Creator Upload

Lauren has just returned from SXSW (and announced a new role!) and is here with Josh to spill all the details on the creator front from the marathon conference. Then: creators are usurping TV ad dollars via their own version of Upfronts, and MrBeast's investor deck leaks additional detail about his various businesses. Plus: the biggest creator charity event of the year just happened in the UK, and it crushed. Here's more detail on what we covered this week:Lauren's got a new gig!SXSW behind the scenes: 6 topics everyone was debating in TV, film, and the creator economyTop YouTube Creators to Hold Their Own Upfront Event in Bid for TV Ad DollarsCreators are making premium shows on their channels, so Spotter is giving them their own upfront - TubefilterMrBeast's investor pitch deck shows why he's shifting his focus to Beast Industries - TubefilterSnap introduces AI Video Lenses powered by its in-house generative model | TechCrunchInstagram is sliding into your DMs with 20 new features - TubefilterInstagram Has Launched Over 20 New DM Features Recently: CHART - Business InsiderSidemen soccer match raises £4.7 million for charity, cements its legacy as top-tier creator entertainment - Tubefilter Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK

Josh rediscovers crochet and Lauren teases SXSW. Meanwhile, YouTube is leaning harder than ever into its premium era, and creators are scrambling to polish their content offerings to match.Here's more detail on what we covered today:YouTube brings its more affordable ‘Premium Lite’ subscription to the US | The VergeYouTube's Premium Lite tier arrives, providing cheaper access to ad-free viewing - Tubefilter YouTube wants to use its dominance on TV screens to sell more premium subscriptions - TubefilterHow YouTubers are adapting their businesses to cash on a TV gold rushThe True Costs of Being on YouTube - by carla lalli musicTwitter Co-Founder Ev Williams Is Building Another Social Network Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK

Lauren and Josh are finally back in the studio together, just in time for MrBeast to claim his business should be valued at $5 billion. Elsewhere, Alex Cooper dumps Alix Earle as the latter leaves Unwell, YouTube takes over the podcast crown, and Crime Junkie cashes in (though with over $40 million of annual profit...why?). All that, plus Reels might go standalone. Lots to cover!Here's more detail on what we discussed today:YouTube Star MrBeast Is Raising Money at a $5 Billion ValuationMrBeast Admits He Lost A Lot Of Money On 'Beast Games': "I Lost Tens Of Millions Of Dollars On That Show. I'm An Idiot."YouTube's podcasts now reach one billion users per month - TubefilterYouTube's next anti-ad blocker move? Introduce cheaper Premium - TubefilterInstagram May Launch Reels as Separate App, Increasing Pressure on TikTok — The InformationAlix Earle’s ‘Hot Mess’ Podcast Dropped by Alex Cooper’s Unwell Network (EXCLUSIVE)Alix splits from Alex: Earle dropped from Cooper's Unwell Network - Tubefilter'Crime Junkie' Host Ashley Flowers Raises $40 Million to Build Podcasting Empire - BloombergThe most popular podcaster not named Joe Rogan is building a $250 million true crime network - Tubefilter Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK

This week, Josh welcomes special guest cohost Billy Parks. Billy is a Venture Partner at Slow Ventures, which recently announced a $60 million fund for creators. On the show, we discuss the landscape of creator brands through the investor lens -- and also take a look at some headlines for the week, including the NikeSKIMS announcement and a peculiar case of true crime, fake content.Here's more detail on what we covered this week:Follow Billy Parks on LinkedIn.Slow Ventures announces $60 million fund to back creator businesses in "high value verticals" - TubefilterYouTube shuts down "true crime" channel that was all AI lies - TubefilterNIKE, Inc. and SKIMS Introduce New B  rand for Women: NikeSKIMSHow a computer that 'drunk dials' videos is exposing YouTube's secrets Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK

This week, Lauren is joined by special cohost Jamie Gutfreund (Forbes; Creator Vision) to look back at 20 years of YouTube through the lens of their 2025 letter from CEO Neal Mohan. Then: Netflix pursues podcasters, Poppi tarte-d at the Super Bowl, and Buzzfeed invests in hopecore via a new social media platform.Here's more detail on what we covered this week:Follow Jamie Gutfreund on LinkedIn!Jamie covers the creator economy on Forbes -- more here.More on Creator Vision here.From the YouTube CEO: Our big bets for 2025Neal Mohan says YouTube is the new TV--and creators are the new Hollywood - TubefilterDespite YouTube's investment in Shorts, viewers are gravitating toward long-form video - TubefilterFebruary 14 marks the 20th anniversary of YouTube's founding - TubefilterYouTube and Spotify want to be video podcast kings. But they might have a new challenger: Netflix. - TubefilterNetflix is eyeing video podcasts and once courted 'Call Her Daddy' star Alex CooperBuzzFeed to launch new social media platform called BF IslandDuolingo Owl Dies—But ‘The Dead Internet Theory’ Lives OnPoppi sent vending machines to influencers — and it majorly backfiredCelebrities Protest Kanye West in Fake AI Video; Scarlett Johansson Makes Statement Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK

It’s a rare occurrence that Josh and Lauren are in the same place — BUT, they come together today during SoCom 2025 to hit us with all the hot creator economy goss. Headlines include: YouTube’s Community push and creators at the Super Bowl.Hike!Here are the main headlines for the week:YouTube wants creators and fans closer than ever with its new Communities update - TubefilterCreators are ruling Super Bowl advertising. Doritos brought back a classic contest to get in on the fun. - TubefilterKhaby Lame vows to "see all the world and its problems" as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador - Tubefilter Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK

Josh and Lauren are back in the studio! Major news for today: Meta is balling out on creators (again), the NFL is giving more content access to its legends, and Trump-favoring creators will now have a path to gain White House credentials.This episode is sponsored by Memberful. Memberful is a best-in-class membership software that empowers creators to build customized membership businesses. Creators can generate reliable recurring revenue, all while fostering meaningful connections with their audiences. Get started for free; no credit card required. Link: https://tbfltr.co/tfmf25Here are links to more detail about what we discussed this week:Leaked Instagram Contracts Reveal What It's Paying Creators for Reels - Business InsiderInstagram gives creators more insight into their reels' performance | TechCrunchCreators are getting thousands of new followers by posting Trial Reels. Was that Instagram's plan all along? - TubefilterThe NFL is turning ex-players into "media moguls" on YouTube - TubefilterNFL Lets Former Players Tap Its Video Archive for YouTube PostsTrump administration to creators: "You will be allowed to apply for press credentials to this White House." - TubefilterThe Second Trump Presidency, Brought to You by YouTubersYouTube cozies closer to the NFL, replacing TikTok as Super Bowl tailgate sponsor - Tubefilter Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK

This week, Josh is joined by special cohost Kaya Yurieff. Kaya is Team Leader for the Creator Economy beat at The Information, and originally scooped the news that TikTok would be shutting down ahead of its supposed ban. Now that the ban has been delayed for 75 days, Kaya joins the show to talk about what happens now.Here's what we discussed:Follow Kaya Yurieff on LinkedIn!Kaya's profile on The Information.Inauguration Day’s Trump-Tech ExtravaganzaThese Influencers Helped Get Trump Elected. Now They're Ready to PartyLet’s Make a Deal—for TikTok — The InformationU.S. TikTok Employees Flee to Meta, Google — The InformationInstagram Courts TikTok Creators With Big Cash Bonuses — The Information‘The vibes were off’: How half a day without TikTok changed everythingTrump signs order delaying TikTok ban: What happens now? Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK

We welcome Lauren back to the studio for the closing days of social media's most impactful app of the last 10 years. TikTok is set to shut down on Sunday January 19, and we're here to discuss it. Plus: the tech elite are cozying to Trump's ways, and Ms. Rachel's empire grows.Here's what we covered today:TikTok reportedly plans ‘immediate’ Sunday shutdown in the US if it’s banned - The VergeSenators who passed the TikTok ban are realizing a lot of people won't like it - TubefilterTikTok ban: Sen. Markey tries to give a 270 day extension - The VergeThe TikTok ban might give "Chinese Instagram" the opening it needs to break into the U.S. - TubefilterWhy TikTok Users Are Downloading ‘Red Note,’ the Chinese App - The New York TimesWill YouTube be the new TikTok? It's pushing longer Shorts and more creation tools - TubefilterTech advocates and celebs are mad at Mark Zuckerberg, so they're raising $30 million to build a social network he can't control - TubefilterInside Mark Zuckerberg’s Sprint to Remake Meta for the Trump Era - The New York TimesNetflix wants to keep pace with YouTube among toddlers, so it struck a deal with Ms. Rachel - Tubefilter Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK

Today Josh is joined by temporary co-host Adam Conner (long-time producer of Creator Upload). We kick off 2025 with a few major headlines about ad networks rising to compete with YouTube and big fact check changes at Meta...oh, and by the way, a huge YouTube star has returned.New year, same us!Here's what we covered today:There are many ways to contribute to victims of the LA Fires. One mentioned on today's show is via Airbnb. More on that here.Comcast just made a platform to "steal" ad dollars from YouTube - TubefilterHoney's business model is "an adpocalypse all day every day" for creators. LegalEagle just filed a class action suit to get them paid. - TubefilterIs the Honey influencer marketing scam an isolated incident or a sign of a bigger problem? - TubefilterMeta axes fact-checking program, is working with Trump administration to "promote free expression" - TubefilterMeta’s Fact-Checking Reversal Ups Ante for YouTube — The InformationDavid Dobrik is vlogging on YouTube again - TubefilterNick DiGiovanni is trying a new recipe for YouTube content - TubefilterCaleb Pressley and Glenny Balls leave Barstool and take Sundae Conversation with them - DexertoTikTok Shop Rival Whatnot Raises Funds at $5 Billion Valuation - Bloomberg If you liked producer Adam on the show, follow him here. Creator Upload Socials:YOUTUBEINSTAGRAMTIKTOK