Life at Near: Max’s Thinking on Influencer Campaign Management

Confidence in influencer campaign management doesn’t always enter the room loudly. Sometimes, it builds quietly: meeting after meeting, deck after deck, deadline after deadline, until one day, you realize you’ve become someone who leads.

In her Junior Campaign Manager role at Near Creative, Maxine San Diego handles end-to-end influencer campaign management for brands like Spotify, Guard, Healthee, and Wellspring. She joined Near in June 2024 with no prior experience managing client accounts—and within months, found herself leading Spotify, a globally recognized music streaming platform and one of the agency’s most high-profile clients. That’s the kind of growth story Max brings to the table.

This is her Life at Near.

First-Time, Full-Time Campaign Management

Starting the role felt like a trial by fire. Max was new to the industry, unsure of what campaign management really entailed, and suddenly responsible for accounts that moved fast and demanded precision. At times, she felt overwhelmed and even intimidated to log on for the day.

Managing Spotify in particular felt like an enormous leap. Max recalls the steep learning curve of navigating timelines, client comms, and creative coordination while feeling like she was making it up as she went along. But instead of backing down, she chose to show up. Through asking questions, observing closely, and pushing forward one step at a time, she sharpened essential skills in project management, brand alignment, and cross-functional collaboration.

Eventually, the systems clicked. Meetings felt less daunting. She began to anticipate what came next, offer proactive solutions, and lead with confidence. Looking back, that stretch of discomfort became one of her most formative experiences. It taught her that real growth often lives outside of your comfort zone.

What Clients See When You’re All In

Max believes her early uncertainty made her a better campaign manager in the long run. Because she started from a place of total curiosity, she absorbed every detail—learning to understand each brand not just as a client, but as a story to be told and a relationship to be nurtured.

That mindset especially shaped her work on Spotify. What began as a daunting challenge evolved into one of her most successful partnerships, as she developed a sharper understanding of the brand’s goals and needs. Over time, she learned to offer recommendations, solve problems, and guide the work with clarity which added real value with every interaction.

One thing Max always keeps in mind: She can do hard things. It’s a phrase that grounds her, especially when imposter syndrome creeps in. She once believed she wasn’t built for high-stakes, fast-paced work—but the work proved otherwise. Since then, she’s led campaigns on tight timelines, secured creators under pressure, and delivered creative work that moved the needle—all without years of agency experience. A friend once told her, “You keep saying you can’t do hard things, but your actions say otherwise.” That reminder stuck—and became her inner fuel.

Agency Culture That Makes You Braver

The transformation Max has experienced at Near is also deeply personal. When she started, she rarely spoke up in meetings. She second-guessed her ideas and preferred to stay in the background. But the agency culture at Near Creative helped shift that.

Being surrounded by a team that believes in you, celebrates small wins, and supports you through uncertainty makes it easier to believe in yourself. Max credits her growth to that supportive environment—where no question is too small, and every challenge is seen as a chance to grow. Over time, her fear turned into confidence, and her hesitations became pitches. The things she once found intimidating became part of her daily rhythm.

One of Max’s biggest mindset shifts came from embracing the idea of doing things scared. Early in her journey, fear often held her back from trying at all. But at Near Creative, she faced so many moments where she had to act, even without full certainty. She still feels nerves before trying something new, but now she recognizes fear as a sign of growth, not a signal to stop. This shift has become especially valuable in the world of influencer campaign management, where speed, ownership, and adaptability are part of the job.

For Max, “Near brings her a step nearer to her full potential.”

It’s not just about delivering influencer campaign work. It’s about showing up, trying again, and learning how capable you really are. What started as a leap into the unknown is now a path that feels hers, led by curiosity, built on courage, and strengthened by a team that makes every next step possible.

And if you’re looking to grow in influencer marketing or take on campaign management roles that challenge and excite you, take the next step with us: nearcreative.co/careers