Updated:
Influential
Influential is the largest influencer marketing company by revenue, founded by Ryan Detert in 2013 and acquired by Publicis Groupe in 2024.
Influential
Ryan Detert founded Influential in 2013, positioning the company as a data-driven intermediary between brands and social media creators. The firm did not disclose its own ownership structure or wealth origin (per firm website, no founding-capital information). Influential operates an AI-powered platform called Captiv8, which searches 100 billion data points to match brands with creators across all major social platforms. It claims to have run $1 billion in influencer campaigns and delivered $2.5B in measured sales for partners. The firm serves clients including Walmart, Reese's, Experian, e.l.f., Hyundai, and others across fashion, food, banking, and automotive. It tracks conversions through partnerships with Circana, Amazon, and LiveRamp. Influential's network includes 15 million creators. The firm employs 58 professionals across its Los Angeles headquarters, with additional offices not disclosed. In 2024, Publicis Groupe acquired Influential, integrating it into the holding company's digital marketing portfolio. The firm maintains no separate philanthropic vehicle disclosed on its site. Influential's structural differentiator is its acquisition by Publicis Groupe, which gives it preferential access to one of the world's largest agency networks. This arrangement lets it offer clients cross-platform measurement and first-party data integrations that standalone influencer platforms cannot match.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2013
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Los Angeles
Corporate office
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Principals
Ryan Detert
Chief Executive Officer
Chris Poydenis
Chief Revenue Officer
Andrea Millett
Chief Operating Officer
Chris Detert
Chief Communications Officer
Kim Iadevaia
Chief Client Officer
Will Starace
Chief Financial Officer
Theja Suresh
Chief Product Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Influential?
Influential is not an investment firm; it is an influencer marketing platform. Its CEO is Ryan Detert, who founded the company in 2013. The leadership team also includes Chris Poydenis (CRO), Andrea Millett (COO), and Will Starace (CFO).
How does Influential source proprietary deal flow?
Influential does not make investments; it matches brands with creators. Its proprietary platform, Captiv8, uses AI to analyze 100 billion data points from social media and historical campaign performance to identify optimal creator-brand pairings.
What investment stages does Influential typically target?
Influential is not an investment manager. It operates as a technology-enabled marketing services company.
Which sectors does Influential explicitly avoid?
Influential does not disclose any sectors it avoids.
How is Influential related to Publicis Groupe?
Publicis Groupe acquired Influential in 2024. The firm now operates as part of Publicis' digital marketing portfolio, providing access to the holding company's agency network and client relationships.
Where does the underlying wealth come from?
Influential does not manage capital; it is an operating company. Its ownership is not publicly disclosed beyond the Publicis Groupe acquisition.
Does Influential maintain philanthropic structures?
Influential does not disclose any separate philanthropic foundation or vehicle on its website. It launched the 'Amplify Diverse Voices' initiative in 2019, which paid over $100M to diverse creators.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: