Bill Hildebolt
Executive Chairman and Co-founder
gen.video
Co-Founder & Executive Chairman, gen.video – Bill Hildebolt co-founded and runs gen.video (formerly ExpoTV), a performance-driven influencer marketing platform that uses shoppable videos to drive e-commerce conversion.
With more than 25 years of experience across finance, venture capital and digital media, Bill has always been fascinated by how technology can empower consumers. After careers as a banker and VC, he joined Jessica Thorpe at ExpoTV to reinvent word-of-mouth marketing for the digital age. Together they rebranded the company as gen.video and built a platform that uses influencer-created shoppable videos to inspire purchases and drive measurable sales. Bill advocates focusing on e-commerce and analytics as differentiators in a crowded influencer landscape. As executive chairman he has forged partnerships with retailers like Amazon and Walmart, ensuring creator content feeds directly into product pages and yields attributable ROI. He hosts the podcast “Generation Influence,” interviewing leaders from social media and e-commerce to explore how sponsorships and creator relationships drive business. Bill’s approach balances performance metrics with the human element: he believes the best influencer programs inspire consumers and respect creators’ creativity.
Experience
Executive Chairman and Co-founder
gen.video
2004 - Present
Principal
General Atlantic Partners
2000 - 2003
Senior Associate
Morgan Stanley
1996 - 2000
Banking Officer
Wachovia
1991 - 1994
Featured
Campaigns
Trusted by
Leading Brands
Thought
Leadership
The Key to Working With Influencers
Symphonic Digital Podcast
In this episode, Hildebolt discusses which size influencers companies should work with, detailing the differences between nano, micro, and macro influencers and how to approach each type for a successful campaign.
Influencer Marketing with gen.video
Flywheel Podcasts
Hildebolt shares insights on the influencer marketing landscape and developing effective campaigns across retailers. He covers tracking performance, key metrics, and integrating influencer marketing into broader media strategies.
Full
Experience
Executive Chairman and Co-founder
2004 - Presentgen.video
gen.video is the world's premium marketplace connecting brands and influencers with the purpose of creating content to drive commerce and social proof. We were the first company in the world to enable & invite consumers to make video-based product reviews and we remain the leader in authentic user generated video about products. We work with leading brands and retailers to deliver compelling video solutions that support product researchers and consumers in the buying process. Our products deliver increased conversion, higher clickthrough in ads and greater user engagement & loyalty.
Principal
2000 - 2003General Atlantic Partners
Covered, at various points, consumer internet, business process outsourcing and IT services sectors. Worked with portfolio companies including Patni, PlanetFeedback, Walker Digital, Creditek and others
Senior Associate
1996 - 2000Morgan Stanley
Worked in corporate finance, including being a founding member of the East Coast Internet Coverage Group (led by Ruth Porat). Worked on transactions included IPO of Monster.com (then called TMP Worldwide), IPO of Convergys out of Cincinnati Bell, Compaq / DEC merger and various debt and equity facilities in support of General Motors
Banking Officer
1991 - 1994Wachovia
Worked in General Loan Administration (credit approvals) and Regional Loan Administration. Analyzed and approved multi-million credit facilities for regional manufacturing and services businesses.