KAT SAMUELS
Summary
Strategic social media and creator marketing professional bridging brand strategy and talent to connect brands with new audiences and drive cultural relevance
Based in Austin, TX | Relocating to New York, NY
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Account Supervisor, Client Strategy
Collectively
01.2024 - Current
- Lead creator strategy and client partnerships across the full campaign lifecycle for brands in luxury, jewelry, tech, and consumer healthcare - including Blue Nile, James Allen, Jared, Banter, Spotify, and Haleon
- Grew Blue Nile revenue by 50% from Q1 to Q2 through strategic creator programming and proactive client partnership, resulting in significant repeat business
- Pitched and executed an incremental Friendsgiving influencer dinner for Banter, delivering above-benchmark results and 100K+ organic social impressions through social-first content moments
- Pioneered an affiliate marketing strategy for Blue Nile encompassing ShopMy storefronts, commission structures, and creator broadcast channels - currently in execution
- Oversee RFP development, campaign execution, and measurement and reporting across cross-functional teams
Director, Account Management
Whalar
05.2023 - 12.2023
- Owned creator marketing strategy and execution for Spotify’s key initiatives across music, podcasts, and Audiobooks - including Audiobooks x Premium launch, Wrapped, product features, and new social handle launches
- Generated $1.2M in revenue growth in 6 months through proactive client strategy and creator marketing for Spotify
Director, Influencer Marketing
Edelman
11.2022 - 05.2023
- Built and leveraged creator and talent agency relationships to drive $500K+ in business growth for HomeGoods in just 5 months
- Oversaw end-to-end influencer campaign management and cross-functional account integration, becoming a trusted strategic partner to the client
Associate Director, Client Services
Whalar
06.2021 - 11.2022
- Directed day-to-day operations and budgets of six-figure to multi-million dollar brand collaborations and always-on creator programs for Spotify, Amazon, Meta, and TikTok
- Drove Spotify’s first creator billboard featuring mega-tier Anna Sitar in Penn Plaza, NYC, and led creator partnerships for Spotify’s first VidCon sponsorship - managing 9 on-site creators and all content production
- Led Amazon Fashion’s #TriedItPrimedIt TikTok Challenge, pitching and securing mega-tier creator Remi Bader as the cultural lead, managing 10 creator partnerships and custom sound development - surpassing 8B view goal by 35%
- Built agency infrastructure from the ground up across creator travel, always-on frameworks, and contracting - creating scalable processes still used across the team
- Managed and mentored a team of 4-5, fostering growth opportunities and consistent high performance
Manager, PR & Influencer Marketing
360i
08.2018 - 02.2021
- Led integrated influencer and PR strategy across a diverse brand portfolio including DSW, Hanes, Bravo, Kellogg’s, United Airlines, and Maidenform
- Conceived and executed DSW’s first integrated influencer campaign and experiential event, Runway Redone, overseeing strategy, creator partnerships, event production, and client management end-to-end
- Brokered DSW’s first long-term 16-month creator collaboration with mega fashion influencers Sofia Richie, Hollie Woodward, and Jamie Kidd
Account Executive – Senior Account Executive
Ketchum
08.2016 - 04.2018
Account Coordinator – Assistant Account Executive
Cohn & Wolfe
04.2015 - 08.2016
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania
Bloomsburg, PA01-2014
Skills
- Tech & AI: CreatorIQ, Captiv8, Traackr, Claude, Microsoft Office Suite, Google
- Social: Meta, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Pinterest, YouTube
- Core Skills: Creator partnerships, affiliate marketing, campaign strategy and execution, influencer marketing, client services, team leadership, measurement and analytics, event planning
Timeline
Account Supervisor, Client Strategy
Collectively
01.2024 - Current
Director, Account Management
Whalar
05.2023 - 12.2023
Director, Influencer Marketing
Edelman
11.2022 - 05.2023
Associate Director, Client Services
Whalar
06.2021 - 11.2022
Manager, PR & Influencer Marketing
360i
08.2018 - 02.2021
Account Executive – Senior Account Executive
Ketchum
08.2016 - 04.2018
Account Coordinator – Assistant Account Executive
Cohn & Wolfe
04.2015 - 08.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Mass Communications
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania