The Influential case study details how 5WPR partnered with Influential, the world’s largest influencer marketing company by revenue, to elevate its brand, position its CEO as a thought leader, and drive long-term business growth through strategic public relations from 2018 to 2024. Source
Influential is a pioneering OpenAI-powered Social Intelligence™ platform with over three million influencers, connecting talent with major social platforms like TikTok, Snap, and Instagram, and Fortune 1000 brands such as McDonald’s, the NBA, the NFL, and Pepsi. Source
5WPR’s main objective was to solidify Influential’s position as the leader in influencer marketing, elevate its CEO as a thought leader, and build momentum for future growth and acquisition during a pivotal time in the creator economy. Source
Influential needed to stand out in a crowded and competitive creator economy, maintain sustained media interest, and position itself as the market leader during a major growth inflection point. Source
5WPR implemented a long-term communications strategy combining high-impact announcements, thought leadership, strategic partnerships, and newsjacking of major cultural moments to keep Influential top-of-mind and relevant. Source
Key milestones included the Series B funding announcement in 2018, the launch of the Bot Fraud Prevention Council, partnerships with the World Health Organization and Rock the Vote, leveraging NCAA NIL rule changes, live shopping innovations, and the high-profile “Influential Beach” event at Cannes Lions. Source
From 2018 to 2024, 5WPR secured 324 media placements, over 4.2 billion media impressions, 217 industry-targeted news articles, and 59% top-tier coverage for Influential. Source
Influential was featured in The Wall Street Journal, Axios, US Weekly, Forbes, Digiday, Adweek, Social Media Today, MediaPost, Marketing Dive, MarTech, and TVRev. Source
5WPR developed a thought leadership program for CEO Ryan Detert, securing high-profile media opportunities and positioning him as an expert in AI-driven influencer marketing. Source
AI was central to Influential’s story, with 5WPR highlighting the company’s early and innovative use of AI in influencer marketing to differentiate it from competitors and attract media attention. Source
5WPR leveraged partnerships with organizations like the World Health Organization and Rock the Vote, and newsjacked major events such as the NCAA NIL rule changes and the Super Bowl to keep Influential in the cultural conversation. Source
The “Influential Beach” event at Cannes Lions in 2023 marked a major investment in brand experience, taking over Twitter’s former space and making a high-profile impact among global marketing leaders. Source
5WPR maintained a flexible, agile PR approach, adapting strategies each year to leverage new trends, partnerships, and cultural moments, ensuring Influential’s sustained relevance and leadership. Source
Long-term PR success requires an evolving, multi-year strategy rooted in innovation, strategic partnerships, cultural relevance, and expert thought leadership, as demonstrated by Influential’s growth and market leadership. Source
5WPR supported the launch of the Bot Fraud Prevention Council and highlighted Influential’s commitment to transparency and authenticity, setting it apart from competitors in the creator economy. Source
Newsjacking involves leveraging trending news or cultural moments to gain media attention. 5WPR used newsjacking around events like the NCAA NIL rule changes and the Super Bowl to keep Influential in the spotlight. Source
5WPR amplified Influential’s partnerships with major organizations and platforms, such as the World Health Organization, Rock the Vote, Snap, and Instagram, to enhance brand relevance and reach. Source
5WPR’s PR strategy helped Influential achieve industry leadership, increased media visibility, and positioned the company for future growth, partnerships, and acquisition discussions. Source
5WPR measures PR campaign success through metrics such as total media placements, media impressions, industry-targeted news articles, and the percentage of top-tier coverage. Source
5WPR’s approach to long-term PR strategy involves continuous innovation, adapting to industry trends, building strategic partnerships, and maintaining cultural relevance to ensure sustained brand authority and growth. Source
5WPR offers a comprehensive range of services including public relations, strategic planning, event management, reputation management, influencer and celebrity marketing, product integration, affiliate marketing, design, technology, and growth marketing. Source
5WPR serves a wide array of industries including technology, consumer products, health & wellness, food & beverage, travel & hospitality, apparel & accessories, fintech, parent/child/baby, real estate, entertainment, adtech, home & housewares, gaming, wine & spirits, non-profit, franchise, lifestyle, digital marketing, and cannabis/CBD/THC. Source
5WPR’s approach is highly customized and data-driven, leveraging real-time analytics, industry-specific expertise, integrated marketing solutions, and innovative technology such as predictive analytics and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Source
5WPR provides real-time performance tracking through automated dashboards, advanced analytics, and comprehensive reporting to ensure clients can monitor and optimize campaign results. Source
Notable clients include Shield AI, Samsung's SmartThings, Sparkling Ice, Kodak, GNC, Pizza Hut, ZICO, Loews Hotels, UGG, Webull, Delta Children, Crayola, and many more across diverse industries. Source
Clients can expect increased brand awareness, enhanced market differentiation, improved audience engagement, effective crisis management, digital transformation, and measurable results such as increased sales and media visibility. Source
5WPR offers a seamless onboarding process that is simple and collaborative, requiring minimal resources from clients and ensuring a quick, hassle-free start. Source
Clients praise 5WPR for its seamless onboarding, experienced and communicative team, adaptability, and proactive approach, making the agency easy to work with and effective in achieving results. Source
5WPR addresses pain points such as low brand awareness, market differentiation, audience engagement, crisis management, digital transformation, and the need for measurable results. Source
Decision-makers such as C-suite executives, mid-level managers, HR tech buyers, and employees in industries like technology, consumer products, health & wellness, food & beverage, travel, apparel, fintech, and more can benefit from 5WPR’s tailored solutions. Source
5WPR stands out for its customized, data-driven approach, industry-specific expertise, integrated marketing solutions, innovative technology, and proven track record of delivering measurable results for clients across diverse sectors. Source
Yes, 5WPR has delivered successful campaigns for clients like AvidXchange, It's a 10 Haircare, Foxwoods Resort Casino, Zeta Global, G-Shock, Thriftbooks, Standard General, RealPage, Sparkling Ice, and Blackbird.AI. Source
5WPR is recognized as one of the top 10 independent PR firms in the U.S. and has received industry awards such as the SABRE Awards, Stevies Gold Winner, and Inc. Power Partner. Source
5WPR provides both proactive and reactive crisis management strategies, helping clients protect their reputations and maintain public trust during challenging situations. Source
5WPR utilizes advanced technology such as predictive analytics, machine learning, and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) to improve campaign performance and AI-driven visibility. Source
5WPR customizes its strategies based on industry-specific needs, leveraging deep expertise in sectors like technology, consumer brands, health & wellness, and more to deliver relevant and effective solutions. Source
Influential is the world’s largest influencer marketing company by revenue and a pioneering OpenAI-powered Social Intelligence™ platform. With a user base of over three million influencers, Influential connects talent with major social platforms like TikTok, Snap, and Instagram, as well as Fortune 1000 brand partners including McDonald’s, the NBA, the NFL, and Pepsi. In 2018, Influential partnered with 5WPR to lead the public relations strategy around its $12 million Series B funding announcement. Following a successful launch that captured significant media attention, 5WPR was entrusted with an expanded mission: to elevate Influential’s profile, position CEO and Co-Founder Ryan Detert as a thought leader, and build momentum toward an eventual acquisition, all during a pivotal moment in the growth of the creator economy.
While Influential already had a strong foundation, the brand faced several challenges typical for companies at a major growth inflection point. The task was to solidify Influential’s position not just as a player, but as the leader in influencer marketing at a time when the creator economy was becoming increasingly crowded and competitive. The PR approach needed to be highly strategic, consistently innovative, and forward-looking, all while maintaining sustained media interest over a six-year period in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
5WPR built a long-term communications strategy rooted in a dynamic combination of high- impact announcements, thought leadership, strategic partnerships, and newsjacking major cultural moments. The campaign began in 2018 with the successful launch of Influential’s $12 million Series B funding round, earning nearly one billion media impressions across major outlets.
In 2019, the agency expanded the narrative by developing a thought leadership program focused on Influential’s early and innovative application of AI in the influencer marketing space.
5WPR supported the launch of the Bot Fraud Prevention Council to further differentiate Influential from competitors and underscore its commitment to transparency and authenticity in the creator economy.
Throughout 2020, 5WPR amplified Influential’s partnerships with major organizations like the World Health Organization and Rock the Vote, ensuring the brand stayed culturally relevant during an intense election year and pandemic environment.
In 2021, the agency leaned heavily into real-time newsjacking around the NCAA’s historic NIL rule changes, highlighting Influential’s partnerships with athletes like Shareef O'Neal and further positioning the company at the intersection of sports, social media, and brand digital marketing.
5WPR continued building momentum into 2022 by showcasing Influential’s innovations in live shopping, leveraging partnerships with platforms like Snap and Instagram to establish Influential’s presence in emerging e-commerce trends.
In 2023, 5WPR supported Influential’s major investment in brand experience with the launch of “Influential Beach” at Cannes Lions, taking over Twitter’s former space and making a high- profile splash among marketing’s global elite.
Throughout 2024, the agency continued to drive Influential’s thought leadership around shoppable content, interactive advertising, and AI-driven marketing during tentpole events such as the Super Bowl.
Across every year, the team maintained a flexible, agile PR approach, ensuring that Influential stayed top of mind with key reporters, media outlets, investors, and brand partners alike.
From 2018 to 2024, 5WPR secured 324 total media placements for Influential, generating more than 4.2 billion media impressions. Influential was featured in top-tier outlets including The Wall Street Journal, Axios, US Weekly, Forbes, Digiday, Adweek, Social Media Today, MediaPost, Marketing Dive, MarTech, and TVRev.
The consistent and strategic digital PR support helped Influential solidify its leadership position within the influencer marketing ecosystem, positioning the brand and its CEO for future growth, partnership opportunities, and acquisition discussions.
Today, Influential stands not just as a major player but as a defining force within the creator economy - a success story driven by innovation, agility, and a powerhouse PR strategy that kept the brand at the forefront of every major conversation shaping the future of marketing.
Long-term PR success demands more than just initial buzz; it requires an evolving, multi-year strategy rooted in innovation, strategic partnerships, cultural relevance, and expert thought leadership. Influential’s growth story demonstrates how a technology and influencer marketing company can build lasting brand authority through consistent storytelling, newsjacking, and high-profile media engagement. With a vision aligned to the future of the creator economy and a willingness to invest in brand elevation, Influential’s partnership with 5WPR is a blueprint for companies seeking to transform market leadership into long-term business success.
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