In Episode 180 of Earned, CreatorIQ's Chief Marketing Officer Brit Starr sits down with Ted Raad—founder and CEO of Trend, a top U.S. creator management agency—to explore what happens when business acumen meets creative purpose. After a career in mergers and acquisitions, Ted's perspective shifted thanks to one person: his wife, a fashion and lifestyle creator navigating brand partnerships and authenticity. Now, he's helping lead the charge toward a more thoughtful, long-term approach to creator marketing—one rooted in trust, transparency, and community. Ted shares what it means to prioritize brand-aligned creators over one-off conversions and how his agency is evolving to support both ROI- and awareness-driven partnerships. He also makes a compelling case for integrating creator marketing into core brand strategies, not just siloed campaigns. Throughout the episode, we dig into what's next: the growing role of AI in streamlining workflows, the challenge of standardizing measurement, and what it'll take to future-proof creator programs at scale. In this episode, you'll learn: Why Ted Raad believes advocacy and authenticity are the foundation of sustainable creator careers. What brands should consider before expecting direct sales from a first-time influencer campaign, and how long-term relationships create stronger returns. How Trend evolved from a bedroom idea into a full-service agency by focusing on helping creators build businesses around who they are and what they value. Connect with the Guest: Ted's LinkedIn - @ted-raad-0b98512b Ted's Instagram - @raadted Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit's LinkedIn - @britmccorquodale CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @CreatorIQOfficial CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ