--- title: "Chad Smalley, Founder and CEO of UGC LATAM" url: https://www.ugclatam.io/about/chad-smalley description: "Chad Smalley is the founder and CEO of UGC LATAM, with more than 24 years working abroad and more than 15 years building technology companies in Latin America." lang: en --- Image: Chad Smalley (https://www.ugclatam.io/images/authors/chad-smalley.webp) # Chad Smalley Chad Smalley is the founder and CEO of UGC LATAM, a creator marketplace that connects brands with Latin American creators. He is based in Colombia. ## Background Chad has spent more than 24 years living and working abroad, more than 15 of them in Latin America. He spent eight years in the Middle East and Asia, in Dubai, Singapore and Vietnam, building and scaling multi-million-dollar technology projects. In Latin America, he founded a software company in Panama and has helped SaaS companies build their go-to-market strategies for the region, generating millions of dollars in annual recurring revenue. ## Why UGC LATAM Chad started UGC LATAM to give brands outside the region a simple way to work with Latin American creators, and to give those creators free training and access to paid work with global brands. ## What Chad writes about Influencer-led go-to-market for Latin American audiences, creator content for social commerce, and social listening. Campaigns & Products ### How to Make Affiliate Posts Feel Organic (Without Losing Trust) Learn how to master affiliate marketing by prioritizing transparency and value. Discover content formats that feel authentic, build trust, and drive conversions without compromising your creator brand or audience relationship. Chad Smalley Oct 30, 2026 https://www.ugclatam.io/resources/blog/campaigns/how-to-make-affiliate-posts-feel-organic-without-losing-trust UGC Content Guidelines ### How AI is Transforming the Future of UGC and Content Creation Discover how AI is transforming user-generated content (UGC). Learn about automated curation, personalization, and the future of the creator economy. Chad Smalley Oct 26, 2026 https://www.ugclatam.io/resources/blog/ugc/how-ai-is-transforming-the-future-of-ugc-and-content-creation General ### The Ultimate Guide to Building a Powerful Content Calendar Template Stop reactive posting and start building a strategic roadmap. This guide explores the essential components of a content calendar template to help brands and creators master consistency and scale influencer marketing results. Chad Smalley Oct 14, 2026 https://www.ugclatam.io/resources/blog/general/the-ultimate-guide-to-building-a-powerful-content-calendar-template Industry Trends ### The Death of the Follower Count: Engagement Is the New Currency The era of vanity metrics is over. Learn why high-intent engagement and community trust have replaced follower counts as the primary ROI drivers in the 2026 creator economy. Chad Smalley Oct 01, 2026 https://www.ugclatam.io/resources/blog/industry/the-death-of-the-follower-count-engagement-is-the-new-currency Industry Trends ### When Shorts Go Synthetic: What Veo Means for Creator Content and Brand Trust Discover how YouTube's integration of Google’s Veo AI video model is revolutionizing Shorts and what it means for creator authenticity and brand trust in the digital age. Chad Smalley Sep 16, 2026 https://www.ugclatam.io/resources/blog/industry/when-shorts-go-synthetic-what-veo-means-for-creator-content-and-brand-trust UGC Content Guidelines ### Mastering Your First UGC Video Without a Paid Brand Deal Building a UGC portfolio doesn't require brand deals. Learn how to create professional spec videos using items you own, mastering diverse formats and low-budget equipment to launch your career. Chad Smalley Sep 08, 2026 https://www.ugclatam.io/resources/blog/ugc/mastering-your-first-ugc-video-without-a-paid-brand-deal Read Chad's Industry News articles (https://www.ugclatam.io/resources/blog) ## Interviews The Nearshore Cafe podcast: "Doing Business in Medellín, Colombia (Expat Founder Story)", February 2026. (https://www.buzzsprout.com/2417050/episodes/18728689-doing-business-in-medellin-colombia-expat-founder-story) ## Connect LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/csmalley (18,000+ followers) (https://www.linkedin.com/in/csmalley/) Outside work, Chad scuba dives and rides horses. Quick answers Answers brands ask before starting Straight answers from the UGC LATAM team — updated as the platform evolves. Question 1 ## Who is Chad Smalley? **Chad Smalley is the founder and CEO of UGC LATAM, a creator marketplace that connects brands with Latin American creators.** He is based in Colombia. ## Cookies We use cookies to understand how this site is used. You can change your choice at any time from the footer. 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