Rana Became Cleo AI’s First Chief Spending Officer
author: natasha valerie
When Cleo, the AI-powered finance app known for helping Gen Z take control of their money, announced that they were hiring a Chief Spending Officer through TikTok as part of a marketing campaign, we immediately thought of Rana.
Rana is one of our New York-based talents with a talent for turning everyday moments into engaging stories. When our team saw Cleo’s casting call, we knew Rana’s mix of relatability and creative execution made her the perfect fit. After all, she had previously created content for other fintech brands, openly discussed her financial journey with her followers, and understood how to balance authenticity with storytelling.
So we pitched her the idea and encouraged her to apply. And she nailed it.
It was no surprise that the Cleo team instantly loved her energy and authenticity.
Cleo’s campaign made its mark across New York City — with bold, eye-catching posters that invited people to join the experiment.
About the Campaign:
Cleo’s goal was to spark a real conversation around spending habits through a one-of-a-kind social experiment. The company invited creators to duet their application on TikTok, giving the internet a say in who would become their CSO. It was a modern and creative twist on recruitment that instantly caught Gen Z’s attention.
Once chosen, Rana spent an entire month living under the watchful eye of Cleo users, who voted daily on whether she should save or splurge using Cleo’s app. The results were both chaotic and entertaining.
Save or spend? Cleo turned New York streets into a public poll, letting people decide whether Rana should hit Barry’s Bootcamp or grab her Citi Bike instead.
For the entire month, our team at The Viralist Group facilitated the partnership from start to finish, working closely with both Rana and the Cleo team to make sure everything ran smoothly.
The Result:
The campaign became a viral success and sparked conversations about how AI can empower smarter financial choices while keeping things fun and engaging.
From DIY-ing her Halloween costume instead of buying a new one, to riding a Citi Bike instead of splurging on Barry’s Bootcamp, Rana turned every challenge into viral, relatable content about how we all navigate money.
Rana’s month as Cleo’s Chief Spending Officer gained widespread attention, with audiences across TikTok cheering her on, debating her daily choices, and voting for her next spending move.
Her story caught the eye of Business Insider, who interviewed her about the experience of letting the internet control her wallet for a month in New York City. The feature highlighted how she turned a creative social experiment into a relatable conversation about Gen Z spending habits and financial transparency.
The campaign’s impact didn’t stop there. Cleo’s “Chief Spending Officer” initiative was named a finalist at the 16th Annual Shorty Awards, recognized for its innovative blend of influencer storytelling, audience participation, and AI-driven creativity. Through her authenticity, humor, and creative execution, Rana transformed a bold concept into a viral case study in how storytelling can humanize finance.
All in all, we’re proud to have played a part in connecting the right creator to the right story — and to see Rana’s work celebrated on such a major stage.
Campaign Credits
Talent: Rana Ahmed
Brand Client: Cleo AI
Partnership Lead: Natasha Valerie
Campaign Manager: Poorva Chakraborty
