MEET GRIN
Powering brands and empowering
creators since 2017
The early days of GRIN
GRIN was started by Brandon Brown and Brian Mechem in a two-bedroom apartment in Sacramento, California. The original vision was simple: Put authenticity and genuine connections at the heart of influencer marketing.
Brandon, already an influencer marketing pioneer in his own right, had built one of the world’s most extensive opinion leader programs at Red Bull. He partnered with top athletes who helped the Red Bull brand become synonymous with extreme sports.
Leading the charge
Brandon saw firsthand the effect that influential people can have on brand communities. More importantly, he realized that successful partnerships, regardless of name recognition, can only occur when individuals fully align with a brand, its audience, and its mission.
In 2017, Brandon and Brian took those insights and launched GRIN. Over the years, GRIN has powered brands with everything needed to run an influencer marketing program from start to finish, while empowering creators to feel like trusted partners—not just another transaction.
The evolution continues
GRIN has since grown out of its two-bedroom apartment and into the first tech unicorn headquartered in Sacramento. The company has evolved, but Brandon and Brian’s vision remains intact as GRIN helps customers build world-class creator programs with individuals who know their brand, use their products, and genuinely believe in both. Together, we’re redefining what’s possible in the creator economy…
Our mission
Take Creator Management to the next level.
GRIN defined the Creator Management category and set out to help our customers go from underdog to household name through authentic creator relationships. We accomplished that mission.
But it’s a different world now than when we introduced Creator Management in 2021. The global influencer marketing industry has doubled, and since then, creators have become essential to the entire buyer journey—from discovery to consideration and beyond.
Today, our mission is to help our customers integrate their brand seamlessly into the lives of the modern consumer. GRIN makes it possible with all the tools needed to build a creator program that touches every corner of the buyer journey.
Help you build and scale a world-class creator program.
Reaching the modern consumer isn’t about “going viral” or being everywhere to everyone. It’s about being everywhere to the people who matter to your brand. That means finding a niche and dominating it with creator-led content.
After all, creators aren’t just influencing product choices. They’re influencing lifestyle choices, too. Where to travel, where to eat, and how to maximize every experience—that is the true power of influence. And for brands, harnessing that influence has never been more critical.
At GRIN, we understand creators. We understand consumers. And we deeply understand what brands need to run a creator program that resonates with the modern shopper. So, we bring you everything you need to do it.
Our promise
We believe there are five key pillars necessary to build and scale a world-class creator program. We’re committed to delivering them to you better than anyone.
Embrace the new era of Creator Management.
With these tools at your fingertips, you’re more than a marketer—you’re an architect of the world’s most influential communities. What you build and the expertise you gain today positions you as a CMO of tomorrow, with the power to alter the trajectory of your entire company.
GRIN is the only choice for those looking to build that future. As the market continues to evolve, it’s clear that brands prioritizing relationships with content creators who know how to reach the modern consumer won’t just thrive in this new era—they will define it.
Our core values drive
everything we do at GRIN.
LISTEN AND COLLABORATE
ACT WITH INTEGRITY
Be Creative and Find a Way
Be Bold. Take Risks
Win or Lose Together
Our team
Ryan Debenham
CEO
Rafael Costa
Chief Technology Officer
Dan Demas
Chief Operating Officer
Jordan Spataro
Chief Financial Officer
Join the GRIN Team
Brand trusted
Creator approved
When your creators win, you win. GRIN makes the collaboration process effortless and helps you set them up for success.
I love how easy it is to use and understand! Not overwhelming at all like other websites I’ve used.
@the.curly.mermaid
9 out of 10
Creators give GRIN 5 stars. They love how easy it is to use, stay organized, collaborate with brands, and make amazing content—together.
93%
Of creators prefer working with brands that use GRIN
