Obviously vs Disrupt

Why brands weigh different influencer marketing agencies

When you start exploring influencer marketing agencies, it quickly becomes clear how different they are in style, scale, and priorities. Many brands end up comparing agencies like Obviously and Disrupt, trying to figure out who will actually move the needle.

At the heart of the decision, you are usually looking for clarity on three things: who will understand your brand, who can get real results, and who will be easiest to work with week after week.

This is where choosing the right influencer agency partners really matters. The wrong fit can waste budget and time. The right fit feels like an extension of your in-house team.

What each agency is known for

Obviously and Disrupt both sit in the full service influencer space, but they built their reputations in different ways. Understanding those roots helps you see where each might fit your brand.

One is often associated with large scale creator programs, deep rosters, and operational strength. The other leans into bold creative, culture-forward collaborations, and brand storytelling aimed at standing out.

Both handle strategy, talent sourcing, management, and reporting. The biggest differences tend to show up in campaign style, preferred industries, and how hands-on they expect your team to be.

Obviously: services, style, and fit

Obviously is widely recognized for running complex, multi-creator campaigns that extend across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more. They often emphasize process, systems, and scale.

Core services you can expect

Obviously generally focuses on end-to-end delivery. That means your brand can hand over most of the heavy lifting while keeping approvals and guardrails in place.

• Influencer discovery and vetting across major social platforms
• Campaign strategy, concepts, and creative briefs
• Contracting, negotiations, and compliance checks
• Content coordination, posting schedules, and revisions
• Reporting, performance insights, and recommendations

They often support one-off campaigns, multi-month pushes, and always-on programs, especially for brands that want ongoing creator content.

How their campaigns usually run

Campaigns from this type of agency tend to be structured and data informed. Expect clear timelines, deliverable maps, and organized tracking of content and posts.

They typically lean on technology to manage large numbers of influencers. You will usually see a strong focus on campaign hygiene, approvals, and standardized reporting formats.

For brands, this can feel reassuring if you are managing multiple markets or have layers of internal sign-off before anything goes live.

Creator relationships and network depth

Obviously is known for working with a wide range of creators, from micro talent to more established personalities. Their network span is often one of their selling points.

You will typically find creators across lifestyles, beauty, fashion, gaming, tech, food, and more. That breadth is helpful if your brand sits at the intersection of multiple interests.

The tradeoff is that relationships may feel more programmatic than intimate. Still, many creators appreciate consistent, well organized work and clear communication.

Typical client fit

Brands that tend to be drawn to Obviously often share some traits. They need structure, repeatability, and measurable outcomes across multiple regions or product lines.

• Mid-market and enterprise brands with varied product ranges
• Consumer products that benefit from large creator pools
• Marketing teams that want to outsource execution at scale
• Companies that care about reporting consistency and benchmarks

If your team is stretched thin and you value predictability, this sort of agency can feel like an additional arm of your marketing department.

Disrupt: services, style, and fit

Disrupt, by contrast, leans into its name. Their reputation tends to skew toward bold ideas, culture-aware collaborations, and campaigns designed to get people talking.

Core services on offer

Like most full service influencer agencies, Disrupt typically covers the full journey from planning to reporting, with a heavier emphasis on creative framing and cultural moments.

• Influencer strategy aligned to brand story and positioning
• Curated creator selection tied to specific audiences
• Creative campaign concepts and content themes
• Talent management, negotiations, and deliverable tracking
• Performance measurement, social buzz, and brand lift indicators

They may also be more comfortable tying influencer work to stunts, events, or brand activations built around attention and shareability.

How campaigns tend to feel

Campaigns from Disrupt-style agencies often feel louder, more opinionated, and closely tied to culture. Expect bigger concepts, clear hooks, and playful or edgy angles when appropriate.

Timeline discipline and reporting still matter, but the creative story often leads. This can be valuable if your brand wants to refresh its image or speak more directly to younger audiences.

You may also see more experimentation with formats like short-form video series, creator-led challenges, or narrative arcs across multiple posts.

Creator relationships and cultural alignment

Where Obviously might highlight network reach, Disrupt tends to focus more on the specific people chosen for each campaign. The emphasis is on fit with your brand voice and target culture.

This can mean fewer creators per campaign but stronger alignment and deep collaboration. Creators might be brought in earlier to co-shape concepts and angles.

Brands that care about authenticity and cultural nuance often find this approach reassuring, especially in categories like streetwear, gaming, and youth culture.

Typical client fit

Disrupt-style agencies often attract brands seeking standout social moments. These clients value creative risk, distinct personality, and campaigns people remember.

• Brands targeting Gen Z and younger millennials
• Challenger brands in crowded markets
• Labels in fashion, music, gaming, and lifestyle niches
• Teams ready to lean into new formats and bold messaging

If your brand wants to be seen as fresh, daring, or ahead of the curve, this angle can be very appealing.

How the two agencies really differ

Put side by side, the contrast between Obviously and Disrupt is less about who can “do influencer marketing” and more about how they show up for your brand.

Think of one as a highly organized engine built for consistent reach and another as a creative studio focused on cultural heat, even if it involves more experimentation.

Approach and mindset

A key difference lies in center of gravity. Obviously leans into operational excellence, while Disrupt centers creative differentiation and cultural relevance.

If you are a large organization, you might appreciate the structure and documentation. If you are a brand looking for buzz, you might lean toward the bolder storytelling approach.

Scale vs focus

Obviously is often better suited for high volume programs involving many creators across markets or verticals. Scale is a strength.

Disrupt tends to shine when you need a sharper, more curated group of creators aligned to specific subcultures or communities, even if total reach is smaller.

Client experience and collaboration

Process-driven agencies usually bring clear workflows, standardized status updates, and repeatable templates. This can make internal reporting easier.

Creative-forward agencies often ask for more collaboration and feedback loops on concepts. The work may feel more bespoke, but also more time intensive for your team.

Your internal bandwidth and decision-making style will heavily influence which experience feels better.

Pricing approach and how work is scoped

Influencer agencies typically don’t use posted, SaaS-style packages. Instead, they price work based on goals, timelines, and how complex your campaigns will be.

How full service agencies usually charge

Both agencies are likely to create custom quotes. Expect pricing to be shaped by a mix of management fees, creator costs, and sometimes production or paid media.

• Agency management fee or retainer for planning and execution
• Creator fees, including content and usage rights
• Production support for higher-end shoots, if needed
• Optional amplification through paid social or whitelisting

Most brands either hire for single campaigns or set up ongoing retainers for year-round creator activity.

What influences cost the most

The largest cost drivers are usually the number and size of creators, how many platforms are involved, and whether you need extensive content rights or whitelisting.

Broader, multi-market programs with bigger influencers and heavy reporting will naturally sit at the higher end. Smaller, test-focused campaigns can be scoped more modestly.

Your desired level of agency involvement also matters: more strategy, creative, and production input generally means higher fees.

Key strengths and common limitations

Every agency has tradeoffs. Seeing them clearly helps you avoid disappointment later. It is less about “better or worse” and more about fit for your specific needs.

Where Obviously-style partners shine

• Managing large creator rosters across different segments
• Delivering consistent reporting and campaign structure
• Handling complex logistics and approvals for big organizations
• Running always-on programs with steady content flow

A common concern is that large-scale programs can sometimes feel less personal or creatively daring if guardrails are too strict.

Where Disrupt-style partners shine

• Crafting standout creative angles and bold concepts
• Connecting with specific subcultures and online communities
• Designing campaigns that feel fresh and shareable
• Elevating brand perception among younger audiences

On the flip side, heavily creative campaigns can be riskier. Not every idea will land perfectly, and timelines may feel tighter if concepts evolve quickly.

Shared limitations to keep in mind

• Neither agency can fully “guarantee virality” or sales spikes
• Creator performance can vary despite thorough vetting
• Internal approvals can slow momentum if your team is busy
• Misaligned expectations on content style can lead to rework

Many brands underestimate the time needed on their side to review briefs, approve creators, and align on messaging.

Who each agency is best for

Deciding between these two often comes down to your brand maturity, risk tolerance, and how you define success for influencer work.

When an operational powerhouse fits best

Choose a process-heavy, scale-focused agency similar to Obviously if you recognize yourself in these scenarios.

• You manage multiple markets or product lines and need order.
• You already have strong brand guidelines that must be followed.
• You want predictable deliverables and robust performance reports.
• Your team is short on time and wants to outsource execution.

This path is also strong for established consumer brands in beauty, CPG, tech accessories, and home goods that rely on steady exposure.

When a creative disruptor is the right pick

Lean toward a creatively driven agency like Disrupt if your priority is standing out and leaning into culture.

• You are a challenger or fast growing brand needing differentiation.
• You want campaigns that spark conversation, not just impressions.
• You target communities where authenticity and edge matter.
• You are comfortable testing bolder ideas and learning quickly.

This direction often suits fashion labels, lifestyle brands, gaming companies, and entertainment projects seeking buzz and relevance.

When a platform like Flinque makes more sense

Full service agencies are not always the ideal answer. Some brands prefer more control, especially when budgets are tight or in-house skills are strong.

A platform-based option like Flinque gives teams tools for creator discovery, outreach, and campaign management without signing up for large retainers.

This can be useful if you already have social or influencer managers in-house and simply need better systems to scale their work.

Situations where platforms are a strong fit

• Early-stage brands testing influencer marketing with modest budgets
• Teams that want to own creator relationships directly
• Marketers comfortable with hands-on day-to-day coordination
• Companies running many small collaborations instead of a few big ones

In practice, some brands mix both approaches: agencies for big hero campaigns, platforms for ongoing micro-influencer work they manage themselves.

FAQs

How do I know if my brand is big enough for a full service influencer agency?

If you are spending meaningful budget on social or paid media and want influencers to be a core channel rather than a side test, you are likely ready for a full service partner.

Should I prioritize follower count or audience fit when picking creators?

Audience fit almost always beats raw follower count. A smaller creator with the right community, tone, and trust can outperform a larger influencer with a broader, less engaged audience.

How long does it take to see results from influencer campaigns?

Awareness and engagement can appear quickly, often within weeks. Sales impact and long-term brand lift usually become clearer after multiple campaigns or several months of consistent activity.

Can I run one campaign and then decide if influencer marketing works?

You can, but a single campaign rarely tells the full story. Results improve as you test different creators, formats, and messages, then double down on what works.

What should I have ready before talking to agencies?

Be clear on your goals, budget range, target audiences, preferred platforms, brand guidelines, and timelines. Having this ready makes agency proposals more accurate and easier to compare.

Conclusion: choosing your influencer partner

Your decision is less about which agency is “best” and more about which one matches how your brand works and what you are trying to achieve this year.

If you need structure, scale, and reliable execution, a system-driven agency like Obviously may be right. If you crave standout creative and cultural heat, a partner like Disrupt might fit better.

Also consider whether a platform like Flinque could support your team if you prefer to stay hands-on. Match partner, budget, and involvement level carefully, and your influencer efforts will feel far more intentional.

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.