Leaders vs Glean

Why brands look at different influencer partners

When you first weigh up Leaders vs Glean, you are really asking a simple question. Which influencer marketing partner will actually move the needle for your brand without wasting budget or time?

Most marketers want clarity on three things. What each agency actually does, how they treat creators, and what kind of brands they serve best.

The primary phrase people search for here is “influencer agency choice.” Understanding that phrase helps frame every decision you are about to make.

Table of Contents

• What each agency is known for
• Leaders as an agency
• Glean as an agency
• How the two agencies really differ
• Pricing approach and how work is billed
• Strengths and limitations to keep in mind
• Who each agency is best suited for
• When a platform like Flinque makes more sense
• FAQs
• Conclusion
• Disclaimer

What each agency is known for

Both agencies operate as full service influencer partners, but they often appeal to different marketing teams and budgets.

One tends to lean into bigger, more polished collaborations built around brand storytelling and long term creator relationships.

The other often focuses on practical, performance minded campaigns where content output and measurable sales or signups matter most.

That does not mean one is “creative” and the other is “performance only.” Instead, you should look at what they highlight publicly.

Case studies, client logos, and social feeds all hint at whether the agency chases awareness, conversions, or a careful blend of both.

Leaders as an agency

Leaders typically presents itself as a seasoned influencer partner working across multiple regions and industries.

They are known for treating influencer work as part of a broader brand strategy rather than one off sponsored posts.

Services you can usually expect

Most full service influencer agencies around this profile tend to cover the following:

• Influencer discovery and vetting across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more
• Campaign strategy, creative concepts, and content angles
• Negotiation of influencer fees and usage rights
• Campaign management, approvals, and day to day coordination
• Reporting on reach, engagement, content usage, and conversions

Some may also support content repurposing for paid social or owned channels, especially when brands want to scale winning creatives.

How campaigns are usually run

Campaigns with this type of agency often start with clear brand foundations and audience insights.

You will typically walk through your goals, key products, markets, and what success looks like in simple terms.

The agency then drafts a campaign concept. For example, a TikTok challenge, a YouTube review series, or a multi creator product launch.

From there, they shortlist creators, secure agreements, and manage content timelines so your internal team can focus on other channels.

Reporting often includes qualitative insights, like which creators’ audiences resonated, not just raw numbers.

Creator relationships and talent style

Agencies like this usually maintain long standing relationships with mid tier and macro creators across niches.

They focus on matching brand voice with the right storyteller rather than stacking huge numbers of small creators.

For beauty, fashion, lifestyle, and travel, they may lean into polished content that aligns with brand aesthetics.

For tech or gaming, they might prioritize credibility and depth of review over perfect visuals.

Typical brands that feel at home

This style of agency often suits brands that care strongly about brand image and narrative.

• Premium beauty and skincare looking for aspirational content
• Fashion and lifestyle labels wanting long term ambassador programs
• Travel, hospitality, and tourism boards aiming for destination storytelling
• Consumer tech brands launching flagship products with review series

If your internal team wants strategy input, creative direction, and polished case study worthy campaigns, this side may feel natural.

Glean as an agency

The second agency in this comparison often appeals to teams who want clear performance and repeatable processes.

Rather than focusing only on big hero campaigns, they may lean into consistent creator programs tied to measurable outcomes.

Services usually on offer

Most performance minded influencer agencies offer services like:

• Influencer sourcing with a strong eye on audience fit and past performance
• Structured campaign frameworks, such as monthly product seeding or code based promos
• Offer and incentive design, including affiliate links or tiered rewards
• Execution and optimization based on sales, clicks, or signups
• Detailed performance reporting and learnings to improve future campaigns

They may also support whitelisting, allowing creators’ content to be used in paid ads for added scale.

How campaigns usually feel to work on

The process typically starts with your growth goals, such as customer acquisition cost, revenue, or trial signups.

They then shape campaign ideas around trackable actions, for example, promo codes, trackable links, or signups via creator content.

Expect a strong focus on test and learn cycles, where multiple creators and messages are trialed.

Underperforming angles are reduced while winners receive more budget and long term deals.

Creator relationships and talent style

These agencies tend to work heavily with micro and mid tier creators who drive action, not just views.

The content may feel more raw and authentic, especially on TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels.

They might also build large rosters in certain verticals, like fitness, wellness, or direct to consumer brands.

Because the focus is on performance, they often prioritize creators who can reliably move product or signups.

What kind of brands they usually attract

Brands with strong growth goals and clear unit economics often feel comfortable here.

• DTC brands in beauty, wellness, and supplements seeking trackable sales
• Subscription and SaaS companies wanting trial or signup growth
• Ecommerce stores measuring success in repeatable revenue
• App and game publishers tracking installs or in app events

If your leadership team asks about ROAS, CAC, and payback periods, this side of influencer agency choice may fit better.

How the two agencies really differ

Both agencies run influencer campaigns, but the experience as a client can feel quite different.

Think of it less as good versus bad, and more as which mindset lines up best with your brand stage.

Approach and philosophy

One agency typically leads with creative ideas and brand storytelling. They care deeply about how the brand shows up online.

The other leans into measurable performance. Their lens is more about repeatable plays that can scale efficiently.

In practice, the first may spend more time on concept development, aesthetics, and long term partnerships.

The second might spend more time on testing, measurement, and creator depth within specific niches.

Scale and campaign size

The storytelling heavy side often gravitates toward large hero campaigns and marquee launches.

You might see them run cross market activations or long term ambassador programs.

The performance driven side may be more comfortable with high volume, always on collaborations.

They can activate many smaller creators, turning influencer marketing into an ongoing sales channel.

Client experience and communication style

If your team loves workshops, brainstorms, and detailed creative decks, you may enjoy the more brand led agency.

If you want quick testing, clear performance dashboards, and regular optimization calls, the performance team may feel right.

Neither approach is inherently better. The key is matching it with your internal way of working and reporting needs.

Pricing approach and how work is billed

Influencer agencies rarely share fixed prices, and both of these are no exception.

Instead, pricing usually depends on scope, markets, influencer tiers, and how much strategy you want them to own.

Typical pricing structures

• Campaign based fees: A one off fee covering planning, influencer management, and reporting.
• Retainers: Monthly or quarterly agreements for ongoing influencer activity and strategy.
• Influencer budgets: Separate funds for creator fees, content usage, and potential travel or production.
• Management costs: The agency’s margin for handling negotiations and coordination.

Some performance focused agencies may also experiment with hybrid or incentive based elements.

For example, bonuses tied to hitting certain sales or acquisition targets, on top of a base management fee.

What drives overall cost

Several factors strongly influence what you will pay:

• Number of creators and size of their following
• Markets and languages involved
• Content type, from simple posts to high production video
• Usage rights, such as paid ads or TV
• Speed, especially for urgent launches or seasonal pushes

If you want premium creators, complex multi country campaigns, or heavy usage rights, budgets can climb quickly.

Strengths and limitations to keep in mind

Every agency choice involves trade offs. The key is being honest about what matters most to your team.

Where the more brand led agency shines

• Strong creative ideas that feel distinct to your brand
• Polished content that can work across multiple channels
• Deep relationships with established creators in lifestyle and premium spaces
• Experience with complex, multi country or multi market campaigns

A common concern is whether this focus on polish will lead to content that looks great but does not always drive measurable sales.

Where the performance focused agency stands out

• Clear link between creator activity and business outcomes
• Comfort with testing many smaller creators and angles
• Useful for scaling always on influencer programs, not just one offs
• Often better suited to ecommerce, apps, and subscription growth

The trade off may be less emphasis on long term brand storytelling or big splash moments.

Limitations to be realistic about

• No agency can guarantee viral hits or exact sales numbers.
• Creator performance is partly outside anyone’s control.
• Influencer budgets must match your goals and expectations.
• Your internal team still needs to provide clear product and brand direction.

Influencer agency choice works best when both sides treat the relationship as a partnership, not an outsourced miracle.

Who each agency is best suited for

Once you understand their tendencies, matching them to your situation becomes much easier.

When the more storytelling heavy agency is a strong fit

• You are launching or repositioning a brand and need strong creative.
• Your leadership team cares deeply about image, not just sales.
• You want multi channel content from a smaller number of trusted creators.
• You run premium products where trust and aspiration are crucial.

Beauty, fashion, travel, and luxury brands often sit in this camp, but many consumer tech companies also benefit.

When the performance leaning agency makes more sense

• You have clear revenue or acquisition targets tied to influencer spend.
• Your products are priced for impulse or mid ticket purchases.
• You want to run ongoing creator programs, not just seasonal bursts.
• You are comfortable with more raw, native content aligned with platform culture.

DTC, subscription boxes, mobile apps, and many online services often find this model more natural.

When a platform like Flinque makes more sense

Sometimes, neither full service option is ideal. You may want more control, or your budget may not justify agency retainers.

This is where platform based alternatives like Flinque come in.

How platforms differ from agencies

Flinque is built as a platform rather than an agency. It helps brands discover creators and manage campaigns in house.

You keep more control over who you work with, how you negotiate, and how you run day to day communication.

Instead of paying ongoing management retainers, you typically pay for access to tools that support your team.

When a platform can be the better route

• You already have someone on your team who can manage creators.
• Your budget is modest, but you are serious about building influencer as a channel.
• You want to test many collaborations before committing to a full service agency.
• You prefer direct relationships with creators instead of an agency middle layer.

For some brands, a platform is a stepping stone toward later working with agencies on bigger, more complex campaigns.

FAQs

How do I choose between a creative led and performance led influencer agency?

Start with your top priority. If you need strong brand storytelling and a polished image, lean creative. If you must prove revenue impact quickly, lean performance. Many brands eventually use a mix of both approaches over time.

Can I switch agencies if the first choice does not work?

Yes. Most influencers and agencies expect that some relationships will not be long term. Start with a clear test period, honest success metrics, and a defined review point before committing to extended agreements.

How long should I test influencer marketing before judging results?

Plan at least three to six months of structured activity. That gives enough time to test different creators, messages, and platforms. Single one off campaigns rarely show the full potential of influencer as a channel.

Do I need a big budget to work with good influencer agencies?

You do not need a huge budget, but you do need realistic expectations. Good agencies can work with modest spends, especially using micro creators, as long as your goals, timelines, and scope match the available funds.

Should I still use my own tracking tools with an agency?

Yes, where possible. Use your analytics, ecommerce platform, attribution tools, or promo codes to cross check data. Combining agency reporting with your own numbers gives a fuller view of impact and builds internal confidence.

Conclusion

The right influencer agency choice starts with being honest about your goals, budget, and internal capacity.

If you crave polished storytelling and big moments, a more creative focused partner may suit you.

If you need to prove sales impact and scale repeatable creator plays, performance leaning partners will feel safer.

For teams with capable in house marketers and lower budgets, platforms like Flinque can offer more control and flexibility.

Whichever route you take, push for clear goals, shared expectations, and transparent reporting from day one.

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.