Whalar vs August United

Why brands weigh up influencer agency options

Marketers often compare influencer partners when they need more than one-off posts. They want a team that understands creators, can handle production, and links social content to real sales or brand lift.

Many teams also want help navigating fast-changing platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube without losing their own brand voice.

Underneath that, the real question is simple: which partner will help you turn creator relationships into long-term growth rather than short-lived hype?

What these agencies are known for
Inside Whalar’s way of working
Inside August United’s way of working
How their approaches feel different
Pricing style and how work is scoped
Strengths and limitations to keep in mind
Who each agency is best suited for
When a platform alternative makes more sense
FAQs
Conclusion
Disclaimer

What these agencies are known for

The primary keyword for this page is influencer agency choice. That phrase sums up what most marketers are trying to figure out: which partner’s strengths match their goals and culture.

In that context, Whalar and August United often show up together in research because both focus on full-service creator campaigns for brands.

Each has its own reputation, creative style, and sweet spot in terms of brand size, category, and campaign type.

Inside Whalar’s way of working

Whalar is widely seen as a creative-first influencer partner that works with global and fast-growing consumer brands. Its work often blends creator content with production, media, and cultural moments.

The company has offices and team members across several regions, which appeals to marketers planning multi-country social programs.

Typical services you can expect

Whalar positions itself around end-to-end influencer marketing, from planning to results tracking. Common services include:

Campaign strategy and creative concepts
Creator sourcing, vetting, and casting
Contracting and negotiation with talent
Content planning and production oversight
Usage rights, whitelisting, and paid amplification
Measurement, reporting, and learnings

The team often plugs into larger brand and media plans, aligning influencer efforts with TV, paid social, or retail pushes.

Approach to creator campaigns

Whalar tends to lean into culturally driven ideas and high-impact social storytelling. Campaigns often feature:

Cross-platform creator content, especially TikTok and Instagram
Big creative hooks that can be adapted by many creators
Content that feels native to each platform’s trends and formats

They generally handle logistics, production guidance, and feedback rounds so internal marketing teams stay focused on big-picture goals.

Creator relationships and talent networks

Whalar is known for building strong relationships with a broad mix of creators, from emerging voices to well-known names. Brand teams usually benefit from curated shortlists rather than raw database access.

The agency also works closely with platform partners and creator communities, which can help when testing new formats or features.

Typical client fit for Whalar

Whalar often works with larger brands or those aiming for wide reach. It tends to suit marketers who want:

High-production social campaigns with polished creative
Multi-country or multi-language programs
Close coordination with media and brand teams
Support from experienced producers and strategists

It’s usually a better fit for teams that see creators as a long-term brand building channel rather than a quick test.

Inside August United’s way of working

August United is an influencer-focused agency often linked with storytelling that feels down-to-earth and community minded. It has worked with brands across categories like food, retail, and consumer services.

The agency typically highlights authentic creator partnerships and content that feels like everyday social updates, not polished ads.

Services brands usually tap into

Like many full-service influencer partners, August United helps brands from planning through execution. Services commonly include:

Influencer strategy tied to brand goals
Talent discovery and vetting for fit and values
Contracting, compliance, and coordination
Campaign management and content review
Reporting on reach, engagement, and key outcomes

Some programs also extend into long-term creator programs or ambassador roles, not just one-off bursts.

Campaign style and creative tone

August United’s work often centers on relatable storytelling and niche communities. You will typically see:

Creators who already love the product category
Content that feels like personal recommendations
Less staged, more everyday visuals and stories

The tone tends to lean warm, human, and values-driven, which can work well in categories where trust is key.

Creator relationships and community focus

The agency usually emphasizes finding partners who genuinely match a brand’s personality and promise. That means more emphasis on fit and long-term relationships than on one-off influencer blasts.

Brands that care deeply about value alignment and community feedback often appreciate that focus.

Typical client fit for August United

August United commonly works with mid-market and larger brands that want clear, understandable influencer storytelling. It tends to suit teams that value:

Authentic, relatable voices over celebrity fame
Deeper ties with a defined niche or community
Influencer content that feels like organic sharing
Partnerships that can grow over several campaigns

It can be an especially strong match when a brand needs to build ongoing trust in a crowded space.

How their approaches feel different

When marketers compare these two, they are usually not asking who is “better” overall. They want to know which style aligns with their goals, culture, and timelines.

Several differences often stand out during early conversations.

Scale and global reach

Whalar generally shines for brands planning broader, multi-market efforts or wanting access to larger creator sets across regions.

August United tends to focus more on targeted programs, often within specific countries or communities, though it can still support wide reach brands.

Creative tone and storytelling style

Whalar’s work often leans into standout visual ideas, platform trends, and bigger “cultural moment” campaigns that feel like social-first branded experiences.

August United tends toward grounded, story-led content where creators talk about products as part of their daily lives.

How structured the engagement feels

Whalar’s process often involves dedicated strategy, creative, and production specialists, which can be reassuring for large marketing teams with complex approvals.

August United can feel slightly more intimate and conversational, which some brands appreciate when navigating influencer marketing for the first time.

Fit with different brand personalities

Brands pushing bold, eye-catching activations may gravitate toward Whalar’s creative energy and cross-platform ideas.

Brands leaning into trust, community, and long-term storytelling may find August United’s tone and process more naturally aligned.

Pricing style and how work is scoped

Both agencies usually price work through custom proposals, not public rate cards. That means your cost depends heavily on what you ask them to build.

Several common pieces drive the final numbers.

What typically influences cost

Number and tier of creators involved
Platforms used and content volume required
Usage rights, length of licensing, and whitelisting
Production support, travel, and on-site needs
Campaign length and complexity of reporting

Retainers are common when brands want ongoing creator programs and support across multiple campaigns per year.

Campaign budgets and retainers

Whalar often works with larger budgets where brands want broad reach or multi-country scope. Costs there may cover both creators and creative development.

August United may feel more accessible to some mid-market teams, though large programs with many influencers still require substantial investment.

In both cases, you will usually see a mix of creator fees plus an agency fee for management and strategy.

Strengths and limitations to keep in mind

Every agency has areas where it shines and places that are less of a fit. Understanding both sides can save time and internal friction later.

Where Whalar tends to shine

Big, creative influencer concepts across multiple platforms
Programs that need strong production and coordination
Global or multi-region initiatives with cultural nuance
Integrating creator programs with media and brand campaigns

These strengths appeal to brands that want their creator work to feel like a central part of their marketing engine.

Where Whalar may feel less ideal

Very small test budgets or hyper-local-only programs
Brands wanting full DIY control over creator selection and contact
Teams that prefer only long-term ambassador programs without large bursts

Some marketers quietly worry about losing too much control when they hand influencer work to a large creative partner.

Where August United tends to shine

Brands seeking relatable, values-driven creator stories
Programs built around specific communities or niches
Longer-term relationships between brands and influencers
Marketers who want collaborative, approachable account teams

This can be especially powerful when trust and authenticity matter more than flashy one-off stunts.

Where August United may feel less ideal

Brands that need large multi-country rollouts at high speed
Teams chasing highly polished, studio-level aesthetics for every asset
Marketers who mainly care about rapid, performance-only experiments

Brands focused on huge global splashes might find the scale or tempo different from larger, global-first agency networks.

Who each agency is best suited for

Picking between influencer partners often comes down to fit, not just case studies. Think about your internal expectations, approval processes, and how hands-on you want to be.

Best fit for Whalar

Global or national brands with sizeable marketing budgets
Companies that want their creator work tightly linked to broader campaigns
Teams comfortable with polished creative and strong creative direction
Brands aiming for cultural impact or standout social moments

If your leadership wants to see influencer content that looks and feels like major brand work, Whalar may align well.

Best fit for August United

Brands that want everyday creators who feel approachable
Marketers who value simple, clear storytelling over flashy trends
Teams that care deeply about shared values with creators
Companies focused on building long-term fan communities

If your main goal is building trust, repeat buyers, and warm sentiment, August United’s style can be a natural match.

When a platform alternative makes more sense

Not every brand wants a full-service agency. Some teams prefer to manage creators directly while still using software to streamline the work.

This is where a platform such as Flinque can be useful.

How a platform-based route differs

Flinque is a technology platform, not an agency. It helps brands discover creators, manage outreach, and coordinate campaigns within one system.

Instead of paying an external team to run everything, your in-house marketers manage relationships and content themselves.

When that approach is a better fit

You have internal staff ready to handle creator outreach and coordination.
You want more direct contact with influencers and faster adjustments.
Your budget is tighter, so you prefer to invest more in creator fees than agency retainers.
You are testing influencer marketing and want to learn the process firsthand.

This route suits marketers who are comfortable being in the driver’s seat and can commit time to managing campaigns.

FAQs

How should I prepare before talking to influencer agencies?

Clarify your main goals, target audience, must-have platforms, and rough budget range. Share past examples of content you liked and disliked. This helps any agency respond with realistic ideas and more accurate scope.

Can I work with both agencies at once?

Yes, some brands test multiple partners. However, it is usually better to split by region, product line, or objective to avoid overlapping outreach or mixed messaging to creators and audiences.

How long does it take to launch a campaign?

Timing depends on scope, but many full-service campaigns take several weeks for planning, casting, and approvals. Expect timelines to extend if legal reviews, complex production, or many countries are involved.

Do I keep the content rights from influencer campaigns?

Rights are negotiated. Standard deals cover organic posts on creators’ channels, with extra fees for paid ads or longer-term use. Always ask agencies to spell out licensing length, platforms, and any whitelisting plans.

What if my leadership is skeptical of influencer marketing?

Ask agencies to show case studies with clear business outcomes, not just likes and views. Start with a focused pilot, define success metrics in advance, and share learnings widely inside your company.

Conclusion

Choosing between influencer partners is less about winning a beauty contest and more about matching the right style and structure to your needs.

If you want large-scale, highly produced work that ties into major brand pushes, Whalar may feel more natural. If you want grounded, human stories and community focus, August United could be the better match.

For teams wanting control and flexibility, exploring a platform-based route such as Flinque can also make sense, especially when budgets or staffing are tight.

Think honestly about your budget, timelines, comfort with risk, and how much control you want over creator relationships. Then pick the partner whose strengths map cleanly to that reality.

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.