Influential

Name

Influential

Legal name

The Influential Network, Inc.

Website

https://influential.co

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Influencer Marketing Platform

NAICS

Advertising Agencies (541810), Other Services Related to Advertising (541890)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Advertising (7310)

akta.pro primary industry

Influencer Marketing Platforms (Discovery/Search/CRM) (MPACAGAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Influencer Measurement, Attribution & Analytics (BPAFAHAI), Influencer Strategy & Campaign Management (MPAAAHAA), Influencer Campaign Operations & Managed Services (BPAFAHAF)

Keywords

• Influencer marketing platform
• Creator marketing software
• AI brand matching
• Campaign measurement analytics
• Enterprise marketing technology

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Software

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Influencer Marketing Campaigns: Full-service influencer campaign management connecting brands with creators through the Captiv8 platform. Revenue generated from campaign fees based on measurable business outcomes including sales, brand awareness, and engagement metrics. The company has generated $2.5B+ in measured sales for brand and agency partners.
2. Platform Access and SaaS: AI-powered platform access for creator discovery, campaign execution, and performance intelligence with enterprise-grade measurement capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Influential operates an enterprise influencer marketing platform (Captiv8) that uses AI built on IBM Watson to match brands with creators from a network of 15+ million. The platform unifies creator discovery, campaign execution, and performance intelligence with deep API integrations across all major social media platforms, providing end-to-end campaign management for Fortune 500 brands and major advertising agencies. The offering combines always-on SaaS platform access with managed campaign services, measuring outcomes including online and offline sales lift, brand awareness, and engagement through preferred partnerships with Circana, Advantage Solutions, Amazon, and LiveRamp.

Product overview

Influential is an enterprise influencer marketing platform (powered by Captiv8) offering a unified solution that combines AI-powered creator discovery, campaign execution, and performance intelligence. The core platform integrates with all major social media platforms via deep API connections and provides access to 15+ million searchable creators. Key product components include CoreCreator (audience-first influencer solution), Influential Sports (sports-oriented creator marketing), and comprehensive measurement solutions through partnerships with Circana, Advantage Solutions, Amazon, and LiveRamp. The platform is powered by IBM Watson AI and OpenAI, utilizing computer vision, natural language processing, and machine learning to match brands with optimal creators. Additional offerings include NIL department services for college athlete partnerships, Influential360 for screen-agnostic advertising, celebrity and talent partnerships through WME/MLBPA/CAA/UTA, and original content including Forbes Top Creators rankings and monthly social media trend reports.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Captiv8 Platform The enterprise influencer marketing platform that unifies creator discovery, campaign execution, and performance intelligence. Captiv8 combines AI-powered technology with deep API integrations to provide access to 15+ million creators and insights for Fortune 500 brands and agencies to build authentic partnerships and drive measurable results. Consistently ranked #1 enterprise influencer marketing platform by G2 for 14 consecutive quarters.
• CoreCreator Audience-first influencer solution that enables brands to reach specific target audiences through data-driven creator selection rather than relying solely on follower counts or traditional audience demographics. Designed to unlock audience-first influencer marketing.
• Influential Sports Sports-oriented influencer unit combining creator marketing with sports marketing capabilities, connecting brands with sports-oriented creators across major leagues, collegiate athletics, and emerging sports with measurement capabilities.
• NIL Department Dedicated Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) department providing access to 150,000+ NCAA athletes via Teamworks partnership for college sports influencer marketing campaigns.
• Influencer Marketing Campaign Services Full-service influencer campaign management connecting brands with creators through the Captiv8 platform. Revenue generated from campaign fees based on measurable business outcomes including sales, brand awareness, and engagement metrics. The company has generated $2.5B+ in measured sales for brand and agency partners.
• Celebrity & Talent Partnerships Service Access to elite celebrity and talent through preferred partnerships including WME for celebrity talent, MLB Players Association for 1,200+ active MLBPA players, and CAA and UTA talent agencies.

Quantifiable outcome

• $2.5B+ in measurable sales generated for brand partners
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

AI capability10 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, strategic and minor.

• Publicis GroupecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2024Publicis Groupe acquired Influential in July 2024 for approximately $500 million, integrating Influential into its data and technology ecosystem. This strategic acquisition enhanced Publicis' influencer marketing capabilities and creator economy presence, combining Influential's platform with Publicis Sports and Epsilon data agency to launch Influential Sports in 2026.
• IBM WatsoncoreTechnology or IntegrationAI platform powered by IBM Watson technology, enabling natural language processing, machine learning, and AI-driven creator matching capabilities. First influencer marketing company built with IBM Watson (2015).
• YouTubecoreTechnology or IntegrationPremier platform partner with API integrations. Partnership includes co-launch of Clio Creators awards in 2026 with YouTube as the presenting platform partner. Submissions sourced from YouTube along with Instagram, LinkedIn, Snapchat, and TikTok.
• Meta (Facebook/Instagram)coreTechnology or IntegrationPremier partner status with Meta platforms including Instagram, providing platform-first access and integrations for creator campaigns.
• TikTokcoreTechnology or IntegrationPreferred partner for TikTok Shop and major platform partner. Partnership includes co-creation of first-ever TikTok Influential Awards at Cannes Lions 2024 hosted by Josh Richards.
• SnapchatcoreTechnology or IntegrationPremier platform partner with API integrations enabling creator campaign execution and performance tracking.
• OpenAIstrategicTechnology or IntegrationCreator Discovery technology integration using OpenAI capabilities for enhanced AI modeling and natural language processing for creator profile analysis.
• CircanastrategicTechnology or IntegrationPreferred partnership for conversion tracking and offline measurement, enabling brands to track sales lift and in-store attribution from influencer campaigns.
• LiveRampstrategicTechnology or IntegrationPreferred partnership for identity resolution and cross-platform measurement, enabling enhanced targeting and attribution for influencer campaigns.
• AmazonstrategicTechnology or IntegrationPreferred partnership for e-commerce and affiliate tracking, enabling measurement of online sales from influencer content and Amazon attribution.
• Advantage SolutionsstrategicTechnology or IntegrationPreferred partnership for retail and in-store measurement, enabling offline sales attribution for influencer campaigns.
• WME (William Morris Endeavor)strategicGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership providing access to elite celebrity talent at preferred rates. WME invested in Influential in 2018, demonstrating strategic alignment.
• MLBPAstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerExclusive partnership with all 1,200 active MLBPA players enabling sports influencer campaigns with professional baseball athletes.
• Teamworks (NCAA)strategicGTM or Marketing PartnerDedicated in-house NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) desk via Teamworks partnership, providing access to 150K NCAA athletes for collegiate influencer campaigns.
• CAAstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerTalent partnership providing access to CAA-represented celebrities and influencers for brand campaigns.
• UTAstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerTalent partnership providing access to UTA-represented celebrities and influencers for brand campaigns.
• Group BlackstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred partner accelerating discovery and monetization of Black creators, supporting Influential's commitment to diversity with $100M+ directed to diverse creators.
• ESSENCEstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred partnership supporting diverse creator representation and multicultural brand partnerships.
• UMG (Universal Music Group)strategicGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred partnership for music and entertainment creator collaborations and brand integrations.
• Black MenswearstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerPreferred partner for Black fashion and lifestyle creator initiatives.
• LA ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Liverpool-based LA Productions for the 'Stop For Good' quit smoking campaign, combining Influential's creator network with LA's production capabilities.
• Clio AwardsstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with the Clio Awards to launch 'Clio Creators' in 2026, a new awards ceremony honoring outstanding sponsored creator content across major platforms including YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Snapchat.
• Creators 4 Mental HealthstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health awareness partnership raising visibility about creator burnout through Times Square billboard campaign on World Mental Health Day 2025, involving prominent creators and future city activations.
• OUTFRONT MediastrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnership for mental health awareness campaign featuring Times Square billboards, leveraging OUTFRONT's outdoor advertising network.
• Epsilon (Publicis)coreTechnology or IntegrationData partnership within Publicis Groupe ecosystem, combining Influential's creator data with Epsilon's identity resolution and audience targeting capabilities for enhanced campaign measurement.
• Liverpool City CouncilminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for recycling awareness campaign in Liverpool, creating talking bins and a recycled Liver Bird sculpture.
• Publicis SportscoreTechnology or IntegrationIntegration with Publicis Sports within Publicis Groupe to launch Influential Sports unit combining creator marketing, sports marketing, and Epsilon data capabilities.
• Genius SportsstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerSports data and marketing partnership as part of Publicis Groupe's expanded sports marketing presence.
• Magic Johnson EnterprisesstrategicGTM or Marketing PartnerSports marketing partnership as part of Publicis Groupe's broader sports strategy expansion.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CreatorIQ: Enterprise influencer marketing platform offering creator discovery, campaign management, and analytics for Fortune 500 brands. Closest direct competitor to Influential's Captiv8 platform, with overlapping Fortune 500 customer base and similar AI-driven matching capabilities.
• IZEA: Publicly traded influencer marketing technology and services company offering managed campaigns and a creator marketplace. Direct competitor providing both software and managed services to enterprise brands, comparable to Influential's dual model.
• Tagger by Sprout Social: Influencer marketing platform acquired by Sprout Social, providing social listening, creator discovery, and campaign analytics. Directly comparable to Influential's platform offering for mid-market and enterprise brands.
• Open Influence: Global influencer marketing platform with end-to-end campaign management, creator discovery, and measurement. Comparable to Influential in serving Fortune 500 brands with a managed-services-plus-tech model.
• Grin: Creator management platform focused on ecommerce and DTC brands, offering discovery, CRM, and ROI measurement. Direct competitor in the influencer marketing platform space with overlap in creator marketplace and analytics capabilities.
• Traackr: Influencer marketing platform specializing in creator discovery, brand safety, and performance measurement for global enterprises. Directly comparable to Influential in the enterprise tier with similar focus on data-driven creator selection.
• Klear (Meltwater): Influencer marketing platform acquired by Meltwater, offering creator discovery, campaign management, and analytics. Direct competitor with similar enterprise focus and AI-driven matching capabilities.
• Aspire (formerly AspireIQ): Enterprise influencer marketing platform serving brands and agencies with creator discovery, workflow, and measurement. Direct competitor in the same enterprise tier as Influential, with comparable customer profile and GTM motion.

Emerging players

• Whalar Group: Creator economy company offering influencer marketing services and the Lighthouse platform for brand-creator partnerships. Comparable to Influential in serving major brands with creator campaigns, with a slightly earlier-stage technology stack.

Others

• Captiv8: Influencer marketing platform now consolidated into Influential following the Publicis Groupe acquisition. Included as a peer because it was a significant independent competitor prior to integration and the combined platform reflects both lineages.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Influential_Co
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3714507

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds7 records

Investors12 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Influential