AiMCO elects new Chair and Deputies

The Australian Influencer Marketing Council (AiMCO) has announced a new Chair and Deputy Chairs on the Guiding Council (GC) following a member election.

The new AiMCO Chair is Sharyn Smith, Founder and CEO of Social Soup and Director of The Influence Group, who has over 15 years as an industry pioneer within the influencer marketing arena. Detch Singh, Founder and CEO of Hypetap, who is the exiting Chair, will remain on the AiMCO Executive as a Deputy Chair, along with Patrick Whitnall, Marketing Director, TwentyFiveFour and the addition of a new Deputy Chair, Tegan Boorman, Founder of Social Law Co.

The AiMCO Council executive team provides leadership and guidance for the strategic vision and management of AiMCO with its growing membership of more than 85 members. The Australian influencer marketing community continues to show its strong commitment to best practice to support confidence in the channel and to continue to elevate the skills and knowledge within the influencer sector.

Sharyn Smith said: “AiMCO is essential to the influence industry's next phase of development. Right now, influence is experiencing a strong growth trajectory that will be critical in determining how the future of our industry looks. There is a burgeoning need for greater integration across the creator economy and wider influencer marketing, as well as across marketing and media plans – this means enormous opportunity. I’m honoured to take the Chair at this time and will continue to lead AiMCO as a potent industry body to realise the full potential that is emerging for all of the passionate companies, professionals and creators dedicated to the influence sector. We’re entering an exciting phase and I look forward to engaging with all facets of the industry.”

Detch Singh said: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved with the establishment of AiMCO over the last two years whilst I’ve been Chair. It’s been gratifying to lead that journey, seeing it evolve from the initial development of the Council and the AiMCO Code of Practice to the launching of the AiMCO Awards. The ongoing contribution of all the members has been fantastic, and I am honoured to be involved in the next phase of its growth.”

Tegan Boorman said: “As an experienced social media lawyer, and an elected Deputy Chair of the Guiding Council, I look forward to assisting AiMCO as it guides the influencer marketing industry through growing regulation and increased enforcement of the relevant laws, regulations and codes.”

Patrick Whitnall said: “The impact and progress that’s been made at AiMCO over the last couple of years to establish more trust and transparency in our industry has been commendable, being supported to continue this work as Co-Deputy is an honour and privilege. I'm looking forward to working with the team and members to grow our industry to further heights.”

All members of the Council are involved in determining the work and initiatives of AiMCO with the focus being on resourcing and supporting members whilst providing a cohesive voice for the channel. AiMCO has active working groups that continue to address industry best practice by evolving the AiMCO Code of Practice and other supporting guides, it hosts monthly webinars and podcasts, and launched Australia’s first influencer marketing awards, the AiMCO Awards in 2021 culminating in a celebration event held on Thursday February 24, 2022.

AiMCO’s Guiding Council represents companies from across the influencer marketing community with 17 members that guide the overall direction and activities of AiMCO for the year ahead.

AiMCO Guiding Council Members, April 2022 (sorted alpha by first name)

Councillor                                 Company

Anthony Richardson              Q-83

Ben Mayor                                We Are Social

Ben McGrath                            VAMP  

Detch Singh                             Hypetap (Deputy Chair)

Jacqui Capel                            Squad by Mamamia

Jamie Taylor                             Havas Media

Kylie Green                               The Lime Agency

Natalie Giddings                     Hoozu 

Patrick Whitnall                      TwentyFiveFour (Deputy Chair)

Sam Kelly                                  Hello Social

Sarah Letts                               Totally Awesome

Sharyn Smith                           Social Soup (Chair)

Shivani Maharaj                       Wavemaker

Simone Landes                        The Lifestyle Suite

Steph Pearson                          OMD Create

Stephen von Muenster           Von Muenster Legal

Tegan Boorman                        Social Law Co (Deputy Chair)