Creator Economy Live

Send us a textFor 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.

Send us a textLive 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.

Sam Parr, co-host of My First Million and founder of Hampton, shares his journey from a college hot dog stand to fostering robust communities for creators. He dives into topics like the importance of authenticity in marketing, the challenges and triumphs of the newsletter landscape, and the evolving role of influencers in digital spaces. Parr highlights the strategies of standout creators like MrBeast, debates TikTok's uncertain future, and discusses the importance of community over traditional influencer tactics in today's creator economy.

Send us a textThis 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. 

Send us a textWant 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.

Send us a textFrom 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. 

Send us a textWant 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 brandsHow Newell approaches influencer marketing at scaleThe KPIs Melanie really cares aboutWhat she’d create content about if she were an influencerPlus: 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.

Send us a textKeith 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.

Send us a textEnjoying 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 showsPlus, 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.

Send us a textToilet 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!