Tom Cain - Social Media & Content Leader
Building channels, shows, and systems that grow audiences.
I lead creative teams that turn ideas into measurable growth.
From YouTube and short-form video to podcasts and live studios, I build systems that scale content and performance.
SKILLS YOU CAN USE
Experience
Leadership & Management
- Department and team leadership - Recruitment and training - Workflow and system design - Creative direction and project management - Cross-functional coordination
Content Strategy
- Video and podcast format development - Short-form content systems - Audience growth strategy - Storytelling and brand positioning - Data-driven creative decision-making
Production
- End-to-end podcast and video production - Studio setup and live production - Remote recording systems (OBS, multi-cam) - Editing oversight and content QA - Asset management and delivery pipelines
Social Media
- Channel growth and audience engagement - Campaign strategy across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and LinkedIn - Influencer and UGC program development - Content scheduling and analytics - Trend research and social listening
Technical & Creative Tools
- Video & Audio: Adobe creative cloud, Audition, Frame.io, Davinci Resolve, Capcut. - AI & Research: ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, VEO, Sora, Hera, Kling, Runway - Production & Management: OBS, Google Workspace, OnceHub, Frame.io, Adobe, Airtable - Platforms: YouTube Studio, Meta Business Suite, LinkedIn, Spotify for Podcasters, Acast, Tiktok studio.
Client Relations
- Direct client communication and project oversight - Translating client goals into creative direction - Managing expectations and deliverables - Building long-term brand partnerships - Representing agency talent and production teams
October 2025 social stats (Mandarin Monkey)
About Tom
I’m a video, podcast and social media strategist with more than 10 years of experience leading creative teams globally.
I’ve built brands, podcasts, and production systems that reach millions.
I co-founded Mandarin Monkey, a bilingual learning platform and podcast with over 1.5 million downloads, 30k+ followers.
At TOP Agency, I helped scale a full podcast network, Break The Internet, BRANDED, BRANDED Leaders, TOP CEO, Unpolitics and We Are California and built the creative systems and teams behind them.
I focus on structure, storytelling, and consistent execution.
When your systems work, creativity scales.
Executive Producer
BRANDED
A podcast and video series built from the ground up to spotlight how global CMOs and brand leaders think.
I created the show format, defined the interview structure, and implemented a stackable content strategy that turned each episode into a stream of short-form clips across YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
We’ve featured some of the biggest names in marketing from leading global companies, building a library of insights that drives both awareness and leads.
Role: Creator & Executive Producer
Focus: Format design, social strategy, guest acquisition, production leadership
Global Social Media Lead
A global media platform built around holidays, culture, and trending moments.
As Global Social Media Lead, I built the brand’s social presence from the ground up, connecting with influencers, preparing for a full UGC strategy, and growing the audience to over 35,000 on Facebook and 7,000 on X.
I also led production for sponsored client videos after brands purchased ownable holiday campaigns, including Freddy’s, Silgan, Kayanoya (KUBARAHONKE), Talkspace and Casinos.com.
I managed the creative team, produced content, and was client-facing throughout — often appearing on camera myself.
Role: Global Social Media Lead
Focus: Strategy, influencer network, content production, client delivery
Executive Producer & Head of Production
A podcast and video series that explores how people and content go viral and the stories behind them.
I created the show format, video strategy, and full production workflow.
As Executive Producer, I oversaw guest booking, social performance, and content direction across all platforms.
The show reached nearly 400,000 organic YouTube Shorts views in its first 28 days.
Role: Creator & Executive Producer
Focus: Format design, social strategy, team management, growth analytics
Co-Founder
A bilingual education brand and podcast built from scratch into a global learning community.
Co-founded with my wife, Ula, the platform grew to over 1.5 million podcast downloads and 30,000+ followers across platforms.
We built a team of teachers, created structured online learning systems, and produced hundreds of hours of bilingual podcast content.
Role: Co-Founder & Producer
Focus: Brand growth, production, content strategy, team leadership
Executive Producer & Social Content
A live political podcast and video series created to cover the San Francisco mayoral race and wider California issues.
As Executive Producer, I personally flew to San Francisco to build a three-camera professional recording studio for in-person interviews.
I also set up a full remote recording system using OBS, allowing our team to control cameras, sound, and recording from anywhere.
Hosted by Ben Kaplan, the show featured in-depth conversations with major political candidates and civic leaders.
Role: Executive Producer
Focus: Studio design, live production, remote recording systems, content strategy
Director Social Media & Content Operations
TOP Agency
Global marketing and media agency where I led the social, content, and podcast division.
I was responsible for building the department from the ground up, hiring and managing a full international team of video editors, audio engineers, producers, bookers, copywriters, and social media managers.
Together, we produced podcasts, video series, and social content for clients across business, politics, and entertainment, including shows like BRANDED, Break The Internet, and We Are California.
Under my direction, the division created scalable production systems, improved cross-team workflow, and delivered consistent, high-quality content across all channels.
Role: Vice President, Head of Social & Content
Focus: Department leadership, team building, production systems, creative direction
2025 - Present
Head of Content & Production
Produce short and long-form video for web and social platforms. Write scripts and storyboards aligned with brand goals. Film on location and in studio. Edit content for clarity, pacing, and engagement. Optimise videos for YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Work with marketing and editorial teams to turn complex subjects into clear stories. Create assets for campaigns and educational pieces. Track performance and adjust strategy based on audience behaviour. Maintain a consistent visual and tonal style. Manage timelines and deliver on schedule. Write, film, and record podcast series across limited runs and ongoing shows.
2025
Head of Social (contract)
Came in to set up ai editor operations and help with a larger Facebook content project.
2024 - 2025
Global Content & Social Media Lead – National Today (TOP Agency)
Built the brand’s social presence across platforms, including 35K+ on Facebook.
Launched influencer outreach and UGC initiatives.
Produced sponsored client video campaigns for Freddy’s, Silgan, Kayanoya, and Casinos.com.
2023 – 2025
Vice President, Social Media & Content Operations – TOP Agency
Established and led the agency’s podcast and content division.
Built and managed a full international team across video, audio, production, and social.
Created and executive produced BRANDED, Break The Internet, and We Are California.
2023 – 2025
Divisional Head – TOP Thought Leader (TOP Agency)
Built and ran the Thought Leader podcast and video division.
Oversaw all creative, production, and social media execution.
2017 – 2022
Co-Founder – Mandarin Monkey
Built a bilingual education platform and podcast from the ground up.
1.5M+ podcast downloads, 30K+ followers, and 100% YoY audience growth.
Led all production, marketing, and content direction.
2011 - 2017
Sales Manager / Marketing Manager
Built and ran inside sales and SDR teams within several companies including Acquia, Keap (Infusionsoft), Lloyds Banking Group and Connection2.
On Content and creativity (Linkedin)
The Mandarin Monkey Podcast Creation (Linkedin)
Editing
718k+ Instagram
1M+ on TikTok
Client video YouTube
475k+ (TikTok) - Client
@break_the_internet POV: You’re deep in Balloon Cooking Tok🎈 Avocado salad… but made from balloons? Paper cooking walked so balloon cooking could run. You watching or nah? 👇 Video @balloonbrossa #B#BalloonCookingW#WeirdlySatisfyingCookingTok #BreakTheInternet #CreativeContent #TikTokTrends ♬ original sound - Break The Internet
Client Work (IG)
Client Work
Golden Greed pilot episode – Written and Directed by Tom Cain. Working with a team of awesome creatives we put together a pilot episode for a documentary covering the corruption in San Francisco as part of a political election campaign.
Clients
If you want to collaborate, grow a channel, or discuss content strategy, reach out below.