It wasn’t simply one other vacationer advert. It was a cultural assertion wrapped in a Spanglish tagline, a rhythmic pulse that echoed by TikTok, Instagram, and tv screens nationwide. Filadelfia — You Gotta Really feel It wasn’t only a marketing campaign; it was a motion. In 2019, Go to Philadelphia flipped the script on conventional tourism advertising, tapping into the ability of Latinx influencers to reintroduce the town in a manner it had by no means been seen earlier than.
The end result? A viral explosion of vibrant visuals, emotional storytelling, and a five-part video sequence that turned on a regular basis vacationers into engaged contributors. However behind the scenes of this wildly profitable marketing campaign was one thing much more compelling—the strategic masterminds shaping the way forward for influencer advertising in Philadelphia.
Who’re the visionaries pulling the strings behind these groundbreaking campaigns? Meet the highest 10 CEOs of Philadelphia’s most influential advertising businesses—the architects of viral moments, model revolutions, and social media dominance.
High 10 CEOs of Influencer Advertising and marketing Corporations in Philadelphia
Behind each viral marketing campaign and brand-defining second, there’s a visionary pulling the strings. Philadelphia is residence to among the most revolutionary influencer advertising businesses, led by CEOs who’re redefining digital affect, engagement, and storytelling. These leaders aren’t simply following developments—they’re creating them.
1. David Neff
David Neff has been shaping Philadelphia’s advertising panorama for many years, constructing Neff into an award-winning, full-service company identified for its experience in branding, promoting, and PR. Since launching in 1987, he has championed an built-in method, combining public relations, social media, media shopping for, and internet improvement to create campaigns that do extra than simply attain audiences—they resonate.
His agency has turn out to be a go-to associate for industries starting from actual property to hospitality, tourism, and B2B corporations. Influencer advertising performs a vital position in Neff’s technique, making certain manufacturers join authentically with digital audiences by fastidiously curated partnerships. Shoppers persistently see outcomes, with leaders like Kim McCully, CEO of twenty first Century Cyber Constitution College, crediting his group with delivering year-over-year enrollment progress.
Past driving consumer success, Neff’s influence is acknowledged industry-wide, with quite a few awards highlighting his agency’s excellence in advertising innovation. His lively presence on Instagram and X (previously Twitter) retains him engaged with rising developments, cementing his status as each a strategist and thought chief.
2. Benjamin B. Kaplan
Few advertising leaders perceive the mechanics of virality fairly like Benjamin B. Kaplan. On the helm of TOP Company, he has turned his agency into a worldwide community spanning 20+ nations, specializing in the whole lot from PR and influencer advertising to polling, market analysis, and political advocacy.
His method to influencer advertising is deeply analytical, leveraging data-driven methodologies to establish creators who persistently produce viral content material. Relatively than counting on conventional superstar endorsements, his company prioritizes high-engagement mid-tier influencers—those that foster real viewers connections and ship superior ROI.
Past main a worldwide company, Kaplan is a Harvard-trained economist, creator, and media character with over 5,000 TV and radio appearances, together with Oprah and Good Morning America. His insights on digital affect, PR, and branding have formed trendy advertising methods, incomes him recognition as a prime {industry} professional.
With a agency grasp on each media developments and technological developments, Kaplan continues to push the boundaries of influencer advertising, making certain that TOP Company’s purchasers aren’t simply a part of the dialog—they drive it.
3. Benjamin B. Kaplan
Featured twice on our checklist, Benjamin B. Kaplan can be the founding father of PR Hacker. Since launching the company into the mainstream in 2013, he has pioneered an method that optimizes campaigns by real-time A/B testing and analytics, making certain manufacturers maximize their influence.
PR Hacker focuses on the ability of mid-tier influencers, recognizing that authenticity and engagement are key to efficient model partnerships. Regardless of using smaller creators (in comparison with celebrities) the company has labored with international names like Budweiser, Meow Combine, and Postmates, crafting influencer-driven campaigns that really feel natural and ship tangible outcomes.
Kaplan’s experience extends past advertising—his background as a Harvard-trained economist permits him to method influencer technique with precision, treating campaigns as iterative experiments designed for optimum attain. His deep {industry} information has led to options on main media shops, in addition to spokesperson roles for manufacturers like Dr. Pepper and Uncover Card.
With a presence in Philadelphia, PR Hacker blends nationwide media affect with localized experience, making it a powerhouse in influencer-driven storytelling. Whether or not engineering viral vacation campaigns by Nationwide At this time or refining PR methods together with his Check, Optimize, Carry out (TOP) methodology, Kaplan continues to form the way forward for digital affect.
4. Invoice Gehrman
For practically twenty years, Invoice Gehrman has been redefining how locations market themselves, turning cities, museums, and cultural establishments into must-visit experiences. En Route Advertising and marketing, the company he based in 2007, makes a speciality of any such advertising, utilizing public relations and influencer partnerships that transcend promotion to inform a compelling story.
His expertise in tourism advertising runs deep. Earlier than launching En Route, he served as Director of Advertising and marketing for the Philadelphia Conference & Guests Bureau, the place he performed a pivotal position in shaping the town’s tourism attraction. At this time, his company continues that mission, working with purchasers to draw guests, enhance engagement, and foster long-term neighborhood influence.
Influencer collaborations play a vital position in En Route’s success, making certain that advertising efforts really feel genuine and credible. Whether or not selling new museum displays, launching city-wide tourism initiatives, or elevating cultural festivals, Gehrman’s group connects manufacturers with the correct digital voices to maximise engagement.
However his ardour extends past advertising—he’s a devoted advocate for Philadelphia’s cultural and financial progress. His dedication to vacation spot storytelling and influencer engagement ensures that each locals and guests expertise the town in a manner that’s significant and unforgettable.
5. Kate Marlys
If there’s a pulse on Philadelphia’s cultural scene, Kate Marlys has her finger on it. Philly PR Lady, her child, has advanced from a particular occasions weblog right into a powerhouse for occasion planning, influencer collaborations, and social media technique. With its signature mix of PR savvy and Philly grit, the agency ensures manufacturers aren’t simply seen—they’re talked about.
Understanding that influencer advertising thrives on authenticity, Marlys and her group craft campaigns that resonate with actual audiences, constructing community-driven engagement relatively than fleeting visibility. Marlys has constructed extra than simply an company—she’s cultivated an enormous community of media professionals, influencers, and {industry} leaders. This capacity to forge lasting relationships has earned her agency options in Philadelphia Journal, Philadelphia Type, Fox29, and NBC10, in addition to recognition with the Who’s Subsequent in Communications award by Billy Penn.
Past PR, she’s an innovator. In 2018, she launched Picture Pop Philly, the town’s first interactive artwork pop-up, proving that social media, native artwork, and experiential advertising generally is a game-changing mixture.
6. Patrick McKenna
For Patrick McKenna, influencer advertising is all about efficiency. Main DMi Companions, a full-service digital advertising company, he has constructed a agency the place data-driven methods meet high-impact influencer collaborations.
Since founding DMi in 2003, McKenna has taken a results-first method, crafting tailor-made influencer advertising options that prioritize engagement, conversions, and ROI. His company is a pacesetter in affiliate internet marketing, working with main networks like LTK and ShopStyle to attach manufacturers with the correct digital voices. Not like businesses that focus solely on attain, DMi ensures influencer partnerships align with measurable enterprise targets.
McKenna believes relationships drive long-term success, whether or not with purchasers, associates, or his inner group. This dedication to firm tradition has positioned DMi Companions on AdAge’s Finest Locations to Work checklist for 2025, a mirrored image of his people-first management.
With twenty years of expertise shaping digital advertising in Philadelphia, McKenna continues to push the boundaries of influencer and affiliate internet marketing, proving that robust partnerships gas sustainable enterprise progress.
7. Marc Brownstein
Few advertising leaders mix legacy with innovation as seamlessly as Marc Brownstein. Beneath his management, Brownstein has advanced from a family-run company right into a nationally acknowledged powerhouse, providing model technique, digital media, PR, and influencer advertising.
Recognizing the ability of influencers in model storytelling, Brownstein launched Poster Little one in 2023, a devoted influencer relations division designed to maneuver past self-importance metrics. By prioritizing credibility, model alignment, and high-quality content material integration, this initiative redefines how manufacturers have interaction with digital creators.
Brownstein’s status extends nicely past his company’s partitions. Named one in all Philadelphia Enterprise Journal’s Most Admired CEOs in 2024, he has solidified his standing as an {industry} chief dedicated to creativity and enterprise excellence. Beneath his steering, the company was additionally a finalist in Adweek’s 2023 Small Company of the 12 months Awards.
With greater than 30 years within the {industry}, Brownstein has mastered the artwork of brand name evolution. Whether or not by influencer campaigns, digital storytelling, or strategic PR, his company continues to prepared the ground in Philadelphia’s advertising scene.
8. John M. Bertino
Advertising and marketing choices could make or break a model, and John M. Bertino ensures corporations select correctly. By way of The Company Information (TAG), he connects companies with top-tier advertising businesses, together with main influencer advertising corporations, making certain manufacturers discover companions who ship actual influence.
TAG isn’t only a referral service—it’s a fastidiously curated community of over 200 vetted businesses, designed to assist companies navigate an oversaturated advertising panorama. Whether or not corporations want experience in influencer partnerships, digital PR, or content material advertising, Bertino’s group matches them with specialists who align with their targets.
His background in search engine marketing, content material technique, and digital advertising, mixed with years of agency-side expertise, provides him a singular perspective on what makes a advertising agency really efficient. Earlier than launching TAG in 2014, he labored hands-on in these fields, gaining the perception wanted to assist manufacturers make investments correctly.
Past company matchmaking, Bertino shares his experience on The Area of interest Advertising and marketing Podcast, providing steering on influencer advertising, model partnerships, and area of interest advertising methods. His capacity to mix advertising technique with {industry} insights makes him a key determine in Philadelphia’s enterprise ecosystem.
9. Rachel Vandernick
Rachel Vandernick has made it her specialty to assist magnificence, way of life, and journey manufacturers scale by the ability of influencers and digital mediums. However as a substitute of chasing viral moments, her company, The Vander Group, focuses on integrating influencer-generated content material into paid promoting methods. The outcomes converse for themselves—campaigns that drive 30% over goal retail clicks, Amazon rankings that surge by 40% week-over-week, and measurable income progress for international manufacturers.
With expertise spanning search engine marketing, paid media, and influencer activations, Vandernick has labored with top-tier manufacturers like Neutrogena, RoC Skincare, and Costco. Her data-backed methods make sure that influencer advertising isn’t only a branding train—it’s a revenue-generating machine.
She’s additionally an educator and speaker, serving as adjunct college at Delaware County Group Faculty and main {industry} coaching classes. Executives at Nuuly (URBN) and Go to Philadelphia have praised her capacity to combine seamlessly with advertising groups, optimizing methods for optimum efficiency.
From TikTok advertisements to Pinterest methods, Vandernick is redefining how manufacturers use influencer advertising to drive measurable outcomes.
10. Rakia Reynolds
On the helm of Skai Blue Media, Rakia Reynolds leads a group of strategists, content material creators, and branding consultants who rework visibility into affect. Extra than simply an company, SBM operates as a artistic powerhouse, mixing public relations, influencer advertising, and experiential storytelling to craft campaigns that spark engagement and drive lasting influence.
With a presence in Philadelphia, New York, and Los Angeles, her agency has constructed a status for elevating {industry} leaders and international manufacturers alike. Shoppers like Airbnb, Nasdaq, Comcast/Xfinity, Dell, Serena Williams, and Jill Scott flip to SBM for its capacity to seamlessly combine genuine storytelling with strategic influencer partnerships. Reynolds ensures manufacturers aren’t simply a part of the dialog—they outline it.
Her background as a TV producer earlier than pivoting into branding provides her a pointy intuition for narrative and viewers engagement. Past company work, she’s a acknowledged thought chief, sharing insights with Forbes, Inc.com, HuffPost, and Quick Firm. Inc. Journal named her one in all 27 Enterprise Leaders Aiming to Change the World, whereas the New York Ladies in Communications honored her with the 2024 Matrix Award.
Whether or not she’s shaping the technique behind Serena Williams’ WYN Magnificence model, commanding the stage at TEDx and SXSW, or serving to manufacturers navigate the intersection of commerce and tradition, Reynolds stays a pressure within the evolution of influencer advertising and inventive storytelling.
Shaping the Way forward for Influencer Advertising and marketing: Philadelphia’s High 10 CEOs Main the Approach
In a metropolis that thrives on innovation, the CEOs of Philadelphia’s prime influencer advertising corporations are redefining the panorama with cutting-edge methods and impactful campaigns. From crafting viral tourism experiences to engineering data-driven digital outreach, these leaders are proving that influencer advertising is extra than simply developments—it’s a strong enterprise engine.
Their corporations focus on the whole lot from PR and branding to content material creation and digital progress, providing companies that elevate manufacturers past visibility to actual engagement and income. As Philadelphia cements its place as a advertising powerhouse, these CEOs proceed to push the boundaries of affect, technique, and success.
In regards to the Writer
Author
Nadica Naceva, Head of Content material at Influencer Advertising and marketing Hub, is a seasoned author and reviewer with in-depth experience in digital and content material advertising. Leveraging her intensive expertise in guiding content material creation and strategic route, Nadica brings a crucial eye and analytical method to reviewing articles and academic items. Her dedication to accuracy, integrity, and innovation with every evaluate helps IMH develop as a number one supply in influencer advertising. Her insights are backed by first-party information, making certain content material meets the best requirements of relevance.
