We sit down with YouTube superstar Jordan Matter for an incredible conversation about the launch of Sincerely Yours, the skincare brand he created with his daughter, Salish. Jordan walks us through the entire journey, from the initial idea to their "Sephora or Bust" retail strategy. He shares the unbelievable story of their launch event, where an expected crowd of a few thousand turned into an unprecedented 87,000 fans, shutting down one of America's largest malls.Also: we go in depth on YouTube's "Made On" event. We cover the major updates, including dynamic ad insertion. We dig into how this could turn every creator's back catalog into a gold mine by allowing sponsored segments to be swapped out over time. But is the 2026 launch date realistic? We share some behind-the-scenes intel that might surprise you.00:00 Intro00:22 The Return to Linear TV05:57 The Story Behind YouTube's "Made On" Event10:54 YouTube's BIG Announcements13:32 The Future of YouTube Ads: Dynamic Ad Insertion18:27 The Big Question: Is YouTube's New Ad Tech Real?24:01 Interview: Jordan Matter on Launching a Viral Brand27:38 Why Jordan & Salish Matter Created a Skincare Line29:36 How to Build a Product With Your Audience33:28 Inside Their "Sephora or Bust" Strategy37:12 When 87,000 Fans Shut Down a Mall41:34 Aftermath and What's Next for Sincerely Yours45:44 Upload: The Power of Fan Culture & The Summer I Turned Pretty50:55 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Is MrBeast starting a mobile phone company? In this episode, we break down a leaked pitch deck that reveals Jimmy Donaldson's next potential business venture and what it tells us about his plan for profitability.
Plus, YouTube's first exclusive NFL broadcast set a new livestreaming record, but traditional sports fans are NOT happy about creators like IShowSpeed and Deestroying taking over the commentary. Did YouTube fumble the ball or score a touchdown with a new generation of fans?
We also cover a brief recap of Press Publish NYC, Steven Bartlett's podcasting secrets, Salish Matter's skincare launch to 87k fans in a mall in New Jersey, and the acquisition of Vimeo.
Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.
00:00 Intro00:28 Recap: Inside the YouTube Creator Collective & Publish Press Event03:57 Steven Bartlett's Secrets to a Great Podcast06:05 YouTube's Record-Breaking (and Controversial) NFL Game12:13 The Perfect Example of Creator x NFL Content13:58 LEAKED: MrBeast Wants to Start a Mobile Network18:31 This Creator Broke MrBeast's Mall Appearance Record22:13 Why Vimeo Was Just Acquired24:10 OutroFollow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Lauren and Josh dive into a wild week that saw Roblox shatter concurrent user records thanks to a viral developer beef over a game called "Italian Brainrot." The duo unpacks how this grassroots event, which supported MrBeast and Mark Rober's Team Water initiative, amassed 47 million simultaneous players...and what it means for youth culture and platform safety. Next: YouTube's new Hype feature, a discovery tool designed to spotlight channels with under 500,000 subscribers. They discuss the mechanics, its potential impact on discoverability, and the future possibility of viewers being able to purchase Hype for their favorite creators. Finally: YouTube's creator-heavy partnership with the NFL. They cover the exclusive kickoff game stream and the use of the Watch With feature, which will allow top creators like iShowSpeed to officially co-stream the game, signaling a massive shift in live sports distribution.Also: Spotify slides into the DMs with a new messaging feature, and YouTube is caught automatically enhancing Shorts with AI, much to the dismay of creators.00:00 Intro: Lauren's First Book Club02:55 How Italian Brainrot Led to a Roblox Record07:22 The Dangers of Massive Youth Platforms08:50 YouTube's Hype Feature for Small Creators Arrives in the U.S.12:10 How The Hype Button Actually Works15:01 Should Viewers Be Able to Buy Hype?18:48 YouTube's Game-Changing NFL Partnership20:06 Creators Like iShowSpeed Will Officially Co-Stream NFL Games22:52 The Power Shift from Experts to Creators25:48 Upload: Spotify is Adding DMs29:20 Download: YouTube is Using AI to Enhance Shorts Without Asking31:48 A Parent's Reaction to the Roblox Story32:50 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Is Hollywood's most prestigious night coming to YouTube? This week, we break down the news that YouTube has inquired about the broadcast rights for The Oscars and what it means for the future of entertainment. As the lines continue to blur, Mark Rober and Jimmy Kimmel are teaming up for a new show on Netflix, and Fox's Tubi is bringing on creators like MrBeast.Then, we dive into the serious lawsuit facing Roblox, as the state of Louisiana sues the platform over child safety concerns, leading to fears of a potential "ad-pocalypse."Finally, we have an app recommendation from Hank Green that's taking over the App Store by helping you put your phone down.Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.00:00 Intro00:28 Inside UCLA's Exclusive AI & Creativity Summit01:08 The Big Debate: How Should AI Pay Creators?02:57 Does New Tech Actually Destroy Industries?06:12 What is "Vibe Coding"?09:36 The Oscars on YouTube?10:53 By the Numbers: The Shocking Decline of Oscar Viewership14:33 Why YouTube Wants to Be More Like Hollywood17:40 "Every Door Was Slammed in Our Face" - How Much Has Changed20:18 Mark Rober's New Show on Netflix21:48 Tubi is Making a BIG Push for Creators23:43 Roblox Sued by Louisiana Over Child Safety29:08 The YouTuber Who Ran Predator Stings on Roblox (And Got Banned)32:39 Upload: Hank Green's #1 App "Focus Friend"36:05 OutroFollow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Today: Lauren and Josh Cohen fangirl over Taylor Swift's first-ever podcast appearance on New Heights and assess the massive impact it had on the show's viewership and subscriber numbers.Then, they are joined by Evan Britton, the founder of Famous Birthdays, to discuss their new partnership with Pixability, a data and media solutions company. Britton explains how Famous Birthdays' platform-agnostic data on rising creators can lead to more effective advertising campaigns, citing a 58% increase in engagement and a 31% rise in conversions for campaigns using their velocity data. We also break down a new television audience measurement system from Barb that will put YouTube viewership on a level playing field with traditional TV ratings, potentially unlocking larger advertising budgets for the creator economy. Finally: Jonathan Katz-Moses, a YouTube creator and entrepreneur in the woodworking space, joins the show to discuss the $2 million investment he received from Slow Ventures. He shares his journey of building a multi-million dollar business, the importance of maintaining operational control, and his plans to use the capital for live events and product development.00:00 - Are the Hosts Swifties?00:43 - Taylor Swift's First-Ever Podcast Appearance01:54 - The Hosts' Take on Taylor and Travis's Relationship03:31 - Details on Taylor's New Album: "The Life of a Showgirl"04:44 - The "Taylor Swift Effect" on the New Heights Podcast06:19 - Why Were There No Ads on the Taylor Swift Episode?08:18 - Introducing Evan Britton, Founder of Famous Birthdays09:18 - How Famous Birthdays' Data Identifies Rising Stars11:19 - Famous Birthdays' Partnership with Pixability13:28 - The Impressive Results of the Pixability Partnership16:18 - Nielsen vs. YouTube: The Problem with TV Ratings18:44 - What "Total Viewers" Actually Means21:36 - Barb's Plan to Standardize TV and YouTube Measurement23:25 - Why Jonathan Katz-Moses Partnered with Slow Ventures24:55 - The Importance of Maintaining Operational Control26:50 - How Jonathan Plans to Use the $2 Million Investment27:22 - Why Not Every Creator Is an Entrepreneur29:37 - Helping Other Creators Build Their Businesses31:40 - A Look at the Numbers Behind the Slow Ventures Deal34:24 - Breaking Down the Revenue Streams37:13 - Why Jonathan Katz-Moses Avoids Brand Deals40:19 - Life After the Investment: Getting Off the Hamster Wheel44:17 - Cocomelon Announces Live-Action Spinoff45:56 - OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Today we are joined by creator, entrepreneur, and investor Caspar Lee for an in-depth interview. Caspar shares his unique perspective on transitioning from a top YouTube creator to a business leader, discussing the current phase of the creator economy and how brands can succeed by learning to "think like a creator." He also dives into the significant growth of influencer marketing budgets and the investment thesis behind his venture capital firm, Creator Ventures. In addition: a deep dive into Instagram's new "Repost" feature, designed to boost discovery, and the new opt-in location map aimed at competing with Snap. And, YouTube's "Netflix Makeover": A look at the new "Shows" feature that gives select channels a more premium, streaming-service-style interface. Plus, MrBeast & Mark Rober's Team Water: The duo's latest philanthropic initiative aiming to raise $40 million for clean water access worldwide. And finally, Katie Feeney Joins ESPN: How the TikTok star leveraged her social media presence to land a correspondent role at the sports network. 00:00 Intro00:57 Recap: Creator Economy Live East 03:54 Are All Conferences "Creator Conferences" Now? 05:10 From "Entrepreneurial Tourism" to a Stable Market 07:35 Instagram's New "Repost" Feature to Boost Discovery 09:27 Instagram Adds Snapchat-Style Location Map 11:11 The Power of "Friction" in App Design 14:22 YouTube Gets a "Netflix Makeover" with Shows 20:10 Introducing Caspar Lee 21:48 Interview: Caspar Lee23:14 What Phase of the Creator Economy Are We In? 26:21 How Brands Can "Think Like a Creator" 28:19 The Superpower of Being a Creator-Turned-Founder 30:36 The Massive Growth in Campaign Budgets 32:17 Can the Industry Handle Billions in New Ad Dollars? 34:01 The Thesis Behind Creator Ventures 38:36 Uploads & Downloads38:51 Upload: MrBeast & Mark Rober Launch Team Water 41:06 Upload: ESPN Hires TikToker Katie Feeney 42:46 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
YouTube, Meta, and TikTok are suddenly rolling out a slate of new teen safety features. Is this a genuine effort to protect young users, or a reaction to massive regulatory pressure and potential fines? (That's not stopping YouTube from reversing a controversial policy on profanity, trusting its AI to keep advertisers happy.)
And: MrBeast expands his empire, launching an animated series to create a modern-day cartoon-for-toys franchise reminiscent of 80s classics like He-Man and G.I. Joe.
Finally: the PR masterclass from Astronomer, who hired Gwyneth Paltrow for a crisis-response ad after its CEO went viral for all the wrong reasons. And we break down the shocking collapse of VTuber agency VShojo, which shut its doors after failing to pay top talents like Ironmouse.
00:00 Introduction
03:16 Platforms Enhance Teen Safety
05:49 YouTube Reverses Profanity Policy
09:01 Zuckerberg's AI Ad Takeover
10:42 Big Tech's Race to Protect Minors
12:27 The Real Reason for Platform Safety Updates
15:14 The Power of Incentives
18:08 MrBeast's Toy Empire Expands
22:02 UPLOAD: The Perfect Crisis Response
25:25 DOWNLOAD: VShojo Shuts Down Amid Scandal
28:41 Outro
Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.
Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/
Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/
Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/
Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Rachel Stockman, President of Law & Crime , the top trial channel on YouTube, joins today's pod! She shares insights from their extensive coverage of the Diddy trial, highlighting their innovative use of AI to recreate courtroom scenes from real transcripts due to cameras being disallowed. She also explains their "YouTube-first" strategy, especially how focusing on in-depth, long-form content for their engaged audience differentiates them from other media outlets. Finally, she touches on the upcoming Tupac trial coverage and how they decide which cases to follow based on audience interest and their commitment to victims' families, citing the unexpected virality of the Gwyneth Paltrow civil case.But first: YouTube's impressive Q1 ad revenue, nearing $10 billion, and the strategic move to exclusively stream an NFL game in Brazil, aiming for record viewership. Also: the significant sales decline of Prime, the beverage brand by Logan Paul and KSI, and the related case study on the challenges of building sustainable creator brands beyond initial virality.00:00 Welcome to Creator Upload 00:24 AI's Impact on Future Parenting 01:19 The Hunt for Undiscovered Music & Content 02:48 The Double-Edged Sword of Content Access 03:14 AI Integration in Platforms (Roblox & YouTube Shorts) 05:13 YouTube's Q1 Ad Revenue Soars 07:12 The Decline of Prime & Sustainable Creator Brands 11:01 Marketing Beyond Virality 13:41 "Nothing Kills Bad Brands Faster Than Great Marketing" 14:50 Creator Passion and Brand Building 15:39 Law& Crime Diddy Trial Coverage & AI 19:06 The "YouTube-First" Strategy 20:59 Law & Crime In-Depth Content Approach 22:24 Upcoming Trials and Content Strategy 24:14 The Gwyneth Paltrow Case: Unexpected Virality 25:58 Wrap Up & FarewellCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Is the creator dream a lie?With over 50% of creators earning less than $15,000 a year, the creator economy's monetization gap is wider than ever.In this episode, Josh and Lauren explore the harsh realities of creator earnings revealed in a new NeoReach study. They discuss the threshold that separates struggling creators from those who accelerate their earnings, why only 5% of creators make over $200k a year, and how factors like having representation or your own brand can triple your income.Also in this episode: Emmys Snub Creators... Again: Despite YouTube's "For Your Consideration" campaigns for creators like Hot Ones and Rhett & Link, the Television Academy came up with no nominations for them. Is old media officially irrelevant as YouTube commands TV screens? And, Roblox's IP Game-Changer: Roblox is launching a new initiative that allows creators to legally use major IP from franchises like Twilight, Saw, and Squid Games in their experiences and automatically share in the revenue. This move simplifies the historically nightmarish process of IP licensing.Holy S***: Jesus is trending on Shorts. Special guest Sam Gutelle of Tubefilter joins to break down the religious content surge. From AI slop channels where Jesus saves dogs to Brazilian pastors gaining millions of subscribers, they explore why moralistic and religious content is exploding.Finally, Uploads & Downloads: The hosts discuss YouTube's decision to replace the general Trending chart with micro-trend charts for niche communities , and a massive deal that will see Brazilian creator CazéTV broadcast the 2026 FIFA World Cup on his YouTube channel.00:00 Intro01:13 Why YouTubers Were Snubbed By The Emmys06:28 The Harsh Reality of Creator Earnings11:58 Roblox's Revolutionary IP Licensing19:16 Guest: Why God is Trending on YouTube (w/ Sam Gutelle)24:38 What is AI Slop?26:02 Upload: YouTube Replaces The Trending Page28:53 Upload: Creator Scores 2026 World Cup Rights30:22 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Dhar Mann, just named a Titan on the TIME100 Creators List for 2025, joins Creator Upload to reveal the strategy behind his global media empire. In a candid conversation, Dhar shares why he stepped down as CEO, his playbook for acquiring other creators, and his vision for why brands need to start thinking like creators.Plus, hosts Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen break down the massive news of TikTok's plan to launch a US-only app this fall and discuss how Amazon is doubling creator commissions for Prime Day to capitalize on the platform uncertainty.00:00 Intro 01:40 TIME100 Creators List 2025 Revealed08:07 TikTok to Debut a US-Only App 11:53 Welcoming Dhar Mann 13:35 Dhar Mann on Stepping Down as CEO 19:50 Dhar's Focus After the CEO Role 22:54 The Future of Dhar Mann Studios 26:34 Acquiring Other Creators: The Disney Playbook 27:56 Should Every Creator Build a Big Business? 32:44 Why Dhar Mann Avoided Traditional Brand Deals & Merch 35:16 Why Brands Need a Chief Creator Officer 38:06 Where to Find Dhar Mann's Content 39:34 Uploads & Downloads 39:55 Amazon Doubles Creator Commissions for Prime Day 40:58 Kai Cenat Launches TONE Body Care Line in Target 41:44 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
We're back from a whirlwind week of travel to cover the biggest events in the creator economy. Fresh off the plane from France, we share our key takeaways from Cannes Lions. We discuss why the world's biggest advertising festival, while having a much louder conversation around creators than last year, still feels like an "old school advertising convention" that has yet to fully embrace creator-led campaigns. Plus, Josh shares a powerful insight from the StreamTV conference in Denver on how legacy media is finally realizing that it has to partner with YouTube, which now consumes over 12% of all TV consumption.
We also cover YouTube's new "Open Call" feature, designed to help more creators land brand deals, and a summer trend of kid-focused content collaborations from TikTok, Mark Rober, Cocomelon, and the company behind Baby Shark.
And since we couldn't be at VidCon, friend of the podcast Phil Ranta, CBO at Fixated, calls in to provide an expert recap. Phil covers the on-the-ground vibes , the hot topics dominating the panels (like AI and industry consolidation), and the surprising lack of major announcements from the platforms this year.
00:00 Intro
00:23 Why Casey Neistat Wears Sunglasses
01:20 Lauren's First Time at Cannes
02:28 Is Cannes Still Not Creator-Centric?
03:32 The Volume of Creator Conversation is Louder
04:27 Creator Awards Without Creators?
06:12 Why Creator Campaigns Aren't Winning Yet
06:55 How Dove is Winning with Creators
07:27 Coca-Cola's Innovative UGC Campaign
08:44 The Future of Media, Marketing, and Advertising
09:43 Josh's Trip to StreamTV in Denver
11:09 Legacy Media is Finally Embracing YouTube
12:28 Prediction: Disney-Level IP Will Launch on YouTube
14:10 YouTube's Big Announcement: 'Open Call'
15:40 How YouTube Will Prevent Creator Burnout
17:50 YouTube's Incentive to Win Short-Form
19:32 This Isn't For MrBeast
20:27 Trend: TikTok Summer Camp
22:14 More Summer Collabs: Mark Rober, Baby Shark & Cocomelon
23:57 VidCon Recap with Phil Ranta
24:16 VidCon Vibes: Chill, Accessible, and Fewer Brands
24:40 VidCon Hot Topic: AI
25:24 VidCon Hot Topic: Brand Impact & Shoppable Content
26:22 VidCon Hot Topic: Consolidation & M&A
27:02 A Lack of 'Boffo' Announcements
28:56 Outro
Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.
Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/
Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/
Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/
Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
In this special episode of Creator Upload, recorded live from the 72nd annual Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, hosts Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen feature a fantastic lineup of guests across the creator economy, including:Ed Davidson, Chief Growth Officer for Cannes Lions International Festival: Davidson discusses the growth of the creator track at Cannes Lions, now in its second year, highlighting the increasing integration of creators into the advertising industry and the festival's long-term commitment to this shift. Val DiFebo, CEO of DNY: DiFebo shares insights into how DNY is putting creators at the center of their work through their SOCI Studio offering. She discusses how creators are involved from the initial stages of campaigns and how this approach is opening new avenues for the agency. Shaina Zafar, Executive with the Next Gen Practice at UTA Marketing: Zafar, whose company JUV Consulting was acquired by UTA, talks about building intimate relationships with creators and facilitating brand deals. She also highlights the increasing presence and spontaneity of creators at Cannes this year. Sarah Potter, Global Dove Director – PR and Social Influencer, Unilever: Potter explains Dove's long-term partnerships with creators who align with the brand's values. She shares details about their #ShareTheFirst campaign, which leveraged creator-first content for a global reach. Potter emphasizes giving creators creative control and involving them in product innovation. Oui hope you enjoy!Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Josh and special guest Monica Khan, Partner & Head of Digital at Strand, tackle everything that's fit to discuss in the creator economy this week. They discuss the increasing presence and influence of creators at major industry events like VivaTech and Cannes Lions. The conversation also covers a significant forecast from WPP, predicting that creator platforms will surpass traditional media in ad revenue by 2025. We also explore YouTube's substantial economic impact, contributing $55 billion to the U.S. GDP in 2024, and the broader implications of this growth for creators.Then: innovative brand partnerships, including Lowe's collaboration with MrBeast and their new Creator Partner Program, as well as Starbucks' new full time hire initiative, all in comparison to Ulta Beauty's employee ambassador initiative.0:00 Welcome Monica Khan to Creator Upload 0:44 Monica Khan at VivaTech in Paris 1:41 The Growing Creator Presence at VivaTech 2:50 Anticipation for Cannes Lions and Creator Impact 4:21 Cannes Lions: Business Gets Done for Creators 5:01 Creators Gaining a Seat at the Table 5:29 Creators Choosing Cannes Over VidCon 6:48 Traditional Media vs. Creator Platforms 7:34 WPP Predicts Creator Platforms to Exceed Old Media Ad Revenue by 2025 8:57 Validation for the Creator Economy 10:08 WPP's Influence on Ad Spend Towards Creators 11:32 The Future of Brand Investment in Creators 12:06 The Rise of Creator-Driven Platforms 13:37 YouTube's Economic Impact: $55 Billion to US GDP in 2024 14:55 The Ripple Effect of the Creator Economy 15:18 Creators Building Economic Value and Sustainability 16:46 Supporting the Creator Middle Class 18:04 The Bell Curve vs. Barbell Curve in the Creator Economy 19:52 Small Business Education for Creators 20:18 Why Brands are Working with Niche Creators 21:42 Studio-Led vs. Creator-Led Content 22:56 The Future of Cinema and Creator Influence 24:00 Studios Leveraging Social Platforms for Content Development 24:55 Lowe's Partners with Mr. Beast for Beast Games Season 2 27:05 Lowe's Creator Partner Program 27:33 Institutionalizing Creator Partnerships 28:49 Ulta Beauty's Employee Ambassador Program vs. Lowe's Scaled Program 31:38 Starbucks' 12-Month Creator Sponsorship 33:03 Upload: Major League Baseball Invests in Jomboy Media 35:28 MLB Embracing Fan-Led Storytelling 36:21 The Evolution of Creator Partnerships to Investment 36:46 Creative Freedom vs. Investment in Creator Partnerships 38:12 Upload: Mr. Beast Hires Former YouTube, TikTok, and Meta Exec Beau Avril 39:03 Beau Avril's Expertise and Impact on Mr. Beast's Partnerships 40:19 Connecting with Monica Khan on LinkedIn 41:01 Future of Creator Upload and Listener EngagementCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Lauren and Josh recap the key takeaways from The Information's "Future of Influence" conference. They explore the evolving landscape of creator monetization, discussing Snap's strategy for helping creators earn money and the innovative trend of brands hiring their own customers as authentic influencers.Then: a surprising survey that reveals two-thirds of US consumers now see YouTube as a go-to destination for movies and TV shows. Finally, in Uploads & Downloads: scientists turning to YouTube to share research and fundraise in the face of government budget cuts, and discussion on the growing potential of Substack as a creator platform.00:00 Intro & Future of Influence Conference Recap03:25 Snap's Approach to Creator Monetization12:15 Are Your Favorite YouTubers Now Working at Top Brands?16:10 Brands Hiring Their Customers as Influencers22:48 Is YouTube the New Netflix?26:30 The Rise of Niche Communities30:15 Uploads of the Week: Substack & Scientists on YouTubeCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Lauren and Josh are packing their linen pants and heading to the south of France! The duo breaks down a preview of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, and why the heck they're going to it (and not VidCon).Also: the "Beige Lawsuit" is over, YouTube and Disney battle for key talent, plus quick takes on Dubai's creator push, Kai Cenat's Streamer University, and Hasan's recent comments on Twitch. 00:00 Intro & Upcoming Trip to Cannes03:18 What is the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity?05:31 Cannes vs. VidCon06:54 What to Expect at Cannes10:03 The "Beige Lawsuit" Gets Dismissed14:48 Disney Acquires Cocomelon Streaming Rights17:54 Disney Sues YouTube for Poaching an Executive20:59 Upload: Dubai Wants to Attract 10,000 Creators21:42 Upload: Kai Cenat's "Streamer University"23:22 Download: Hasan Piker's "Egregiously Insufficient" Twitch Suspension26:18 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
This week on Creator Upload, hosts Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen break down Google's game-changing AI announcements like Veo 3 for video with sound and the "Flow" filmmaking tool. They also cover a surge of industry moves, including Google's investment in AI studio Promise, Whalar's $400M valuation, Caspar Lee's Creator Ventures raising $45M, and Publicis acquiring Captiv8 in a consolidating influencer market. Plus, discussions on Instagram's new creator referral program, Kai Cenat's decision to end his Streamer University, and Samsung's FAST channel launch with creators like Dhar Mann and Mark Rober.00:00 Welcome to Creator Upload / Girl in the Closet00:43 Google's Veo 3 AI: Video & Dialogue Generation02:04 Google I/O: Veo & The Future of AI Content04:10 Google Unveils Flow AI Filmmaking Tool05:41 The AI Race & Google's YouTube Data Advantage07:36 Big Stories: Creator Economy Investment & Acquisition Boom08:05 Promise AI Studio Lands Google Investment09:42 Promise AI: Enhancing, Not Replacing, Human Creativity?11:59 AI in Hollywood: Speed, Cost, and the Future of Content14:03 Whalar Hits $400M Valuation with Major Investors14:46 Whalar's Lighthouse: The "Soho House for Creators"?16:36 Lighthouse vs. YouTube Spaces: Monetizing Creator Hubs18:00 Caspar Lee's Creator Ventures Raises $45M Second Fund20:04 Creator Ventures: Success Breeds Success20:32 Publicis Acquires Captiv823:18 Market Consolidation: The Big Picture for Influencer Marketing24:07 Uploads & Downloads24:10 Instagram's $20k Creator Referral Program: Thirsty or Smart?26:57 Kai Cenat Pulls Plug on Streamer University Amidst Backlash28:48 Samsung Launches STN FAST Channel with Dhar Mann & Mark Rober29:46 FAST Channels & Kids: Will They Watch Ads?31:41 Wrapping Up / Longitudinal Study on Kids & Media31:51 Outro & CreditsCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
Get the full inside scoop from YouTube's biggest event of the year! This week, Joshua Cohen reports directly from the Brandcast frontline, revealing Lady Gaga's show-stopping performance, game-changing ad updates for creators, and YouTube's bold vision for the future. Plus, major news on Mr. Beast, the NFL on YouTube, and industry-shaking acquisitions!On this episode of Creator Upload, we unpack all the critical announcements from YouTube Brandcast 2025. From the star-studded red carpet featuring MrBeast to new advertising tools like Peak Points and Cultural Moment Sponsorships, we cover what creators and marketers NEED to know. We also dive into the redesign of YouTube on Connected TVs, the launch of the official YouTube Podcast Charts, and what "There's Only One YouTube" really means for the ecosystem.Beyond Brandcast, we're talking about Mr. Beast's "Beast Games" getting renewed for two more seasons by Amazon AND his major expansion into the Middle East. Get the details on the upcoming NFL game (Chargers vs. Chiefs in Brazil) that will be live-streamed FOR FREE on YouTube. And finally, we break down significant moves in the creator management world as Ben Silverman's Propagate acquires Select Management & Parker Management, and Skybound Entertainment snaps up Nine Four Entertainment.Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand
This week, Lauren and Josh unpack the NewFronts, including major updates from Meta, LinkedIn, and YouTube as they roll out new tools and monetization opportunities designed to connect brands with creators. From Meta's AI-powered ad formats and enhanced Creator Marketplace to LinkedIn's new BrandLink Program and YouTube's Creator Partnerships Hub, find out what these changes mean for how brands and creators interact on platform.Plus, we discuss Spotify's move to display podcast play counts, the Golden Globes introducing a "Best Podcast" category, and YouTube's massive $100 million investment in India's booming creator economy. Then, the exciting relaunch of the Just For Laughs comedy festival with new creator-focused initiatives and the impressive multi-million dollar sale of Yes Theory's merch fulfillment business.
Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.
Here's more detail on what we covered this week:
Justin Flom earns billions of short-form views per month. Today, we interview him to learn more about YouTube's new view calculations and how (or if) they impact creators, monetization strategies (including brand deals!), and why consistency is key. Elsewhere: YouTube's massive Q1 earnings, the latest IAB reports on the creator economy's growth, Snap's earnings, TikTok vs. Twitch, NCAA NIL updates, and SAG-AFTRA's new influencer committee.
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Creator Upload Socials:
Today, a world's first: Reid AI, the digital version of LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, performs its first ever podcast guest appearance right here on Creator Upload. Joining Reid AI is Ben Relles, who manages content strategy for Reid in all forms of existence.
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Creator Upload Socials:
