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NEWS x MUSE Hannah Fletcher talks the CEO of Viral Nation Joe Gagliese about the evolution of social media and the future of content creators.

A born entrepreneur, Joe launched his first venture—selling recycled paintballs—when he was just 12. Later, his passion for technology and bringing ideas to life led him to partner with his high school friend, Mat Micheli. Together, they launched a series of ventures, including Viral Nation in 2014.

As Viral Nation’s Co-CEO, Joe has led the company’s transformation from a leading influencer marketing agency to a global digital and social innovation group that powers the social ecosystem through integrated solutions that align strategy, talent, media, and technology. Viral Nation now works with tens of thousands of influencers across the social landscape and fuels growth for the world’s leading brands, including Anheuser-Busch, The Coca Cola Company, Hasbro, Meta, Oculus, Tencent, and Uber.

A recognized expert in influencer marketing and social technologies, Joe is regularly cited in outlets including the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, WIRED, CNBC, Vox, Business Insider, Forbes, and Inc.

Joe’s commitment to fostering success extends beyond his business and into his larger community. He teaches marketing courses at Ryerson University and mentors aspiring business leaders as the first Entrepreneur in Residence at the University of Toronto.

Joe is Strategic Advisor to Immutable Holdings, the parent company of NFT.com, and to Enlightened Capital, a leading credit facility for alternative financing solutions.

Learn more about Viral Nation by visiting https://www.viralnation.com