Creator Economy Live

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! 

Send us a text 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!

Send us a textOn 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.

Marina Mogilko, a content creator and entrepreneur with over 17 million followers, shares her remarkable journey from immigrant to edu-tech founder. She discusses how she built three thriving YouTube channels and her new venture into healthier snacks for kids. The conversation dives into the importance of community in the creator economy, challenges presented by TikTok's uncertain future, and innovative investment strategies in the creator space. With insights on balancing personal life and professional growth, Marina inspires aspiring creators and entrepreneurs alike.

Send us a textJoin 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!

Send us a textWelcome 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.

Send us a textIn 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.

Kim Larson, Global MD & Head of YouTube Creators at Google and former CMO at Jamba Juice and brand lead at Nike, dives into the evolving landscape of influencer marketing. She discusses why brands still lean towards Instagram and TikTok over YouTube despite its growth. The conversation explores the tension between long-form and short-form content, as well as innovative strategies like 'Creator Ads.' Larson emphasizes storytelling's role in marketing and how it shapes creator partnerships, making for an engaging peek into the future of digital content.

Send us a textLive from Creator Economy Live 2025 in Las Vegas, Keith & Brendan are joined by Jon Youshaei — former Instagram & YouTube insider turned full-time creator. After spending nearly a decade building creator teams at the biggest platforms, Jon took the leap to go solo. In this episode, he reveals why he left his dream job, how he landed interviews with icons like MrBeast, Logan Paul, Marques Brownlee, and Charli D’Amelio, and why he doubled down on high-quality production in a world of raw content. We also dive into the brand-creator paradox—should companies invest deeply in a few influencers or spread their bets? Plus, Jon shares his take on the battle between short-form vs. long-form content, why brands are still spending more on TikTok & Instagram despite YouTube's superior monetization, and some juicy behind-the-scenes stories from his biggest interviews.