Social Driver Powers DC's Premier Executive Marketing Network

WASHINGTON, DC – January 13, 2026 – The American Marketing Association's DC Chapter (AMADC) announced today a significant strategic partnership, naming the award-winning marketing and communications agency Social Driver as the Presenting Sponsor for its Executive Marketer Leadership Circle (EMLC). The move launches the "EMLC Presented by Social Driver," a collaboration poised to reshape the landscape for senior marketing leadership across the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia metropolitan area.

This alliance brings together AMADC, the region's leading organization for marketing professionals, with an agency consistently recognized for its innovative, people-centered approach. The partnership aims to significantly expand the resources, networking opportunities, and professional development available to the EMLC's exclusive membership of chief marketing officers, executive vice presidents, and other C-suite leaders.

Elevating an Exclusive Leadership Forum

The Executive Marketer Leadership Circle was established by the AMADC board and senior marketers to serve a critical need: a confidential, high-caliber forum for the region's top marketing decision-makers. In a bustling and competitive market like the nation's capital, leaders from corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors face a unique set of complex challenges, from navigating digital disruption to managing organizational change and proving ROI in an increasingly fragmented media environment.

The EMLC provides a trusted space for these executives to tackle such issues through candid peer exchange. With the new sponsorship, the "EMLC Presented by Social Driver" will build upon this foundation with an enhanced suite of offerings. Members will gain access to a more robust schedule of exclusive, CMO-only events, private receptions held in conjunction with major AMA gatherings, and new streams of discipline-specific research. The core mission remains to help members build high-value relationships, accelerate their professional growth, and find solutions to their most pressing leadership challenges.

"We are excited to partner with Social Driver, a nationally-recognized agency that shares our vision for authentic leadership and innovation," said Joy Levin, the EMLC program advisor. The sentiment underscores the alignment of values at the heart of the partnership. Levin added, "Through their groundbreaking client work with leading companies and nonprofits, breakthrough thought leadership initiatives like Chief Influencer, and philanthropic commitments through The Driver Foundation, Social Driver has distinguished itself as a leader in our field."

A Strategic Play for a Digital-First Leader

For Social Driver, becoming the presenting sponsor is more than a philanthropic gesture; it is a calculated strategic move that cements its position as a central player in the region's marketing ecosystem. The agency's reputation is built on transforming complexity into clarity for clients ranging from Honda North America and Target Corporation to major nonprofits like the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the American Nurses Association.

The "nationally-recognized" and "innovative" labels attached to the firm are well-substantiated. Industry-leading B2B review platform Clutch.co has repeatedly named Social Driver a top agency, ranking it #1 among LGBTQ-Owned Web Agencies globally and awarding it a "Game-Changer" status for its leadership. With a near-perfect 4.9-star rating from clients, the agency is praised for its creativity, collaborative spirit, and technical expertise. This industry standing is further bolstered by accolades from the Washington Business Journal, which has named it a top LGBTQ-owned company and recognized its CEO, Thomas Sanchez, in its prestigious "Power 100" list of influential business leaders.

By aligning with the EMLC, Social Driver gains unparalleled access and visibility among the very C-suite executives it seeks to serve. This partnership allows the agency to move beyond a traditional vendor relationship, positioning itself as a strategic partner and thought leader dedicated to advancing the marketing profession itself. It provides a platform to not only showcase its expertise in digital strategy, web development, and social media, but also to listen and learn directly from the market's most influential leaders about their evolving needs.

More Than Marketing: A Commitment to Leadership and Community

The decision to sponsor the EMLC aligns seamlessly with Social Driver's broader corporate philosophy, which extends beyond client work into community building and social impact. This commitment is evident in its complementary initiatives, which provide context for its investment in executive leadership.

One such initiative, "Chief Influencer," hosts events and provides resources focused on empowering leaders, particularly in the nonprofit sector, to build their personal brands in the digital age. This focus on individual leadership development mirrors the goals of the EMLC.

Furthermore, the agency’s philanthropic arm, The Driver Foundation, demonstrates a deep-seated commitment to social responsibility. The foundation has been a significant supporter of The Trevor Project, the nation's leading organization for crisis intervention and suicide prevention for LGBTQ youth. This work, coupled with the agency's consistent recognition as a top LGBTQ-owned business, showcases a brand built on principles of diversity, inclusion, and tangible community support. This sponsorship, therefore, is not just about business development; it's an extension of the firm's core value of using its influence and resources to foster stronger, more capable communities—in this case, the community of marketing leaders.

The Future of Executive Collaboration

This partnership arrives at a pivotal moment for business leaders. The rapid pace of technological change, shifting consumer behaviors, and a volatile economic climate have made the role of the chief marketer more challenging than ever. In this environment, traditional professional development is often insufficient. Executives are increasingly turning to specialized, confidential peer networks to navigate uncertainty and drive innovation.

The AMADC and Social Driver collaboration is a powerful example of this trend in action. It provides a model for how professional associations can partner with industry leaders to create dynamic, high-value ecosystems for their most senior members. By offering a curated environment for confidential discussion, shared learning, and strategic relationship-building, the "EMLC Presented by Social Driver" addresses a fundamental need for today’s C-suite: a trusted circle of peers who understand the unique pressures of their role.

As organizations across all sectors continue to grapple with digital transformation, the insights and relationships forged within such exclusive forums become invaluable assets. This partnership not only strengthens a vital resource for the DC area's marketing elite but also signals a forward-thinking approach to leadership development, one built on collaboration, shared expertise, and a mutual commitment to navigating the future together.