Influencer + Creator Partnerships
Influencer Partnerships With A Reason To Exist.
We start with the cultural moment, audience and business outcome. Then we cast creators, talent and communities who can make the brand feel worth watching, sharing and acting on.
70+Pilot creator partners
181M+PassionRoses social impressions
41Creators in one content library
10,000+HB partnerships built
Reviewed by Stacy Jones, Founder + CEO · Updated October 2026
Quick answer
Influencer marketing is a partnership between a brand and a content creator who promotes the brand to their audience on platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. Below is how Hollywood Branded builds creator programs, followed by our complete library of 158 articles and 35 podcast episodes on strategy, vetting, pricing, FTC compliance and where creator marketing is heading.
Not Just Posts
Build The Creator Program Around The Job It Has To Do.
Creator work can build demand, deliver product education, change perception, create a content library, move people toward retail or commerce, or carry a larger entertainment partnership into everyday conversation. The format follows the outcome.
Creator + Celebrity CastingAudience fit, cultural credibility, talent access, roster strategy, outreach, negotiations and partnership structure.
Content That BelongsConcepts, creator briefs, product stories, shoots, editing, unboxings, tutorials, challenges and real-life use.
Gifting With A Point Of ViewCustom mailers, experiential kits, product seeding, launches and tangible reasons to open, use and share.
Entertainment + IP ExtensionsGive creators a meaningful entry point into licensed products, shows, talent partnerships, premieres and fandom.
Paid, PR + RetailUsage rights, whitelisting, paid social, earned storytelling, shopper paths and brand-channel distribution.
Ambassadors + Always-OnSustained creator relationships, recurring tentpoles, a useful asset library and smarter next rounds.
Match The Creator To The Moment
Different Goals Need Different Kinds Of Influence.
Pick The Outcome First
- Launch. Make the new thing feel discoverable with first-use content, gifting, creator previews and urgency.
- Retail + commerce. Give people a reason to buy now with demos, comparisons, codes, seasonal tentpoles and shopper-ready assets.
- Cultural relevance. Put the brand in a bigger conversation through entertainment, trends, creator communities, events and IP.
- Content library. Build a rights-ready bank of creator content for owned, paid, PR and retail channels.
- Community. Reach the people who will care most: niche voices, regional creators, experts, parents, students and culture leaders.
- Experience. Bring the story into real life with creator trips, brand events, premieres, store moments and live capture.
How HB Delivers
Build The Partnership Before The Post Goes Live.
The work is not "send product and hope." We build the strategy, deal structure, content ecosystem and amplification plan around what happens after a creator says yes.
01PlaybookDefine the win: audience, objective, product truth, guardrails, budget and proof needed.
02RadarMap the creators, talent, moments and communities worth pursuing.
03Unlock AccessOutreach, negotiations, contracts, rights and approvals.
04ProduceBriefs, gifting, logistics, content production, events and publishing.
05AmplifyPaid usage, PR, brand channels, retail, creator extensions and media once the content exists.
06GrowMeasure results, keep what worked and build the next cultural moment.
Focused LaunchA tightly cast five-to-ten creator program built around one product, season or commerce moment.
Content LibraryA scalable roster producing rights-ready, brand-useful assets across formats, audiences and platforms.
Experiential MomentTrips, live events, hospitality and social capture designed to make the brand physically memorable.
Ambassador SystemLonger-term relationships, recurring tentpoles, entertainment extensions and ongoing optimization.
Proof
The Right Partnership Makes The Content Work Harder
Pilot Pen × Back-To-School + Entertainment
Creators Connected To A Bigger Entertainment Story
HB blended cultural relevance with utility-driven storytelling across lifestyle, education and student audiences. Creator programs brought product benefits into shopping, organization, unboxing and back-to-school routines, then connected those stories to Pilot's entertainment partnerships, including The Kelly Clarkson Show.
8.2MKelly Clarkson Show impressions
55.9MBack-to-school impressions
2.85%Engagement rate
$1.2MEstimated media value
St. Dalfour × Emily In Paris
Built on St. Dalfour's Emily in Paris licensing partnership, recipe-driven creator content turned everyday consumption into premium, culturally inspired experiences, then expanded through packaging, gifting, watch parties and chef-led tastings across markets.
Recipe-led storytelling · Licensed IP extension · Multi-market
PassionRoses × Experiential Creator Moment
PassionRoses became a visual centerpiece inside high-impact social and cultural moments, giving creators a tactile, photographable reason to build custom bouquets and make the brand part of the event story.
181M+ ColourPop event social impressions · 220+ creators + celebrities
Pala Casino Resort & Spa
To reach a younger audience, HB built an invitational creator experience across gaming, dining and spa. The content read as a weekend recommendation rather than an ad and built a reusable library for the resort.
2.28M reach · 44.6K engagements · 88 pieces of content · 21 creators
More on file
My Magic Mud · 41 creators, 83-piece content libraryBlackBerry · 39.1M reachMola × Chill County Fair · 14M impressionsDel Sol · 2.83M reach85° Bakery · 2.45M reach, 35 creatorsBabington Soap · 621K reach, 19 creatorsTalking Stick ResortVolando holiday giftingFear Factor: House of Fear
01
Influencer Strategy
Choosing the right model: paid or gifted, macro or nano, one-off or always-on.
2022User Generated Content Is The Future of Advertising→2024PR Packages or Paid Partnerships? Navigating Influencer Strategy Choices→2024Content-First, Creator-Led: What’s Next for Influencer Marketing→2023Maximizing the Impact of Influencer Marketing: Expert Insights on Strategy, Measurement, and Compliance→2022Should Brands Use Macro or Nano-Influencers In A Campaign?→
More on Influencer Strategy (38 articles)
- 2023The Rise of Virtual Influencers
- 2022The Rise + Success Of Micro-Influencer Marketing For Brands
- 2020Brand Trade Partnerships: Influencer Marketing Without Breaking The Bank
- 2020Why Brands Can Benefit From Micro-Influencer Partnerships
- 2025Why Your Influencer Marketing Strategy Needs a 2025 Update
- 2025Brand Ambassadors vs Influencers: What’s Best For Your Brand?
- 2025What Brands Miss in Influencer Marketing (Until It’s Too Late)
- 20244 Reasons Brands Use Influencer Marketing in 2024
- 2023How Micro-Influencers Can Benefit Your Brand
- 2023Hollywood Branded Insights into Effective Influencer Partnerships for Startups
- 2022The Changes You Need To Understand About Paid Media
- 2022The Ever-Changing World Of Influencer Marketing
- 20226 Steps To Diversify Your Influencer Marketing Campaigns
- 2022What To Know About Influencer Marketing
- 2021Why Your Company Needs An Influencer To Promote Your Brand
- 2021Influencer and Celebrity Endorsements 101
- 2021Why You Should Consider Whitelisting
- 2021Creating Content With Influencer Marketing
- 2021What Are Robot Influencers?
- 2021Influencers Monetizing Their Daily Routine
- 2020Implementing Efficient Influencer Marketing Strategies for Your Brand
- 2020Hollywood Branded Best Of: Influencers
- 20203 Tips To Become Successful Affiliate Marketing Partners
- 20184 Ways To Use Influencer Marketing For The Holidays
- 20183 Ways to Reach Generation Z Using Influencers
- 2018Successful Influencer Marketing On A Small Budget
- 2018Our Influencer Survey Shows Interesting Trends Brands Need To Know About
- 20184 Reasons Why Influencer Marketing Still Works
- 2018Influencer Marketing & Brand Partnerships Survey: General Overview
- 2018Questions To Ask To Get Influencer Marketing That Works
- 20184 Things To Consider Before Launching An Influencer Campaign
- 2018How To Implement An Influencer Marketing Strategy That Works
- 2017Influencer Marketing Cheat Sheet [Infographic]
- 20175 Signs Why Influencer Marketing Will Work For Your Brand
- 2017The Types of Social Influencers [Infographic]
- 2017A Brand Marketer's Video and Infographic Guide To Influencer Marketing Strategy
- 20173 Insights To Create Affordable Influencer Marketing That Sells
- 2016Why Lower Social Media Fan Base Means Higher Engagement For Your Brand
02
Finding & Hiring Creators
How to find, vet, approach and brief the right influencers.
2022How To Create Successful Partnerships With Tik Tok Influencers→2021Top Red Flags When Choosing Potential Social Influencers→2020How To #26: Cracking 15 Steps For Better Social Influencer Partnerships→2023The Art Of Vetting: How We Find The Perfect Influencers For Your Brand→2022How To Find The Right Influencer For Your Brand→
More on Finding & Hiring Creators (14 articles)
- 2020How To #31: 7 Steps To Secure The Right Influencer To Post For Your Brand
- 2020How To #36: An 11 Step Plan To Work With Influencers For Brands
- 20235 Tips To Make Your Brand Appealing To Top Social Media Influencers
- 2020The Importance Of Aligning Your Brand With The Right Social Influencer
- 20205 Qualities To Look For In A Social Influencer
- 2020What Characteristics to Look for When Hiring an Influencer
- 20204 Proven Steps to Successfully Launch Mobile Apps Using Influencers
- 2019Why Influencers Aren't Responding To You
- 2019How To #22: 6 Steps To Make Blogger Partnerships Work For Brands
- 2018Choosing Which Influencers To Use For A B2B Influencer Campaign
- 20174 Reasons To Choose An Influencer Agency Versus Influencer Platform
- 2017What To Do After Completing An Influencer Campaign
- 2017How To Choose The Right Platform For An Influencer Campaign
- 20165 Ways To Make Your Brand Stand Out To A Social Media Influencer
03
Campaign Examples & Lessons
Campaigns that worked, the ones that went wrong and what brands learned.
20226 Examples Of Influencer Marketing Gone Wrong→2025Tarte Cosmetics: A Rollercoaster Journey Through Influencer Marketing→20255 Influencer Campaigns That Nailed Emotional Branding→2025The Influencer Blueprint: Summer Campaigns That Delivered→2020College Greek Life In Social Influencer Marketing→
More on Campaign Examples & Lessons (21 articles)
- 2020Jeffree Star x Shane Dawson Beauty Collaboration: Case Study
- 2021Top Interior Designers’ Brand Partnerships
- 2025Influencers and Brands Partnering for Purpose and Impact
- 2022From TikTok To Tinder: An Influencer Marketing Strategy
- 2021The Top Food Influencers and Branded Partnerships
- 2021Female Fitness Influencers You Should Know
- 2021What Is a Skinfluencer?
- 2020A Brand Guide To Instagram Holiday Beauty Campaigns
- 2020Top Influencer Partnerships With Movies and TV Shows
- 2017Influencer Marketing Case Study: Hotel Resort Partnership
- 2020Social Influencer Marketing with Surfers and Surf Culture
- 2021The Male Beauty Wave
- 2024Shaping Fashion: How Influencer Clothing Deals Drive Trend Cycles
- 2021Remi Bader And Aerie: The Perfect Pairing
- 2020Case Study: Pride Partnerships on Instagram
- 2020Why Brands Should Partner With Fitness Influencers
- 2019Influential Women On Instagram: Case Studies
- 2019Beauty Influencers Impact on Sales
- 2018Brand Partnership with Travel Influencers
- 2018Using Reality Stars For Celebrity Endorsements: The Bachelor Contestant Influencers
- 2017The Bachelor Celebrity Influencers: From The Rose To The Followers
04
Pricing, ROI & Compliance
What creators cost, how to measure results and how to stay inside FTC rules.
2022Top 15 Highest-Paid Instagram Influencers→2017How Much Kim Kardashian Charges For An Instagram Post→2026What the FTC Taught Hollywood Branded About AI Influencer Compliance→2025Influencer Pricing 2.0: A Brand’s Guide to Analytics-Driven Creator Rates in 2026→2023Don't Waste Your Money: How to Avoid Fake Followers in Influencer Marketing→
More on Pricing, ROI & Compliance (15 articles)
- 2018How Influencers Buy Fake Followers...And Why Brands Care
- 2019Kris Jenner Reveals How Much The Kardashian-Jenners Charge For A Post
- 2020How To 7: 8 Steps To Tell If An Has Fake Followers
- 2020How To #30: 8 Step Guide On How Much To Spend On Social Influencer Marketing
- 2023Navigating FTC Advertising Legal Compliance
- 2022Kim Kardashian & The SEC: What It Means For Influencer Marketing
- 2019Detect And Combat Influencer Fraud
- 2019Transparency In Influencer Marketing
- 2019Decoding The Illusion Of Bots In Influencer Marketing
- 2018The Legal Side of Influencer Marketing And Mistakes To Avoid
- 20184 Ways To Drive Sales Using Influencers
- 20173 Things Brands Need To Understand About FTC Guidelines On Social Influencers
- 2017How Much Money Should A Brand Spend On Influencer Marketing
- 20175 Ways How To Spot Fake Instagram Followers: Part 2
- 2017Earned Media Vs. Paid Media - Why Brands Need To Start Paying
05
Platforms & the Creator Economy
TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and the creators crossing into Hollywood.
202410 Upcoming TikTok Trends for Brands in 2025→2021How Devon and Sydney Carlson Built Their Empire→2021The Top Female Social Influencers Of The Moment→2026How YouTube Creators Are Taking Over Hollywood→20215 Influential Latinx Youtubers→
More on Platforms & the Creator Economy (45 articles)
- 2021Peloton Instructors Are The New Fitness Celebrities
- 2021How Celebrities & Influencers Use OnlyFans
- 2021The Story Behind The “What Do You Do For A Living?” TikTok Trend
- 2026Emma Chamberlain: What Brands Can Learn From a Cultural Institution
- 2021Charli D’Amelio’s 5 Most Recent Brand Partnerships On TikTok
- 2026How Did Alex Cooper Build a Media Empire From One Podcast
- 2026Alix Earle: From Social Media It-Girl to Media Power Player
- 2025How Conan O'Brien Became Podcasting Royalty
- 2024From Vlogs to TikTok & Podcasts: Why Entertainment Content Shifted from Long-Form Videos to Bite-Sized Formats
- 2024The Power of Product Placement on YouTube and Twitch
- 2022Why Duolingo And Ryanair Rock At TikTok
- 2021Why Popular TikTokers Are Transitioning To Musical Careers
- 2020The Brand Partnership Powerhouses Of YouTube Influencer Couples
- 20216 Songs That Went Viral On TikTok (Fall Edition)
- 2025Noah Beck and the Influencer Path to Hollywood
- 2021How Celebrities Use TikTok To Strengthen Their Brand
- 2020Brand Guide To TikTok Star Addison Rae’s Sponsored Instagram Posts
- 2022How Does TikTok Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle?
- 2022Netflix’s Cheer And Their Cheer-lebrities’ Rise To Fame
- 2021Disney Influencers: Mickey's Best Friend
- 20196 Of The Highest Earning Social Media Influencers
- 2021The Appeal Of TikTok's D’Amelio Family To Brands
- 2025TikTok Trends That Are Changing the Game for Brands
- 2024Why Brands Fail On TikTok: Missing Game-Changing Strategies
- 2023What's The Deal With Collab Posts?
- 2023HB Round-Up: TikTok
- 20236 Reasons To Use Pinterest To Grow Your Brand
- 20225 Ways To Make Your Brand Stand Out On TikTok
- 2022How I Grew My Audience to 5 Million Followers
- 2022Top 9 New Features For Successful Pinterest Influencer Marketing
- 2022How To Create A Business As A Content Creator
- 2022TikTok's Hollywood Takeover
- 2022Podcasters Becoming The Newest Influencers?
- 20225 Tips On Gaining An Organic Instagram Following
- 20225 Ways Your Brand Can Have a Successful Song Campaign on TikTok
- 2022Leveraging TikTok Trends to Boost Engagement
- 2022Top 5 Celebrity Podcasts
- 2022Behind The Influence: The Skinny Confidential Brand
- 20214 Keys to Consider When It Comes to Podcast Partnerships
- 2021The New Dos And Don'ts of TikTok Advertising
- 2021Amp Up Your Personal Branding: Tips For Monetizing Your Social Media
- 2021How TikTokers Are Building Brands Outside Of Social Media
- 2021Brand Guide To TikTok Star 'Tinx' Viral Products
- 2021The Bachelor: A Breeding Ground For Social Influencers
- 2021TikTok Is A Business Tool
06
From The Podcast
Episodes of Marketing Mistakes (+ How To Avoid Them), hosted by Stacy Jones, on this topic.
EP 190Tracking the Trends with Joe Gagliese | Viral Nation→EP 132The Truth Behind Influencer Marketing With Brett Garfinkel | Sylo→EP 153Detect And Combat Influencer Fraud With Yaro Pat | HypeAuditor→EP 8Finding Out If Your Instagram Influencer Has Fake Followers→EP 1How Social Influencers Make Money→
More on From The Podcast (30 episodes)
- EP 397Unlocking Engagement Why Micro Influencers Outshine the Rest
- EP 381How Social Influencers Turn Trends into Cash
- EP 367Proven Strategies for Building Connection Through Podcasting With Simon Chou | BC Jobs
- EP 337What You Need to Know Before Starting an Influencer Marketing Campaign With Stacy Jones
- EP 285Podcast Marketing 101 With Tom Schwab | Interview Valet
- EP 284Hidden Costs of Social Influencer Marketing - The Real Conversation With Stacy Jones
- EP 282The Impact of Social Media Influencers on Brands With Stacy Jones
- EP 280How To Find The Right Celerity Social Influencer To Help Your Brand Exposure Grow With Stacy Jones
- EP 271Amp Up Your Personal Branding: Tips For Monetizing Your Social Media With Dre Fox | Time Of Dre Media
- EP 2323 Reasons Why Smaller Influencers Get Higher Engagement
- EP 189Influencer Marketing Costs & Risks To Be Aware Of
- EP 158Use Influencers To Make Brand Integrations With Justin Purser | Olio Creative
- EP 139Influencers Are Humans Too With Dana Malstaff | Boss Mom
- EP 119Using Influencer Marketing To Create Brand Partnerships With Keith Stoeckeler | MKTG
- EP 112Eleven Steps To Creating Your Social Influencer Plan - Part 2
- EP 111Creating Your Plan To Work With Influencers In 11 Steps - Part 1
- EP 101Influencer Marketing Law with Sharon Toerek | Legal
- EP 99Advertising Through Podcasts
- EP 92How To Launch An Influencer Marketing Campaign That Works
- EP 63How Influencers Buy Fake Followers And Why Brand Marketers Should Care
- EP 553 Ways Apps Can Work With Influencers, Celebrities And Content Marketing
- EP 40A Six Step Guide For Brands Wanting To Work With Influencers
- EP 39Importance Of Social Media Influencers
- EP 36Repurposing Content From Social Influencers
- EP 343 Reasons Micro Influencers Get Better Engagement
- EP 278 Step Guide To How Much To Spend On Social Influencer Marketing
- EP 26The Risks And Costs Of Social Influencer Marketing
- EP 20Cracking 15 Steps For Celebrity Influencer Buy In
- EP 13How To Secure The Right Influencer For Your Brand
Free resources
Go Deeper
Free e-bookHiring Social InfluencersChoose the right creators and avoid the common mistakes.Get it →Free guideInfluencer Marketing In An AI AgeHow creator partnerships are changing and what brands should do now.Get it →Free infographicInsider's Guide To Social InfluencersThe essentials of working with creators, on one page.Get it →All resourcesThe VaultEvery e-book, video and guide in one place.Open →
FAQ
What People Need To Know First
What is the difference between a creator, an influencer, UGC and celebrity talent?
They can overlap, but the job is different. HB recommends the right mix based on audience, credibility, creative skill, usage needs, reach, budget and the cultural role the partnership needs to play.
Can HB build an influencer program around a show, IP license, event or retail launch?
Yes. That is a core HB advantage. We connect creators to the larger story so the work has more context, more content possibilities and a stronger reason for audiences to care.
How do usage rights and paid amplification work?
We address rights, term, territory, platforms, paid usage, whitelisting and approval expectations during the deal process so the brand can actually use the content after it is created.
How do you keep a creator program from becoming one-and-done content?
We build the content plan, product story, amplification path and measurement framework before launch. The goal is a reusable asset and relationship system, not a stack of isolated posts.
How soon should a brand start?
For tentpoles, entertainment partnerships and larger creator programs, earlier creates more options. A focused program can move quickly, but rights, product availability, creator calendars, approvals and paid usage all benefit from real planning time.
What is influencer marketing?
Influencer marketing is when a brand partners with a content creator to reach that creator's audience. The partnership can be paid posts, gifted product, affiliate or commission deals, long-term ambassador programs or co-created content and products.
How do I find the right influencers for my brand?
Start with the audience, not follower count. Look for creators whose followers match your customer, whose engagement is real and consistent, whose past partnerships fit your brand and whose content you would be proud to share. Vet for fake followers and brand-safety issues before you reach out.
How much do influencers charge?
Rates depend on the platform, audience size, engagement, the number and type of deliverables, usage rights, exclusivity and timing. There is no standard rate card, which is why analytics-driven pricing based on real performance data protects your budget.
What is the difference between macro, micro and nano influencers?
The tiers describe audience size. Macro influencers reach large audiences and work for awareness. Micro and nano influencers have smaller, more engaged communities and are often more cost-efficient for trust, trial and niche audiences. Many campaigns combine tiers.
Do influencers have to disclose sponsored posts?
Yes. In the US, the FTC requires creators to clearly disclose any material connection to a brand, including payment, free product or a family or business relationship. Disclosures like #ad or a platform's paid-partnership label should be easy to see, not buried.
How do you measure influencer marketing ROI?
Match the metric to the goal: reach and views for awareness, engagement and saves for consideration, and clicks, codes, affiliate links and sales for conversion. Track cost per result across creators so you can reinvest in the partners who perform.
Build A Creator Partnership People Actually Remember.
Bring us the audience, outcome and cultural space you want to own. Book a Brand Connect call with Stacy Jones, or enroll your brand free in [HB]Box.
Playbook → Radar → Unlock Access → Produce → Amplify → Grow
Proof Your Brand Is The Best
The Hollywood unBranded Lounge selfie station
Content made in the moment.
Talent from Teen Wolf, Superman & Lois, Star Trek: Lower Decks, Archer and more creating shareable content on the spot at our celebrity media lounge.
Selfie station · Teen Wolf: The Movie
Selfie station · Superman & Lois
Selfie station · The Rings of Power
Selfie station · Star Trek: Lower Decks
Selfie station · Archer
Selfie station · Transformers: EarthSpark
Selfie station · Solar Opposites
Creator content set