How Influencer Marketing is Changing Content, Commerce, and Inclusion

Thriving through Change with Influencer Marketing

Linqia // sfBIG 

Influencer marketing has been on the rise and we saw it accelerate further in 2020 due to the pandemic. According to the annual Influencer Marketing Benchmark Report, ever since 2016 there has been a yearly increase of at least 50% to the overall estimated market size of the industry. The lockdowns led to increased social media usage, a change in consumer behavior from Covid-19, there were production challenges around traditional advertising shoots, audiences turned toward authenticity and curated content, and brand budgets were upended, requiring quick-turn pivots. All of these issues and more inspired plenty of brands to partner with influencers this past year in order to get the word out in a relevant, topical and mindful way.

Join sfBIG on Wednesday, August 18th at 12noon PST to explore how Influencer Marketing has grown over the past few years, uncover how agencies and brands are developing strategic programs utilizing Influencers, and discuss how do we measure these programs to prove our value.

Our Moderator:

Keith Bendes, VP – Brand Strategy, Linqia

Labeled a leading voice in the intersection of marketing and technology by Forbes, Keith has led sales and marketing strategy for some of the world’s largest and innovative brands including Bud Light, Dove, Axe, Pepsi, Nissan, and Microsoft. Keith has spoken on some of the biggest marketing stages with the brightest brand thinkers, from CPG global leaders to tech icons like Jack Dorsey. As Vice President of Brand Strategy at Linqia, Keith works with leading brands to develop 360 influencer strategies that drive scalable, measurable business results. Keith lives (and works) in San Francisco, California with his wife and daughter.

Our Panelists:

Jennifer Manger, Head of Social Media Marketing, Wells Fargo

Jennifer Manger leads the Publishing, Capabilities, and Governance team for Wells Fargo Social Media Marketing. Jennifer and her team manage all the content you see across all of Wells Fargo’s social media channels; including all paid social campaigns and organic content publishing and execution. Jennifer is a founding member of the Wells Fargo Social Media team and has been instrumental in its growth, development, and scope. Prior to joining Wells Fargo, Jennifer was Director of Business Development for Financial Services at AOL, led Digital Media Sales for eHarmony, and founded her own consultancy company to support companies branded presences in Social Media, including Travelocity, SF Giants, Skky Vodka, among others. Jennifer is an avid traveler, an animal lover, and currently working on her Masters’s in Law.

LaBrandon Dates, Marketing Leader & Content Creator

LaBrandon is an experienced marketing executive and digital content creator. Over the course of his career, LaBrandon has successfully applied his unique mix of skills to lead global marketing and communications programs for companies in commercial real estate, finance, health insurance, and travel and tourism. Living out his passion for creative storytelling, LaBrandon microblogs on Instagram and executes influencer collaborations with brands including Warby Parker, Reebok, Fossil, Nordstrom, Papa John’s, and Roku. LaBrandon self-published a coffee table book that showcases his wanderlust and personal style. Beyond 1316 is a visual testimony – a point-of-view does not have to be contained by humble beginnings.

Drew McGowan, President, Open Heart Marketing & Communications

Drew is a purpose-driven leader with strategic communications, brand marketing, influencer marketing, and partnership experience with an emphasis on driving change through authentic storytelling. He brings a unique perspective to marketing via his diverse career path including corporate, agency, nonprofit, and government organizations. Drew leads his consulting practice helping brands develop marketing and communications programs. Working with brands such as MasterClass, e.l.f. Beauty, Embarc, and Creama Lusso, his work includes influencer and partner outreach, content creation, media outreach, social media, event management, message development, and cause marketing. Previously, Drew led influencer marketing and communications at Clif Bar & Company, partnerships for Another Planet Entertainment, as well as entertainment marketing for The Clorox Company. He also spent 9 years in the agency world and helped start a nonprofit building playground’s across the country. Drew serves on the board of directors of the Influencer Marketing Association. Drew lives (and works) in Oakland, Calif. with his wife, 2 boys, and a rowdy dog named Rowdy. He continually thinks about sustainability, particularly around the evolution of food and how it affects our society. He’s also a member of a competitive BBQ team that’s won 3 world championships while living a plant-based lifestyle.

Join by Mobile:
US: +16699009128, or +12532158782,

Or Telephone:
Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
US: +1 669 900 9128  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 646 558 8656
Webinar ID: 844 8095 4436
Passcode: 466603
International numbers available: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kby6NXGh9x