Agency

Elevate Communications Hires Former TikTok Brand Partnerships Lead to Run Creator Practice

Published on November 13, 2026

Elevate Communications, a Boston-based strategic communications and brand marketing agency, has named Sam Valentine, who led brand partnerships for fashion and luxury clients at TikTok, as Head of Digital, Social and Creator Services.

Valentine will lead Elevate’s digital practice, connecting its social strategy and creator partnerships with the agency’s strategic communications, public relations and marketing services. He will oversee digital strategy, client relationships, team development and new business development for the practice. Working with Elevate’s earned media and brand marketing teams, he will develop integrated digital and social strategies, build creator and influencer partnerships, run paid media campaigns and measure performance against clients’ business objectives.

“Sam brings an exceptional understanding of how digital platforms, creators and brands can work together to build those connections,” said Elevate CEO Keith Gainsboro in a press release. “His experience at TikTok, particularly with some of the world’s leading fashion and luxury brands, will be invaluable as we continue expanding our integrated capabilities and delivering meaningful business results for our clients.”

Valentine spent nearly five years at TikTok, where he led brand partnerships and supported fashion and luxury brands, building media strategies across advertising, e-commerce and the platform’s creator ecosystem. As a practice area lead, he oversaw fashion industry accounts, managed annual advertising budgets and mentored teams of media professionals. Before TikTok, he was marketing manager at (add)ventures, managing integrated digital campaigns, product launches and brand development work for Fortune 500 companies. His earlier roles include positions at Phreesia.

“Digital strategy, social engagement, creator partnerships and earned media are most powerful when they work together to tell a consistent, compelling story,” Valentine said.

At Elevate, Valentine will develop digital, social and creator programs for clients including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Boston Globe Media, Football Enterprises, Harvard Athletics, the Lyons Group, Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship and LiveKillington by Great Gulf.

Founded in 2004, Elevate works with brands and organizations across sports, entertainment, consumer products, healthcare, real estate and nonprofit sectors.