Bobby McGill | August 9, 2022
As part of an ongoing series, Branding in Asia talks to influencers across the globe, learning more about how they got started, what has driven their success, and other insights to inform both brands and agencies as well as aspiring influencers.
This time we talk to Rec•Create. Founded by Allison Barretto and Bob Guarina, Rec•Create “stars your ordinary Filipino and their more than ordinary personalities through fun and honest videos.” The formula has worked–since their first post back in 2019 they’ve built over 1.1 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Over the course of our conversation Allison and Bob, who have worked with brands including Ford, Closeup, Cornetto, Nescafe, Bumble, and others, talk about what there were doing before becoming influencers, what they like most and least about doing it, and more.
The Basics
Name: Rec•Create
Age: Allison Barretto (27) and Bob Guarina (27)
Hometown: Metro Manila, Philippines
Current Location: Metro Manila
Platforms You Appear On & Number of Followers: Facebook and YouTube; Total of 1.1M Followers collectively
Some brands you’ve worked with: Ford, Closeup, Cornetto, Nescafe, Bumble, GCash, Grab, and others.
Date of your first post: March 20, 2019
Agency Representation: INCA GroupM
8 Questions
What were you doing before you became an influencer?
Hi! This is Allison, one of the founders of Rec•Create. Bob and I started as freelance filmmakers before we finally decided to start our own channel. We had our fair share of experience in films, TV commercials, and other digital content.
What inspired you to pursue it as a career?
Well, when we started Rec•Create, we had no idea it would be what it is now. It was a passion project for the both of us, and when people began watching it, and the videos were reaching larger audiences, that’s when we realized ‘Oh, it’s not just a personal project anymore. People are really relating to this.’
As you were building a following, was there a particular post or posts you felt pushed you to the next level?
One of our favorite projects that truly changed the game for what kind of content we could do was our collaboration with Ford. INCA GroupM reached out to us and we had a great time working on a new concept with them.
We have never done a reality TV episode before, moreso in the middle of a pandemic, and especially not with a car before. This was a huge level-up from our usual videos! But once we released it, people loved it.
What do you love most about being an influencer?
The true ability to communicate effectively with your audience. In the digital age, information is EVERYWHERE, so sometimes it’s hard to figure out who to listen to. But what’s cool about being an “Influencer” or having an online platform is you get to directly connect with your audience, who most likely share the same values as you do, and you get to build a community.
So despite how big the world gets, you still have your own little safe space.
What do you like the least?
The permanence of the Internet. Once you’ve put yourself out there, there is no turning back.
How do you decide which brands to partner with, and how do you ensure that sponsored content resonates with your followers?
Luckily for us, INCA GroupM knows just what kind of brands would fit our channel. But we always make sure that it’s a collaboration; both parties have mutual respect for each other which creates a very productive and effective environment for all of us.
What inspires you to consistently create new content?
Stories! We have such wonderful, shocking, amazing stories all around us. We just need to know where to look. And I guess one of the driving forces for us is our need to share these stories with other people. Stories make the world go round.
Do you have any tips for someone who wants to become an influencer?
Always be consistent. Understand your audience. Be true to yourself. Don’t do it for the money. And just have fun along the way! Building your brand is like getting to know yourself better. So don’t rush it.
Read full article here – https://bit.ly/3Pd8OiG
