Like every generation before them, Gen Z poses new challenges in how to reach them. So, how does their unique DNA lead brands and marketers to the world of gaming?  On today’s exciting episode, we’re getting an insider’s view into the gaming marketing universe with Tom Parry. Tom heads up Whalar’s new division, Umi Games, a gaming studio that builds immersive experiences and bridges the gap between brands and creators within Fortnite.  So fasten your seatbelts as we discuss the key to...

As a creator, how can you turn your audience into an empire? We're diving headfirst into the burning question on every aspiring creator's mind. This episode was recorded live at Vidcon Anaheim with three incredible creators who have cracked the code and taken their online presence to a whole new level! Whalar Talent Drew Afualo and Andrea Casanova and creator Sofie Dossi joined host extraordinaire Megan Frantz, Whalar’s Senior Talent Manager, who brings her unique insights and Creator Economy...

Why are younger generations rejecting idealized marketing? Because they crave authenticity! Today, Seth Matlins shares his insights on the importance of empathy and collaboration and how it all ties back to creators. As the Managing Director of the Forbes CMO Network, he is shaping the strategy for one of the most influential marketing communities worldwide. He’s also the force behind transformative initiatives like CVS's BeautyMark platform, the federal legislation for truth in advertising,...

Have you ever spiraled down the rabbit hole of trends and wondered if anyone is able to track them all?  In this episode, we’re talking with Kevin Allocca, Global Director of Culture and Trends at YouTube. A self-proclaimed professional nerd, Kevin has probably watched more YouTube videos than anyone in the world. He’s even written a book on YouTube’s most interesting trends and the impact of video on our culture.  His lifelong curiosity about why things work gives him a unique perspective on...

Have you ever wondered about the real impact of creator-driven campaigns?  Today, we are talking with Whalar’s own Gaz Aluishi, President of Measurement and Analytics, to deconstruct the media magic and reveal the game-changing data proving creators' monumental role in today's marketing landscape.  This year, Whalar commissioned Nielsen to conduct an extensive Media Mix Model analysis to show the contribution of creator content within the overall media mix. On today's episode, Gaz reveals...

What can you learn from TikTok about the evolution of multicultural marketing? As we navigate the ever-changing landscape, the conversation around multicultural marketing has shifted. The days of surface-level demographic targeting are behind us. Today's approach is all about understanding consumer behavior, intersectionality, and attitudes and, of course, creating long-term connections. On today’s episode, Jennifer Rivera-Vega delves into the secrets behind successful brand-creator...

Can waffles save the world? Today we’re speaking with Anouck Gotlib, CEO of Belgian Boys, as she delves into how a viral pancake video caught the company's eye and led to a new product. As creators of breakfast magic, Belgian Boys is a breakfast food and snack brand born out of nostalgia and on a mission to spark moments of happiness for consumers, especially during that first hour of the morning. For a young brand whose founders are creators, they have found their way into over 5 thousand...

In a volatile media landscape, the creator economy has surged, budgets are growing, creators are creating, and increasingly major brands are redirecting budgets to creator campaigns. As the industry evolves, visionary entrepreneurs and investors are building, buying, and selling businesses that will shape the future of the creator economy. Today, we talk with Ken Harrell, founder of merchant bank Pharus—he’s a trusted advisor guiding entrepreneurs, investors, and holding companies in raising...

Leading a successful business transformation is an art. On today's episode of Everything Is Better With Creators, we're speaking with Kristin Patrick, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer of Claire's, about how she took the company from ear piercing to world domination. What Kristen Patrick, as EVP and CMO, has achieved is truly a masterpiece, and she credits the team's success on listening and understanding what their consumers really want. In less than 18 months, Kristen and her team have...

Education is a fundamental human right, but it’s not always easy for everyone to access. The high cost of education, lack of resources, and socio-economic factors can make it difficult for some students to pursue their academic dreams. On today's episode, we'll discuss how the Creator Economy is making education more accessible to underrepresented students. Our guest is creator Vee Kativhu, an education activist, YouTube visionary, and motivational speaker using social platforms to help...

What do zombies, K-Pop, and gaming have in common?  Well, if you're Ned Sherman, Chief Business Affairs & Legal Officer at Skybound Entertainment (the home of the Walking Dead) and a partner in Goal Ventures, they have helped inform his approach to building incredible value from IP. Today, creators who understand how to build fandoms are operating in a golden era of opportunity, and Ned believes the creator economy has democratized the franchise Flywheel perfected by Disney, Apple, and...

On this episode of Everything Is Better With Creators, we’re speaking with Jaz O'Hara, Creator, podcaster, and founder of The Worldwide Tribe.  The Worldwide Tribe is an organization and online community dedicated to supporting and bringing attention to the plight of refugees and asylum seekers globally. Jaz and her team use social media to raise awareness and advocacy by providing an alternative narrative about the human side of migration, amplifying the voices of those impacted, and working...

In the 80s, we had superstar athletes, the 90s brought us supermodels, and actors and celebrities dominated the 2000s. But in this day and age, there’s a new breed of trailblazers - Creators. Joining us today on the podcast is the ingenious Benjamin Smith, Executive Creative Director of The Mayda Creative Co.  With a track record of producing wildly successful marketing campaigns for bigwigs like Google, the NFL, and Radiohead, Ben is a creative mastermind like no other. Together, we're...

There are three fundamental questions that every marketer should ask when crafting a campaign: Is it relevant?  Is it wonderful?  And is it unexpected? On this episode of Everything Is Better With Creators, we’re joined by Matt Kerbel, Director of Strategic Brand Planning at Turo, to share his insights on how to answer those questions and create campaigns that truly resonate.   Turo is the world's largest car-sharing platform. Think of it as Airbnb for cars. But more than that, Turo pays...

On this episode of  Everything is Better With Creators  we’re joined by talented creator, artist, and TV host Spartakus! With an incredible origin story, starting out as a young Queer Black boy watching Lady Gaga videos in Brazil's most diverse neighborhoods, Spartakus has become a renowned artist with works displayed at the National Gallery of Art and was named one of Forbes' 20 most innovative Black creators in Brazil. In today’s episode, we’ll learn how the internet changed Spartakus’...

It's the first episode of Everything Is Better With Creators Season 2, and we couldn't be more excited to have Kaya Yurieff from 'The Information' on board to share her insights. With over 100k followers reading her Creator Economy newsletter, Kaya is literally the go-to expert for all things related to business strategies and the Creator Economy ecosystem. And did you know that she speaks fluent Polish.  In today’s episode, Kaya will shed some light on why we're seeing more and more brands...

What is the Creator Economy, and why should you care?    Well, it turns out you do care. BIG TIME. Because this past year, the global Creator Economy is estimated to be worth more than 104 billion dollars! For this special episode, we’re giving you all the best mic drop moments from this past season, so you can be the smartest and most interesting person at your next holiday office party.     Check out some of our best moments from Chief Content Officer of Adweek Ann Marinovich, Co-Founder...

What is the Creator Economy, and why should you care? If you’re a marketer, you better care. Especially if you want to reach YOUNGER AUDIENCES.  So what should a marketer do? Listen to the experts. And today, we’re hosting one hell of a roundtable discussion with THE Queens of the Algorithms - Creators Cocomoeco and YesJulz, and Whalars’ very own VP of Creative Strategy, Lizzy Bilasano. TikTok forecast superstar Coco Mocoe is THE trend predictor for creators and brands strategizing their next...

From The White House to Creator! Judy Heumann, often called “the mother” of the disability movement, has been a disability rights legend and activist since the early 1970s and has been present at almost every significant development and turning point in the movement.  On today’s #BeyondDisability episode, we’re incredibly honored to speak with Judy about her career shift from The White House to social media. We’ll also learn why she thinks social media is the best platform for Disabled and...

“Evolve or die,” or so they say. So how do brands do that with the ever-changing social media landscape? And how are they using creators to succeed? We’re interviewing Adweeks’ Chief Content Officer, Ann Marinovich, to help understand creators’ impact on the marketing industry. Ann is an icon herself and has helped build content for some of the most successful media companies out there - you know, like Forbes.   So, stick with us on this episode of Everything Is Better With Creators. We’ll...

How does a small-town girl from Massachusetts get to start creative consulting for major brands like Chips Ahoy! and Burger King and have a segment on E! News, all within a year? Well, for one thing, she thought outside the box and made her own opportunities - all thanks to TikTok.  So, who is this girl that went from waitress to marketing consigliere overnight? It’s none other than Robyn DelMonte, aka GirlBosstown. And today, we’re speaking to this marketing guru live from our Everything Is...

What is a knowledge creator? Well, on this episode of Everything Is Better With Creators we help to ask and answer this question with our guest Sean Kim. Sean is President and Chief Product Officer of Kajabi, the leading platform for knowledge entrepreneurs and creators to build, market, and sell their content, products, and services. Sean, who was previously the head of product at TikTok, has deep experience in driving technology innovation and customer adoption at some of the most important...

On the latest episode of Everything Is Better With Creators we speak with Shelby Lynch. Shelby Lynch, from Leeds, has more than 400,000 followers on TikTok. She recently won Influencer of the Year at the 2021 Sense Awards, which "celebrate the achievements of people with complex disabilities". The Beyond Disability series of Everything Is Better with Creators is produced by Whalar. Whalar. We Power the Creator Economy. Learn more at http://whalar.com #creators #creatoreconomy Hosted on...

On episode 33 of Everything is Better with Creators we sit down with TikTok creator Alejandra Tapia to discuss her humble beginnings and rise to one of the more popular cooking creators on TikTok. Tapia was born in Mexico. As the oldest of four sisters, she prepared meals for her younger siblings as early as age 9, but what was once considered a chore eventually became a passion. “My mom would always tell me not to waste the food on my ‘experiments’ because she's really traditional when it...