Top 9 CEOs of Influencer Marketing Agencies in Atlanta

In 2024, The Shelf, an Atlanta-based influencer advertising and marketing company, orchestrated a marketing campaign for ROAR Natural that not solely captivated audiences but in addition earned them a spot on the Inc. 5000 record. Via a three-year partnership, The Shelf crafted a technique that blended humor, relatable content material, and extremely engaged micro-influencers to attach with health-conscious millennials. Their strategy—specializing in numerous content material pillars like Energetic Way of life and Well being & Wellness—resulted in spectacular engagement charges and over 3 million extra impressions in 2024 alone.

This marketing campaign wasn’t simply profitable; it set a brand new benchmark for influencer advertising and marketing. With inventive executions on TikTok and Meta, influencers drove record-breaking outcomes. It’s a first-rate instance of the strategic brilliance of Atlanta’s prime influencer advertising and marketing companies, led by visionary CEOs who’re persistently elevating the bar within the trade. Let’s dive into the profiles of the town’s most influential leaders.

However who’re the visionaries steering these corporations to such heights? Let’s delve into the profiles of the highest CEOs shaping the way forward for influencer advertising and marketing in Atlanta.

Prime 9 CEOs of Influencer Advertising and marketing Corporations in Atlanta

Atlanta has change into a powerhouse for influencer advertising and marketing, pushed by visionary CEOs who mix creativity with data-driven precision. These leaders will not be simply working companies—they’re shaping the way forward for digital affect, engineering viral campaigns, and redefining how manufacturers join with audiences in an ever-evolving social panorama.

Atul Singh leads The Shelf—an company you are all too aware of. With a PhD in Pc Science from Rice College and an academic basis from the celebrated IIT, Atul brings a uncommon mix of analytical precision and artistic technique to the trade. Earlier than moving into the world of influencer advertising and marketing, he honed his experience in cloud computing and information middle networking at NEC Laboratories and Intel Analysis.

Now, as CEO of The Shelf, he’s utilized that technical prowess to construct a powerhouse platform that helps manufacturers run ROI-driven campaigns with laser-focused concentrating on.

Underneath Atul’s management, The Shelf has grown into a worldwide crew of 90+ professionals, offering manufacturers with AI-driven insights, predictive analytics, and marketing campaign administration instruments that make influencer advertising and marketing extra environment friendly (and fewer of a wild guessing sport). His capability to mix information science with advertising and marketing instinct has made The Shelf a go-to company for manufacturers seeking to maximize their affect within the digital house.

However Atul isn’t nearly numbers and algorithms. He’s a pacesetter who values belief, innovation, and a contact of humor—he’ll be the primary to confess his expertise for purchasing train tools he by no means makes use of. His management philosophy is centered on fostering a tradition of collaboration and steady studying, which has propelled The Shelf to the forefront of influencer advertising and marketing.

When Sean Standberry co-founded LYFE Advertising and marketing in 2011, he was setting the stage for a social media revolution for small companies. With over a decade within the trade, Sean has constructed LYFE right into a powerhouse for influencer advertising and marketing, serving to manufacturers join with their audiences in significant (and worthwhile) methods.

Beginning his journey at Georgia State College, Sean took an entrepreneurial leap that may change the sport for over 100 companies seeking to amplify their digital presence. His experience? Growing advertising and marketing methods that generate steady gross sales and conversions—with out the frustration of outdated conventional media. LYFE Advertising and marketing makes a speciality of social media administration, paid promoting, and, after all, influencer advertising and marketing, guaranteeing manufacturers get in entrance of the appropriate viewers with the appropriate message.

However Sean isn’t only a CEO—he’s a thought chief. Featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Inc. Journal, he’s shared insights on constructing a model that thrives within the fast-paced world of social media. And his affect doesn’t cease at advertising and marketing—he co-founded LYFE Accounting, serving to companies develop their monetary stability simply as a lot as their on-line attain.

What units Sean aside? His data-driven strategy mixed with a ardour for development and repair. Whether or not he’s scaling social media campaigns or crafting influencer partnerships, he’s all about delivering outcomes—quick.

Since founding Sociallyin in 2011, Keith Kakadia has labored with over 150 manufacturers, together with Dick’s Sporting Items, TGI Fridays, Edible Preparations, and even The Winter Olympics, to create award-winning campaigns. His experience spans social media technique, content material manufacturing, group administration, and influencer advertising and marketing, making Sociallyin a go-to company for manufacturers seeking to dominate the social house.

However what units Sociallyin aside? A hands-on strategy to influencer advertising and marketing. From figuring out the proper creators to managing collaborations, Keith’s crew ensures manufacturers don’t simply associate with influencers—they construct genuine connections that drive engagement.

Earlier than moving into the advertising and marketing world, Keith obtained his begin at The Walt Disney Firm—a spot identified for its obsession with buyer expertise. He’s carried that very same dedication to excellence and storytelling into Sociallyin, guaranteeing that each marketing campaign his company runs resonates with the appropriate viewers.

Past working certainly one of Atlanta’s prime influencer advertising and marketing companies, Keith can also be the thoughts behind The Southern Social Summit (S3)—one of many largest social media advertising and marketing conferences within the South.

Jared Belsky is a advertising and marketing government who has spent twenty years redefining digital advertising and marketing into what we all know it to be immediately. His function as a CEO at Acadia permits him to assist manufacturers grasp social media, influencer advertising and marketing, and efficiency advertising and marketing.

Earlier than launching Acadia in 2021, Jared spent almost 13 years at 360i, the place he rose to CEO and helped place the company as a dominant pressure in digital advertising and marketing. Underneath his management, 360i was acknowledged in AdAge’s A-Listing for eight consecutive years and earned a status for mixing creativity with data-driven technique—an strategy he’s carried into Acadia.

At Acadia, he emphasizes genuine influencer partnerships as a key driver of engagement, guaranteeing manufacturers don’t simply “go viral” however obtain significant, measurable development. Past main certainly one of Atlanta’s prime advertising and marketing companies, Jared is a revered thought chief. He’s authored two books—The Nice Shopper Accomplice and You Get the Company You Deserve—shedding gentle on constructing sturdy client-agency relationships. His insights have been featured in AdAge, Adweek, Digiday, and Forbes, making him a go-to skilled within the advertising and marketing world.

His affect hasn’t gone unnoticed—Jared has been named to AdAge’s 40 Underneath 40, Adweek’s Media All-Star record, and most not too long ago, Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs in 2023 by the Enterprise Journal.

With a relentless deal with innovation, transparency, and outcomes, Jared Belsky helps manufacturers navigate the ever-evolving digital panorama—one data-driven technique at a time.

Christopher Crawford, the person behind the success of AdToro, has constructed a powerhouse identified for delivering high-impact, data-driven methods throughout influencer advertising and marketing, social media promoting, search engine optimisation, and past. Since founding the company in 2017, Chris has partnered with over 300 manufacturers throughout quite a few industries, together with e-commerce, actual property, hospitality, and healthcare.

Underneath his management, AdToro has been acknowledged as certainly one of Atlanta’s prime digital companies, rating seventh within the metropolis—a testomony to its success in creating measurable development for shoppers. However his information of all issues digital-marketing-related has turned AdToro right into a full-service advertising and marketing large.

With that mentioned, influencer advertising and marketing continues to be a key pillar of AdToro’s providers, serving to manufacturers supply high-performing influencers, negotiate offers, handle campaigns, and monitor ROI. At all times forward of trade traits, Chris expanded AdToro’s attain in 2023 by launching NIL (Title, Picture, and Likeness) and influencer expertise administration providers, additional cementing the company’s function in connecting manufacturers with the appropriate voices.

Past AdToro, Chris’s entrepreneurial spirit extends into AI innovation—he not too long ago based Babbily, an AI platform designed to simplify entry to premium AI fashions in a single seamless expertise.

For over twenty years, Ken Holsclaw has been increasing the boundaries of selling with Part 3 Advertising and marketing & Communications. Throughout his time, he has reworked the company from a seven-person startup in Atlanta to a 200+ worker powerhouse with workplaces in Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, and New York.

Part 3 is a one-stop store for built-in advertising and marketing options, providing the whole lot from model technique and design to PR, media administration, digital printing, and branded merchandise. However in immediately’s digital-first world, influencer advertising and marketing has change into a key driver of success—one thing Ken and his crew have mastered.

Specializing in hospitality and life-style manufacturers, Part 3 helps resorts, eating places, and resorts join with prime influencers and micro-influencers to drive model consciousness, engagement, and income. Their strategy isn’t nearly partnerships—it’s about data-driven technique. Living proof: a $7.2 million ROI delivered for a shopper by a focused influencer marketing campaign.

Ken’s management philosophy is easy: develop strategically, purchase intelligently, and adapt relentlessly. Since 2001, he has overseen 12 profitable acquisitions, increasing Part 3’s capabilities and market attain, all whereas retaining innovation on the core of the company’s DNA.

Zoe Eagle brings an distinctive management monitor report to her function because the CEO of Iris, a famend inventive company specializing in influencer advertising and marketing. Appointed in 2024, Zoe brings over 12 years of expertise in inventive company management and technique, solidifying her as a prime determine within the advertising and marketing trade.

Earlier than becoming a member of Iris, Zoe was a Co-Chief Inventive Company at Accenture Track, the place she led inventive methods for 2 years. Her expertise extends to Karmarama, the place she served as Managing Director, overseeing operations and shopper improvement. Along with her management roles at Karmarama, she held senior positions as Deputy Managing Director and Managing Accomplice, showcasing her experience in scaling company operations and delivering impactful advertising and marketing options.

Zoe’s journey additionally consists of 5 years as Enterprise Lead at BBH London, the place she honed her expertise in model and account administration. Her profession was additional formed by her time at Fashionable Residents and Creature, the place she developed a eager understanding of account administration and operations.

Underneath her management, Iris has flourished, drawing on her deep information of influencer advertising and marketing to create tailor-made methods that assist manufacturers construct genuine relationships with their audiences. Her expertise spans a variety of industries, together with automotive, style, and life-style, all of which have benefited from her inventive imaginative and prescient.

Jordan Sandler has been reshaping the digital scene in Atlanta since 2013 when he determined to go down a special path. Earlier than founding Frenik Advertising and marketing Group, Jordan was working in gross sales and brokerage companies. However ever since, he has constructed a full-service company that helps manufacturers develop by cutting-edge applied sciences, inventive methods, and information.

Frenik Advertising and marketing Group is now a prime participant in influencer advertising and marketing, providing manufacturers a confirmed mannequin for micro-influencer partnerships. Not like companies chasing big-name influencers, Frenik focuses on area of interest creators—influencers with extremely engaged, loyal audiences that drive actual model affect. Via cautious vetting and relationship-building, Frenik ensures that each influencer collaboration is genuine, strategic, and results-driven.

Underneath Jordan’s management, the company has been acknowledged as certainly one of Atlanta’s prime influencer advertising and marketing companies, identified for mixing creativity with efficiency advertising and marketing. However Jordan’s affect extends past enterprise—as a board member for organizations just like the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Women Golf equipment of Metro Atlanta, he’s dedicated to giving again and fostering native enterprise development.

Along with his entrepreneurial mindset and forward-thinking strategy, Jordan Sandler has positioned Frenik as an trade chief in influencer advertising and marketing, proving that actual affect isn’t nearly attain—it’s about engagement and belief.

As Managing Director of Commerce Faculty, Sarah Anderson leads an built-in content material company that blends technique, inventive manufacturing, and influencer advertising and marketing to assist manufacturers join with shoppers in genuine and impactful methods.

Underneath her management, Commerce Faculty has constructed a powerhouse influencer advertising and marketing division, providing full-funnel technique, seamless execution, and superior efficiency measurement. With a devoted influencer crew of 18 individuals and cutting-edge know-how, the company ensures environment friendly, data-driven partnerships (they’re managing over 300 influencer partnerships per yr) that drive engagement and ROI. Recognizing the rising significance of this house, Sarah appointed Amy Choi as Government Director of Creator Technique and Advertising and marketing in 2024, reinforcing Commerce Faculty’s dedication to influencer-driven model storytelling.

From retail and client items to monetary providers and healthcare, Sarah has 15+ years of company expertise, giving her a deep understanding of what makes shoppers have interaction, belief, and take motion.

Her strategic mindset and results-driven strategy have propelled Commerce Faculty to the forefront of influencer advertising and marketing, serving to manufacturers transfer past generic campaigns to create culture-driven, high-impact content material.

With Sarah on the helm, Commerce Faculty isn’t simply producing content material—it’s shaping the way forward for model affect.

In regards to the Creator

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 and marketing. Leveraging her in depth expertise in guiding content material creation and strategic path, Nadica brings a important eye and analytical strategy to reviewing articles and academic items. Her dedication to accuracy, integrity, and innovation with every evaluation helps IMH develop as a number one supply in influencer advertising and marketing. Her insights are backed by first-party information, guaranteeing content material meets the very best requirements of relevance.