The Nevada startup ecosystem is witnessing an incredible milestone, with Influential, the largest startup company in the state’s history to date, being acquired for $500 million. This remarkable achievement marks a significant boost for Nevada’s entrepreneurial community, showcasing the state’s potential as a thriving hub for innovative businesses. Congratulations to the entire Influential team for their incredible success!
Founded in 2013 by CEO Ryan Detert, former president Daniel Steele, and former chief technology officer Piotr Tomasik, Influential has grown into the world’s largest influencer marketing agency by revenue. With headquarters in Las Vegas and expansions to Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago, Influential generated $100 million in revenue in 2022 and an estimated $150 million in 2023. The agency’s impressive client list includes major brands like McDonald’s, Meta, Amazon, Mattel, Walt Disney Company, Reckitt, and Hilton, and it currently works with 300 brands globally.
Celebrating Influential’s Co-Founders
A special shoutout goes to co-founders Ryan Detert, Piotr Tomasik, and Daniel Steele. Your journey to the world’s largest influencer marketing agency is an inspiration for all startup entrepreneurs. You’ve truly built something extraordinary!
Ryan Detert, the visionary CEO, has been instrumental in steering the company towards unprecedented growth. His leadership and foresight have positioned Influential as a leader in the influencer marketing space. Daniel Steele, the former president, played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s strategic direction and expanding its market reach. Piotr Tomasik, the former chief technology officer, brought a unique blend of technical expertise and innovation to the table, ensuring that Influential remains at the forefront of technology and data-driven marketing strategies.
Piotr Tomasik: A Homegrown Talent Making a Difference
Piotr Tomasik is a UNLV alum, and his journey exemplifies how homegrown college talent can make a significant impact by staying local. As a proud UNLV Rebel, Piotr has demonstrated that Nevada can nurture and retain top talent, contributing to the state’s economic growth and innovation landscape. He co-founded StartUp Vegas, a local nonprofit whose mission is to boost the startup culture and create an environment of entrepreneurship because he understood the importance of building a community that supports other founders.
Influential’s Impact and Publicis Groupe Acquisition
Influential’s success story is not just about its impressive revenue figures and high-profile clients. The company has become known for its innovative approach to influencer marketing and its AI-powered data platform, which draws on over 100 billion data points to match clients with optimal influencer partners. They are constantly setting new standards for the industry.
In a significant move, Publicis Groupe, one of the world’s largest advertising and communications companies, plans to acquire Influential for $500 Million to boost its influencer marketing capabilities. The deal, expected to close in August, will position Influential at the center of Publicis’ agency network, working across the holding company’s growth, client, and media teams. Publicis CEO Arthur Sadoun highlighted that the acquisition is a strategic response to the surging client demand for influencer marketing at scale.
“We see the acceleration in our clients’ need to have more expertise and more scale in influencer marketing,” Sadoun told Ad Age. “This is one of the biggest trends of our industry … and we saw in Ryan [Detert, Influential CEO] and his team a unique opportunity to add to our team a significant expansion and a very important layer. We are clearly taking leadership on a very important trend and something that is every day more important for our clients.”
The Future of Influencer Marketing
The acquisition by Publicis Groupe is a testament to Influential’s leadership and innovation in the influencer marketing space. By combining Influential’s data with Epsilon’s expansive consumer database, the partnership aims to usher in a new era of influencer marketing, enhancing audience insights and personalization at scale.
Influential’s network of over 3.5 million creators and its robust data-driven strategies will provide Publicis clients with unparalleled access to influencer marketing expertise. The acquisition also allows Publicis to add influencer marketing as a third branch to its “new media ecosystem,” alongside connected TV and commerce, particularly retail media.
Building a Supportive Startup Ecosystem in Nevada
Influential’s remarkable journey is a shining example of what’s possible when visionary leadership, innovative strategies, and a supportive ecosystem come together. From a startup to a market leader in 10 years underscores the potential of Nevada’s startup ecosystem. The state offers a conducive environment for businesses to launch, grow, and scale. By fostering a supportive community for entrepreneurs, Nevada can continue to attract and retain innovative companies that drive economic growth and job creation. The company’s success story serves as an inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs and a testament to Nevada’s growing stature as a hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.
As we celebrate Influential success, it’s crucial to acknowledge the tremendous progress our startup community and supportive networks like StartUp Vegas have made since Influential was founded. Today, these entities play a pivotal role in nurturing talent, providing resources, and creating opportunities for startups to thrive, ensuring that other founders can achieve similar success. Influential is just the beginning of the incredible innovations and growth that are building and scaling in Nevada.
To learn more about the region’s startup ecosystem, contact Heather Brown, Senior Vice President of Entrepreneurial Development for LVGEA.
