Next in Creator Media spoke with Cristina Lawrence, EVP of Consumer & Content Experience at Razorfish about the march toward more TV-like seasons for many top creators, and whether this is making it easier to move ad dollars over from TV. Lawrence also talked about TikTok's future, who might grab the social commerce mantle, and whether Joe Rogan is a podcaster or a YouTuber.

Takeaways:

Long-Form Content is Winning the Creator Economy

• Platforms like YouTube are shifting towards structured, episodic content (e.g., video podcasts, multi-part series).
• Creators are becoming media networks, with brands integrating organically into their content strategies.

Creators Are the New Media Networks

• Influencers now function as full-scale media companies, reaching highly engaged audiences.
• Brands must approach them as partners, not just ad placements.

The Rise of Creator-Led Brand Partnerships

• Mega-creators like MrBeast, Hailey Bieber, and Charli D’Amelio are launching their own DTC (direct-to-consumer) brands.
• These businesses succeed when they align authentically with the creator’s identity.

Social Commerce is Gaining Traction, but Still Evolving

• Platforms like TikTok Shops and Amazon Live are making inroads in live shopping.
• However, U.S. adoption lags behind Asia, where live shopping is deeply integrated into culture.

Micro-Influencers & Niche Creators Are Essential

• Brands are shifting to micro-influencers for more targeted, authentic engagement.
• Agencies use AI-powered discovery tools (e.g., Publicis' Influential) to identify high-performing niche creators.

The TikTok Uncertainty & the Future of Short-Form Video

• If TikTok were to disappear, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels could fill the gap.
• However, each platform serves distinct user behaviors, with YouTube favored for long-form content.

Guest: Cristina Lawrence

Host: Mike Shields

Sponsor: VuePlanner

Producer: FEL Creative