Meet Acorn

Set apart by our story, values, and leadership.

About Us

Acorn Influence, a New Engen company, is a leading and innovative creator marketing solution that generates genuine relationships between consumers, shoppers, creators, and brands by curating and amplifying actionable content. We drive client satisfaction by anticipating their needs, constantly bringing new opportunities to their attention, and through seamless, agile execution.

 

Our “best in class” recruitment practices, unique tech-enabled solutions, and digital expertise drive impactful storytelling across the full marketing funnel and diverse audiences.

What You Can Expect

Open Network & RFPs

Unlimited creator pool with RFP selection vs. job posting board. Tap into Acorn’s “ecosystem” of creators to find the perfect fit for your campaign goals.

PitchbackS & The Why

Creators provide a variety of unique content ideas for client review and approval. Acorn's selection team also includes insight and rationale for why they would be a good fit.

Customization & Transparency

Customized plan to fit your brand’s goals and objectives. Activations that work across multiple social platforms, with deep targeting through 3rd party data segments and custom media strategies.

Content Usage Rights

Full usage rights to all content in perpetuity. Repurpose for retailer brand pages, digital vendor partnerships, brand social channels, etc.

Measurement & Partnerships

Work across various vendors to measure program impact and repurpose creator content for additional tactics.

Proprietary Client Portal

The Acorn portal provides real-time data on campaign progress, such as creator stats, audience demographics, content reviews, and campaign performance. There’s a comprehensive post-analysis report at the conclusion of each campaign, and access to all historical content to download for future use.

Our Values

BE THE GOOD

We act with integrity, humility, and altruism inside and outside our company. We promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in every aspect of our business. We cultivate a safe workplace where everyone feels respected, engaged, and able to reach their full potential.

EXPERTISE

We take pride in our work, holding ourselves to a high standard of executional excellence. We continually work to expand our skills and master our craft. Our approach sets a precedent and reverberates throughout our always-changing industry, inspiring adaptation.

GROWTH MINDSET

We start with “what is possible?” instead of being stuck in scarcity. We embrace challenges and welcome feedback as opportunities to improve. We find joy in the process and are fueled by curiosity. We aren’t afraid to take calculated risks or operate in ambiguity, recognizing that imperfection is a part of progress.

EMPATHETIC DIRECTNESS

We give and receive feedback with courage, openness, and empathy. We do the right thing, even when it’s hard. We aim to understand (not judge) and teach (not take over). Our feedback is empirical and focuses on behaviors and outcomes.

ALL IN

We believe in what we are building and put the team first in order to accomplish our shared goals. We reject apathy and cynicism and do everything to help each other win. Being All In is not about the hours we log, nor does it mean we agree on every decision. It’s a mentality of common purpose that guides us.

Our Leadership

Heather Nichols
CEO

My first car was a 1970 VW Bug convertible, canary yellow. My dad rebuilt it for me before I turned 16.

ALI Smith
SR. Vice president Sales

I can mountain bike and was a Razorback cheerleader at the University of Arkansas.

 

Candice Gray
Vice President, Sales

I studied anthropology and focused on Middle Eastern archaeology. My field school was in Syria.

Hunter Poole
VICE PRESIDENT, Brand Partnerships

I am an ordained minister! Hit me up for all of your wedding needs :).

Melissa Fears
Vice President Client Success

I came in 2nd place in a Limbo contest at the Elks Lodge!

Kelly Dye
Vice President, Product & Innovation

I do a wicked Björk impression at karaoke to the song "It's Oh So Quiet".

Rachel Bennington
vice president, retail partnerships

My first job was cleaning the houses my dad built when I was 5! I loved going to work with my dad.

blake marts
vice president, corporate strategy

I was a backup dancer in a Shakira music video. Also, I'm a liar.

Courtney Kissinger
Director of Paid Media

I have a 3yr old mini-me (my sweet/sassy daughter)

Rebekah Mills
associate director of Strategy

I was on a traveling, performance jump rope team when I was a kid!

 

Emily Emrickson-Frantzen
Associate director of Strategy

I'm an only child & grew up traveling with my parents. I've been to Disney World over 20 times.

Anna Herrington
Associate director of Strategy

My dog is more popular on Instagram than I'll ever be.

kate nicholson
Associate director of Strategy

 My partner and I have the same birthday!

andrew lyons
Associate director of Client success

 My serial killer trait is that I use proper grammar and punctuation when texting.

dustin tabor
associate director, client success

Prior to joining the wild world of advertising I had a career as a glass artist for 10 years. You can stop by the Corning Museum of Glass and see some of my stuff.

Nick Walton
Media Analytics Manager

I hate fun facts.

Bayli Mahler
Associate director

 My quarantine hobby was becoming a beekeeper (don't ask how I got there). I'm now the proud foster mom of 20K bees and counting.

Brittany Vaughan
Associate director

I received the Acorn positivity award once. It just so happened to be two weeks after I got Botox. Fellow RBF people, there is a cure.

eric malone
software manager

I'm fond of land and modern art, so I rented a motorcycle to visit Michael Heizer's "Double Negative" in the Nevada desert.

Interested in growing your brand? Let's Connect!

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