Picture of Vahag Karayan

Vahag Karayan

Vahag Karayan is the Co-Founder and CEO of BrandLens, where he leads strategy, product, technology, and go-to-market execution. Under his leadership, BrandLens has served companies, universities, and nonprofits, including Hershey’s, UNICEF, UCLA, and Dartmouth. He has guided the development of capabilities spanning guided mobile video capture, content rights management, moderation, intelligent tagging, AI-assisted discovery, content libraries, and scalable campaign workflows. His recent work focuses on applying AI to video and content operations without losing the human authenticity that makes stories meaningful. Before founding BrandLens, Vahag led product, technology, portfolio, and Professional Services organizations across entertainment, defense, space and regulated medical devices. At Entertainment Partners, he led enterprise PMO and Professional Services functions, managed P&L and distributed teams, and created a new B2B SaaS and API offering. At Boston Scientific, he managed the Deep Brain Stimulation portfolio spanning more than 20 programs and led large cross-functional teams through development, regulatory approval, and market launch. His technical background includes machine learning algorithms, optimization, pattern recognition, embedded systems, and real-time software. Earlier in his career, he served as Principal Investigator on DARPA-funded research at Techfinity and contributed to scientific and mission-critical systems at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and HRL Laboratories. Vahag likes to joke that he may be the only person whose career has included both “rocket science” through JPL, HRL, and Techfinity and “brain surgery” through his work in Deep Brain Stimulation at Boston Scientific. A triple UCLA Bruin, Vahag holds a BS in Electrical Engineering with Computer Science, an MS in Computer Science focused on embedded computing systems, and an MBA from UCLA Anderson. Outside of work, Vahag is a sports and off-roading enthusiast and a meticulous global road-trip planner. He also has a deep interest in the human brain and behavioral psychology, which shapes how he thinks about products, leadership, and human decision-making. Favorite quote: “The future is already here—it’s just not evenly distributed.”

Latest Articles

Video submission platform interface with guided capture and consent fields
Blog
Vahag Karayan

Video Submissions: Why the Upload and Folder Workflow Is Broken

Most organizations say video is a priority. Nevertheless, they collect video submissions, like it’s tax paperwork. A link goes out. Someone uploads a file. A folder fills up. A teammate renames clips so they look “organized.” Feedback shows up in Slack. Then permissions get weird, and Rights are “handled later.”

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Fan-Created Video is the the future of branding
Blog
Vahag Karayan

Experiences Over Impressions: Why Fan-Created Video Is the Future of Branding

Brands have long relied on identity systems, campaigns, and messaging to define themselves. Today, what defines them most is what customers experience and share. Traditional elements like colors, fonts, and slogans still matter. But real connection comes from human expression. From stadium chants to viral TikToks, modern branding focuses on

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30 Years of World Cup & Olympic Brand Activations (1994–2024)
Blog
Vahag Karayan

30 Years of FIFA World Cup & Olympic Brand Activations (1994–2024)

The FIFA World Cup and Olympic Games aren’t just sporting spectacles; they’re global marketing goldmines. Over the last three decades, brands have leveraged these mega-events to connect with fans, create unforgettable experiences, and push the boundaries of advertising. From Nike’s iconic commercials to Coca-Cola’s immersive fan tours, these activations reveal

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Community, Not Just Reach: Why Fan-Led Storytelling Beats Broadcaster-Only Strategies in 2025
Blog
Vahag Karayan

Why Audience-Driven Storytelling Outperforms Traditional Marketing

If you work in sports, entertainment, or the creator economy, you’ve felt the shift: audiences are no longer satisfied being “reached.” They want to be recruited into inside jokes, fan rituals, live reactions, and shared authorship through storytelling. In 2026, that’s not a trend but the playbook. Social platforms keep

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BrandLens Featured in LA Examiner: Why Human-Created Video Matters in the AI Era
Blog
Vahag Karayan

Why Human-Created Video Matters in the AI Era

We’re excited to share that BrandLens was recently featured in LA Examiner, highlighting the shift happening in the content creation world. The piece explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming workflows while reaffirming the irreplaceable value of human creativity. For us at BrandLens, this recognition is more than media coverage,

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How to Increase Engagement on Social Media Through UGC
Blog
Vahag Karayan

How to Increase Engagement on Social Media Through UGC

Forget perfectly curated feeds. Today authenticity reigns supreme. People are tired of ads; they crave real experiences. That’s where user-generated content (UGC) shines. It’s like tuning into a conversation with friends instead of watching a commercial. UGC taps into genuine connection, turning viewers into active participants in your brand’s narrative.

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