1.    With the rise of full-service agencies, how do you see the integration of diverse creative disciplines influencing brand storytelling?

MIMI: Full-service only works when the different disciplines actually work together. And that takes more than just process. It takes empathy. Our clients don’t move in straight lines, so we build systems that can flex with them. That means staying close, understanding how they really work, and supporting real-time, multiplatform storytelling.

CASEY: And it’s not just about having all the parts. It’s about when and how you use them. Integration isn’t just structure, it’s flow. It has to feel like a symphony, not a checklist.

PETE: Totally. The tighter the team, the tighter the story. You feel it when it works. No seams. No translation gaps. Just clarity. And the more integrated we are with each other, and with our client partners, the easier it is to get there.

2.    What challenges and opportunities arise when balancing data-driven insights with creative intuition in marketing strategies?

CASEY: The challenge is thinking data should hand you the answer. It doesn’t. It just helps you ask better questions and bring you the insight that makes the idea smarter.

MIMI: Exactly. Data helps us see the shape of the opportunity. But turning that into something meaningful takes judgment. You still have to make choices, take risks, and push for ideas that move people

PETE: Data is like a flashlight, not a map. It shows you where to look. But then you gotta walk into the dark and make something. Without it, you just… you end up where everyone else already is.

3.    How have client expectations shifted in recent years, and how should agencies adapt to meet these new demands?

MIMI: Clients want fewer layers, faster thinking, and real collaboration. That means showing up with smart ideas that move their business forward, not our own agendas. We built CAPE to move fast and go deep, so the work isn’t just quick; it’s right

CASEY: And clients don’t want vendors. They want partners. People who show up with ideas before being asked. Who aren’t just watching the brief, but watching their business.

PETE:  They want to know we’re thinking alongside them. Like, if you send over a deck and disappear for two weeks, that’s not a partnership. That’s homework.  We need to collaborate, iterate, and work together with audience data to get to the best outcomes… both creatively and for the business.  The two are completely interlinked when you work like this.

4.    How important is it for agencies to cultivate a culture that encourages both creative risk-taking and accountability?

CASEY: You can’t have one without the other. Risk with no accountability is chaos. Accountability with no risk? That’s wallpaper. And we’re not here to play it safe. But we are here to be sharp.

PETE: Yeah, you want a team that swings big but owns the outcome. If something flops, we say "cool, what did we learn?" and move on. No scar tissue, but one brick on top of another.

MIMI: We talk about the small mistakes out loud. It keeps us sharp, keeps us honest, and shows the team that taking smart risks is part of the deal. If we want the best work, we’ve got to make room for a few missteps—and learn from them fast.

5.    How can agencies prepare for the increasing demand for personalized and immersive brand experiences?

MIMI: Modularity. You need creative that flexes across channels, audiences, and contexts and a system behind it that knows how to serve it up.

CASEY: Right. For CAPE it’s about programming to the ecosystem. Personalization isn’t about making 1,000 versions of something. It’s about making the right one show up at the right moment. It’s about thinking natively within each medium, allowing for something more engaging, more natural and ultimately a better, more immersive experience.

PETE: We’ve built a responsive creative ad system for this exact need.  I don’t want to give away too much that’s proprietary, but we’re building creative assets that actually adapts to, and leverages modern media that… I’ve said too much.  Just ask us for our MoCA case study.

6.    What advice would you offer to emerging leaders aiming to navigate and succeed in the evolving creative industry?

MIMI: It’s easy to get caught up in chasing wins. But if you’re not helping your clients grow, it won’t last. Stay close to what they need. That’s how the work gets better and the business follows.

CASEY: Stay curious. Learn both sides of the business. If you can speak "client" and "creative," you have a more valuable perspective.

PETE: Be someone people want in the room. Not just because you’re smart, but because you listen, you can understand how businesses work, and you’re making the work better. That stuff matters more than you think.

1. What investments has your company made in enhancing national-to-local digital marketing performance, particularly in local SEO and hyper-local targeting?

We’ve acquired Rallio, which connects national companies to their locations through local social media marketing, review generation and analysis, employee advocacy, industry ecosystems, and local listings. The technology is groundbreaking and fully powered by AI to get more done faster. In addition to our software Rallio, we also have playbooks for brands that ensure they target Google Business Profiles, local pages, and digital PR in a way that drives results. All of this is tied together with our national-to-local dashboards that provide a view of both national and individual locations. Furthermore, we offer enterprise sites, local landing pages, paid media, conversion rate optimization, tracking and more, all integrated with local SEO.

2. How does your organization prioritize partnerships or acquisitions to bridge gaps between marketing strategy and technical execution?

Ignite Visibility is always looking for the best solutions for our clients to deliver the most value from our platform. We currently offer enterprise websites, a full suite of digital marketing services, and our powerful software to tie it all together, Rallio. But the digital marketing world is increasingly complex, and when we don’t have a solution internally, we love working with partners who are the best at what they do. Whether that means working with a reporting solution like Looker Studio or Tap Clicks, an enterprise paid media or SEO platform, or a project management system, we are always partnering with the solution that is best for the client outcome.

3. How prepared is your technical team to implement custom solutions such as Progressive Web Apps (PWAs), advanced APIs, and automated workflows?

Our team is very prepared, especially with our recent acquisition of Outliant, a premier web development company. We are really leaning into custom solution architecture and development that meets the needs of the business’s customers. Out-of-the-box solutions do not always work for enterprise businesses. They often need their own technology, and when they have that, it sets them apart from the competition. I’ve always said the future of the internet belongs to those who can convert traffic for less. Our company understands the importance of Progressive Web Apps, advanced APIs, owning your data and automated workflows. When the solution architecture demands something custom, we are more than happy to map it from start to finish.

 4. What tools or strategies have been most effective in maintaining a consistent brand experience while adapting content and campaigns to local market needs?

Brand guidelines are critical, and with our platform software Rallio, we’re able to upload those guidelines and ensure they’re followed. We see a lot of different levels of regulation with multi-location businesses that might come from the industry or individual brands.

Some companies allow their individual locations to run their own marketing campaigns while others have incredibly strict guidelines. Our company works with the business to execute the vision they have for control.

When it comes to local markets, it’s important to localize SEO content and social media content as much as possible, in addition to paid media ads. We have manual and AI solutions that can create local content at scale. It’s important to have themes built out by major markets, and then localize the content as much as possible for the best results.

5. What factors are most critical when evaluating the strategic fit of an agency or partner for digital transformation initiatives?

Over the last five years, there’s definitely been a shift toward agencies that specialize. For example, at our company, we work with enterprise brands, multi-location businesses, and franchises. We also build custom solutions for unique opportunities where we have experience.

If you’re evaluating an agency or partner, it’s important to fully understand what they’re best at and the experience they have. Generally, somebody who specializes in making TV commercials is not going to be the same person to do your local social media. Additionally, someone who specializes in SEO or paid media for one location businesses is not equipped to run an enterprise campaign.

I expect this trend to continue, resulting in agencies gaining more and more of a competitive advantage in certain niches. My advice is to find an agency that you feel comfortable with, and that will go above and beyond for you. They should understand your industry, be able to show proven results, and have unique technology and strategies that get you excited.

6. How does your leadership team assess the long-term ROI of agency acquisitions or integrations from both marketing and operational standpoints?

When it comes to acquisitions and integrations, you need to think about it a few different ways.

●     Is it a partnership?

●     Should we build it?

●     Should we buy it?

Finding the right solution for the customer will come from one of those three areas. Of course, there’s always the option of sending business to another partner or simply saying you don’t offer that at all. But at the end of the day, the main goal is to offer the most value to your clients who utilize your platform. And that is what Ignite Visibility is, a platform that connects our customers with the best answers to their problems.

When looking at the long-term ROI of each of these items, it simply comes down to the bottom line of the business overall and the contribution margin from the acquisition, the partnership, the build initiative or saying no. All of these things have value, and many times, simply saying no to a category or opportunity can be one of the best drivers of revenue growth.

Get in touch with our MarTech Experts.

At the intersection of conscious storytelling and emerging technology, NRJ Media Group is shaping a bold new blueprint for purpose-driven media. Founded by former Lucasfilm executive Norma Garcia and entertainment tech visionary Rich J. Reid, the company is behind Energis Podcast, a values-led show amplifying voices across tech, sports, and entertainment. In this exclusive conversation, Norma and Rich share how their mission shapes content strategy, how they’re responding to the rapid rise of AI, and why they believe storytelling remains one of humanity’s most powerful tools for change.

Q1. How does the launch of the Podcast reflect your broader mission to fuse storytelling with purpose and transformation?

Answered by Norma Garcia

The Energis Podcast is a direct expression of our mission at NRJ Media Group: to use storytelling as a catalyst for personal and collective transformation. In a media landscape full of quick takes and surface-level content, we’re building something more intentional. Energis is a platform for meaningful dialogue, personal insight, and bold ideas that move people to action.

For us, purpose and narrative are inseparable. This podcast gives us a dynamic platform to showcase changemakers across sectors who are living proof that meaningful impact begins with intention.

Rich and I created Energis not just to interview accomplished people, but to surface the defining moments that shaped who they are; the doubts, decisions, and turning points. By spotlighting these stories, we’re helping listeners see that transformation is possible for them, too. It’s about democratizing access to inspiration, wisdom, and real-world strategies. We want each episode to be more than content; it should be a spark. That’s how we live our mission: by fusing entertainment with emotional resonance and a clear call to evolve.

Guests have included Pablo Hidalgo (Lucasfilm), Ricky Blair (tech entrepreneur), Shelton Benjamin (professional wrestler), and Kwame Patterson (actor), with upcoming episodes featuring Lyle Workman (musician) and Rob Hollocks (filmmaker), and others.

Energis Podcast is available on major platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube.

Q2. As a storytelling-driven media company, how do you ensure that each content initiative strengthens both its brand equity and its audience impact?

Answered by Rich J. Reid

Everything we create is grounded in values. At NRJ Media Group, we believe storytelling should not only entertain but also elevate. That’s our North Star, and it guides every creative decision: from podcast guest selection to how we partner on TV, film, or live experiences.

We build brand equity by being consistent in the kind of voices we amplify and the values we reflect. If it doesn’t inspire, illuminate, or promote positivity, it doesn’t align with our brand. At the same time, we think deeply about audience resonance. What are people yearning for? What stories help them feel seen, empowered, or equipped to take action? That’s the sweet spot: where mission and impact meet. Our audience trusts us because we never chase trends; we chase meaning.

Q3. Your Podcast highlights voices from diverse sectors including tech, sports, and entertainment. What are the strategic benefits of curating such cross-sector narratives in today’s media landscape?

Answered by Norma Garcia

We live in a time where boundaries between industries are blurring, and that’s where the most interesting conversations live. By bringing in voices from different sectors, we’re not just sharing diverse experiences; we’re revealing common threads of resilience, reinvention, and innovation.

From my background in entertainment technology, I’ve seen firsthand how ideas from one field can completely reframe another. A tech founder might inspire a filmmaker. An athlete’s mindset might resonate with a creative entrepreneur. Our job is to build those unexpected bridges, and when we do, we expand what’s possible for our audience.

Strategically, it also positions Energis as more than an industry podcast. It’s a platform for cross-pollination: a space where purpose-driven leaders connect beyond their silos. That’s what modern storytelling needs.

Q4. How are podcasts selected to align with the show’s mission, and what criteria are used to ensure they represent diverse, actionable perspectives?

Answered by Rich J. Reid

Our selection process is both intuitive and intentional. We look for guests who’ve not only achieved success but have depth—people who’ve had to navigate real obstacles and come out with wisdom worth sharing.

Diversity for us goes beyond optics. It’s about worldviews, lived experience, and the kinds of stories that rarely get mainstream attention. We’re intentional about featuring people from different industries, cultures, and life journeys. But we also ask: Is there a takeaway here that our audience can use? Will this story challenge or energize someone?

We want every episode to offer both insight and inspiration. So when someone listens, they don’t just walk away impressed, they walk away activated.

Q5. What role do you believe purpose-driven media platforms play in redefining public narratives around entrepreneurship, resilience, and reinvention?

Answered by Norma Garcia

Purpose-driven media has the power to reframe what we glorify and what we value in public discourse. For too long, entrepreneurship has been portrayed as overnight success and perfection. At Energis Podcast, we’re spotlighting the real stories where setbacks, pivots, and purpose are part of the journey.

By humanizing success, we normalize resilience and encourage reinvention. These are not just buzzwords for us; they’re the throughlines of every guest we feature. And in doing so, we help reshape the narrative from "winning at all costs" to "growing with intention."

Media that leads with purpose isn’t just reactive; it’s visionary. It asks: How can we raise the collective frequency? How can we tell stories that heal, not just hype? That’s the impact we’re working toward.

Q6. As a media leader, how do you see storytelling evolving over the next five years in terms of creating cultural value and real-world impact?

Answered by Rich J. Reid

We’re entering a renaissance where storytelling is becoming more participatory, more immersive, and more values-driven. The future of storytelling will be co-created, not just by artists, but by communities who demand authenticity and impact.

AI is already out there, and it’s moving fast. It is reshaping the world in real time, changing how we communicate, how we create, and how we connect. At NRJ Media Group, we don’t want to just stand by and watch that transformation happen. We want to help shape it—with intention, integrity, and imagination.

Our commitment is to ensure that as AI evolves, it amplifies human creativity rather than replaces it. That means building tools and platforms that reflect our values, empower self-expression, and serve the greater good.

With the rise of ethical AI comes great responsibility. We believe technology should support storytelling, not override it. That’s why our focus remains on preserving the soul of storytelling while embracing innovation in thoughtful, inclusive ways.

In the next five years, stories will not only entertain; they will mobilize. Whether through cultural shifts, policy conversations, or personal breakthroughs, storytelling will become one of the most powerful forces for meaningful change. That is the future we’re helping to build.

1. What data signals or cultural cues do you prioritize when crafting contextually relevant messages for diverse consumer segments?

At Mundial Media, we balance linguistic, cultural, and behavioral cues to develop meaningful messages. Beyond surface-level demographics, we analyze language nuances, regional dialects (such as British vs. American English), cultural milestones (like Christmas, Diwali, or the Super Bowl), tone, and platform-specific interaction styles (like the casual tone on social media versus the formal tone on professional platforms). For multicultural audiences, proper context isn’t just about placement; it’s about reflecting the audience’s passions, values, and real-time cultural moments.

2. What are the primary challenges brands face today with digital marketing performance, and how do you believe contextual advertising addresses or alleviates those challenges?

Many brands today struggle with signal loss, which refers to the difficulty in maintaining a consistent message across various platforms, and shifting audience behaviors, as consumers' preferences and habits change across different digital environments. The rise of content consumption in diverse and decentralized environments makes it harder to reach the right audience at the right moment with relevance.

Contextual advertising helps address this fragmentation and performance gap by aligning creative content with the surrounding context and cultural moment, thereby matching the message with the mindset. This approach enhances resonance and performance without requiring a heavy reliance on data.

At Mundial Media, we take this further by offering brands a way to reach multicultural and often hard-to-reach audiences with precision and at scale. Our contextual strategy spans CTV, digital, audio, and in-app environments, ensuring brands meet consumers wherever they’re engaging. This helps bridge the gap caused by decentralization and creates authentic, in-the-moment connections that are culturally aligned and performance-driven.

3. In what ways do you see contextual advertising outperforming traditional audience-based targeting in terms of advertising ROI?

Our extensive research has shown that when an ad naturally fits its environment, whether a Spanish-language article about food or a creator video rooted in Gen Z humor, it commands more attention and earns higher engagement. Contextual campaigns outperform traditional audience segments by anchoring messaging in relevance. By aligning with environmental, emotional, and cultural factors, we’re achieving higher ROI without the need for overly complex user tracking models.

4. How do you measure the effectiveness of context-based campaigns in driving brand lift and ROI, particularly in multicultural segments?

We combine brand lift studies, which measure the increase in consumer perception of a brand, with engagement analytics, which track user interaction with the ad, and attention metrics, which gauge the amount of time users spend with the ad, to measure the effectiveness of our context-based campaigns. For multicultural campaigns, we closely examine how language, tone, and cultural framing impact performance. Metrics like click-through rate by language, emotional resonance, and message recall help us determine what’s working and why. We always focus on driving performance and brand affinity by ensuring the message lands in the proper context with cultural precision.

5. How do you think contextual advertising drives relevant engagement in diverse and fragmented digital environments?

Today’s media consumption is increasingly fragmented, with audiences more present on niche platforms and in micro-moments. Contextual advertising meets them in those environments with creative that feels native, timely, and culturally relevant. Instead of chasing users, we focus on aligning with their mindset. That makes the experience more authentic and less intrusive, which drives deeper engagement.

6. How does contextual relevance influence the creative development process, especially when crafting campaigns for culturally diverse audiences?

Context is the backbone of creativity. From the choice of imagery and copy to tone and pacing, everything is shaped by the cultural environment and audience expectations. For diverse audiences, we avoid one-size-fits-all messaging in favor of tailored creative that feels familiar and respectful. When we align creative with cultural context, it doesn’t just perform better; it builds lasting trust with the audience.

Get in touch with our MarTech Experts.

1. How do you evaluate whether your current visual identity and digital presence are effectively communicating your brand's purpose and positioning in the market?

I evaluate the strength of my brand’s visual identity and digital presence by analyzing performance across key touchpoints—my website, newsletter, and social media platforms. Each of these spaces is fully aligned with my brand guidelines, showcasing consistent use of logos, colors, and typography. I rely on analytics to measure how audiences are engaging with the brand, using real data to assess what is resonating and where there may be room to refine. In addition to internal performance metrics, I study current design trends to ensure our brand remains relevant and positioned at the forefront of the market. This ongoing process allows me to make intentional adjustments that keep the brand both authentic and competitive.

2. To what extent is your leadership team involved in shaping the brand narrative, and how do you maintain a consistent brand message across departments and channels?

At The Gorham Agency, shaping the brand narrative is a responsibility I take seriously. As the founder and creative director, I lead every part of the process—from developing the core message to ensuring that the visual identity and brand voice stay aligned with our purpose. This level of involvement allows the brand to remain authentic and rooted in the vision that started it all. Consistency is never left to chance. I’ve built a system that keeps the brand aligned across every platform and client experience. From the website to social media, every touchpoint reflects the same intentional voice, visuals, and values. That consistency is a result of leading with clarity, not just creativity.

3. Have you seen measurable differences in client engagement or retention after refining your brand identity? What factors do you attribute those changes to?

Yes, I’ve seen a clear and measurable shift in both client engagement and retention after refining The Gorham Agency’s brand identity. Once I moved beyond being just a design agency and stepped into the role of helping clients believe in the brand they’re building, everything changed. We began attracting more aligned clients, seeing an increase in repeat business, and building partnerships rooted in trust and transformation. I attribute that shift to redefining our brand message, sharpening our visual identity, and aligning every part of the digital experience with our deeper mission. The work is no longer just about visuals—it’s about vision. When people feel seen, supported, and inspired by your brand, they don’t just engage, they connect, invest, and stay. Interview Questions Clinton Gorham, The Gorham Agency

4. What role do you believe personal storytelling and founder visibility play in building brand trust and loyalty?

Personal storytelling and founder visibility are at the core of how I’ve built brand trust and loyalty. At The Gorham Agency, I don’t just lead from behind the scenes. I show up with my full story, my faith, and the lessons that shaped me. People don’t just buy into the services. They connect to the journey, the resilience, and the belief system behind the brand. When clients see the face, heart, and real story behind a company, it builds trust on a different level. Sharing my own growth and transformation gives others permission to show up fully in their own brand stories. That kind of transparency creates connection—and connection is what turns one-time clients into loyal advocates.

5. How do you foster a culture where internal stakeholders feel connected to and confident in the company's brand identity?

Fostering connection and confidence in the brand identity is still a daily priority at The Gorham Agency. Anyone who collaborates with us; whether a client, creative partner, or contractor, steps into a space where clarity, purpose, and excellence are non-negotiable. I set the tone by leading with the same brand values I want others to carry: authenticity, intention, and belief in the work we’re doing. The way I communicate, show up online, present deliverables, and onboard clients all reinforces what the brand stands for. That kind of consistency naturally builds confidence, because people aren’t guessing what we’re about, they feel it from the very beginning. When the brand is rooted in belief and built with integrity, it becomes contagious. People want to be part of it.

6. In your view, what role should personal alignment and purpose play in the development of a company's brand identity?

Personal alignment and purpose should be the foundation of any brand identity. Especially for entrepreneurs. At The Gorham Agency, everything we create flows from who I am and what I believe in. I didn’t just build a brand to offer services. I built it to help people believe in the vision they carry and to show them that their story is worth building around. That kind of clarity only comes when your brand is rooted in your personal truth. When your identity as a founder is aligned with the work your company does, your brand becomes more than visuals and messaging. It becomes a calling. And when people experience that level of purpose in your branding, it creates trust, loyalty, and transformation, not just for clients, but for everyone connected to the brand.

Get in touch with our MarTech Experts.

1. How is your organization addressing data quality challenges in your research or analytics processes, and are you leveraging external partners for this?

Data quality is at the heart of everything we do. In fact, we built our entire business around solving the persistent data quality issues plaguing the research industry. That’s why, in 2023, we acquired Research Defender—the industry’s most comprehensive fraud prevention platform. It allows us to screen out fraudulent or low-quality responses before they ever reach a dataset. Research Defender analyzes billions of behavioral signals annually, identifying bad actors who mask their location, reuse IP addresses, spoof device information, or copy-paste responses. It’s a multilayered defense system that goes well beyond traditional quality checks. You can see the full glossary of fraud types we monitor and prevent here. This capability is baked into everything we do, whether clients are sourcing sample through our Research Desk platform or working directly with our managed services team. And while we partner with over 250 sample providers globally, all respondents are pre-vetted through Research Defender, ensuring high-quality, high-integrity data every time.

2. What are your top priorities when selecting market research providers—speed, quality, innovation, or do you have any other approach?

Quality comes first. That’s non-negotiable. But we also know clients need fast, flexible solutions,so we’ve built our model to balance both. Our approach is to source validated respondents through double-opted-in panels that have already been vetted by Research Defender before they enter a project. We also use a multi-source methodology to avoid the bias or limitations of single-panel sourcing. We believe innovation should remove friction, not create it. That’s why we created Research Desk, a tech-enabled platform that allows researchers to source high-quality sample quickly and confidently, with built-in fraud prevention and automated reconciliation. Whether clients choose self-service or full-service support, our priority is delivering data they can trust without slowing them down.

3. How critical is it for your business to have scalable, globally consistent research methodologies and insights?

It’s absolutely mission critical. We serve clients across industries and continents, so we need to deliver consistency at scale. That means adhering to rigorous data quality standards no matter where the research takes place. Our multi-source model, combined with our proprietary fraud prevention tech, ensures that every respondent, in every market, is evaluated against the same high bar. We are members of respected global organizations in the research field and adhere to international standards in all of our work. 

4. What role do industry veterans and advisory boards play in shaping your company’s innovation roadmap or go-to-market strategies?

They play a major role. Our executive team averages about 20 years of experience in the industry, so we’ve seen the evolution of research technology, the rise of programmatic sampling, and the persistent challenge of fraud. That experience shapes how we build solutions that are both practical and future-focused. We also lean heavily on our board for strategic guidance. For example, Kurt Knapton, one of our board members, was a founding executive at e-Rewards, which pioneered the by-invitation-only panel model and evolved into what is now Dynata. His insights have been instrumental in helping us scale thoughtfully while staying laser-focused on our core mission of data integrity. 

5. Do you actively engage with research or technology partners that have strategic backing (e.g., private equity) to ensure long-term innovation and stability?

Yes. Rep Data is proud to be Partnered with leading private equity firm Mountaingate Capital to scale innovation, a private equity firm that specializes in helping high-growth companies scale responsibly. Their investment has allowed us to accelerate product development, expand our fraud detection capabilities, and invest in the kind of infrastructure that ensures long-term stability. Mountaingate’s support also reinforces our ability to remain independent, while still pursuing bold innovation. Their focus on customer value and shared ownership aligns perfectly with our mission. The full announcement of our partnership can be found here.

6. To what extent is AI being integrated into your data collection and validation strategies to ensure high-integrity insights?

One way we use AI is to assess whether a survey taker’s responses are contextually relevant to the questions being asked. This helps us identify and flag respondents who are not truly engaging with the survey content. Beyond that, machine learning and automation are embedded across our entire product suite to improve efficiency and maintain consistency in quality. We don’t view AI as a silver bullet, but as an important tool in a broader strategy to protect and validate our data. It works alongside our fraud prevention platform, Research Defender, and our expert team to ensure high-integrity insights every time.

Get in touch with our MarTech Experts.

1. How does your organization use influencer marketing and social media management to drive revenue growth in the current digital landscape?

At Later, we work with brands like ESPN, L’Oréal, Adobe, and General Mills to run and scale influencer and social campaigns that drive measurable business outcomes. Our platform helps teams manage these programs end-to-end, or gives them the tools and data to run them in-house. We analyze billions of data points across social posts, creator activations, and conversions to understand what drives revenue—not just impressions or engagement. This helps brands move from experimental influencer campaigns to systematic, performance-driven programs. Internally, influencer marketing is also proving to be one of our most efficient growth channels. We’ve seen it outperform traditional paid channels and improve downstream performance when creator content is used across email, organic, and web.

2. What challenges have you encountered in adopting platforms that combine influencer campaign management, social media publishing, and analytics?

The real challenge isn’t with the platform—it’s with changing how teams operate. Marketers are used to managing influencer campaigns, publishing, and analytics across multiple disconnected tools. That patchwork has become the norm.

Adopting an integrated system streamlines the work, but it often requires teams to rethink their workflows and how they collaborate.

3. In what ways are you utilizing creator content to enhance customer engagement and build brand loyalty?

We help brands use creator content to drive deeper engagement and long-term loyalty—not just awareness. It works because it feels personal and trusted: 92% of consumers trust influencers more than traditional ads, and that jumps to 94% for Gen Z.

By integrating influencer and affiliate programs, brands can turn creators into ongoing advocates—building trust across the funnel, from discovery to repeat purchase.

4. How does your organization attribute revenue generated from social media channels to specific marketing activities?

We use cross-platform analytics to show how social and creator campaigns drive results throughout the funnel—from first touch to purchase. Since acquiring Mavely, we’ve expanded our capabilities at the bottom of the funnel, helping brands connect content to conversion with greater clarity.

As of 2024, this approach has contributed to Mavely reaching a $1.4B GMV run rate, reflecting significant growth in sales driven by creator-led campaigns.

5. What strategies are employed to ensure cross-functional collaboration in executing social revenue initiatives?

We foster collaboration by aligning teams around shared goals and performance data. From there, we connect top-of-funnel social metrics—like impressions and engagement—with bottom-of-funnel outcomes such as e-commerce sales. The key is measuring ROCS (Return on Creator Spend) and comparing it to other marketing channels. In other words, how much would we need to spend on paid social to drive the same results? Ideally, for every dollar invested in creator marketing, we generate more revenue than we would through traditional paid channels.

6. What plans are in place to stay ahead of emerging trends in the creator economy and social commerce?

Later is already built to power the creator economy end to end for both brands and creators. With the acquisition of Mavely, we’ve expanded further into performance and affiliate, enabling full-funnel, revenue-driven creator programs.

We’re also heavily investing in AI to streamline key workflows such as creator discovery, campaign setup, and performance optimization. The goal is to help brands and creators scale faster with less manual effort. We’ll have a lot more to share more with you on this soon.

Get in touch with our MarTech Experts.

1. How can organizations reframe health equity from a moral obligation to a strategic business driver?

Health equity is not charity rather it’s a strategy. It’s how we future-proof our business. The real unlock is realizing that inclusion isn’t a side project, it’s infrastructure. It determines who trusts you, who buys from you, and who stays with you when competitors come knocking. At CIEN+ Health, we call this reframing Impact Healthonomics™, a proprietary approach to redefine healthcare from cost-containment to capacity-building. It replaces traditional ROI with Return on Vitality™, and makes equity a measurable asset, not just an ethical aim. When equity becomes part of the business model, not the brochure, it transforms from obligation to opportunity.

2. How can integrated models between data, behavioral science, and cultural insights enhance decision-making and outcomes in healthcare?

Data gives you the ‘what.’ Behavioral science reveals the ‘why.’ But culture? Culture tells you how it’s lived, felt, and acted upon. When these elements intersect, you don't just predict behavior, you understand it in motion. At CIEN+ Health, our foresight trends report Clinthropics™, is our proprietary lens for tracking the cultural, clinical, and behavioral shifts shaping long-term decision-making. It’s not about creating static personas but about mapping dynamic trendlines across people, systems, and time. This gives organizations foresight into what’s next, not just insight into what is.

3. How can startups and disruptors navigate the balance between purpose and profitability to achieve sustainable growth?

Too many health startups chase disruption but forget: if you’re not solving for the people most excluded from the system, you’re not disrupting it instead you’re just redesigning it for the same few. Purpose isn’t a slide, it’s your architecture. Profit isn’t the enemy, it's proof that meaningful innovation can scale. The ones who will last are those fluent in both margins and meaning. Those who ask not just, “Can we build it?” but “Will it build trust?” Sustainable growth is never a tradeoff between purpose and profit but it’s the art of aligning both without dilution. 

4. What challenges and opportunities do you foresee in integrating cultural intelligence into healthcare strategies across diverse populations?

One of the biggest challenges is the lingering myth that cultural nuance is just a translation issue. It’s not. It’s a trust issue, a system design issue, and often, a power issue. Too often, culture is added in the eleventh hour, like garnish on a dish already cooked. But the opportunity? It’s massive. Cultural intelligence, when embedded early not retrofitted late it can shift how we design engagement, access, and adherence. At CIEN+ Health, we see culture as clinical. And when you see it that way, you stop asking how to adapt strategies for diverse groups and start co-creating them from the beginning.

5. Looking ahead, what emerging trends do you believe will significantly impact health equity and inclusion in the next five years?

The most significant impacts on health equity and inclusion won’t come from surface-level trends but they’ll come from deeper systemic shifts that quietly reshape access, trust, and belonging in healthcare. Through our Clinthropics™ lens, we’re tracking several such undercurrents. Here are three we believe will be pivotal:

• The Rise of Cultural Infrastructure in Health Systems As trust continues to erode, especially in marginalized communities, inclusion will depend less on messaging and more on structural cultural fluency. Expect to see healthcare systems move beyond interpreters and into embedded cultural intermediaries, spiritual care frameworks, and value-aligned clinical design.  
• Algorithmic Health and the Equity Gap in AI As AI increasingly drives clinical decisions, prior authorizations, and diagnostics, data-trained bias will become a new form of exclusion. The next five years will demand systems that are not just intelligent, but culturally adaptive, ensuring that populations aren't invisibly excluded by machines built on monocultural assumptions. 
• The Redefinition of the Patient Voice We're entering a phase where lived experience will rival clinical evidence in shaping interventions, clinical trials, and policy. Communities are no longer passive recipients instead they're co-designers of care, demanding platforms that reflect their social, historical, and psychological realities. 

6. What skills and mindsets will be essential for leaders to drive inclusive growth and innovation?

The future belongs to leaders who think like system designers and listen like cultural anthropologists.

Those who:

– Don’t just ask questions, but question the frame

– See patients not as users of systems, but as survivors of them

– Replace performative empathy with operational trust

– Slow down decisions to speed up belief

– Treat inclusion not as a department, but as their operating system

Inclusive innovation isn’t a checklist but a mindset. One that sees complexity not as friction, but as the frontier.

Get in touch with our MarTech Experts.