Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Creator Economy Live

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Lowe’s has been pushing its creator strategy well beyond the traditional sponsored post. This week, Keith sits down with Jonathan Stanley, Head of Social Media and Influencer Marketing at Lowe’s, to unpack how the retailer is building long-term creator relationships, bringing creators into product innovation, and deciding where creators fit alongside sports partnerships, paid social and traditional media.

Jonathan takes us inside the Lowe’s Creator Program and its latest Into the Blue initiative, shares how physical stores are becoming part of the creator strategy, and discusses what could come next as creators move from media partners and sales drivers to having a real influence on the products brands sell.

Plus, Keith breaks down the latest creator economy news, including VidCon’s major overhaul, Meta One’s new subscription tiers, and new data showing shoppers increasingly want creator perspectives incorporated into AI-powered recommendations.

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Keith and Brendan welcome Jason Y. Lee, founder and CEO of Jubilee Media, the company behind viral series including Middle Ground, Surrounded, and Spectrum. What started as a nonprofit focused on human connection has grown into one of YouTube's most recognizable media brands, generating billions of views and nearly 11 million subscribers.

Jason shares the story behind Jubilee's rise, the key moments that fueled its growth, and why the company has succeeded by leaning into conversations most brands would rather avoid. The discussion also explores the blurred lines between creators and media companies, what brands can learn from great long-form content, the power of episodic storytelling, and how to balance provocative content with meaningful conversation.

Elsewhere, Keith and Brendan break down the growing creator presence at the US Open, Sephora's move into TikTok Shop, Amazon joining YouTube's affiliate program, TikTok's expanded comment features, and what the latest developments in Meta's youth safety settlement could mean for the creator economy.

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Keith and Brendan sit down with Pamela Stephens, who's spent over a decade shaping influencer and content strategy at 3M — the $25 billion company behind everyday staples like Post-it, Scotch, Command, and Scotch-Brite. Pamela shares how influencer marketing has evolved inside a massive, multi-brand organization and what it takes to get executives to invest in creator partnerships.

News catchup covers Meta's landmark $12.2 billion youth safety settlement (with new age verification, screen time caps, and curfew rules for under-18 users on Instagram and Facebook), YouTube's shift to counting a view the instant a video starts playing, and the platform's push to lock in top creators with exclusive deals.

Plus this week's Creator of the Week and Brand of the Week picks — including Germany's "Opa Werner," the ongoing Bricks & Minifigs LEGO drama, and a trio of brands (Lovesac, Callaway/Good Good Golf, and Neutrogena) that all learned the hard way what happens when you lose control of the narrative around your marketing.

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Keith and Brendan celebrate the 100th episode of the Creator Economy Live Podcast, looking back at some of the standout moments and conversations from the past 100 episodes.

They reflect on how the creator economy has evolved along the way - from changing brand-creator relationships and the professionalisation of influencer marketing to the trends shaping where the industry goes next.

The conversation also dives into how CPG brands are structuring their influencer teams, the rise of employee-generated content, and what both tell us about the next phase of the creator economy.

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 Live from CEL East in New York, Keith and Brendan sit down with Sam Friedman, the NFL's Senior Director of Global Social & Creator Strategy, to unpack how the league builds its creator ecosystem — from player social support to platform partnerships and of course a nod to the Taylor Swift strategy. Sam breaks down last season's global activations, how creators complement broadcasts World Cup-style, and what's ahead for a record nine international games including Australia, Paris, and Rio. 

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Keith and Brendan welcome Michael Kaye, global brand comms lead at Match Group, for a wide-ranging talk on dating apps and creator culture. 

News catchup covers C3/Live Nation's new creator festival For You Fest (a TanaCon callback), Google Search Console's new "platform properties" tracking, and creators dominating World Cup coverage. 

Guest discussion dives into Kaye's path into comms, how Match Group brands build creator partnerships, AI's impact on storytelling, and where brand comms is headed — plus some Taylor Swift wedding hot takes.

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Keith and Brendan fly solo this week for a no-guest catch-up. First: the Cannes debrief — fashion on the Riviera, celebrity sightings,  and which announcements actually mattered vs. yacht-money cosplay. Then into industry news: TikTok's new Custom Creator Networks, Lowe's opening creator pitch applications and the DoorDash/T-Pain mixup gone viral.

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This episode was recorded Live at Cannes Lions where Keith and Brendan sat down with Davang Shah, VP of Marketing at LinkedIn, for a conversation on what it means that B2B finally has a seat at the world's biggest marketing festival. Davang - who cut his teeth at P&G, Ford, and Google before landing at LinkedIn - breaks down what changed internally that made LinkedIn go all-in on creators,  and how the platform plans to protect the trust that built its audience in the first place. They also get into budget, buying behaviors, and Davang makes a bet on what's coming next in the creator space over the next 18 months.

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This week on Creator Economy Live, Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan are joined by Jason Feifer, editor-in-chief of Entrepreneur magazine, author of Build for Tomorrow, and one of the voices operating at the intersection of legacy media, the creator economy, and hands-on entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Jason gets into whether the creator/media exec/entrepreneur label even matters anymore, where legacy media still has a genuine edge over individual creators, and what separates the personal brands that last from the ones that burn out fast.

The conversation also covers time management when you're doing everything at once, and why the shifts in the creator economy that everyone's panicking about might actually be good news.

Plus the week's news: LinkedIn's creator marketplace, Instagram finally letting users reorder their grid, Google's new Search Profiles for creators, and the UK's planned social media ban for under-16s.

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How does a sponge become one of the most loved brands on social media? Brianna McDevitt, Influencer Marketing Lead at Scrub Daddy, joins Creator Economy Live to share how the brand's creator strategy has evolved over her three years there, why betting on up and coming creators before they get expensive pays off, and how one creator went from partner to actual product collaborator. Keith and Brendan also dig into the latest creator economy news, from Meta's new Forum app to YouTube's top fans feature and Roku's new creator hub. 

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 What does influencer marketing look like inside one of the fastest growing tech brands in the world? Kailyn Nunn, Head of Influencer Marketing at Canva, joins Creator Economy Live to share how the strategy has evolved across 5.5 years of hypergrowth, what brands are consistently getting wrong with creator investments, and the campaigns she is most proud of. Keith and Brendan also dig into the latest creator economy news, from Sponsored Snaps and private chat advertising to YouTube's creator-led upfronts slate. 

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What makes a branded creator partnership actually resonate online? Patrick Benson, Social & Influencer Lead at P.F. Chang’s, joins Creator Economy Live to break down the thinking behind one of the brand’s recent standout TikTok collaborations. The conversation covers creator trust, trend-driven content, campaign planning, and the evolving role of influencer marketing inside major brands. Keith and Brendan also dive into the latest creator economy news — from Vine’s unexpected comeback to the explosion of full-time creators in the U.S. 

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This week Keith and Brendan sit down with Dari Cohen, VP of Global Philanthropy at RevitaLash Cosmetics — a brand that has quietly donated $10 million to breast cancer research, stayed fiercely independent in a category where everything gets bought up, and built a creator strategy rooted in something most brands skip entirely: genuine purpose. Plus the week's news, including a $44 billion creator spend projection, YouTube quietly letting users kill Shorts, and two creators who built an Olive Garden compass and somehow got both a viral moment and a cease and desist out of it.  

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B2B influencer marketing is entering a new era—and Fiona Turko is right at the center of it. Now leading Creator Partnerships at Gamma after her standout work at Zapier, Fiona joins us to break down how B2B is borrowing from the B2C playbook, why now is the inflection point, and what brands are getting right (and wrong).

We also dig into Zapier’s Outpost event, what she’s building at Gamma, and the creators and companies pushing the space forward. Plus, we cover the latest headlines—from platform accountability and AI creator tools to major brand launches and shifting monetisation strategies.

If you’re thinking about the future of influencer marketing beyond B2C, this one’s worth your time.

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In Episode 89 of Creator Economy Live, we sit down with one of the sharpest voices in modern branding and social strategy—Camille Moore, creator of The Art of the Brand.

Camille has built a loyal following by breaking down complex marketing ideas into clear, actionable insights—and in this episode, she shares how she went from getting started to becoming a go-to resource for marketers navigating TikTok and Instagram.

We dig into:

•  Camille’s journey into content creation and podcasting 
•  The moment she knew her content was taking off 
•  Why some of today’s most common marketing advice is completely overrated 
•  The biggest misconceptions about the creator economy 
•  Her process for consistently creating high-impact content 
•  And the one piece of content she’d keep if everything else disappeared 

Plus, we cover the latest headlines shaping the space—from YouTube’s AI-powered creator tools and TikTok’s newest ad formats to Meta’s push to win back creators—and wrap with our Creator and Brand of the Week.

If you're trying to sharpen your brand strategy or make sense of where social is headed next, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

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In Episode 88 of Creator Economy Live, Keith sits down with Parker Butler—former Director of Digital Rapid Response for Kamala Harris’s 2024 campaign and now Managing Partner at Luminary Strategies, a Gen Z-led agency born out of the viral Kamala HQ movement.

We dive into how political campaigns are leveraging creators, real-time content, and rapid-response social strategies to drive cultural relevance at scale—and what brands can learn from it. Parker shares behind-the-scenes insights from the Biden and Harris campaigns, key lessons from the 2024 election cycle, and why being reactive isn’t just possible for big organizations—it’s essential.

Plus, we break down the latest industry news, from Instagram testing links in captions to TikTok’s move into radio, and highlight the creators and brands shaping culture right now.

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We’re going “across the pond” for a special Manchester edition of Creator Economy Live, joined by Beatrice Mustocea, Creator & Public Figures Lead at TikTok UK.

With a career spanning Google, LinkedIn, and now TikTok, Beatrice breaks down how creator partnerships have evolved—and what it really takes to turn online influence into real-world impact. From building TikTok’s film and TV creator programme to working with studios and entertainment brands, she shares how the next generation of tastemakers is being shaped.

We also dive into the latest headlines—from Indonesia’s under-16 social media ban to new commerce-driven ad formats on X—and spotlight standout creators and brands making waves right now.

Plus:
 🔥 What separates breakout creators from those who plateau
 🎥 How entertainment brands are rethinking creator collaborations
 📈 Overlooked growth opportunities on TikTok today

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Creator Economy Live is going global 🌍 — and in Episode 85, we’re crossing the pond to the UK ahead of our upcoming trip to Manchester.

Keith and Brendan sit down with Naomi Horan, marketing leader at Cloud Nine, the premium hair styling brand that’s built a powerful presence across retail, social, and the professional beauty community. Naomi shares how the brand approaches influencer partnerships, builds authentic creator relationships, and balances campaigns with long-term community.

In this episode, we cover:
✨ What makes Cloud Nine stand out in the competitive beauty space
✨ How brands should think about gifting vs paid partnerships
✨ The value of long-term creator ambassadors vs one-off campaigns
✨ Differences in creator performance across the UK, Europe, and Australia
✨ Where beauty influencer marketing is heading in 2026

Plus, Keith and Brendan break down the latest creator economy headlines and wrap up with Creator of the Week, Brand of the Week, and Follow picks. 🎙️

If you work in beauty, DTC, or creator-led marketing, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

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Want to hear these insights and more in person? Creator Economy Live is landing in Manchester 29 - 30 April. Save 20% on your ticket with code CELPOD20 and register today!

When a simple jingle turns into a national commercial, you know something big happened. In this episode of Creator Economy Live, hosts Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan sit down with Romeo—the creator behind the viral “Dr Pepper Baby, it’s good and nice!” moment that took the internet by storm.

What started as a spontaneous post quickly exploded across social media, ultimately landing Romeo in a major Dr Pepper commercial during the college football national championship and launching her creator career into overdrive.

Romeo joins the show to share the full story:

- The backstory before the viral moment

- What it felt like watching the post explode online

- How brands started flooding their inbox

- The whirlwind of media appearances—from the Jennifer Hudson Show to national TV

- What’s next as they build a long-term career in the creator economy

Plus, Keith and Brendan break down the latest creator economy news—from TikTok’s rise as a search engine to Instagram’s controversial “shop the look” dupes and why nearly half of creators plan to launch their own brands.

If you want to understand how one viral moment can turn into a career—and what it means for brands and creators—this episode is a must-listen. 🎧

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This week on Creator Economy Live, Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan are joined by Christina Le, Head of Marketing at Slate and a rising voice in the creator economy on LinkedIn.

Christina has built a powerful personal brand while leading marketing for one of the fastest-growing creative tools used by social media managers. In this episode, she shares how she developed her own content strategy across platforms, the thinking behind Slate’s marketing approach, and what it’s like to operate as both a creator and the person writing checks to creators.

The conversation dives into the evolving world of B2B influencer marketing, whether creator rates are getting out of control, and what brands still aren’t paying attention to heading into 2026.

Plus, Keith and Brendan break down the latest creator economy news — from Snapchat testing creator subscriptions to AI video competition heating up — and wrap up with Creator and Brand of the Week.

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Jessica Dove, Director of Social Media & Influencer Marketing at MGM Resorts, joins us to unpack how one of the most iconic hospitality brands in the world approaches creator partnerships.

With over 10 years at MGM, Jess shares how influencer marketing has evolved from room trades to fully integrated, experience-driven strategy across properties like Aria, Bellagio, Cosmopolitan, Mandalay Bay, and Luxor.

We break down:

• What MGM’s influencer strategy really looks like at the highest level
• How major events and activations factor into creator partnerships
• Why experiences outperform simple brand deals
• How hospitality brands can think beyond “free stays for posts”
• What makes creators want to partner with MGM

Plus, we cover the latest industry headlines:

• Super Bowl creator integrations (NFL hosted 160+ creators 👀)
• MrBeast x Salesforce + Whatnot’s $1M livestream
• AI social platforms like Moltbook
• Influencer ads emerging as buyers’ top priority for 2026
• UpScrolled’s rise amid TikTok uncertainty
• And of course, our Creator and Brand of the Week picks.

If you care about where influencer marketing is headed — especially in experiential and hospitality — this one’s a must-listen.

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This week on the Creator Economy Live Podcast, we’re joined by Dana Paolucci, Head of PR & Influence for Dove North America. Dana walks us through a decade-long evolution of Dove’s influencer strategy—from one-off campaigns to always-on, community-driven creator programs. We dig into standout activations (Crumbl, the GRAMMYs, Bridgerton), the rise of earned creator content, and why “influencer in every zip code” isn’t about follower count—it’s about trust.

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We’re live from Las Vegas at Creator Economy West for a fast-paced episode packed with news, hot takes, and a standout guest. Keith and Brendan break down what MrBeast’s viral hiring spree really signals, whether AI streamers are the future of Twitch, and why Spotify is suddenly all-in on podcast advertising.

Then we’re joined by Brittany Lamp, Senior Director of Brand Content & Community at Life360, to unpack how the brand built a massively engaged Gen Z and Gen Alpha audience on TikTok. Brittany shares how social listening fuels their voice, why giving social teams full autonomy drives speed and scale, how their ambassador program has evolved, and what “casting” creators means for Life360’s influencer strategy heading into 2026.

Plus: wild community stories, why TikTok content centered on kids outperforms everywhere, Creator & Brand of the Week picks, and a look at why nostalgia-core and social-first mini shows are about to be everywhere. 🎰🎤

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In Episode 80 of Creator Economy Live, we’re joined by Kara Salazar, who leads influencer marketing at Southwest Airlines. Kara breaks down how the brand’s creator strategy has evolved over the past four years — from launching and scaling Southwest Creator Day (including its international expansion to Cancun) to managing major cultural moments like the assigned seats announcement and the massive social response that followed.

We also dig into what makes influencer marketing in the airline industry uniquely challenging, whether “free flights for posts” is really a thing, and how Southwest balances brand storytelling with real-time community feedback. Plus, Keith and Brendan unpack the latest creator economy news — from TikTok’s Branded Buzz payouts to Instagram’s hashtag limits and YouTube’s new AI creator tools.

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Want to hear this content and more LIVE? Join us at Creator Economy Live, January 13 - 14 2026 in Las Vegas! Save 20% off your ticket with code CELPOD20 at checkout.

On the 12 months of 2025, the social platforms gave to thee… a booming creator economy.

It’s our annual holiday special, and we’re back with the 12 Stories of Social—a festive, no-holds-barred look at the biggest moments that shaped creators, brands, and platforms this year. From age bans and algorithmic control to episodic content, creator media empires, livestream shopping, and the return of the written word, we’re breaking down what really mattered in 2025.

This year, we’re switching things up and inviting friends to the table to wax poetic, sip some eggnog, and debate the state of the creator economy with us, including Aneesh Lai, Kerry Flynn, and Monica Khan.

Together, we crown Creator of the Year and Brand of the Year, revisit the rise of creator content everywhere (yes, everywhere), and ask the big question as YouTube turns 20: is monoculture officially dead?

Hit play for laughs, hot takes, and a definitive look back at the year that supercharged the creator economy - and what it all means heading into 2026 🎄🎧

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Want these insights and more in person? Join us in Las Vegas, January 13 - 14 2026 for Creator Economy Live West and use code CELPOD20 at checkout!

This week Keith & Brendan are joined by Rob Mayhew, the creator who’s become the unofficial spokesperson for agency life, to talk about turning industry satire into real brand value, making the leap to full-time creator, and why B2B brands are finally embracing creators who actually get the business. Expect sharp insights, creator economy data you need to know, and a rapid-fire rundown of what’s shaping influence right now. 

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Creator Economy Live is back with Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan, and this week we’re joined by Jack Westercamp — one half of Breaking & Entering, the media duo the ad industry can’t stop obsessing over. From Georgina Cox vs. Sweaty Betty, to Timothée Chalamet’s viral parody marketing video, to Facebook’s new creator protection tools and TikTok’s AI slider, we’re breaking down the biggest creator economy stories of the week before diving into Jack’s rise, impact, and what’s next for B&E. Plus: our COW/BOW picks, the trends catching our eye, and all the must-know moments shaping the future of the creator space.

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Want these insights and more in person? Join us in Las Vegas, January 13 - 14 2026 for Creator Economy Live West and use code CELPOD20 at checkout!

Episode 76 of Creator Economy Live dives deep into the future of content with Sean Atkins, CEO of Dhar Mann Studios and a veteran of MTV, HBO, Discovery, Jellysmack, Disney, and more. Sean shares why he shifted from traditional media to creator-driven companies, how DMS built its 125,000 sq. ft. production powerhouse in Los Angeles, and what purpose-driven storytelling looks like at scale.

Keith and Brendan also unpack the week’s biggest creator economy headlines — from TikTok Shop’s staggering $19B quarter and Instagram’s new competitor insights, to Facebook Groups opening up and the rise of influencer requests at Make-A-Wish.

You’ll learn:
 • Why creators now rival major studios in reach and cultural impact
 • What brands still misunderstand about YouTube sponsorships
 • How Sean structures priorities between content, community, and growth
 • What the business model looks like behind the world’s largest digital scripted studio
 • And the creator/brand picks of the week, including SoFi, Whoop, and rising creators shaking up the industry

If you’re building, scaling, or partnering in the creator economy, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

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Mastercard’s Priceless campaign has stood the test of time — but how does a legacy brand stay culturally relevant in a world ruled by creators and constant change?

This week, Keith and Brendan chat with Cheryl Guerin, EVP of Brand Strategy & Innovation at Mastercard, who’s been with the brand for more than two decades and knows what it takes to evolve without losing your core. Cheryl shares how Mastercard is embracing creator partnerships, why influencer marketing deserves more strategic attention, and what marketers can learn from Mastercard’s blend of innovation and consistency.

You’ll also hear her take on cultural moments, creative risk-taking, and the brand’s cutting-edge Artist Accelerator Program.

Before diving in, the hosts catch up on the latest creator economy headlines — including Adobe’s new AI tools, ShopMy’s massive valuation, and the first-ever academic center for the creator economy at Syracuse University.

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Creator Economy Live West is taking place 13 - 14 January 2026! Use code POD20 for 20% off your ticket price.

Join Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan for another episode of Creator Economy Live as they sit down with Ashwinn Krishnaswamy — Brand Expert, Partner at Forge Design, and content creator known for his smart takes on branding and business across TikTok and Instagram. Ashwinn shares his journey from agency life to social stardom, how he balances brand partnerships with running Forge, and what he’s learned about building brands that truly resonate online. 

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In this episode of Creator Economy Live, Keith and Brendan sit down with Tom Goodwin, author of Digital Darwinism and founder of All We Have Is Now, to explore the shifting balance between creativity and performance in modern marketing.

Tom shares his take on how technology and creator culture are redefining the industry, why marketers lost sight of creativity, and what’s next for brands navigating the fast-changing landscape of content, AI, and consumer expectations.

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Keith and Brendan sit down for an iconic conversation with actress Jaimie Alexandar to discuss her journey from actress to creator, how she uses her social platforms to encourage positive change in her community, and how the depth within influencer marketing expands past sharing the latest lipstick.

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Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan sit down with Jennifer Brown, who has spent the past 6+ years leading influencer marketing and talent partnerships at fashion giant SHEIN. Jennifer pulls back the curtain on how SHEIN built one of the world’s most powerful creator-driven growth engines, the evolving role of short-form video, and how shopping behavior is shifting in a social-first era.

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For our 70th episode milestone, we’re joined by long-time friend and branded content pioneer Zach Blume, Co-Founder of Portal A. From the early days of viral YouTube hits to partnering with Jimmy Kimmel’s Wheelhouse Entertainment, Zach has spent 15+ years at the intersection of tech, entertainment, and influencer marketing. We dive into the evolution of “viral,” the highs and lows of YouTube Rewind, and how branded content has matured into today’s creator-driven economy. Plus, we break down the latest news—from creator tours outselling expectations to whether Bilt’s “Roomies” is genius or a flop.

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Live from New York at Creator Economy Live, hosts Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan sit down with Bodyarmor’s VP of Communications, Danielle Hughes, and Dude Perfect’s Chief Brand Officer, Chad Coleman, to unpack one of the most buzzed-about brand–creator collaborations in recent years. From limited-edition sports drink flavors to “always on” integrations, they reveal how this partnership started, evolved, and drove measurable results—plus the secrets to building a brand–creator collab that truly wins fans.

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 From hot dog hustler to media mogul, My First Million co-host Sam Parr joins Keith and Brendan for a no-filter conversation on marketing mastery, community building, and what top creators like MrBeast and Bryan Johnson get so right. They cover Sam's wild journey from The Hustle to Hampton, dissect the business of influence, and debate where the next big wave is coming. Plus, the guys unpack "artificial authenticity" on LinkedIn, YouTube’s monster quarter, and whether TikTok will go dark. 

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This week, we're joined by the one and only Ross Pomerantz—aka "Corporate Bro," now proudly "Corporate Dad." You know him for his razor-sharp satire of sales life and his viral videos, but there's a lot more to Ross. From earning an MBA at Stanford to playing pro baseball to getting his indie film SAD (Sales Are Dope) picked up by Amazon Prime, Ross breaks down his wild ride through the creator economy. We also dive into brand partnerships (the good, the bad, the cringeworthy), his content strategy, the early days of LinkedIn creation, and his thoughts on TikTok (brace yourself). Plus, we cover the latest creator economy news—from Google indexing Instagram to Time's first-ever Creators 100 list. Stick around for our COW/BOW picks and a hilarious, insightful chat with one of the sharpest minds in the biz. 

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Want to get all this content and MORE in person? Then you need to be at Creator Economy Live East, heading to NYC August 5-6. Use code CELPOD20 for 20% off your ticket, and the first 500 brands go free!

This week, we’re joined by none other than Christina Westley — a true insider in the influencer game. From her early days at VaynerMedia to running influencer marketing for Pepsi, and now striking out on her own, Christina’s seen the industry from every angle. She shares honest takes on agency vs. brand life, why influencer budgets still lag behind expectations, and how AI avatars could reshape creator content.

Before Christina joins, Keith and Brendan unpack VidCon, Cannes hot topics (hello, AI governance), and why the influencer world isn’t freaking out about TikTok’s 180-day extension. We also dive into the latest stats, studies, and product updates from YouTube, Instagram, Google, and TikTok — it’s a jam-packed news rundown.

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From the beaches of Cannes to your For You page, Keith and Brendan sit down with Kim Farrell - Head of Creators at TikTok, and dive into how TikTok is helping creators connect, create, and cash in. We explore why live events are becoming a core pillar of creator strategy, which underused monetization tools every creator should know about, and how to actually define "high quality" content in 2025. Plus, our Creator & Brand of the Week picks: Dhar Mann, Louis Butterfield, Dove’s bold new campaign, and the app that literally makes you put your phone down. 

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Want to get all this content and MORE in person? Then you need to be at Creator Economy Live East, heading to NYC August 5-6. Use code CELPOD20 for 20% off your ticket, and the first 500 brands go free!

Melanie Huet, CMO of Newell Brands (home to Sharpie, Coleman, Rubbermaid, and more), joins the pod to talk about her journey from Unilever and Kraft to leading a powerhouse portfolio of everyday icons. But before we get into boardrooms and brand strategy, we dive into her other passion — shooting and editing sports content as the ultimate team video mom.

We cover:

• What unites (and divides) the world’s biggest CPG brands
• How Newell approaches influencer marketing at scale
• The KPIs Melanie really cares about
• What she’d create content about if she were an influencer

Plus:
 The latest in AI from Google’s jaw-dropping Veo 3 to smart glasses, what 825 social pros say about Instagram, TikTok, and burnout, and why carousel posts might be 2025’s surprise hit.

Creator of the Week, Brand of the Week, and all the usual chaos — don’t miss it.

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Keith and Brendan sit down with Olivia Petzy, Social Media and Communications Group Manager at Care.com. Olivia shares how she built Care.com’s influencer strategy from the ground up, why she’s passionate about authentic storytelling, and what brands get wrong when they expect social leads to be on-camera talent. Plus, we cover the latest headlines: Publicis’ acquisition of Captiv8, Whalar’s $400M valuation, new creator tools from YouTube and Instagram, and all the wild AI updates out of Google I/O. Stay tuned for creator and brand shoutouts, including AI app builder VibeCode and parenting tech fave Life360.

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Enjoying the Creator Economy Live podcast? Hear all these actionable insights and build connections with HUGE industry titan brands at Creator Economy Live East 2025. PLUS as a loyal listener, you can get 20% off your ticket using POD20 at checkout!

On this episode of Creator Economy Live, Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan sit down with Gabe Gomez — a social strategist who’s made waves on LinkedIn and beyond. With experience at Edelman, Verizon, and now MCoBeauty, Gabe offers a unique perspective on what brands are getting right (and wrong) when it comes to influencer marketing.

They dive into why the traditional influencer marketing playbook no longer works, how brands can take creative risks without losing control, and whether everyone needs to become a creator to stay relevant in today’s digital landscape.

You’ll also hear their take on the latest industry news, including:

- Meta’s mixed reviews on its new editing tools

- TikTok surpassing Twitch as the #2 live platform

- New research revealing that finding the right creators is still the #1 challenge for marketers

- YouTube’s report on the rise of virtual creators

- Peacock’s bold move to bring TikTok talent to TV with four new original shows

Plus, don’t miss this week’s Creator and Brand of the Week picks — featuring Zach King, Rob Mayhew, Alix Earle’s viral Pantene moment, and more.

Whether you’re brand-side, agency-side, or building your own creator brand, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and actionable takeaways.

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Toilet paper, tampons, tissues, and... TikTok? In this episode of Creator Economy Live, Keith and Brendan sit down with Megan Narcisi and Lauren Staff from Kimberly-Clark—home to household brands like Huggies, Kleenex, and Kotex—to talk about what it really takes to make everyday products pop on social. From wild agency stories to building a center of excellence in a corporate giant, they spill all. Plus, we dive into LinkedIn’s influencer glow-up, Meta’s new ad features, and the AI cat that hijacked Quinta Brunson’s feed.

 Want to get all this content and MORE in person? Then you need to be at Creator Economy Live East, heading to NYC August 5-6. Use code CELPOD20 for 20% off your ticket, and the first 500 brands go free! 

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 In this special episode of Creator Economy Live, hosts Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan are joined by not one but two powerhouse guests—Ali Kaltman and Janna Ninekin from Gruns, the brand that’s been taking over your social feed. They dive deep into how Gruns crafts scroll-stopping content, builds measurable impact through influencer marketing, and structures a high-performing team. Plus, the duo explores the evolving revenue models for creators, how community drives long-term success, and the creator-brand partnerships changing the game. And of course, don’t miss this week’s standout creators, brands, and follows. 

Want to get all this content and MORE in person? Then you need to be at Creator Economy Live East, heading to NYC August 5-6. Use code CELPOD20 for 20% off your ticket, and the first 500 brands go free!

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On this episode of Creator Economy Live, we’re joined by the one and only Mike Diva—the creative powerhouse directing some of Saturday Night Live’s most unforgettable digital shorts. From viral YouTube hits to high-gloss SNL sketches, Mike has built a career on chaotic brilliance, razor-sharp satire, and mind-blowing VFX.

Hosts Brendan Gahan and Keith Bendes chat with Mike about breaking into the industry, maintaining his distinct visual voice in mainstream media, how the SNL gig came to be, and what creators and brands alike can learn from sketch comedy’s golden formula.

Plus: AI in the creator world, YouTube vs. TV, and why Chili’s deserves your respect.

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Recorded live at Shack15 in San Francisco, this episode of Creator Economy Live brings the heat with our very special guest, Marina Mogilko — co-founder of LinguaTrip.com and the creator behind Linguamarina and Silicon Valley Girl, with a combined digital audience of over 17 million.

Hosts Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan catch up on the latest news in the creator space — including the looming TikTok ban, new YouTube Shorts updates, and why Gen Z is leaning harder into creator content than traditional media.

Then we dive deep with Marina:
- How she built not one, but three 7-figure YouTube channels
- Her journey from immigrant entrepreneur to edtech founder
- Why Slow Ventures bet on her—and how she's now betting on herself again with a new snack brand for kids
- Plus, her current revenue mix and what she sees coming next

Stick around for our Creator & Brand of the Week segment, shoutouts to Will Smith's creator collab marathon and Saratoga Water’s viral moment, and a nod to political creator-turned-candidate Kat Abughazaleh.

Don’t forget to subscribe and check the bio for links to our Creator Economy Insider newsletter and details on the next Creator Economy Live event in Vegas!

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Join hosts Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan on the latest episode of Creator Economy Live, where they dive into the ever-evolving world of influencer marketing. This week, they sit down with James Del, the visionary behind Passionfruit, a platform pushing boundaries in the creator space. With a career spanning Gawker, Tao Group, and numerous leadership roles, James shares his journey, marketing insights, and the key trends shaping the industry. From SXSW's creator palooza to the rise of Linkedfluencers and the $10 billion influencer marketing spend forecasted for 2025, this episode is packed with essential knowledge for anyone in the creator economy. Plus, don’t miss the Creator & Brand of the Week picks and a look at the latest industry buzz!

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Welcome back to Creator Economy Live, your go-to podcast for everything influencer marketing and the creator economy. Hosts Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan are back with another exciting episode, bringing you the latest in the world of media, creators, and everything in between.

First, a huge thank you to our incredible sponsors at Linqia and the amazing production team over at Creator Economy Live.

In this episode, we’re joined by Foster Kamer, a long-time friend, writer, editor, photographer, and media strategist. Foster’s work has been featured in The New York Times, The Washington Post, New York Magazine, and more. He’s also an OG Gawker alum and now serves as Editorial Director at Futurism, where he’s shaping the future of media. He’s been anthologized in The Best American Food Writing and regularly shares his insights on his Substack, FosterTalk. If you’re a regular listener, you’ve probably heard us mention him before!

Foster joins us to discuss the evolution of media, the intersection of traditional and emerging media, and what it’s like to navigate the changing landscape as a creator.

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In this episode of Creator Economy Live, hosts Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan catch up on the latest trends in influencer marketing and the creator economy. They dive into March Madness NIL deals, TikTok’s latest updates, and Amazon shutting down Inspire. Plus, they discuss Instagram's new ad format, YouTube’s AI Shorts integration, and more.

The episode features a conversation with Adam Ornelas, Influencer Lead at DoorDash, who shares his experience working with major brands like Coinbase, Chipotle, and Whole Foods. Adam talks about his approach to influencer marketing, real-time partnerships, and the skyrocketing influencer rates. He also discusses his role in major brand activations like the Super Bowl and shares insights on the evolving creator economy landscape.

Wrapping up with the Creator of the Week and Brand of the Week, Keith and Brendan highlight top creators and innovative brands shaping the space.

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Welcome back to Creator Economy Live, your go-to source for all things influencer marketing. This week in episode 54, Keith Bendes and Brendan Gahan break down the latest trends, including record-breaking NIL deal spending, the rise of performance-driven influencer marketing, and how YouTube has overtaken mobile as the top way people watch content.

We also celebrate 20 years of YouTube, exploring how it reshaped media and made creators more influential than traditional celebrities. Then, we’re joined by Kim Larson, Global MD & Head of YouTube Creators, who shares insights on why brands still prioritize Instagram and TikTok, the battle between long-form and short-form content, and where YouTube is headed next.

To wrap up, we highlight Khaby Lame as our Creator of the Week and Dunkin’ as our Brand of the Week for their standout Super Bowl and Grammy campaigns.