Who We Are
The Creator Marketing Institute is a global hub for advancing knowledge and practice in the creator economy. We help businesses integrate creators, media, brands, and retailers to engage customers and drive measurable growth.
Our Approach
The Creator Marketing Institute is a global hub for advancing knowledge and practice in the creator economy. We help businesses integrate creators, media, brands, and retailers to engage customers and drive measurable growth.
Why It Matters
Creator marketing improves brand sentiment, increases awareness, and drives sales.
​Lifestyle creators and ambassadors are now the most influential categories for brands.
Leadership
Frank Dudley
President, The Creator Marketing Institute
Professor, Northwestern University
Frank Dudley is a lecturer at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications, where he teaches graduate‑level courses in Digital Marketing & Media Innovation, Creator Marketing & Commerce Media, Marketing Strategy, and Advanced Applications of IMC. His teaching integrates platform‑centered media analysis, applied communication strategy, and contemporary research on audience behavior, media systems, and the creator economy.
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In addition to his work in the classroom, Frank has developed several global executive‑education programs focused on MarTech strategy, customer experience, AI‑enabled marketing, and creator‑driven communication models. His applied research spans digital marketing, creator ecosystems, and intelligent media systems, and he regularly produces thought leadership and contributes insights at industry conferences and professional events.
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Frank also brings deep practitioner experience through his leadership roles with the Financial Marketing Institute and the Creator Marketing Institute, where he develops curricula, conducts research, and trains marketing and media teams. He serves as an Associate Director of Northwestern’s Retail Analytics Council, contributing to research in consumer behavior, retail media, and applied AI in commerce environments.
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He is the author of the forthcoming book Creator Marketing & Commerce Media: How Creators Can Build Brands and Drive Sales (Wiley), publishing in Fall 2026.
Tony Poidomani
Training Advisor
Tony Poidomani is a CPA and MBA with over 38 years of financial business experience and 30 years of teaching graduate school. Currently, Tony teaches a core financial accounting and marketing finance class in the Northwestern Medill Integrated Marketing Communications graduate school program. Professionally, Tony is the senior growth advisor for $4B NNR Global Logistics leading revenue expansion in large multinational accounts. Past experience includes senior finance positions at multi billion dollar companies such as True Value, Quaker Oats, McMaster Carr Supply and Hospira and CFO roles in high growth technology companies and the leading supply chain association CSCMP in the US. Tony has led many corporate financial workshops for companies, government units and associations including Brunswick, CDW, CVS/Caremark, Hollister, the Metropolitan Water District of Chicago and CEIBS.
Ryan Reis
Training Advisor
Ryan Reis is an instructor in Creator Marketing and Commerce Media for the Strategic Marketing Institute, where he teaches marketers how to translate brand strategy into creator‑led, culture‑driven growth across modern media and commerce ecosystems. Since 2020, Reis has also served on the faculty at Northwestern University, teaching in the Medill Integrated Marketing Communications program, where his courses include Strategic Brand Management, Global Brand Marketing, Persuasive Communications, and Customer Value Innovation.
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Previously, Reis was Vice President of Marketing at MillerCoors, leading the successful turnarounds of Miller Lite and Coors Light, and later served as Vice President of Field Marketing overseeing national sports, entertainment, and media partnerships. Earlier in his career, he held brand and insights roles at Unilever, consulted with The Zyman Group, and began his career at Nielsen. He holds an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a BBA from the University of Wisconsin.