms reached peak bloom, the National Cherry Blossom Festival faced an unusual challenge—how to bring the magic to those who couldn’t make it in person? Enter the #BloomCam. A simple idea, a live stream of the blossoms, soon evolved into a global phenomenon. Influencers, news outlets, and everyday users flooded social media with breathtaking images, tagging friends, sharing memories, and unknowingly executing one of the most successful digital engagement campaigns in the festival’s history.
What started as a logistical necessity became a masterclass in viral marketing, proving that the right campaign, at the right moment, can turn a city’s seasonal spectacle into an international conversation.
Behind campaigns like this are the masterminds—visionary CEOs who understand the pulse of digital culture and know how to make brands trend. Washington, D.C. is home to some of the most innovative social media marketing agencies, and today, we’re spotlighting the top eight leaders shaping the industry.
Top CEOs of Social Media Marketing Firms in Washington D.C.
Behind every successful social media marketing campaign is a visionary leader driving innovation, strategy, and engagement. These CEOs are shaping the future of digital marketing in Washington D.C., leading firms that redefine how brands connect with audiences in an ever-evolving digital landscape.
1. Thomas Sanchez
In the fast-paced world of social media marketing, few leaders stand out quite like Thomas Sanchez, CEO and co-founder of Social Driver. With a career that blends technology, advocacy, and innovation, Sanchez has built one of Washington D.C.’s most influential digital agencies—one that doesn’t just keep up with industry trends but helps shape them.
Under his leadership, Social Driver has partnered with powerhouse brands like Honda, Target, and the American Hospital Association, bringing a data-driven, socially conscious approach to digital marketing. But what truly sets Sanchez apart isn’t just his business acumen—it’s his commitment to using technology as a force for good.
Named a Tech Titan by Washingtonian in 2022, Sanchez’s impact goes beyond marketing. As Board Chair of The Trevor Project, he plays a crucial role in supporting LGBTQ+ youth, and through The Driver Foundation, he champions diversity and youth initiatives. His leadership in D.C.’s Innovation & Technology Inclusion Council further cements his role as a driving force behind the city’s tech evolution.
From his early days as a software engineer at Cerner Corporation to completing executive programs at Harvard Business School, Sanchez has built his success on a foundation of innovation, inclusivity, and impact. Whether he’s advising policymakers, mentoring young entrepreneurs, or redefining digital strategy, his influence is undeniable.
2. Roxy Jahangeri
When it comes to blurring the lines between digital and real-life experiences, Roxy Jahangeri is leading the charge. As the CEO and co-founder of IRL Agency, she’s built a powerhouse creative marketing firm that helps brands connect, engage, and leave a lasting impact—both online and in person.
IRL Agency isn’t just about running ads and curating Instagram grids. Under Jahangeri’s leadership, it’s become a full-service creative engine, offering content creation, social media strategy, and immersive event production. Whether it’s crafting scroll-stopping visuals, throwing unforgettable pop-ups, or developing next-level influencer campaigns, Jahangeri ensures brands don’t just exist in the market—they thrive in it.
With a client roster that includes BSB Brown Sugar Bourbon, Flecha Azul Tequila, and DC Startup Week, IRL Agency has carved a niche in lifestyle, hospitality, and product branding. Beyond IRL Agency, Jahangeri is also the co-founder of DC Brunch Club, one of the largest event platforms for young professionals in D.C. Before diving into the world of experiential marketing, she honed her skills in technology consulting at Deloitte, bringing a data-driven approach to her creative endeavors.
3. Chris Lewis
Since founding TEAM LEWIS in 1995, Chris Lewis has transformed it into a global powerhouse in social media marketing, public relations, and digital communications. With offices spanning the globe, Lewis’s agency is renowned for helping brands amplify their voice in an increasingly noisy world.
But Chris isn’t just a business mogul—he’s a thought leader shaping the industry’s future. His book, "Too Fast To Think," dives into how our fast-paced culture stifles creativity and offers insights into reclaiming imaginative power. As co-author of "The Leadership Lab," he explores the complexities of modern leadership, earning accolades like the UK Business Book Award.
Before launching TEAM LEWIS, Chris cut his teeth at Associated Newspapers, assisting in the company’s transition from traditional to digital platforms. This early experience set the stage for his future as a pioneer in digital marketing.
Beyond business, Chris’s commitment to philanthropy shines through the TEAM LEWIS Foundation, established in 2012. The foundation has supported over 1,000 causes worldwide, proving that impactful marketing and community support go hand in hand.
With a knack for navigating media landscapes, Chris frequently shares his expertise through articles and broadcasts, influencing both budding marketers and industry veterans.
4. Ben Varquez
When it comes to connecting brands with the next generation of consumers, Ben Varquez, CEO of Youth Marketing Connection (YMC), is a master strategist. With over a decade at the helm of YMC, Varquez has helped brands like Adidas, Google, and Maybelline tap into the ever-elusive 15-29-year-old demographic through authentic, experience-driven marketing.
Varquez’s career trajectory is anything but conventional. After graduating from The George Washington University in 2007 with a marketing degree, he jumped into product development with FUNfinder GPS, launching tech-driven experiences in ski resorts and theme parks. As the iPhone reshaped digital marketing, he pivoted into freelance consulting, eventually meeting YMC’s founder and climbing the ranks to Managing Director & Partner.
At YMC, he oversees everything from strategy and business development to client relations, ensuring that brands don't just advertise to young consumers but engage them where they live, scroll, and socialize. He’s a firm believer in relationship-building, creative problem-solving, and delivering measurable results—all while making marketing campaigns feel organic and culturally relevant.
Beyond YMC, Varquez is also a partner at Whistle Work, where he’s shaping the future of workplace culture. His approach to branding, leadership, and Gen Z engagement makes him a sought-after expert in the ever-evolving marketing landscape. A self-proclaimed brainstormer, social advocate, and adventure-seeker, Varquez’s passion for ideas and impact extends beyond work.
5. Bruce Namerow
Some CEOs follow trends—others set them. Bruce Namerow, founder and CEO of Interactive Strategies, falls squarely in the latter camp. With a career spanning political communications, Fortune 500 digital strategy, and cutting-edge web development, Namerow has spent over two decades shaping the future of digital marketing in Washington, D.C.
His journey started in politics, where he worked for the Clinton White House and later for House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, famously pitching the idea of creating one of Congress’s first websites—a move that foreshadowed his future as a digital pioneer. From there, he transitioned into the private sector, developing online strategies for top brands at Magnet Interactive before setting out to build something of his own.
That something was Interactive Strategies, founded in 2001 with a simple but revolutionary idea: seamlessly integrate strategy, design, content, technology, and marketing to create truly engaging digital experiences. Under his leadership, the agency has grown into one of D.C.'s top digital firms, known for its client-first approach and measurable results.
Beyond running a top-tier agency, Namerow has cultivated a team of innovators—bringing together designers, technologists, marketers, and strategists who share a passion for delivering work that not only looks great but drives real impact.
6. Elizabeth Shea
With a career spanning 30+ years in the technology and communications industry, Elizabeth Shea has built a reputation as a visionary leader and strategic powerhouse. As President of REQ, she is leading the agency into its next phase of growth—including its 2024 rebrand to Agital—while continuing to deliver cutting-edge digital marketing, PR, and branding strategies to top clients.
Before joining REQ, Shea was the founder and CEO of SpeakerBox Communications, a leading B2B and B2G PR firm that helped technology companies refine their messaging, build their reputation, and achieve major business milestones. In 2019, REQ acquired SpeakerBox, and Shea brought her entrepreneurial mindset and expertise in media relations, performance marketing, and brand strategy to the agency.
Under her leadership, REQ has doubled in size, representing a diverse mix of Fortune 500s, venture-backed startups, and mission-driven organizations. Beyond REQ, Shea is a key figure in the tech and business community, serving as co-founder of the Technology Marketing Alliance, board member at MindShare, and chair of The Leadership Foundry, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing women into corporate board roles.
Her influence has earned her prestigious recognitions, including Washingtonian Magazine’s Top 100 Tech Titans and Tech Bisnow’s Top Power Women in Tech.
7. David Warschawski
When it comes to high-impact marketing, branding, and business strategy, David Warschawski is a force to be reckoned with. As the founder and CEO of Warschawski, he has built one of the most award-winning boutique agencies in the country, helping brands like Adidas, Verizon, Under Armour, and Microsoft craft compelling narratives and drive measurable results.
David launched Warschawski in 1996 with a clear vision: deliver big-agency expertise with hands-on, senior-level attention. That formula has worked—Warschawski has been named “U.S. Small Agency of the Year” three years in a row, earned over 200 industry awards, and ranked among the Top 10 Best U.S. Small Agencies to Work For for over a decade.
But David’s entrepreneurial ambitions don’t stop at marketing. As the founder of W Ventures, he’s redefining early-stage investing, combining venture capital, marketing expertise, and startup incubation into a game-changing accelerator. His hands-on approach helps high-growth companies scale smarter and faster, all while positioning Baltimore and D.C. as hubs for innovation.
Beyond running businesses, David is a thought leader, professor, and sought-after speaker. As a faculty member at Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, he shares his marketing and leadership expertise with the next generation of business minds. He’s also a frequent media commentator, offering insights on branding, PR, and digital strategy for outlets like CNBC, NPR, and PBS.
8. Jason Siegel
Jason Siegel, co-founder and Managing Partner of Bluetext, is a visionary in digital marketing, branding, and creative strategy. Since launching Bluetext in 2011, he has built it into a leading global social agency, delivering innovative solutions in branding, content, social media, analytics, and web development for top-tier clients across industries.
But Jason’s entrepreneurial journey started long before Bluetext. In 1998, while still in college, he founded Internet Gravity, an interactive agency that quickly gained recognition—earning him Yahoo’s College Web Designer of the Year award. Five years later, he successfully sold the company to a top 10 global PR agency, marking the beginning of his track record in building, scaling, and exiting successful ventures.
His expertise in digital transformation is unmatched. He played a key role in developing the first large-scale mobile app for the 2008 presidential inauguration, an achievement that earned The New York Times App of the Week recognition. His ability to blend creativity, technology, and strategy has set Bluetext apart in a crowded digital landscape.
Beyond his leadership at Bluetext, Jason is a trusted advisor and investor, serving on the boards of multiple companies, including SocialToaster, PublicRelay, and MightyMeals. He also hosts the "Digital Doorways" podcast, where he shares insights on marketing, media, and the evolving digital landscape.
The CEOs Shaping the Future of Social Media Marketing
In Washington D.C.’s dynamic digital landscape, these CEOs are redefining what it means to lead a successful social media marketing firm. From pioneering new digital strategies to blending technology with real-world experiences, their impact extends far beyond the agencies they helm. Each leader has carved out a unique space in the industry, proving that innovation, authenticity, and strategic thinking are the keys to thriving in today’s fast-paced market. As social media continues to evolve, these visionaries remain at the forefront, setting trends, driving engagement, and shaping the future of digital marketing in the nation’s capital.
