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Are B2B creators the future of the creator economy? We sit down with Alex Josephson, VP of Brandworks at LinkedIn, in the wake of its NewFronts presentation earlier this spring. He shares insights into the Top Voices 360 program and reveals that LinkedIn has tripled creator payouts over the last year. Also today: YouTube's Coachella station initiative, Justin Bieber's cred as a YouTuber, headlines today vs in 2013 (shout out AOL), and YouTube's new Shorts timer. 00:00 Welcome to Creator Upload 00:20 YouTube Coachella Station Initiative 02:33 Justin Bieber's Coachella Performance 07:05 Is Bieber a True YouTuber? 10:37 Interview: LinkedIn's Alex Josephson 11:10 CEOs as Content Creators 14:28 The Rise of B2B Creators 16:02 LinkedIn NewFronts and Top Voices 22:06 Scaling Impact for Brands 28:53 Tripling LinkedIn Creator Payouts 30:12 Follower Count vs Real Influence 33:46 Connected TV Ads on LinkedIn 37:02 Hollywood on YouTube vs AOL 44:22 YouTube Shorts Timer Update 45:47 Wrap Up 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

OpenAI just bought a creator company (TBPN) for reportedly over $100M. What does this mean for the future of the creator economy? Guest co-host Avi Gandhi, founder of Creator Access Network (CAN), joins Josh to break down the biggest news of the week. Also: we dive into how NASA is streaming the Artemis II moon mission like a top-tier creator, and YouTube's aggressive push into living room TVs. Plus, Avi shares the story behind his Creator Access Network, which is designed to save creators money on their essential business tools. What you’ll learn: -- Why NASA is pulling 10 million concurrent viewers -- How YouTube is battling Meta and TikTok for "second screen" attention -- Why brands acquiring creators could be the next massive industry trend -- How the Creator Access Network helps creators save thousands on tech Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, usually hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen. Thanks again to Avi for serving as special guest co-host today. 00:00 Introduction and Avi Gandhi returns 01:01 NASA’s massive Artemis II livestream 05:01 YouTube dominates living room TV screens 08:06 The battle for the second screen 14:15 OpenAI acquires tech talk show TBPN 19:10 The future of creator company acquisitions 26:13 Launching Creator Access Network (CAN) 30:47 Creator Access Network pricing and perks 36:02 IShowSpeed stars in new anime series 40:50 Final Thoughts 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 episode, Lauren and Josh break down YouTube's unprecedented move at their NewFronts presentation, where executives directly called out competitors like TikTok and Meta by name. We also explore TikTok’s brilliant new in-app integration with Cameo. Plus, we dive into Instagram’s new premium subscription and discuss whether brands funding their own web series is the next major wave of the creator economy. What you’ll learn: -- Why YouTube is urging advertisers to shift their social media budgets for an 86% higher ROI. -- How US creators can now sell and fulfill Cameo videos without ever leaving the TikTok app. -- The hidden perks of Instagram Plus, including anonymous story viewing and extended 48-hour story lifespans. -- Why major brands like Adobe and Crocs are funding the renaissance of branded web series. 00:00 Intro & Passover Recaps 01:12 YouTube's NewFronts Announcements 01:50 YouTube Calls Out TikTok Onstage 03:14 Claiming an 86% Higher ROI 03:38 Is YouTube "Social Media"? 05:43 Shorts vs. TikTok Audience Overlap 06:39 The "Bring, Build, Boost" Strategy 08:28 The Rise and Fall of Cameo 10:24 Cameo Integrates Directly Into TikTok 11:46 TikTok’s New Integration Playbook 14:21 Instagram Tests Premium Subscriptions 16:01 Anonymous Stalking vs LinkedIn Premium 17:41 The Branded Web Series Renaissance 18:28 History of Brand-Funded Content 21:39 Outro & Where to Listen 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: we sit down with Tubi's Rich Bloom to break down their massive new partnership with TikTok. We dive into how they identify short-form talent like Kelon Campbell to create feature films, and how creators retain ownership of their IP. Plus, Josh gives us the inside scoop from the NewFronts in NYC. From LinkedIn's swanky party to YouTube's AI search announcements and the rise of shoppable TV. Finally, we discuss the monumental legal verdicts against Meta regarding algorithmic harm to youth and what it means for the future of social media. What you’ll learn: -- How Tubi and TikTok transition short-form stars to long-form content -- The inside details on IP ownership and revenue sharing for creators on Tubi -- The biggest trends from NewFronts, including shoppable TV and AI creator search -- What recent court rulings against Meta mean for the future of social algorithms 00:00 Welcome to Creator Upload 01:05 Rich Bloom on Tubi & TikTok 02:40 Terri Joe's Tubi Success 04:25 Picking Creators for Long-Form 07:40 IP Ownership & TikTok's Strategy 13:50 Tubi's Funding & Rev Share 16:16 Hollywood Meets Creator Content 22:07 NewFronts 2026 NYC Recap 28:36 Shoppable TV & AI Integration 34:18 Major Meta Lawsuit Verdicts 40:20 Will Algorithms Change? 43:28 Wrap Up & 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 episode of Creator Upload, Lauren and Josh break down the biggest trends straight out of SXSW 2026. We explore Phil Rosenthal moving his hit show from Netflix to YouTube, iHeartMedia's launch of TikTok Radio, and Google's new push into the micro-drama space. What you’ll learn: -- Inside Jon Youshaei’s creator "masterclass" approach -- Why creator communities are becoming the new "third space" -- How big Hollywood names are capitalizing on YouTube's growth 00:00 Recap of Josh at SXSW 2026 03:02 Jon Youshaei’s SXSW Keynote 06:01 The YouTube Influencer Opportunity 07:06 Creators as the New Third Space 10:00 SXSW Creator Events & Networking 13:23 Somebody Feed Phil Moves to YouTube 17:48 Will Netflix Add a Free Tier? 18:43 TikTok Radio Launches with iHeart 21:07 Google Enters the Micro-Drama Game 23:01 Final Thoughts 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

Today: a new era of "creator TV" and the rising trend of short-form "kidslop" content. Lauren and Josh Cohen break down Spotter's new pitch to media buyers, and dive into a new report from the Influencer Marketing Factory revealing the harsh realities of the creator middle class. Plus, Tubefilter's Sam Gutelle joins the show to explain the wild world of "kidslop" content -- IP soup, Roblox inspiration, and why Brazilian funk music is dominating the Gen Alpha algorithm. Finally, the hosts discuss Instagram's controversial new AI shopping feature and National Geographic's new creator cohort. What you’ll learn: -- How Spotter is defining the new "Creator TV" -- The staggering stats behind creator earnings in 2026 -- Why "kidslop" channels are getting billions of views on Shorts -- Why creators are angry about Instagram's "Shop the Look" test 00:00 Introduction & IRL encounters 00:52 Spotter Showcase & Creator TV 03:17 The stats behind Creator TV 06:52 How Spotter connects creators & brands 11:07 2026 Creator Economy Report 13:17 The truth about the creator middle class 17:51 Sam Gutelle explains "kidslop" 20:57 Funk music & the Gen Alpha algorithm 23:31 Opportunities for IP holders 27:48 Instagram's controversial AI shopping test 30:22 NatGeo's new creator cohort 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

Discover the future of social commerce directly from the experts at LTK, YouTube Shopping, and Gap Inc. Live from SoCom in sunny Venice, Lauren and Josh break down the shift from relevance to revenue in the creator economy. In this episode, we explore why follower counts are losing their weight, how affiliate marketing is evolving, and the ways legacy brands integrate social platforms into retail experiences. What you'll learn: -- Why social followers and subscribers don't matter anymore. -- How LTK's new brand platform is democratizing creator marketing. -- The massive impact of YouTube Shopping timestamps and auto-tagging. -- Gap Inc.'s omnichannel approach to capturing consumer demand. 00:00 Intro: Live from SoCom 05:13 Interview: Amber Venz Box (LTK) 09:08 Why Followers Don't Matter Anymore 16:41 Democratizing the Creator Ecosystem 20:26 AI Chatbots and Trust in Creators 25:46 Interview: Lauren Celinski (YouTube Shopping) 28:25 Maximizing YouTube Shopping Features 36:05 Interview: Damon Berger (Gap Inc.) 38:59 Gap’s Social Commerce Strategy 44:50 Final Thoughts and 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

Is live shopping the future of e-commerce? We sit down with Whatnot's VP of Categories and Expansion, Armand Wilson, to find out. You can see Whatnot's 2026 State of Live Selling Report here. We dive into the $10 billion live shopping phenomenon, exploring how the app generated over $8 billion in gross merchandise value in 2025. Plus, we break down the watershed social media addiction trial involving Meta and Google, and discuss Apple's huge move into video podcasts. What you’ll learn: -- How 1 in 8 Whatnot sellers are now operating on the platform full-time. -- The surprising details from Mark Zuckerberg's testimony regarding Instagram's age limits. -- Why Apple is finally bringing a video experience to its native podcast app. -- The latest on Snap creator subscriptions and Night's massive $70 million funding round. 00:00 Welcome & SoCom 04:08 The Live Shopping Boom 07:55 Why Buyers Love Whatnot 11:55 Full-Time Whatnot Sellers 14:30 $8 Billion in Gross Sales 17:37 The Community of Commerce 20:03 The Future of Live Shopping 22:23 Meta & Google Addiction Trial 28:30 TikTok & Snap Settle Out 32:44 Apple Launches Video Podcasts 38:00 Snap Creator Subscriptions 39:15 OpenAI Hires Charles Porch 40:02 Night Raises $70 Million 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 a historic creator economy move, a digital-first company has acquired a legacy cable network. We sit down with Rachel Stockman, President of Law & Crime, to break down their massive acquisition of Court TV and what it means for the future of media. What we cover in this episode: -- Why Law & Crime bought their biggest rival (and how they buried the hatchet). -- The strategy behind unlocking 3,000+ trials from the archives. -- Adam Mosseri’s testimony on social media addiction and his “TV show” comparison. -- New data: Why 120-minute videos are out-earning shorter content. -- MrBeast’s move into financial services. 00:00 Intro & The “Fake” Sky 01:04 Why 120-Minute Videos Earn More 02:06 Law & Crime Buys Court TV 03:24 Digital Media Flips the Script 04:52 Keeping the Brands Separate 05:52 The YouTube-First Strategy 07:07 From Rivals to Partners 09:21 Unlocking the Trial Archives 11:42 Social Media Addiction Lawsuits 12:48 Mosseri: “It’s Like a TV Show” 15:37 Meta’s New Navy SEAL Motto 16:24 The Global Push for Bans 17:11 Safety Ratings for Social Apps 18:59 MrBeast’s Financial Move 19:32 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 episode, we break down YouTube’s massive $60 billion revenue reveal and what it signals for the future of the creator economy. Plus, we dive into Markiplier’s Iron Lung shocking the box office. Plus, why Google and certain TV measurement agencies are quarreling. Tune in for: -- The $60 Billion Stat: Breaking down YouTube’s first-ever total revenue report. -- Markiplier vs. Hollywood: How Iron Lung pulled $18M+ on a $3M budget. -- TV Ratings Drama: Why Google sent a cease-and-desist to a major ratings agency. -- Big Creator Deals: Inside Dhar Mann’s Old Navy series and Salish Matter’s Netflix partnership. 00:00 Intro and Weather Chat 02:26 YouTube’s Massive $60 Billion Year 05:52 Why Shorts Ads Are Booming 10:28 The Google vs. TV Ratings Fight 15:16 Markiplier’s Historic Box Office Win 19:05 Can Any Creator Do This? 23:03 Dhar Mann’s Old Navy Deal 25:25 Salish Matter Heads to Netflix 26:45 Final Thoughts 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

It might be the biggest week in Dhar Mann’s history. From signing a massive 40-film deal with Fox to partnering with the NFL as their Chief Kindness Officer, Dhar Mann is rewriting the rules of the creator economy. In this episode, we sit down with Ross Habif, Chief Strategy Officer at Dhar Mann Studios, to break down exactly how these deals happened and what they mean for the future of vertical cinema. We also cover the other massive headlines from the week including the sale of TikTok’s US operations to Oracle, Khaby Lame's exit, and how creators are taking over off Broadway. What we cover: -- The "Crazy Week" Explained: Inside the 40-film deal with Fox & Holywater. -- NFL x Dhar Mann: What a "Chief Kindness Officer" actually does. -- Strategy Deep Dive: Why Dhar Mann chose Fox -- TikTok’s New Owner: What the Oracle sale means for your algorithm. -- The Creator (on) Stage: Madison Weaver on bringing creators to Broadway. 00:00 Intro: Super Bowl Plans & Football Banter 01:20 MrBeast x Salesforce: The "Build in Public" Super Bowl Ad 03:59 The Evolution of "Making Of" Content (Project Greenlight to YouTube) 07:47 Breaking: TikTok US Operations Sold to Oracle 10:53 What Beijing Still Controls (Algorithms & Ads) 11:52 Is the New "US TikTok" Suppressing Content? 17:00 Google & Meta Go on Trial for Child Safety 18:25 Interview: Ross Habif (Dhar Mann Studios) 18:43 Inside the 40-Film Deal with Fox & Holywater 24:44 Retaining 100% Creative Autonomy 25:04 Dhar Mann: The NFL's "Chief Kindness Officer" 26:47 Interview: Madison Weaver (The Creator Society) 27:25 From TikTok to Off-Broadway: The Story of "11 to Midnight" 34:11 Khaby Lame's $975 Million Business Move 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

Lauren and Josh sit down with Fixated co-founders Zach Katz and Jason Wilhelm to break down their massive $50 million raise from Eldridge. They discuss why the traditional management model is broken, how they are applying music industry tactics to creator content, and their recent acquisition of Ellify. Plus, we look at the latest earnings from Netflix and why they finally admit YouTube is their biggest competitor. What you’ll learn: -- The Netflix vs. YouTube War: Why Ted Sarandos is finally taking YouTube seriously as a "first screen" competitor. -- The Fixated Strategy: How Zach and Jason convinced Todd Boehly to invest $50 million -- Content vs. Brand Deals: Why management needs to help creators build hits, not just sell ads. -- From Creator to Exec: Jason Wilhelm’s advice on pivoting from on-camera talent to business mogul. -- Creator News: Highlights from the Slow Ventures event and Neil Mohan’s letter to creators, featuring "slop." 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

Interview starts at 10:48. Check out The Ultimate 2026 YouTube Creator Marketing Playbook here. In this episode, Lauren and Josh break down the "carcinization" of media (why Disney and others are turning into TikTok) and discuss YouTube’s strict new parental controls. Then, Arthur Leopold, CEO of Agentio, joins us to reveal The Ultimate 2026 YouTube Creator Marketing Playbook. He explains how they are automating creator integrations to finally unlock massive paid media budgets. What you’ll learn: -- Why everything is evolving into vertical video -- How Agentio automates buying creator ads like Facebook ads -- Why micro creators often convert better than macro stars -- How the gap between influencer budgets and paid media budgets is closing -- Kai Cenat's "retirement" -- Fixated's acquisition of the world's largest Roblox creator rep firm 00:00 Introduction 00:25 The Carcinization of Media 02:13 Disney & Others Copy TikTok 06:38 YouTube’s New Parental Controls 10:48 Arthur Leopold & Agentio 12:01 Automating Creator Ad Buys 15:25 The Impact of Long-Term Deals 18:25 Why YouTube Ads Last Longer 20:02 Micro vs. Macro Creators 23:14 Unlocking Paid Media Budgets 28:30 Fixated Acquires Ellify 32:00 Kai Cenat "Quits" the Grind 33:40 Golden Globes & Final Thoughts 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 episode, we sit down with Jordan Newman, Spotify’s Head of Content Partnerships, to break down the massive updates to the Spotify Partner Program. From lowered eligibility thresholds to video consumption payments that are beating advertising rates, Jordan explains how creators can stabilize their income in 2026. Plus, we dive into Adam Mosseri’s controversial take on why the "aesthetic" Instagram feed is dead and how AI is forcing a return to raw authenticity. It's 2026, so lean in and let's go. What you’ll learn: -- How to qualify for Spotify’s expanded monetization program. -- Why Spotify's "consumption-based" payouts are higher than traditional ads. -- The truth about the "AI vs. Authenticity" debate on social media. -- New tools for managing baked-in sponsorships on Spotify. 00:00 Teaser 00:26 It's 2026! 01:44 Stranger Things Theatrical Release 04:40 Is Hollywood Dying? 06:33 The End of the Perfect Feed 09:21 AI vs. Authenticity 13:41 Jordan Newman Interview 14:40 Spotify Partner Program Updates 16:57 New Eligibility Thresholds 18:15 How Consumption Payments Work 21:05 Solving Baked-In Ads 22:02 Breaking the Walled Garden 24:16 Spotify’s New Video Studio 25:38 Are Spotify RPMs Higher? 30:04 Video vs. Audio Advertising 35:06 Golden Globes Predictions 39:06 MrBeast x Starbucks 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

AUDIENCE SURVEY: https://bit.ly/creatoruploadsurvey The Oscars are leaving ABC for YouTube. Here is what that means for the future of Hollywood and the creator economy. In our final episode of 2025, Lauren and Josh break down the massive news that the Academy Awards are moving to YouTube in 2029. We analyze why this shift is happening, the history of the broadcast, and whether creators will finally get their moment on the red carpet. We discuss: -- Why the Oscars left ABC for YouTube -- Instagram Reels coming to your living room TV -- Our biggest predictions for the creator economy in 2026 -- New creator programs from Home Depot and Markiplier’s movie debut 00:00 Intro & 6th Anniversary Survey 01:09 Hanukkah Sweatshirts & Hannah Hart 02:57 Tyler Oakley & VidCon Story 05:35 Breaking News: Oscars Move to YouTube 08:24 The History of Oscars Distribution 12:49 Will Creators Take Over the Oscars? 16:15 YouTube VP’s Statement 17:22 Instagram Reels on Amazon Fire TV 20:40 Prediction: Brand Spend in 2026 22:51 Prediction: Media M&A Madness 24:10 Upload: Home Depot’s "Crew of Doers" 25:07 Upload: Markiplier’s Iron Lung Movie 26:00 2025 Sign Off 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