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 additionally earned them a spot on the Inc. 5000 record. By way of a three-year partnership, The Shelf crafted a method that blended humor, relatable content material, and extremely engaged micro-influencers to attach with health-conscious millennials. Their method—specializing in various content material pillars like Energetic Life-style and Well being & Wellness—resulted in spectacular engagement charges and over 3 million further impressions in 2024 alone.
This marketing campaign wasn’t simply profitable; it set a brand new benchmark for influencer advertising and marketing. With artistic executions on TikTok and Meta, influencers drove record-breaking outcomes. It’s a major instance of the strategic brilliance of Atlanta’s top influencer marketing agencies, led by visionary CEOs who’re constantly elevating the bar within the business. Let’s dive into the profiles of the town’s most influential leaders.
However who’re the visionaries steering these firms 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 grow to be a powerhouse for influencer advertising and marketing, pushed by visionary CEOs who mix creativity with data-driven precision. These leaders aren’t simply working businesses—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.
1. Atul Singh
Atul Singh leads The Shelf—an company you are all too aware of. With a PhD in Laptop Science from Rice College and an academic basis from the celebrated IIT, Atul brings a uncommon mix of analytical precision and inventive technique to the business. Earlier than moving into the world of influencer advertising and marketing, he honed his experience in cloud computing and information heart 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.
Below Atul’s management, The Shelf has grown into a world staff of 90+ professionals, offering manufacturers with AI-driven insights, predictive analytics, and campaign management tools that make influencer marketing extra environment friendly (and fewer of a wild guessing sport). His means to mix information science with advertising and marketing instinct has made The Shelf a go-to company for manufacturers seeking to maximize their influence within the digital area.
However Atul isn’t nearly numbers and algorithms. He’s a frontrunner who values belief, innovation, and a contact of humor—he’ll be the primary to confess his expertise for purchasing train gear 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.
2. Sean Standberry
When Sean Standberry co-founded LYFE Marketing in 2011, he was setting the stage for a social media revolution for small companies. With over a decade within the business, Sean has constructed LYFE right into a powerhouse for influencer 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 will change the sport for over 100 companies seeking to amplify their digital presence. His experience? Creating advertising and marketing methods that generate steady gross sales and conversions—with out the frustration of outdated conventional media. LYFE Advertising and marketing focuses on social media administration, paid promoting, and, in fact, influencer advertising and marketing, making certain manufacturers get in entrance of the proper viewers with the proper 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 influence 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 method 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.
3. Keith Kakadia
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 strategy, content material manufacturing, neighborhood administration, and influencer advertising and marketing, making Sociallyin a go-to agency for manufacturers seeking to dominate the social area.
However what units Sociallyin aside? A hands-on method to influencer advertising and marketing. From figuring out the proper creators to managing collaborations, Keith’s staff ensures manufacturers don’t simply companion with influencers—they construct genuine connections that drive engagement.
Earlier than moving into the advertising and marketing world, Keith acquired 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, making certain that each marketing campaign his company runs resonates with the proper viewers.
Past working one in all Atlanta’s prime influencer advertising and marketing businesses, Keith can be the thoughts behind The Southern Social Summit (S3)—one of many largest social media advertising and marketing conferences within the South.
4. Jared Belsky
Jared Belsky is a advertising and marketing government who has spent 20 years redefining digital advertising and marketing into what we all know it to be as we speak. His position 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 drive in digital advertising and marketing. Below his management, 360i was acknowledged in AdAge’s A-List for eight consecutive years and earned a popularity for mixing creativity with data-driven technique—an method he’s carried into Acadia.
At Acadia, he emphasizes genuine influencer partnerships as a key driver of engagement, making certain manufacturers don’t simply “go viral” however obtain significant, measurable development. Past main one in all Atlanta’s prime advertising and marketing businesses, Jared is a revered thought leader. He’s authored two books—The Nice Consumer Associate and You Get the Company You Deserve—shedding gentle on constructing robust client-agency relationships. His insights have been featured in AdAge, Adweek, Digiday, and Forbes, making him a go-to knowledgeable within the advertising and marketing world.
His influence hasn’t gone unnoticed—Jared has been named to AdAge’s 40 Below 40, Adweek’s Media All-Star record, and most lately, Atlanta’s Most Admired CEOs in 2023 by the Enterprise Journal.
With a relentless give attention to innovation, transparency, and outcomes, Jared Belsky helps manufacturers navigate the ever-evolving digital panorama—one data-driven technique at a time.
5. Christopher Crawford
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.
Below his management, AdToro has been acknowledged as one in all Atlanta’s top digital agencies, rating seventh within the metropolis—a testomony to its success in creating measurable development for purchasers. However his data of all issues digital-marketing-related has turned AdToro right into a full-service marketing giant.
With that stated, influencer advertising and marketing remains to be a key pillar of AdToro’s providers, serving to manufacturers supply high-performing influencers, negotiate offers, handle campaigns, and monitor ROI. All the time forward of industry trends, Chris expanded AdToro’s attain in 2023 by launching NIL (Identify, Picture, and Likeness) and influencer talent management services, additional cementing the company’s position in connecting manufacturers with the proper voices.
Past AdToro, Chris’s entrepreneurial spirit extends into AI innovation—he lately based Babbily, an AI platform designed to simplify entry to premium AI models in a single seamless expertise.
6. Ken Holsclaw
For over 20 years, Ken Holsclaw has been increasing the boundaries of selling with Phase 3 Marketing & Communications. Throughout his time, he has reworked the company from a seven-person startup in Atlanta to a 200+ worker powerhouse with places of work in Charlotte, Dallas, Nashville, and New York.
Section 3 is a one-stop store for integrated marketing solutions, providing every little thing from model technique and design to PR, media administration, digital printing, and branded merchandise. However in as we speak’s digital-first world, influencer advertising and marketing has grow to be a key driver of success—one thing Ken and his staff have mastered.
Specializing in hospitality and way of life manufacturers, Section 3 helps inns, eating places, and resorts join with prime influencers and micro-influencers to drive model consciousness, engagement, and income. Their method isn’t nearly partnerships—it’s about data-driven technique. Living proof: a $7.2 million ROI delivered for a consumer by means of a targeted influencer campaign.
Ken’s management philosophy is easy: develop strategically, purchase intelligently, and adapt relentlessly. Since 2001, he has overseen 12 profitable acquisitions, increasing Section 3’s capabilities and market attain, all whereas conserving innovation on the core of the company’s DNA.
7. Zoe Eagle
Zoe Eagle brings an distinctive management monitor report to her position because the CEO of Iris, a famend creative agency specializing in influencer advertising and marketing. Appointed in 2024, Zoe brings over 12 years of expertise in artistic company management and technique, solidifying her as a prime determine within the advertising and marketing business.
Earlier than becoming a member of Iris, Zoe was a Co-Chief Inventive Company at Accenture Tune, the place she led artistic methods for 2 years. Her expertise extends to Karmarama, the place she served as Managing Director, overseeing operations and consumer improvement. Along with her management roles at Karmarama, she held senior positions as Deputy Managing Director and Managing Associate, showcasing her experience in scaling company operations and delivering impactful advertising and marketing options.
Zoe’s journey additionally contains 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 Trendy Residents and Creature, the place she developed a eager understanding of account administration and operations.
Below her management, Iris has flourished, drawing on her deep data 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 way of life, all of which have benefited from her artistic imaginative and prescient.
8. Jordan Sandler
Jordan Sandler has been reshaping the digital scene in Atlanta since 2013 when he determined to go down a distinct path. Earlier than founding Frenik 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 means of cutting-edge applied sciences, artistic 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. In contrast to businesses chasing big-name influencers, Frenik focuses on area of interest creators—influencers with extremely engaged, loyal audiences that drive actual model influence. By way of cautious vetting and relationship-building, Frenik ensures that each influencer collaboration is genuine, strategic, and results-driven.
Below Jordan’s management, the company has been acknowledged as one in all Atlanta’s prime influencer advertising and marketing companies, identified for mixing creativity with efficiency advertising and marketing. However Jordan’s influence extends past enterprise—as a board member for organizations just like the Cobb Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Ladies Golf equipment of Metro Atlanta, he’s dedicated to giving again and fostering native enterprise development.
Together with his entrepreneurial mindset and forward-thinking method, Jordan Sandler has positioned Frenik as an business chief in influencer advertising and marketing, proving that actual affect isn’t nearly attain—it’s about engagement and belief.
9. Sarah Anderson
As Managing Director of Trade School, Sarah Anderson leads an built-in content agency that blends technique, artistic manufacturing, and influencer advertising and marketing to assist manufacturers join with customers in genuine and impactful methods.
Below her management, Commerce Faculty has constructed a powerhouse influencer marketing division, providing full-funnel technique, seamless execution, and superior efficiency measurement. With a devoted influencer staff of 18 folks and cutting-edge know-how, the company ensures environment friendly, data-driven partnerships (they’re managing over 300 influencer partnerships per 12 months) that drive engagement and ROI. Recognizing the rising significance of this area, Sarah appointed Amy Choi as Govt Director of Creator Technique and Advertising and marketing in 2024, reinforcing Commerce Faculty’s dedication to influencer-driven model storytelling.
From retail and shopper items to monetary providers and healthcare, Sarah has 15+ years of company expertise, giving her a deep understanding of what makes customers interact, belief, and take motion.
Her strategic mindset and results-driven method 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.
Shaping the Way forward for Affect: Atlanta’s Prime CEOs Main the Cost
Atlanta’s influencer advertising and marketing panorama is prospering, because of the visionary CEOs behind a few of the most progressive businesses and companies within the business. These leaders have reworked influencer advertising and marketing from a stylish tactic right into a data-driven, ROI-focused service, crafting methods that elevate manufacturers and drive measurable success.
Whether or not it is by means of AI-powered insights, micro-influencer partnerships, or culture-driven storytelling, Atlanta’s prime companies are redefining digital engagement. Because the business continues to evolve, these CEOs are on the forefront, proving that affect isn’t nearly attain—it’s about influence, authenticity, and strategic execution.
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 and marketing. Leveraging her intensive expertise in guiding content material creation and strategic path, Nadica brings a vital eye and analytical method to reviewing articles and academic items. Her dedication to accuracy, integrity, and innovation with every assessment helps IMH develop as a number one supply in influencer advertising and marketing. Her insights are backed by first-party information, making certain content material meets the very best requirements of relevance.
