Audience trust lives with people, not logos. That’s exactly why brands need to start investing in influencers with intention.

In this episode of Straight to Voicemail, Rachel Elsts Downey talks with Justin Levy, Director of Content and Social Media at ZoomInfo, about why creator partnerships are one of the smartest investments a brand can make. With 15 years of building influencer programs, Justin breaks down how influencer relationships expand reach, deepen credibility, and unlock audiences brands can’t access on their own. He also shares how to choose the right creators, what smart cross‑platform investment actually looks like, and why starting with small, structured pilots is the fastest path to proof.

You’ll learn:

• How to start small with 3–5 creators
• Where to invest beyond LinkedIn
• What guardrails keep creator content on-brand

Jump into the conversation:
(00:00) Why we called Justin Levy about influencer marketing
(00:09) From affiliate links to creator-led brands
(00:35) The core reason brands should invest in influencers
(00:54) Why audiences trust creators over logos
(01:24) How platform influence has evolved, and why LinkedIn isn’t enough
(02:11) Where to invest beyond LinkedIn: podcasts, newsletters, YouTube
(02:37) Why brands should start small with creator pilots
(03:05) Choosing platforms and setting smart guardrails
(03:22) The brands that wait will fall behind

Straight to Voicemail is for CMOs, CEOs, and Heads of Marketing in B2B tech who want insights from the people who’ve been there. Each episode centers on one big question answered like a voicemail you’ll want to play again.

Don’t miss this conversation! Follow Straight to Voicemail and explore Genius Cuts for more B2B content strategy insights.