Long before the surge of social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, Coltrane Curtis and Lisa Chu of Team Epiphany were harnessing the influence of influencers for global brands. However, to these early innovators, influence does not revolve around follower count or other metrics. Instead, it revolves around the individuals and communities that propel culture forward, both online and offline.
Curtis and Chu serve as the founders and co-managing partners of Team Epiphany, an acclaimed marketing and creative agency with headquarters in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, recently acquired by Stagwell. Throughout the past two decades, this couple’s family business has collaborated with major brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, HBO, American Express, Netflix, and Google. Team Epiphany specializes in experiential campaigns, live events, brand strategy, multicultural marketing, storytelling, and public relations.
Thanks to their distinct approach to influencer marketing, which emphasizes relationships and cooperation, the agency has expanded from a few employees to almost 100. “We believe that influence is about trust, not about a paid metric,” says 48-year-old Curtis. “The depth and cultural significance of our work place us steps ahead of any agency because of our strong connections and trust within communities.”
The network that constructs celebrity
When Coltrane Curtis and Lisa Chu established the agency in 2004, they were already well-connected to a range of tastemakers. Curtis had prior experience as an editor-at-large at Complex magazine and as a VJ for MTV, entitling him to a network of celebrities. However, he found more interest in the individuals surrounding these celebrities – the stylists, managers, and others who shape the identities of celebrities. He realized that tapping into this network could set the agency apart. At that time, the company’s motto was, “We influence the influencer.”
“When considering the development of celebrities, they are generally curated by a team, a community of individuals who hold real influence,” Curtis explains. “It’s about the people who can stir culture, anticipate culture, and use that vision to positively impact celebrities’ careers, be they actors or musicians. Ultimately, we have recognized that we can leverage this network to empower it to work for brands. We utilize the same network that fosters celebrities to build brands.”
Team Epiphany and representation
This original vision continues to steer the company today. Coltrane Curtis and Lisa Chu attribute the agency’s success to its team members, many of whom have been part of Team Epiphany for over a decade. Team Epiphany’s staff are engulfed in culture, spanning from fashion and music to sports and technology, among other spheres. The agency also embraces diversity – over 70% of Team Epiphany consists of minorities and over 70% are women. These elements collectively enable the company to stay at the forefront of trends, connect deeply with communities targeted by brands. “The quality of our agency is entirely reliant on our team. If your agency has a constant turnover, it’s difficult to achieve greatness with a revolving door of staff,” Curtis highlights.
Aspirational marketing
Team Epiphany maintains its staying power by prioritizing aspirational marketing, which involves marketing to who consumers aspire to be in the future, rather than who they are presently. “This has provided us with a considerable advantage, especially in multicultural spaces, where perceptions and insights often lack aspiration,” Curtis notes.
This philosophy shines through in their projects. For instance, Team Epiphany collaborated with American Express on the “100 for 100” initiative, granting $25,000 to 100 small businesses owned by Black women. They also assisted American Express in executing the ByBlack Bazaar, a holiday pop-up experience showcasing products from Black-owned small businesses. Furthermore, they were instrumental in launching Built to Last, a podcast spotlighting Black entrepreneurs nationwide. “Our marketing to communities of color and influence instills positivity, a sense of belonging, and a sense of responsibility…These communities unlock insights that lead to progressive and responsible marketing,” Curtis affirms.
Looking ahead
Team Epiphany maintains a longstanding partnership with HBO. The agency has contributed to over 80 projects, including the launch of HBO’s “Scene in Black” platform, which presents storytelling from the Black perspective. Their work with HBO also forged a relationship with actress and producer Issa Rae, leading Team Epiphany to a strategic collaboration with Fête, the marketing division of Rae’s company, HOORAE Media. “We recognized a shared mission of authenticity, cultural care, and support for people of color in elevating them. This collaboration seamlessly aligned,” says 46-year-old Chu.
On a personal note, Coltrane Curtis and Lisa Chu appreciate that Team Epiphany allows them to work together daily and prioritize their young family. They aspire for their work at Team Epiphany to serve as an example for their two sons, 12-year-old Ellington and 5-year-old Count, just like their parents did for them. Curtis remarks, “Our kids will grow up within this organization, absorbing what it teaches them. They will benefit from witnessing their parents work together. Ideally, they will embrace agency life as we did. If not, they have the freedom to pursue their own callings, armed with the principles of entrepreneurship and the importance of hard work that we instill. We are the catalyst in fulfilling our parents’ vision.”
This text was originally featured in the July/Aug 2024 issue of SUCCESS magazine.
