Why brands look at two different influencer agencies
When you compare Stargazer and Goldfish, you are usually trying to figure out which partner will actually move the needle for your brand. Both are influencer marketing agencies, but they lean into different strengths, industries, and working styles.
Most marketers want clear answers about what each agency really does, how they work with creators, and what day‑to‑day collaboration feels like. You also want to know who they are best for, how budgets are handled, and what kind of results you can realistically expect.
The primary focus here is on influencer agency selection, so everything below is framed around helping you choose the right kind of support, not hyping one name over another.
Table of Contents
- What each agency is known for
- Stargazer: services and ideal clients
- Goldfish: services and ideal clients
- How the two agencies really differ
- Pricing and engagement style
- Strengths and limitations of each option
- Who each agency fits best
- When a platform like Flinque makes sense
- FAQs
- Conclusion: choosing the right partner
- Disclaimer
What each agency is known for
Both agencies sit in the same broad space, but they are not identical. They differ in how they discover creators, structure campaigns, and support different types of brands.
Below is a high‑level view of what each is generally recognized for, based on publicly available information and how brands usually talk about them.
What Stargazer is generally associated with
Stargazer is often linked with performance‑minded influencer work, especially on video‑first platforms. Brands mention a focus on creator‑driven storytelling that still aims for measurable returns, not just vanity metrics.
They are typically described as hands‑on with campaign setup, creator outreach, and creative direction, often supporting both direct‑to‑consumer and app‑focused businesses.
What Goldfish is generally associated with
Goldfish tends to be seen as a creatively driven agency with a strong focus on brand storytelling and social content. Marketers mention that they care about aesthetic, tone of voice, and building a consistent presence over one‑off posts.
They are often associated with lifestyle, consumer, and culture‑oriented brands that want to feel premium or distinctive on social channels.
Stargazer: services and ideal clients
This section focuses on what Stargazer typically does for brands, how they run influencer campaigns, and what kind of marketer usually gets the most value from them.
Core services from Stargazer
Service details vary by client, but most publicly described work from this agency tends to include:
- Influencer discovery and vetting across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram
- Campaign strategy and creative concepts tied to brand goals
- End‑to‑end campaign management and coordination
- Usage rights, contracts, and creator negotiations
- Tracking of views, engagement, and down‑funnel metrics
The core promise is usually that they will handle the heavy lifting, from finding the right creators to ensuring content goes live as planned.
How Stargazer tends to run campaigns
Stargazer is often described as structured and performance aware. They usually begin with a clear brief, then match creators who can deliver the message while also fitting the platform’s culture.
Campaigns may lean on multiple mid‑tier creators instead of a single big celebrity, especially when the goal is reach plus measurable sales or app installs.
Creator relationships and style
Like most modern influencer agencies, Stargazer works with a wide pool of creators rather than only managing a small exclusive roster. This allows more flexibility in niche targeting.
The content they produce with creators usually feels native to each platform, often leaning into storytelling, challenges, or product demos that invite viewer action.
Typical brands that fit Stargazer
Brands that tend to click with this type of agency often share a few traits:
- Direct‑to‑consumer products looking for measurable growth
- Apps, games, or subscription services needing installs and signups
- Marketing teams that want performance reporting, not just awareness
- Companies open to testing several creator collaborations per campaign
They are generally a better fit for marketers who like data and want campaigns tied to clear business outcomes.
Goldfish: services and ideal clients
Now let’s look at what Goldfish tends to focus on, how they treat brand storytelling, and which marketers usually feel at home with their style.
Core services from Goldfish
Again, details can change by client, but the public picture usually includes:
- Influencer casting and relationship management
- Social media content concepts and planning
- Multi‑channel campaigns across Instagram, TikTok, and sometimes YouTube
- Creative production support, including briefs and content reviews
- Reporting on reach, engagement, and broader brand lift signals
The emphasis tends to lean a bit more toward brand story, aesthetic consistency, and long‑term presence rather than tightly tracked performance alone.
How Goldfish tends to run campaigns
Goldfish is often talked about as collaborative and brand‑led. They spend time understanding tone of voice, visual style, and cultural references that matter to your audience.
Campaigns may center around themes, seasonal moments, or product launches, with creators selected to embody that world rather than only chosen for raw numbers.
Creator relationships and style
Goldfish usually works with lifestyle, culture, or niche community creators whose content already feels like what your target audience wants to watch.
Content often feels polished but still personal, with an emphasis on authenticity and storytelling over hard selling. This can be powerful for brand perception and long‑term loyalty.
Typical brands that fit Goldfish
Brands that tend to align with this agency often share these traits:
- Consumer lifestyle, fashion, beauty, or wellness products
- Brands that value aesthetic, narrative, and cultural relevance
- Marketing teams focused on brand building and community
- Companies comfortable evaluating success beyond only last‑click sales
This style usually suits marketers with a strong sense of brand identity who want influencer content to mirror that identity closely.
How the two agencies really differ
The differences between these agencies are more about emphasis than category. Both do influencer campaigns, but they tilt toward different priorities.
Approach to goals and measurement
One agency is more frequently linked with performance‑centric campaigns, especially for apps and direct‑response offers. You will hear more about return on spend, tracked actions, and scaling what works.
The other tends to be framed more around brand storytelling, social presence, and deeper engagement with communities, even if the payoff is longer term.
Creative control and flexibility
Both will respect creator freedom, but they differ in how tightly they keep the brand narrative. A performance‑minded partner may allow more format testing to find what converts.
A story‑driven partner may push harder for consistent look and feel, ensuring the brand appears polished and on message across all creator content.
Scale and channel focus
The more data‑driven choice usually leans heavily into platforms where tracking is stronger and direct calls to action work well, like YouTube and TikTok.
The more brand‑led choice often builds carefully crafted programs on visually driven networks, keeping a close eye on how your brand shows up in feeds.
Client experience day to day
Marketers describe working with the performance‑leaning agency as structured, with testing plans, reports, and regular optimization cycles.
Working with the brand‑driven agency often means more creative workshops, content reviews, and conversations about tone, visual identity, and cultural fit.
Pricing and engagement style
Neither agency typically publishes flat menu pricing. Instead, you will usually receive custom quotes based on your goals, scope, and markets.
How influencer agency pricing usually works
Most influencer shops build costs around a few shared pieces:
- Creator fees for content, usage, and exclusivity
- Agency management fees for strategy and execution
- Production or editing support where needed
- Optional paid media to boost top content
Budget ranges can swing widely depending on creator size, number of posts, markets, and whether content runs as ads.
Common engagement models you may see
With either agency, you are likely to encounter one or more of these setups:
- Single‑campaign projects tied to a launch or season
- Ongoing retainers with monthly or quarterly activity
- Pilots or test campaigns to prove concept before scaling
Your own internal resources matter too. If you have a creative team in‑house, you may ask the agency to focus more on casting and coordination than on concepting.
What influences final cost the most
Major drivers usually include:
- Number of creators and content pieces
- Platforms involved and target countries
- How strict your usage and exclusivity needs are
- Depth of reporting and strategic support you expect
If you want complex, multi‑market programs with extensive reporting and creative production, expect a higher quote from either firm.
Strengths and limitations of each option
Every agency tradeoff comes down to balance: creativity versus performance, control versus flexibility, and full service support versus budget efficiency.
Where a performance‑leaning agency shines
- Strong at tying influencer activity to real business outcomes
- Comfortable running structured tests, then scaling winning angles
- Good match for brands that live and die by acquisition costs
A common concern is whether this focus on numbers might reduce the perceived authenticity of content if not handled carefully.
Where a story‑driven agency shines
- Excellent at crafting content that fits your brand world
- Helps you show up consistently across creators and channels
- Supports long‑term brand building and community vibes
The potential downside is that short‑term sales impact can be harder to isolate, especially if tracking setups are limited.
Limitations to keep in mind
- Performance‑first work can feel formulaic if creative isn’t protected.
- Brand‑first work can feel soft on hard numbers if not properly instrumented.
- Both models rely heavily on strong briefs and clear expectations.
Your internal clarity on goals is often the deciding factor in whether either approach succeeds.
Who each agency fits best
To make the decision easier, think through what you care about most, then map that to each agency’s typical strengths.
Best fit for performance‑minded brands
- Growth teams at apps, games, or subscription products
- DTC brands needing consistent new customers every month
- Marketers comfortable with experimentation and creative testing
- Teams that track revenue, signups, or installs as primary KPIs
If you often ask “What did this campaign return?” this style of partner is usually the better choice.
Best fit for story‑led and lifestyle brands
- Fashion, beauty, wellness, and lifestyle labels
- Premium or aspirational brands with strong visual identity
- Teams focused on brand consideration and community love
- Marketers who value aesthetic quality as much as direct sales
If you often ask “How do we want people to feel about us?” the more narrative‑driven partner may deliver what you need.
Questions to ask yourself before choosing
- Are we under more pressure to grow brand or revenue right now?
- Do we have tracking in place to measure performance work?
- Is our brand identity already clear, or do we need help shaping it?
- How much budget and time can we commit to testing?
Your answers will quickly point you toward the agency that matches your stage and priorities.
When a platform like Flinque makes sense
Agencies are not the only option. Some brands prefer more control, using platforms instead of fully managed services.
What a platform alternative usually offers
Tools like Flinque give you search, outreach, and campaign tracking without requiring a full agency retainer. You run strategy and creator relationships directly, using software to streamline the workflow.
This appeals to teams that are comfortable managing campaigns but want better systems and data.
When a platform model can be better
- You have an in‑house social or influencer manager.
- You want to learn directly from creator conversations and feedback.
- You are trying to stretch a limited budget further.
- You prefer to test frequently with many smaller creators.
Agency support can still be layered on for special launches, while a platform remains your always‑on backbone.
FAQs
How do I decide which influencer agency style is right for my brand?
Start with your main goal. If you need clear acquisition results, lean toward performance‑driven partners. If brand story and perception matter most, favor creative, narrative‑focused teams. Then match your budget and internal resources to the level of support you need.
Can one agency handle both brand building and performance?
Yes, many agencies blend both, but one side usually leads. Ask to see case studies for sales‑driven work and brand‑led work. Look for proof they can manage creative quality while still tracking meaningful business outcomes.
What should I ask during an initial agency call?
Ask how they choose creators, how success is measured, what a typical timeline looks like, and who will be on your account. Request examples from your industry and clarify how they handle contracts, usage rights, and reporting.
How long before I see results from influencer campaigns?
Awareness and engagement can show up quickly, within days of content going live. Measurable sales impact often becomes clearer after several weeks, once you have enough posts, tests, and tracking data to spot consistent patterns.
Do I need a big budget to work with an influencer agency?
You do not need a massive budget, but you should be realistic. Even smaller campaigns require creator fees and management time. Talk honestly about your range so agencies can suggest a scope that gives you meaningful results.
Conclusion: choosing the right partner
Picking between these two agencies is less about who is “better” and more about who fits your current needs, budget, and working style. Both can run solid influencer activity when matched with the right brief.
If your pressure is on measurable growth, look harder at the partner with deeper performance roots. If you are shaping a brand world and community, lean toward the one that lives and breathes storytelling.
Also consider whether a platform like Flinque could give you enough structure to manage things in‑house. In many cases, the best path is a mix: software for everyday operations and agency partners for key moments.
Whichever route you choose, clarity is your best tool. Be specific about goals, audience, and success metrics before you sign anything, and you will dramatically increase your odds of a successful influencer program.
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.
Jan 10,2026
