Top 8 Social-First PR & Influencer Agencies Engaging Gen Z Through UGC

Social-first PR and influencer marketing have become essential for brands trying to connect with Gen Z audiences. Traditional advertising no longer holds the same influence, as younger consumers gravitate toward authentic voices, creator-driven content and user-generated storytelling. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram now shape how brands are discovered, discussed and trusted.

Agencies that understand cultural moments and Gen Z behavior help brands participate in conversations instead of interrupting them. By leveraging UGC, creators and real-time trends, these agencies build stronger brand equity, improve engagement quality and drive higher return on investment. Cultural fluency allows brands to stay relevant, relatable and trusted in fast-moving social environments.

Top 8 Social-First PR & Influencer Agencies Engaging Gen Z Through UGC

Criteria for Selection

The agencies featured in this list were selected based on their ability to execute culturally relevant, high-performing social-first PR and influencer campaigns for Gen Z audiences.

  • Expertise in cultural trend analysis
    Top agencies understand how trends emerge, evolve and spread across social platforms and Gen Z communities.
  • Proven campaign performance
    Each agency demonstrates a strong track record of delivering measurable engagement, reach and brand growth through UGC and influencer-driven strategies.
  • Innovation and creative execution
    Leading agencies adapt trends creatively, using UGC and creator storytelling in ways that feel natural and brand-aligned.
  • Cross-platform strategy
    The strongest agencies extend UGC impact across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and earned media channels to scale authority and visibility.

Here are the Top 8 Social First PR and Influencer Agencies Engaging Gen Z Through UGC

1. Jive PR + Digital

Jive PR + Digital is a social-first PR and influencer agency focused on culturally fluent storytelling for consumer brands. The agency blends PR, influencer partnerships and platform native content to help brands engage Gen Z audiences authentically. Jive PR + Digital emphasizes relevance, community trust and long-term brand authority rather than short-lived viral moments.

Case Study: Daiya Foods

Jive PR + Digital partnered with Daiya Foods to connect with Gen Z consumers through authentic UGC and creator-led storytelling. The campaign centered on real food moments, everyday routines and lifestyle integration rather than polished product promotion. Creators shared honest experiences, recipes and opinions using platform native formats on TikTok and Instagram. The agency amplified high-performing UGC through social PR and earned media, increasing visibility and credibility. Daiya Foods saw stronger engagement, improved sentiment and a deeper connection with younger plant-based consumers.

Specialization:

Jive PR + Digital specializes in social-first PR, influencer-led storytelling and Gen Z-focused UGC strategies. The agency excels at cultural trendspotting, creator collaboration and translating social moments into earned visibility. Its integrated approach combines social content, influencer partnerships and PR amplification to build trust and long-term relevance.

Pros and Cons:

Jive PR + Digital is highly regarded for its deep cultural fluency and strong understanding of how Gen Z and millennial audiences interact with brands on social platforms. The agency excels at transforming real-time cultural moments into authentic UGC driven storytelling that feels natural inside social feeds. Their social-first PR approach blends influencer partnerships, earned media and platform native content to build credibility and long term brand authority. Rather than chasing short-lived trends.

2. Sociallyin

Sociallyin is a digital agency offering social media management and content creation for consumer brands. The agency focuses on structured workflows, consistent posting and audience engagement. Sociallyin supports brands looking to maintain an active and professional social presence across platforms.

Case Study:

Sociallyin helped a consumer brand restructure its UGC strategy by aligning content with Gen Z viewing habits and trending formats. The agency introduced interactive visuals, community driven posts and improved posting cadence. Engagement increased steadily as the brand became more visible and consistent in social feeds.

Specialization:

Sociallyin focuses on social media management, UGC production and community engagement. The agency supports brands with structured content planning, creative execution and ongoing audience interaction across multiple platforms.

Pros and Cons:

Sociallyin offers dependable execution and clear workflows that make campaign management predictable and efficient. The agency is well-suited for brands that value organization, consistency and steady growth across social platforms.

However, Sociallyin places less emphasis on real-time cultural moments and fast trend activation. Influencer-led storytelling and reactive content may feel limited compared to agencies that focus heavily on live trends and cultural experimentation, making the approach more conservative than trend-first firms.

Sociallyin

3. HireInfluence

HireInfluence is a premium influencer marketing agency that delivers highly curated, brand-safe creator campaigns across social platforms. The agency focuses on structured execution, high production standardsand carefully vetted influencers to ensure content aligns with brand identity. While many Gen Z campaigns lean into spontaneity, HireInfluence blends authenticity with polished storytelling to create UGC that feels credible while maintaining quality control.

HireInfluence supports consumer brands seeking influencer campaigns that balance cultural relevance with consistency and brand safety. Their approach emphasizes thoughtful creator partnerships rather than rapid trend participation.

Case Study:

HireInfluence partnered with a consumer lifestyle brand to launch a UGC driven campaign targeting Gen Z audiences. Creators were selected based on audience alignment and content tone, ensuring authenticity without compromising brand standards. Influencers produced platform native TikTok and Instagram content showcasing real experiences and product integration within everyday routines.

The campaign generated strong engagement, improved brand perceptionand delivered consistent messaging across multiple creators while maintaining a polished execution style.

Specialization:

HireInfluence specializes in curated influencer activations, UGC strategy, premium creator partnershipsand brand-safe campaign execution. The agency focuses on structured influencer management, content quality controland multi-platform campaign delivery designed for controlled yet culturally relevant visibility.

Pros and Cons:

HireInfluence offers high-quality execution, strong creator vettingand brand safety assurance. The agency is well-suited for brands that prioritize control, consistencyand polished influencer storytelling while still engaging Gen Z audiences through UGC.

However, campaigns may be less experimental or trend reactive compared to culture-first boutique agencies. The premium structure can also involve higher budgets and longer planning timelines, making it less ideal for rapid viral experimentation.

Fanbytes by Brainlabs

4. Viral Nation

Viral Nation is a global influencer marketing agency supporting large-scale social campaigns for consumer brands. The agency blends influencer marketing, content strategy and paid amplification to help brands achieve rapid visibility. Viral Nation works with brands seeking fast reach across multiple markets and platforms.

Case Study:

Viral Nation launched a trend-driven TikTok campaign using creators aligned with viral challenges and platform trends. Influencers produced native content that encouraged participation and sharing. The campaign generated strong reach and engagement across several regions, helping the brand gain quick market exposure.

Specialization:

Viral Nation specializes in large-scale influencer marketing and trend-driven social campaigns supported by paid amplification. The agency helps brands activate creators across multiple markets while maintaining consistent messaging. Its strength lies in rapid deployment, UGC amplification and scaling visibility through data-backed execution. Viral Nation is well-suited for brands aiming to grow awareness quickly across regions.

Pros and Cons:

Viral Nation provides access to a large global creator network, enabling brands to scale campaigns quickly across markets. The agency combines influencer strategy with paid amplification to maximize reach and visibility. Its strong infrastructure supports fast execution and measurable performance.

High budget requirements may limit accessibility for smaller brands. Campaigns often prioritize scale over cultural depth, which can reduce storytelling nuance. Creative flexibility may feel limited due to structured execution.

Viral Nation

5. inBeat Agency

inBeat Agency is a micro influencer-focused agency that helps brands produce UGC driven campaigns designed for performance. The agency emphasizes data-backed creator selection and conversion-focused strategies. inBeat works closely with brands looking to drive measurable outcomes through authentic content.

Case Study:

inBeat partnered with a consumer brand to activate micro influencers who created UGC style videos showcasing real product usage. The content was later amplified through paid social media. The campaign resulted in higher engagement rates and improved conversion performance compared to traditional influencer content.

Specialization:

inBeat Agency specializes in micro influencer marketing and UGC driven content designed for performance-focused campaigns. The agency emphasizes data-backed creator sourcing and authentic content creation that supports conversions. inBeat combines UGC production with paid social amplification to improve efficiency and results across platforms.

Pros and Cons:

inBeat delivers authentic creator content that feels natural in social feeds and builds audience trust. Their cost-efficient UGC model helps brands scale content quickly while maintaining strong engagement. The agency is well-suited for brands focused on measurable performance and conversion outcomes.

inBeat places less emphasis on PR led storytelling and long-term brand narrative. Campaigns can feel heavily performance-driven rather than culturally expressive. Brands seeking broader cultural impact or earned media support may need additional partners.

inBeat Agency

6. The Goat Agency

The Goat Agency is a global influencer marketing agency working with consumer and lifestyle brands that want to scale creator-led social campaigns. The agency focuses on social-first execution that blends cultural relevance with performance-driven strategy. Goat is known for building large influencer ecosystems that allow brands to activate creators across multiple markets while maintaining consistent messaging. Their approach centers on using creator credibility and platform behavior to drive visibility, engagement and measurable outcomes.

Case Study:

The Goat Agency executed a creator-led social campaign aligned with trending topics and real-time platform behavior. Influencers were selected based on audience relevance and content style rather than reach alone. Creators produced platform native content that integrated the brand naturally into ongoing conversations. The campaign resulted in increased engagement, improved brand visibility and stronger resonance with social audiences across multiple platforms.

Specialization:

The Goat Agency specializes in influencer strategy, UGC driven campaigns and social performance analytics. The agency focuses on identifying creators who align with brand tone and audience expectations while using data insights to optimize campaign performance. Their strength lies in scalable influencer execution supported by structured reporting and optimization.

Pros and Cons:

The Goat Agency offers strong analytics, creator insights and scalable influencer execution. The agency is well-suited for brands that want to grow influencer programs across markets while maintaining efficiency, consistency and performance measurement.

PR integration is limited and the agency places less emphasis on earned media or long-term narrative building. Campaigns may focus more on influencer performance than on holistic brand storytelling.

The Goat Agency

7. Ubiquitous

Ubiquitous is a creator marketing agency focused on UGC and influencer partnerships designed to feel authentic within social culture. The agency works with consumer brands that want to engage Gen Z and younger millennial audiences through creator-driven storytelling. Ubiquitous emphasizes cultural relevance, creator trust and content that feels native to platforms like TikTok and Instagram rather than overly produced brand messaging.

Case Study:

Ubiquitous launched a UGC driven TikTok campaign that encouraged creator participation and audience interaction around trending formats. Creators produced short-form videos that reflected real usage and genuine opinions, making the content feel organic within feeds. As the campaign progressed, engagement increased steadily, repeat views grew and the brand developed a stronger cultural presence among younger audiences.

Specialization:

Ubiquitous specializes in UGC strategy, creator partnerships and social storytelling for Gen Z audiences. The agency focuses on creator authenticity, platform native execution and trend-aligned content that supports engagement quality rather than superficial reach.

Pros and Cons:

Ubiquitous delivers high authenticity and strong creator trust, which leads to meaningful engagement and community-driven interaction. The agency is effective for brands seeking genuine cultural participation rather than traditional influencer promotion.

The agency operates at a smaller scale, which can limit global campaign execution. PR integration and earned media amplification are not a primary focus.

Ubiquitous

8. The Influencer Marketing Factory

The Influencer Marketing Factory is a global influencer marketing agency focused on structured and scalable creator campaigns for consumer brands. The agency emphasizes consistency, predictability and measurable outcomes across social platforms. With a strong operational framework, The Influencer Marketing Factory helps brands execute influencer programs that are organized, repeatable and aligned with platform best practices.

Case Study:

The agency executed a UGC focused TikTok campaign using creators aligned with trending formats and audience behavior. Content followed clear creative guidelines while allowing creators enough flexibility to maintain authenticity. The campaign delivered increased engagement, consistent messaging across creators and reliable performance metrics that supported future campaign planning.

Specialization:

The Influencer Marketing Factory focuses on influencer sourcing, UGC execution and structured campaign management. The agency combines trend monitoring with disciplined execution to help brands participate in relevant social moments while maintaining control over messaging and performance tracking.

Pros and Cons:

The agency provides reliable execution, strong reporting and scalable influencer programs. It is well-suited for brands that prioritize structure, predictability and measurable results over experimentation.

Creative experimentation and real-time cultural storytelling may feel limited. Campaigns can appear formula-driven when compared to more culture first or PR led agencies.

The Influencer Marketing Factory

How to Choose the Right Agency for Your Brand

Choosing the right social-first PR and influencer agency is a critical decision for brands looking to engage Gen Z through UGC and creator-driven content. The first factor to consider is agency size in relation to campaign scope. Larger agencies often provide global reach, extensive creator networks and paid amplification capabilities, making them suitable for brands targeting multiple markets at scale. Boutique agencies, on the other hand, typically offer faster execution, closer collaboration and stronger cultural agility, which can be valuable for trend-driven or community-focused campaigns.

Brand alignment is equally important. Agencies should understand your brand values, tone and audience expectations to ensure UGC feels authentic rather than forced. Gen Z audiences quickly disengage from content that feels overly promotional or disconnected from real culture. Reviewing an agency’s past campaigns can help determine whether their creative approach matches your brand voice and social identity.

Proven experience within your industry or category also plays a major role. Agencies that have worked with similar consumer brands or Gen Z-focused audiences are better equipped to identify relevant creators, interpret trends accurately and activate content at the right moment. Finally, evaluate how agencies monitor trends, collaborate with creators and measure performance. A strong process for UGC sourcing, creative iteration and engagement analysis ensures campaigns deliver sustained impact rather than short-term visibility.

Conclusion

Culturally trend-driven campaigns have become a core driver of visibility, trust and relevance in modern PR and influencer marketing. Gen Z audiences respond to brands that understand real-time conversations, creator culture and user-generated storytelling rather than traditional promotional messaging. Agencies with cultural fluency help brands participate naturally in social moments that shape discovery and purchasing behavior.

To stay ahead of fast-moving trends, brands must act quickly and work with partners who understand platform behavior and audience sentiment. Choosing the right social-first PR and influencer agency allows brands to turn cultural shifts into meaningful engagement and long-term brand equity. Brands interested in launching trend-driven campaigns should reach out to these agencies, explore their past work and initiate conversations about UGC strategies that align with their goals and audience.

Frequently Asked Questions

A social-first PR and influencer agency focuses on building brand visibility through creator-led content, UGC, and platform-native storytelling rather than traditional press releases. These agencies prioritize TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to help brands participate in cultural conversations that matter to Gen Z audiences.

Gen Z trusts real people more than branded advertising, making UGC more credible and relatable. Creator-driven content feels authentic in social feeds, leading to higher engagement, stronger brand trust, and better long-term loyalty.

Social-first agencies monitor real-time trends, creator behavior, and platform signals to identify moments brands can naturally join. They translate these trends into UGC and influencer content that feels native, timely, and culturally relevant rather than forced or promotional.

TikTok leads Gen Z discovery and trend creation, while Instagram supports community building and visual storytelling. YouTube helps extend creator credibility and long-form engagement, making a cross-platform strategy essential for sustained impact.

Brands should look for agencies with proven Gen Z experience, strong creator relationships, and cultural fluency across social platforms. The right agency prioritizes authenticity, understands platform behavior, and integrates UGC with influencer strategy and social PR to build long-term brand relevance.