Earned: Unlocking the Power of the Creator Economy

REPLAY - In Ep. 68 of Earned, we sit down with beauty industry veteran Ken Landis. Ken has a proven track record of success, co-founding some of today's top beauty brands, including Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, TULA Skincare, and DIBS Beauty. To begin the episode, Ken reveals the core characteristics of a successful beauty brand, emphasizing the importance of a focused distribution strategy and unpacking his mantra of "narrow and deep." He explains why Bobbi Brown Cosmetics started out in the '90s by being "laser focused" on high-end specialty retail stores, and prioritized winning market share in the few doors they were in, rather than maximizing distribution. We then dive into TULA, and Ken shares why the skincare brand launched with a digital-first, influencer-centric strategy, which quickly paved a path to profitability. We explore the difficulties of building a brand identity through retail compared to DTC, and Ken unpacks the differences in marketing a color cosmetics brand versus a skincare brand. We then discuss how the creator economy has evolved over the years, and how DIBS and Tula approach organic relationships versus paid partnerships with influencers. To close the show, Ken details the key factors that have attracted him to invest in a variety of companies, from beauty to tech to art to cannabis, before sharing his philosophies on effective leadership. In this episode, you will learn: How to build a brand identity that stands out in a crowded market Strategies for leveraging organic relationships and paid partnerships with influencers Key characteristics that investors look for in a brand Key Takeaways [02:47] The core elements of a successful beauty company [11:40] How digital marketing has evolved since Ken began in the industry [14:40] Utilizing influencer marketing to expand brand awareness [16:45] Common mistakes brands make in retail [22:43] Key qualities Ken looks for when investing in companies Resources: Bobbi Brown Cosmetics TULA DIBS Beauty Connect with the Guest: Ken's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ken-landis-88b7423/ Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In Ep. 86 of Earned, Conor sits down with 24 year-old wunderkind, public speaker, and entrepreneur Ziad Ahmed, the founder and CEO of Gen Z agency JUV Consulting. We start the episode by learning how Ziad, who was featured in Forbes' 30 Under 30 at just 19 years old, unintentionally became an entrepreneur while launching JUV Consulting seven years ago, before hearing his aspirations for the next decade. We dive into the story behind JUV, and Ziad explains that he started the company because he was tired of people talking about Gen Z but not to Gen Z, and how JUV's mission is to give diverse young people a seat at the table. We then hear the challenges of being taken seriously as a young entrepreneur, and how the company has more than proved itself through its impressive campaign results and word-of-mouth praise. Next, we get Ziad's thoughts on Gen Alpha, and why he's sensitive to not speak for them, but is looking forward to welcoming members of the younger generation to his team in order to serve that demographic. Conor and Ziad share their experiences scaling up younger companies, and Ziad emphasizes the importance of "emotional labor." To close the show, we explore the pandemic's impact on different generations, particularly Gen Z, and Ziad shares his best advice for effective public speaking. Resources: JUV Consulting Connect with the Guest(s): Ziad Ahmed's LinkedIn Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In our 85th episode of Earned, we're joined by Alicia Yoon, founder and CEO of fast-growing Korean skincare brand Peach & Lily. With her second child on the way, Alicia shares her approach to balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood, emphasizing the importance of prioritization. We then dive into Peach & Lily's origin story, and Alicia reveals why she was inspired to pivot her career away from the corporate world—with previous experience at Boston Consulting Group and Goldman Sachs—and focus on her passion: bringing Korean skincare products and practices to the U.S. We learn why Peach & Lily, which started as a K-beauty retailer, decided to launch its own line of skin products in 2018, as well as how its second brand, Peach Slices, complements without cannibalizing. Next, we discuss what it's like to work with your spouse, while Alicia explains why 2020 was the right time to raise funding and bring Sandbridge Capital aboard as a partner to the brand. We then explore Peach & Lily's rapid climb up the EMV rankings, and Alicia breaks down Peach Slices' successful Spot Dot campaign to illustrate how influencer marketing fits into the brand's broader marketing strategies, and how creators are the key to driving sustained growth. In this episode, you will learn: Why prioritization is key to balancing entrepreneurship and motherhood The origin story behind Peach & Lily Why influencer marketing needs to fit into your brand's broader marketing strategies Resources: Peach & Lily Connect with the Guest: Alicia Yoon's LinkedIn Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In Ep. 84 of Earned, we chat with James Nord, former Tumblr star, podcast host, and founder and CEO of ambassador marketing company Fohr. We start by learning the origin story behind Fohr's most well-known program, developed in partnership with Sephora: the Sephora Squad. James explains why the program was built on creators' genuine passion for beauty over follower size, and shares the company's motto: "don't spend good money on fake love." Next, we dive into the evolution of the influencer marketing industry over the last decade, and James reveals why he believes that creator content will be the future of brand communications. Conor and James discuss the thrill of pioneering a new industry, before talking about their leadership philosophies during times of growth and uncertainty. We then pivot to discuss James' past as a successful Tumblr influencer, and hear how the challenge of connecting with brands inspired the concept behind Fohr. In this episode, you will learn: The origin story behind the Sephora Squad Why creator content is the future of brand communications How leadership style evolves with company growth Resources: Fohr Connect with the Guest(s): James Nord's LinkedIn Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In Ep. 83 of Earned, we're joined by Jeremy Lowenstein, Chief Marketing Officer at cult-favorite mass beauty brand Milani. We start by learning how Jeremy broke into the beauty industry with a college internship at Estée Lauder, and why he's remained in the industry ever since. We then examine Milani's recent success on social, and Jeremy shares how the brand has invested even more deeply in developing relationships with creator partners. Next, we discuss how Milani has been dubbed a "dupe" for many of its prestige counterparts. Jeremy explains why the brand embraces this title, and celebrates its ability to bring prestige-quality products to the mass consumer. We explore the success of Milani's recent #GRWMilani campaign, before Jeremy reveals why he wanted to transition out of large corporations and into the indie beauty landscape. To close the show, we talk through the challenges and opportunities of the short-form video revolution, and Jeremy shares his take on shifting toward "creator-led marketing." In this episode, you will learn: 1. How developing deeper relationships with creators has fueled a surge in Milani's EMV 2. Why Milani embraces being called a "dupe" for prestige brands 3. Jeremy's take on creator-led marketing Resources: Milani Cosmetics Connect with the Guest(s): Jeremy Lowenstein's LinkedIn Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In Ep. 82 of Earned, Conor sits down with author, professor, Emmy-nominated TV producer, and media industry expert David Craig. As a clinical professor at USC's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, David's research focuses on "Social Media Entertainment" and the rise of "Creator Culture." To start the show, we ask David about the looming threat of a TikTok ban in the U.S., and he shares his views on how the U.S. government can and should regulate social media platforms responsibly. Next, we dive deeper into David's area of expertise—Creator Culture—and he unpacks the driving forces behind the industry's recent evolution. We explore the growing number of business models creators can use to earn revenue, as well as the growing number of job opportunities within the social media and creator landscape, leading to a thought-provoking discussion around how Creator Culture will shape the future of labor. Conor and David then share their own experiences and learnings from testing their power as creators on social platforms. To close the show, David gives us a look inside his research and writing process, and reveals what book he's working on next! In this episode, you will learn: What "Creator Culture" is, and how it has evolved over the last decade How governments can manage social media platforms responsibly Takeaways from Conor's and David's experiences testing their own power as creators Resources: Creator Culture Social Media Entertainment: The New Intersection of Hollywood and Silicon Valley Wanghong as Social Media Entertainment in China Connect with the Guest(s): David Craig's LinkedIn Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In Ep. 81 of Earned, Conor chats with Dr. Jason Wersland, founder and Chief Wellness Officer of tech wellness brand Therabody. We start by unpacking Jason's background, and hear how he transitioned from construction worker to chiropractor. Next, Jason shares how his painful recovery from a motorcycle accident inspired the invention of the cult-favorite Theragun, the hand-held, percussive massage therapy device beloved by athletes and regular folks alike. We learn how the Theragun struggled at first to gain traction among fellow chiropractors and physical therapists, until the "Kyrie moment" from the 2016 NBA finals skyrocketed the product's sales overnight, cementing Theragun as a mainstay in the professional sporting world and beyond. We then take a step back, and Jason tells us the interesting story of how he first met Ben Nazarian, Therabody's co-founder and former CEO, before explaining why the Theragun is "not just for athletes," having earned endorsements (and investments) from celebrities like Karlie Kloss and Kevin Hart. To close the show, Jason emphasizes how fostering relationships built on trust and support has inspired word-of-mouth hype, "the best kind of advertising we have," and reveals the core principles that guide his business and way of life. In this episode, you will learn: How professional athletes turned the Theragun into a global sensation Why word-of-mouth is "the best advertising" Therabody has The principles that guide Dr. Jason's life and business Resources: Therabody Connect with the Guest(s): Dr. Jason Wersland's LinkedIn Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In our 80th episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Adrienne Lahens, the Global Head of Operations for Creator Marketing Solutions at the world's hottest social platform: TikTok. We start the episode by diving into Adrienne's role, and she explains what the TikTok Creator Marketplace is, and how it serves creators, brands, agencies, and influencer marketing platforms like CreatorIQ (wink). We then discuss why TikTok invests so heavily in the creator ecosystem, and why Adrienne believes creator-led marketing is "changing the face of marketing" and driving consumer purchasing decisions. Next, Adrienne shares some examples of unexpected yet effective influencer marketing campaigns on TikTok, before unpacking the importance of a data-first approach for branded content at scale. We learn why Adrienne joined the TikTok team in 2021, and explore how the ever-popular platform has maintained its staying power in a world where most new social media sites fail. To close the show, Adrienne shares her predictions for where the social and content landscape is headed on TikTok and beyond. In this episode, you will learn: Why TikTok invests heavily in the creator economy Why Adrienne believes the most effective marketing is creator-led Adrienne's predictions for the future of the social and content landscape Key Takeaways: 0:45 What the TikTok Creator Marketplace is 2:12 Why TikTok invests heavily in the Creator Economy 7:24 How creators are changing the face of marketing 19:55 Why TikTok works with partners like CreatorIQ 24:44 Why TikTok has stood the test of time 30:30 Adrienne's predictions for the future of the social and content landscape Resources: TikTok Creator Marketplace Connect with the Guest(s): Adrienne Lahens's LinkedIn Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In Ep. 79 of Earned, we sit down with Adam Ross, CEO of leading affiliate marketing platform Awin. To start, Adam explains what affiliate marketing is, and how Awin helps connect companies to affiliate partners with engaged consumer audiences. We discuss why affiliate marketing is relevant to any industry, and Adam reveals how Awin is working to unite the influencer and affiliate marketing industries for a more seamless experience. We hear how Awin competes with social platforms' native affiliate marketing programs, as well as giants like Amazon and Shopify, by providing superb opportunities and customer service to their affiliate partners. Next, we switch gears and talk through the growing pains involved in building a company with over a thousand employees, and hear how Awin successfully brought several acquisitions into the fold. We discuss the challenge of balancing company growth with profitability, before Adam shares his experience transitioning from COO to CEO. To close the show, we learn how Awin has cultivated such a positive company culture, and why Adam supports a four-day work week. In this episode, you will learn: What affiliate marketing is, and why it's relevant to any industry How to scale a company thoughtfully and sustainably The power of promoting a positive company culture as CEO Key Takeaways: 2:50 - 8:20 What affiliate marketing is, and the sectors that benefit the most from it 9:22 - 11:56 How Awin aims to make affiliate marketing easier for creators 28:05 - 31:22 The challenge of balancing company growth and profitability 34: 27 - 38:02 How Awin cultivates a positive company culture Resources: AWIN Connect with the Guest(s): Adam Ross's LinkedIn Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ

In Ep. 78 of Earned, Conor sits down with Sean Harrington, co-founder and CEO of luxury skincare brand Elemis. We start the episode by hearing how Sean's relationship with his co-founders has evolved over the last three decades, and the unique skill set that each of them brings to the table. We then ask Sean about his core business learnings and tenets, and he explains why a positive mindset, talented people, and a willingness to take risks are all key factors in building a successful brand. Sean also emphasizes how the fear of failure "does not breed success," and why he empowers his team to test and learn. Next, we talk about Elemis' strategies to cut through the noise in today's saturated beauty market. Sean shares why the brand invested heavily in influencer marketing early on, and how loosening up on the brand codes and giving influencers creative freedom helped Elemis establish an authentic community. To close the show, we discuss how being acquired by the L'Occitane Group has helped Elemis break into the APAC market, and hear the brand's vision for worldwide domination (the good kind). In this episode, you will learn: Why Sean empowers his team at Elemis to take risks and test and learn How Elemis cut through the noise and found relevance in a saturated market Why Elemis leaned into influencer marketing to evolve as a business Key Takeaways: 3:35: How Sean's relationships with his co-founders Noella and Oriele have evolved over the last 30 years 8:26: Sean's core business learnings and philosophies 14:12 Why fear of failure does not breed success, and the importance of a test-and-learn culture 15:53: How Elemis cut through the noise and found relevance in a saturated market 26:09: Why Elemis leaned heavily into influencer marketing early on Resources: Elemis Website Connect with the Guest(s): Sean Harrington's LinkedIn Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor's LinkedIn - @conormbegley CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - @TribeDynamics CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ