The line stretched down the block. Cars slowed to a crawl. Social media feeds flooded with videos of excited Houstonians racing through the doors. A chicken joint had just gone viral. But this wasn’t just another fast-food opening—it was a masterclass in influencer marketing.
Layne’s Chicken Fingers, a Texas-born brand with a cult following, wasn’t banking on million-dollar ad campaigns or celebrity endorsements. Instead, they tapped into local Houston influencers—food bloggers, TikTok creators, and Instagram personalities with a loyal, engaged audience. These weren’t just influencers; they were trusted voices in the community, and their followers were hungry for their recommendations.
By the time the doors swung open, Layne’s wasn’t just another new restaurant—it was a must-visit experience. The strategy? Authenticity, community, and smart influencer partnerships. The minds behind these campaigns are reshaping Houston’s digital marketing scene, and at the helm are visionary CEOs who understand the power of influence better than anyone.
So who are the masterminds leading the charge? Here are the top 8 CEOs of influencer marketing agencies in Houston—the people redefining how brands connect with audiences.
Top 8 CEOs of Influencer Marketing Companies in Houston
The Bay Area isn’t just a hub for tech—it’s a powerhouse for digital marketing innovation. These CEOs are leading top influencer marketing agencies in San Francisco, transforming how brands connect with audiences in 2024.
1. Karen De Amat
Karen De Amat is redefining what it means to dominate the influencer marketing game in Houston. As the Founder and CEO of Social Behavior, Karen has built a team of strategists, creatives, and digital masterminds who know how to turn social media into a revenue-driving machine.
Her journey from solopreneur to industry leader started in 2014 with a grassroots approach—one that quickly gained traction thanks to her sharp marketing instincts and deep understanding of consumer behavior. Today, Social Behavior stands as a go-to agency for brands looking to harness the power of influencer marketing with a strategy-first mindset.
Beyond running a top-tier agency, Karen’s impact extends to public speaking, where she shares her expertise on social media trends and brand growth. She’s been featured on FOX26’s The Isiah Factor and has taken the stage at the Feed the Soul Foundation, solidifying her status as a thought leader in digital marketing.
Her business acumen isn’t just limited to social media—she also co-founded Brew Chew Treats, an eco-friendly dog treat brand, proving that her entrepreneurial mindset knows no bounds. And when she’s not steering multiple ventures, she’s giving back, actively supporting Houston’s community through charitable initiatives.
With a background in finance, luxury marketing, and corporate oil & gas, Karen brings a rare mix of analytical thinking and creative strategy to the influencer marketing landscape.
2. Gretchen Brice & Karen Lombardo Henry
Gretchen Brice and Karen Lombardo Henry are the power duo behind The PR Boutique, a full-service public relations firm that has been shaping the Houston, Austin, and San Antonio media landscapes for nearly two decades. With a laser-focused approach to PR, influencer marketing, and brand storytelling, they’ve built an agency that blends strategic thinking with deep-rooted industry expertise.
Karen, the driving force behind The PR Boutique’s Houston office, brings over 30 years of experience and a client roster that reads like a who’s who of top-tier brands—Amazon, Chipotle, DryBar, and SoulCycle, just to name a few. Her expertise spans luxury brands, real estate, hospitality, and crisis communications, making her a trusted name for both emerging and established businesses looking to make an impact.
Meanwhile, Gretchen leads the Austin and San Antonio offices, specializing in customized PR strategies that blend media relations, social media, and influencer programming. Her ability to craft compelling brand narratives has earned her collaborations with industry giants like Whole Foods Market, Marriott Hotels, Lamborghini, and UnitedHealthcare.
What makes The PR Boutique stand out? Their approach is boutique by design—meaning every client gets hands-on attention from seasoned experts, not just junior staffers. They don’t just secure media placements; they integrate brands into the cultural and digital conversation, ensuring visibility where it matters most.
With a multi-generational team that combines fresh ideas with seasoned expertise, Karen and Gretchen have built The PR Boutique into one of Texas’ most influential agencies.
3. Jason Pampell
Jason Pampell, the founder and CEO of HireInfluence, has been at the forefront of influencer marketing since 2011, long before the term became a buzzword. His agency has since evolved into an award-winning powerhouse, earning recognition as Ad World Masters’ 2022 Marketing Agency of the Year.
With a team of over 25 experts, Jason has built HireInfluence into a full-service agency that blends strategy, creativity, and cutting-edge influencer activations. From talent sourcing to experiential campaigns and strategic content amplification, his agency delivers high-impact collaborations for some of the world’s most prestigious brands.
But Jason isn’t just about execution—he’s a thought leader shaping the future of digital marketing. As a member of the Forbes Agency Council, he shares insights on content marketing, influencer trends, and the evolution of brand storytelling in the digital age.
Beyond HireInfluence, Jason’s entrepreneurial mindset extends to his work with 17th Avenue, a music promotion agency that supports rising artists in the folk, country, and Americana scenes. Whether he’s crafting influencer campaigns for Fortune 500 brands or amplifying new voices in the music industry, Jason is always ahead of the curve.
4. Megan Silianoff
Megan Silianoff leads a Houston-based firm that blends PR, social media, branding, and influencer marketing into one powerhouse strategy. Think Mad Men, but with a modern, no-nonsense edge. The agency in question? Mad Meg Creative Services.
Megan’s approach to influencer marketing is rooted in entrepreneurship—she and her team think like business owners because they are. That means every influencer campaign isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about impact. Whether it’s social media management, web design, SEO, or influencer collaborations, Mad Meg delivers strategies that move the needle, not just the algorithm.
Before launching Mad Meg in 2015, Megan honed her marketing expertise as VP of Marketing for PopUp Shops, a platform that connects brands with retail spaces. But her path wasn’t all boardrooms and branding—at 28, she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer, a life-altering moment that led her to start a blog documenting her journey. That experience shaped her storytelling skills, making her a natural at crafting compelling brand narratives that resonate with audiences.
Beyond running a top-tier agency, Megan is a sought-after speaker, sharing insights on mastering brand presence and social media strategy. She’s also a force on Instagram (@megansilianoff), where she gives followers an unfiltered look at her professional and personal life.
5. Hannah Swiggard
Hannah Swiggard started in editorial fashion at PaperCity Magazine, where she developed an instinct for storytelling and trend-spotting. By 2016, she pivoted into digital marketing, launching Swiggard Creative in 2018 to help brands navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape. Today, her agency works across industries like luxury real estate, hospitality, e-commerce, and retail, delivering campaigns that blend strategy with high-impact creativity.
Hannah’s expertise extends beyond running campaigns—she’s an industry leader shaping Houston’s influencer marketing scene. In January 2025, she co-founded Digital Haus, an agency dedicated to managing and amplifying local influencers, bridging the gap between brands and top-tier content creators.
Her approach? Seamless integration of brand identity with digital strategy. Whether she’s overseeing a photoshoot, curating influencer partnerships, or launching a seasonal campaign, Hannah ensures every project aligns with a brand’s core message while driving measurable engagement.
6. Ted Raad
Ted Raad runs an agency that grows as fast as the industry it operates in. As the founder, and now CEO, of Trend Companies, Ted has redefined influencer management with a focus on transparency, authenticity, and building real relationships between brands and creators.
Before launching Trend, Ted spent years in high-stakes negotiations at Hewlett-Packard, brokering multi-million dollar deals. That corporate experience, combined with his entrepreneurial mindset, gave him a unique edge in influencer marketing—he understands both the creative and business sides of the industry.
Under his leadership, Trend Companies has become one of the fastest-growing influencer management firms in the U.S., seamlessly integrating talent management, influencer campaigns, and product development. His philosophy? Prioritize the creators. Unlike traditional agencies that put profits first, Trend ensures influencers have the support, strategy, and brand partnerships they need to thrive.
Beyond managing top-tier talent, Ted is a thought leader in digital marketing, frequently sharing insights on industry trends through podcasts and media features. He also keeps it real—openly discussing the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship and family life, making him a relatable figure in the business world.
7. Krista McDaniel
Krista McDaniel has built an award-winning digital marketing agency that delivers high-impact strategies, stunning visuals, and influencer-driven campaigns that turn engagement into conversions.
Krista’s path to marketing leadership wasn’t conventional—it was entrepreneurial. Before launching Kreative Media in 2020, she spent a decade running her own boutique, KB Kasuals, where she mastered branding, social media, and customer engagement firsthand. That hands-on experience gave her a unique edge in digital marketing, allowing her to understand a brand’s needs from the inside out.
Her approach? Treat every client’s business like her own. That means hyper-personalized service, data-driven decisions, and a relentless focus on delivering ROI. And she doesn’t just stop at business success—through Kreative Kares, she actively gives back, offering marketing support to local non-profits and community initiatives.
Krista has quickly positioned Kreative Media as one of the top marketing agencies in The Woodlands, proving that when strategy meets creativity, brands don’t just grow—they thrive.
8. Teja Foster
Teja Foster launched Get Social to drive real social change. This creative agency does that by focusing on developing real brand partnerships and using social media as a tool for political awareness and community empowerment.
Launched in 2020, Get Social was born from a need: to give women of color a stronger voice in the digital space and create campaigns that uplift Black and Brown communities. Today, her agency is a powerhouse of diverse talent, composed exclusively of women of color spanning Gen Z to Millennials, offering fresh perspectives and innovative strategies.
Teja’s impact is undeniable. Under her leadership, Get Social has executed high-profile campaigns for Rock The Vote and She The People, helping shape critical conversations during the 2020 election. The agency also played a key role in the See Us Unite campaign, amplifying voices within the AAPI community. Her ability to fuse culture, activism, and digital strategy has made Get Social one of the most influential marketing firms in the space.
Beyond her agency, Teja is a recognized thought leader, featured in publications like Shoutout LA, where she shares insights on the intersection of social media and activism. She also ties political topics to hip-hop culture, making complex issues more relatable and engaging for younger audiences.
How These CEOs Are Redefining Influencer Marketing in Houston
The rise of influencer marketing in Houston isn’t just about viral moments—it’s about strategy, authenticity, and leadership. These CEOs are proving that a well-crafted marketing service from a top-tier firm can transform brands, drive engagement, and shape digital conversations.
Whether through high-impact PR, social media campaigns, or influencer collaborations, each leader on this list is setting a new standard for the industry. As brands look to navigate the evolving digital landscape, these visionary executives are the ones to watch, shaping the future of marketing one campaign at a time.
About the Author
Writer
Dan Atkins is a renowned SEO specialist and digital marketing consultant, recognized for boosting small business visibility online. With expertise in AdWords, ecommerce, and social media optimization, he has collaborated with numerous agencies, enhancing B2B lead generation strategies. His hands-on consulting experience empowers him to impart advanced insights and innovative tactics to his readers.
