IMpulse - The Influencer Marketing Podcast

In this episode, we’re joined by Dylan MacNamara, SVP of Talent & Creative Partnerships at Gallery Media Group, the force behind PureWow, 1.37PM, and the Gallery Podcast Company. From his early days at Bleacher Report, where he helped build House of Highlights, to now shaping brand partnerships at Gallery — Dylan brings a rare dual lens into both sports media and lifestyle culture. We explore how creators are selected at scale, how Gallery balances influence and integrity, and what it really means to “make positivity louder.” Dylan opens up about vetting, AI creators, live shopping, brand safety, and the evolution of creator-brand-tech partnerships — with hot takes on MrBeast, IShowSpeed, and more. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: 1. How Bleacher Report embraced creator culture before it was cool 2. Building House of Highlights and the rise of Omar Raja 3. Why “Make Positivity Louder” isn’t just a motto — it’s a filter 4. What makes Gallery’s creator vetting process so rigorous 5. His honest take on AI creators and the tools that can empower humans 6. Campaigns that blend celebrity, influencers, and cultural relevance 7. The future of influencer tech: live shopping, social listening & experiential 8. Why he’d rather follow IShowSpeed than MrBeast 9. How niche creators are winning the internet 10. Book recs from the Atlantic Ocean to old-school Hollywood

In this episode, we’re joined by Julianne Skrivan, AVP of Community at Her Campus Media — a Gen Z-first agency that has built a community of over 100,000 creators. Julianne shares the behind-the-scenes on how they vet creators at scale, nurture trust, and stay rooted in authenticity — even while managing big brand partnerships. We dive into Gen Z creator trends, why Instagram is now the “serious” platform, how community-led insights shape strategy, and why the future of influencer marketing is peer-powered. From building safe creator networks to balancing manual vetting with automation, this episode is a must-listen for anyone working with Gen Z creators. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: 1. What Gen Z creators really want from brand deals 2. How Her Campus balances scale, trust & authenticity 3. Why manual vetting is still critical — even with 100K creators 4. How college athletes are shaping the next wave of creators 5. Social listening and pulse checks: how they spot risks and trends 6. The future of community-building and Gen Alpha creators 7. The secret to brand-safe UGC that still feels real

In this episode, we’re joined by Andrew Bloch, Founder of Andrew Bloch & Associates and Co-founder of Frank — one of the most culturally influential PR agencies in the UK. He’s also a trusted advisor to Lord Sugar and several The Apprentice winners. Andrew shares powerful lessons from decades of experience helping top brands and public figures navigate creator controversies, viral meme culture, and high-stakes PR crises. We explore the blurred lines between creators and media, how fake UGC can backfire, and why brand safety needs to evolve fast in the age of AI. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: 1. How top brands handle risky creators & controversial influencers 2. Lessons from the Adidas–Kanye West and Coldplay–Astronomer crises 3. Can brands use meme culture without risking their reputation? 4. Role of speed, empathy & preparation in modern PR 5. Why AI will change the way PR is done — and how to adapt 6. What creators need to know about brand safety vetting 7. How to protect reputation in a world of deepfakes and fake UGC

In this episode, we’re joined by Donatas Smailys, CEO & Co-founder of Billo — the world’s largest UGC video ad marketplace and a Meta Top 10 Creative Partner globally. Donatas shares his perspective on fake UGC, AI-generated content, and what brands and creators need to do to stay ahead in a changing content economy. We explore why authentic content still wins, the ethical risks around cloned faces and avatars, and how Billo is building tools to help creators scale with performance data — without losing their human voice. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: 1. The rise of fake UGC and why it’s a threat to brand trust 2. Why UGC still performs better than polished content 3. How AI can help creators scale (without replacing them) 4. Brand safety concerns with cloned faces and AI influencers 5. What social listening can reveal about your audience 6. How Billo vets creators before matching with brands 7. What’s next for UGC platforms in the AI era 8. Donatas’s favorite books, video games, and future predictions

In this episode, we’re joined by Brooks Miller, EVP of Creators at Edelman — the world’s largest independent PR firm. From building Twitter’s creator ecosystem to leading Edelman’s global influencer practice, Brooks has been at the forefront of how brands and creators build trust, navigate risks, and drive real cultural impact. We dive deep into the future of creator marketing, the importance of co-creation, how brands can walk the tightrope in sensitive cultural moments, and why protecting creator humanity and mental health is more important than ever. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: 1. How brands can future-proof with co-creation & CreatorLab 2. Edelman’s Creator Trust Score & why vetting is non-negotiable 3. What Pantene’s Alex Earl campaign teaches us about risk & fun 4. Why social listening is essential for cultural relevance 5. Creator burnout, mental health & the role of agencies 6. The future of creators in shaping products, culture & policy 7. Why LinkedIn is the next big opportunity for creator marketing

In this episode, we’re joined by Michael Kempner, Founder & CEO of MikeWorldWide (MWW) — one of the world’s most respected independent PR agencies. With over 38 years at the helm, Michael shares timeless lessons on building trust, managing reputational risk, and staying culturally relevant in a world of “permacrisis.” We discuss how MWW blends AI innovation with human storytelling, their crisis simulation strategies, and what it really takes to lead a people-first agency at scale. Michael also shares his thoughts on creator partnerships, risk mitigation, and the role of empathy and authenticity in modern PR. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: 1. Building trust through authenticity in PR & creator marketing 2. How MWW integrates AI to mitigate brand risk 3. The concept of “permacrisis” & reputation management 4. Crisis simulation: how brands pressure-test their response systems 5. How to future-proof your agency culture with innovation 6. The role of social listening in cultural relevance 7. Lessons from 30+ years of client retention and leadership 7. Why peace of mind is a learned leadership skill

In this episode, we’re joined by Diogo Ferreira, Director of Influencer Marketing at Webedia Creators — a global powerhouse building brand-safe, culturally relevant creator campaigns across 15 countries. From managing creator-brand alignment in Brazil’s passionate creator ecosystem to leveraging AI for influencer vetting and content safety, Diogo shares how Webedia balances creative freedom with risk management. He dives into how they stay on top of shifting conversations through social listening, why micro-creators are the next big thing, and what “freedom with responsibility” really looks like in influencer campaigns. This episode is a masterclass in scaling safe and effective campaigns — without losing the human touch. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: 1. Webedia’s approach to influencer vetting and AI-powered risk checks 2. Building creator-brand alignment from the start 3. Why niche creators are outperforming large ones in engagement 4. The role of social listening in campaign strategy 5. Balancing creative freedom with brand safety 6. The future of tech in creator partnerships 7. Culture, community, and creator trust in Brazil

In this episode, we’re joined by Elijah Khasabo, the 21-year-old co-founder of Vidovo, a rapidly growing UGC marketplace built completely without ads or outside funding. Elijah walks us through how a single $50 video that hit 14M organic views changed his life—and sparked the creation of a platform that’s helping brands tap into authentic, high-performing short-form content at scale. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: Building a UGC marketplace from scratch (and bootstrapped) The $50 video that got 14M views Creator vetting: what brands should really look for Retail-ready UGC: the new wave of demand Why “authenticity” is overhyped—and what really works How Vidovo gets 25 creators/day organically The future of automation vs. human judgment in creator campaigns

In this episode, we’re joined by Megan Driscoll, Founder & CEO of EvolveMKD — a fiercely independent PR agency reshaping influencer marketing in healthcare, beauty, and wellness. From launching one of the biggest comeback campaigns for HydraFacial to navigating the tightrope between creativity and regulatory compliance, Megan reveals the systems and thinking behind Evolve’s award-winning work. She shares how her team selects “Phys-Influencers,” manages brand risk, and builds long-term trust with creators in highly scrutinized industries. You’ll also hear her thoughts on cancel culture, the future of AI in vetting and approvals, and why performance-driven creativity is the future of PR. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: 1.Balancing storytelling with FDA-compliant messaging 2.Why “Phys-Influencers” are the future of healthcare campaigns 3.How Evolve uses AI and Airtable for creator vetting 4.Lessons from the HydraFacial campaign turnaround 5.The impact of political commentary on brand safety 6.The evolving expectations from today’s creators 7.What PR agencies need to survive the AI era

In this episode, we dive into the Latin American creator economy with Bianca Boucault (Head of Digital Marketing) and Michelle Quiroz (Sr. Account Manager, Influencer Marketing) at Sherlock Communications — one of LATAM’s most awarded communications agencies. They share how Sherlock helps global brands localize their influencer campaigns for Latin America, combining deep cultural insight with data-driven creator vetting. From vetting thousands of creators to managing region-specific risks and working with clients like the Norwegian Seafood Council, they break down what it really takes to succeed in this complex, vibrant region. Bianca and Michelle also discuss the rise of AI tools, how creators are becoming brands themselves, and why the future of Latin America’s influencer marketing scene is bigger than anyone expects. 🎯 Key Topics Discussed: 1. Common mistakes brands make when entering the LATAM creator market 2. How Sherlock vets creators and prevents brand reputation risks 3. Why localization goes far beyond language 4. The surprising power of niche influencers 5. Real-world influencer campaign examples from LATAM 6. How creators in the region are charging like global celebrities 7. The role of AI tools in scaling influencer campaigns