Igor Vaks is the CEO and founder of CreatorIQ, a SaaS platform that helps brands, agencies, and publishers manage private brand advocacy networks, work with creators and execute influencer campaigns.
Education
Igor Vaks was born in August 1966. Vaks earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Systems and Control Engineering at Case Western Reserve University. Vaks was also a visiting student at the University of Sussex.
Early career
Igor Vaks was the Head of Technology at ScanData in June 1992. Vaks was a developer of supply-chain automation software and system integrator specializing in turn-key solutions for large distributors. From 1992 to 1999, ScanData automated some of the largest distribution centers in the country for some of the largest retailers and shippers; it also deployed specialty solutions for US Army, Pharmaceuticals and .coms.
In August 1999, after working as Head of Technology, Vaks became a partner for DataFlow Systems. Vaks worked with established businesses such as Lucent to deliver turn-key systems automation solutions. Vaks also worked with start-ups as NCom Group as an executive consultant to help define a business plan and establish operations /IT teams.
In July 2000, Vaks became the Senior Director at Cendant. Vaks held technical leadership positions at three Cendant divisions, including Netmarket.com, Trilegiant, and RCI. These businesses provided Travel, Shopping, and Financial Privacy products for over 12 million paying members. Vaks responsibilities also included System Integration, Architecture, Software Development, Data Services, and Project Management.
In September 2003, Vaks served as Chief Information Officer, Chief Technology Officer, and Senior Vice President of strategic projects at Experian Consumer Direct. He held various senior operations & technology roles with Experian Consumer Direct, a direct-to-consumer division of Experian best known for its FreeCreditReport.com properties. Vaks resigned at the company in June 2008.
In November 2009, Vaks also worked at SavvyMoney, where he became served as Chief Operating Officer and later on, as Chief Technology Officer. SavvyMoney is a start-up providing products and tools that help consumers get of debt and get on a road to financial freedom based in San Francisco.
CreatorIQ
It was in 2014 when Vaks founded CreatorIQ (formerly known as SocialEdge), a premier SaaS platform that helps agencies, brands, and publishers manage private brand advocacy networks, work with creators and execute influencer campaigns. CreatorIQ is headquartered in Culver City, California, with offices in New York City, Chicago, and London.
The company’s software platform is developed specifically for the enterprise, with proprietary data products for global creator payment, fraud detection, and paid media solutions, and security standards to meet the demands of Fortune 500 companies, and their agencies. CreatorIQ’s solutions empower clients to easily measure, scale and validate influencer marketing campaigns across every major social media platform.
In 2014, Allen DeBevoise, founder of Third Wave Digital and co-founder of Roundup Media and Machinima, became CreatorIQ’s advisor. The same year Dan Murray, a veteran finance executive whose career includes stints at Comcast/NBCUniversal, Machinima, and Fandango, also joined the CreatorIQ’s Board Member. In 2017, Ivan Markman, general manager of marketing services at Neustar, also joined the Board.
In February 2018, the company announced that Univision Creator Network (UCN), the No. 1 Hispanic-focused influencer network, has selected CreatorIQ’s SaaS platform to manage and measure branded content campaigns. Powered by IBM Watson, CreatorIQ also provides UCN with granular psychographic data on creators’ audiences – including insights on brand affinity and unique interests.
In April 2018, CreatorIQ appointed Dan Murray as president. Murray’s task is to lead CreatorIQ’s U.S. and international expansion efforts. In September 2018, CreatorIQ also teamed up with Fullscreen to avoid follower fraud.
CreatorIQ tracks 99% of all creators globally, with clients using the platform to run tens of thousands of campaigns for over 2,000 brands while leveraging measurement insights that drive real business outcomes. Select clients include Airbnb, CVS Health, Dell, Disney, Edelman, Fox, NatGeo, Ralph Lauren, Refinery29, Tiffany & Co., Univision, and YETI.
Funding rounds
In August 2015, CreatorIQ raised an undisclosed amount from investors Vayner/RSE and Third Wave Digital. In May 2017, CreatorIQ raised $3.5 million in a Series A round, led by Affinity Group, a newly created growth marketing, and strategic communications firm founded in partnership with Evolution Media and TPG Growth. The fund has used in expanding CreatorIQ’s research, analytics, and business development efforts to enhance its current software product.
In June 2019, CreatorIQ raised $12 million in a Series B round, led by TVC Capital, with the participation from Unilever Ventures and Affinity Investment Group, which values the company at between $40 and $50 million.
CreatorIQ has raised a total of $15.5 million in funding and is funded by five investors. CreatorIQ has $5 billion in estimated revenue annually. CreatorIQ competes with Popular Pays, Social Native, and IZEA.