Seeking nominations for the most innovative influencer marketers for brands in 2026

Business Insider is seeking nominations for the most innovative influencer marketers who work for brands.

Submit your pitches through this form.

Creator marketing has become a core part of the brand playbook as audiences shift from linear TV to social platforms like YouTube and TikTok.

US ad spending in the category is estimated to hit $44 billion in 2026, from $37 billion in 2025, according to a report from the Interactive Advertising Bureau.

Marketers are getting increasingly creative and sophisticated in their use of creators.

Gap has gone heavy into tie-ups with creators and up-and-coming celebrities to promote its apparel, co-creating a hoodie with Julia Huynh and making an ad starring the global pop girl group Katseye, among other examples.

State Farm, meanwhile, got Gen Z to interact with the insurer by tapping top streamers like Kai Cenat for its original reality TV competition show “Gamerhood.” Behind the most successful influencer marketing are the pros who are executing these campaigns.

We are seeking out those people who are helping brands stand out with influencers’ help.

Their titles may vary, but they must have been in the role at least six months, directly oversee creator marketing efforts, and have tangible results to show.

We’ll take into account the size and impact of the brand itself, their work’s impact on their company’s financial performance, and their wider impact on the influencer space.

We’ll determine the list based on our reporting and the nominations we receive.

Submit your nomination here and see a previous version of the list here.

We may use any of the information provided in the nomination form and may follow up with requests for additional information.