Carusele vs IMA

Choosing an influencer marketing partner can feel risky, especially when you’re investing real media dollars and your brand reputation. Many marketers look at both Carusele and IMA and wonder which one will actually move the needle for their campaigns.

You’re usually trying to answer simple questions: Who will plan smarter campaigns, bring better creators, protect the brand, and turn content into real results like sales, signups, or foot traffic?

Influencer agency selection help

That’s exactly where the comparison between Carusele and IMA comes in. Both run full service influencer programs, but they lean into different strengths, markets, and ways of working with brands and creators.

Table of Contents

• What Carusele and IMA are known for
• Carusele: services, style, and client fit
• IMA: services, style, and client fit
• How the two agencies differ
• Pricing approach and ways of working
• Strengths and limitations of each agency
• Who each agency is best suited for
• When a platform like Flinque can make more sense
• FAQs
• Conclusion: choosing the right partner
• Disclaimer

What Carusele and IMA are known for

Both companies help brands plan and run influencer programs end to end. They find creators, manage content, handle contracts, and report on results, but their reputations are built on different angles.

What Carusele is generally known for

Carusele is often associated with performance driven influencer work. They place strong emphasis on using data to identify top performing content and then putting paid media behind it to extend reach and improve return.

The agency leans heavily into campaign optimization. They focus on which posts actually drive clicks, engagement, or sales, and then scale those posts through paid amplification rather than just relying on organic reach.

What IMA is generally known for

IMA, based in Amsterdam, is known for global, creative influencer programs. They often work with lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and consumer brands that want polished storytelling and cross border reach.

They place a strong emphasis on creative ideas and brand image. Their work tends to highlight visual consistency, brand storytelling, and long term relationship building with influencers in multiple regions.

Carusele: services, style, and client fit

Core services and offerings

Carusele presents itself as a full service influencer marketing partner. That usually covers strategy, creator discovery, contracting, content approvals, reporting, and ongoing optimization during the campaign.

The agency is especially known for integrated programs where influencer content, paid media, and sometimes retail or shopper marketing all work together. This can matter for consumer packaged goods brands, retailers, and multi channel campaigns.

• Influencer campaign strategy and planning
• Creator identification and vetting
• Content production oversight and approvals
• Paid media amplification of top content
• Performance analytics and reporting

Approach to campaigns

Carusele tends to look at influencer marketing through a performance lens. They do not just ask who has the biggest following, but which content styles and creators actually drive measurable actions.

They are known for testing multiple pieces of content, learning quickly which ones resonate, and then using paid social and sometimes other placement tactics to push those best performers further.

Relationships with creators

As a service based agency, Carusele maintains relationships with a wide range of influencers but does not operate as a talent agency. They typically build tailored rosters for each client rather than forcing a small set of usual creators.

Their model aims to balance brand safety with creative freedom. They usually negotiate usage rights so top performing content can be reused in ads, on brand channels, or in retail marketing.

Typical client profile

Carusele often fits brands that want measurable outcomes tied to influencer spend. This is especially true for marketers under pressure to show clear returns beyond vanity metrics.

• Consumer packaged goods and retail brands
• Brands needing strong US or North American presence
• Marketing teams focused on sales lift, not just awareness
• Companies comfortable with media budgets to boost content

IMA: services, style, and client fit

Core services and offerings

IMA also operates as a full service influencer agency, but with a strong heritage in global campaigns. They typically manage everything from concept to execution, including casting, content production, and reporting.

• Influencer strategy and creative concepts
• Global talent casting and relationship management
• Content coordination across markets
• Campaign management and reporting
• Support for multi channel social storytelling

Approach to campaigns

IMA leans into storytelling and brand building. Campaigns often feel more like integrated brand moments across platforms rather than strictly performance projects.

They may coordinate activity across several countries, with creators on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and emerging platforms, while keeping visual style and messaging aligned with the brand’s global guidelines.

Relationships with creators

IMA is known for cultivating long term relationships with lifestyle and fashion forward influencers, particularly in Europe. This can appeal to brands that value trend leadership and stylish content.

Creators tend to play the role of brand partners rather than one off placements. That can support ongoing storytelling arcs, brand ambassadors, or seasonal launches across markets.

Typical client profile

Typical IMA clients include global brands looking for consistent image and reach across multiple countries, especially where culture and style matter as much as pure direct response metrics.

• Fashion, beauty, and lifestyle brands
• Consumer brands with European or global focus
• Teams prioritizing brand image and storytelling
• Companies comfortable with larger, multi country projects

How the two agencies differ

When marketers compare Carusele and IMA side by side, the differences often come down to emphasis. Both can run full service programs, but they shine in different situations.

Focus on performance versus storytelling

Carusele emphasizes measurement and optimization. They talk about content performance, media amplification, and driving concrete brand outcomes like sales or signups.

IMA emphasizes creative direction and visual impact. Their campaigns often aim to shape how a brand is seen, influence culture, and build desire among target communities across borders.

Regional strength and reach

Carusele’s reputation is stronger in North America, especially for retail and shopper driven campaigns. Their work often connects influencer content with in-store or ecommerce initiatives.

IMA’s home base and heritage are European. They are well suited for brands wanting authentic reach across EU markets or campaigns that must adapt to varied cultural contexts.

Campaign structure and feel

With Carusele, programs may look like a mix of influencer posts and paid social media buys using top performing content. The feel is often conversion oriented, even when upper funnel metrics matter.

With IMA, programs may resemble multi wave brand activations, sometimes incorporating events, product seeding, and coordinated rollouts. The feel is closer to integrated brand advertising, but rooted in creators.

Pricing approach and engagement style

Neither agency sells standard software plans. Pricing usually depends on scope, markets, creator levels, and media investment. Both typically quote custom budgets.

How influencer agencies usually price

Influencer agencies commonly charge in several combined ways, and these patterns likely apply to both companies even if they structure them differently in practice.

• Agency fees for strategy, management, and reporting
• Pass through influencer fees for content and usage
• Paid media budgets for boosting content
• Production or event costs for complex shoots or activations
• Retainers for ongoing, always on programs

What can drive costs up or down

Your total cost will depend on a few practical choices. The most important is how many creators you involve and their follower levels, engagement, and category.

Campaign length, number of countries, usage rights, and how much paid media you want behind the content also make a big difference in final budget.

Engagement style with each agency

Carusele frequently works on campaigns with a defined performance or retail outcome. Engagements may be structured around seasonal pushes, launches, or ongoing support with strong reporting.

IMA engagements often look like broader brand building programs, sometimes over longer periods. They may involve coordinating multiple countries, languages, and creator tiers.

Strengths and limitations of each agency

Where Carusele tends to shine

• Using data to guide what content gets amplified
• Tying influencer work to retailer or ecommerce results
• Giving brands clear performance metrics and insights
• Reusing creator content in paid ads and other channels

A common concern is whether influencer spending really turns into sales, and Carusele directly leans into that question.

Potential limitations for Carusele

• Might feel more performance oriented than some luxury brands prefer
• Best fit may be brands with budget for paid amplification
• Less obvious choice if you mainly need organic creator buzz

Where IMA tends to shine

• Stylish, brand led storytelling with influencers
• Coordinated work across several countries or regions
• Deep access to lifestyle and fashion forward creators
• Visually consistent campaigns across platforms

Potential limitations for IMA

• Complex global work can require higher budgets
• May feel more brand image focused than strictly performance
• Could be more than you need for single market, small tests

Who each agency is best suited for

When Carusele is likely a better fit

• You are in CPG, retail, or similar categories needing clear link to sales.
• You want to test many content pieces and boost only what works.
• You care deeply about return on ad spend and optimization.
• You are focused mainly on the US or North America.

When IMA is likely a better fit

• You are a global fashion, beauty, or lifestyle brand.
• You need consistent image and storytelling across countries.
• You value creative, premium looking content above all.
• You are comfortable with multi market coordination and timelines.

When a platform like Flinque can make more sense

Not every brand needs a full service agency, especially if you have in house social or influencer staff. In those cases, a platform based approach can offer more control and lower ongoing fees.

Flinque, for example, is structured as a platform where brands can discover creators, manage outreach, track deliverables, and coordinate campaigns without committing to large agency retainers.

• Best suited to teams that want hands on control.
• Helpful when you’re building always on ambassador programs.
• Useful for smaller budgets or test and learn projects.
• Can complement agency work by handling lower tier campaigns.

If you have strategic clarity and just need better tools, a platform can be more efficient. If you need heavy strategy, creative direction, and execution, a full service agency is often still the better route.

FAQs

How do I choose between these two influencer agencies?

Start with your main goal. If you prioritize measurable performance and retail impact, you may lean toward Carusele. If global storytelling and stylish content matter most, IMA might be stronger. Then compare budgets, regions, and internal bandwidth.

Can I work with both agencies at the same time?

It is possible, especially for global brands. Some marketers use one partner for certain regions or performance work and another for brand led campaigns. Just be clear about territories, roles, and how results will be measured to avoid overlap.

Do these agencies work with micro influencers?

Most full service influencer agencies work across tiers, including micro creators. The mix of micro, mid tier, and top talent usually depends on your budget, goals, and whether you want niche communities or mass reach.

How long does an influencer campaign usually take?

Expect at least eight to twelve weeks from initial brief to final reporting, and longer for multi country work. Time is needed for strategy, casting, contracting, content creation, approvals, posting, and measurement.

Is a platform enough, or do I need an agency?

If you have in house staff who can handle strategy, creator outreach, and approvals, a platform like Flinque can work well. If you’re short on time, expertise, or creative direction, an agency partner is usually more reliable.

Conclusion: choosing the right partner

Both agencies can deliver strong influencer programs. Your decision should revolve around what matters most right now for your brand, budget, and team capacity.

If you want performance, clear data, and retail or ecommerce impact, Carusele’s style may align better. If you need global reach and beautiful storytelling, IMA’s creative and international focus can be a strong match.

Also consider whether you want an external team handling almost everything, or whether a platform based option letting your team run the work is more realistic. The best choice is the one that fits your goals and how you like to operate.

Disclaimer

All information on this page is collected from publicly available sources, third party search engines, AI powered tools and general online research. We do not claim ownership of any external data and accuracy may vary. This content is for informational purposes only.