Sample Creators Will Get Payouts From Splice’s New GenAI Tools
Splice announced three generative‑AI tools—Variations, Craft, and Magic Fit—designed to let musicians remix, convert, and adapt catalog samples in real time. The company emphasized that original sample creators will receive a royalty each time their sound is used as a source or when a generated variation is downloaded. Variations reshapes key, structure and BPM; Craft turns samples into playable instruments; Magic Fit matches any sound to a track’s harmonic and rhythmic context. The rollout follows Splice’s acquisition of Kits AI and its partnership with Universal Music Group to embed ethical AI practices.
Adobe’s New Firefly AI Assistant Wants to Run Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator and More From One Prompt
Adobe unveiled the Firefly AI Assistant, an agentic tool that lets creators run Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator and other Creative Cloud apps from a single natural‑language prompt. The assistant can call on roughly 100 built‑in tools, outputting native PSD, AI and...
Purple Acorn Network Partners with PodStar to Scale Founder Voices Across the Future of Work
Purple Acorn Network, a fast‑growing HR‑tech podcast platform, announced a strategic partnership with PodStar, a global podcast guesting community. The deal makes Purple Acorn a recommended network within PodStar, giving founders access to curated shows such as The HR Morning...
Why Refusing to Change the Format Led Subway Takes to Viral Success
Subway Takes, an Instagram series filmed on the New York City subway, has amassed over 2 million followers and attracted A‑list guests while refusing to alter its core format. Host Kareem Rahma keeps the show’s DNA rooted in independent talent and a simple...
How Are Creator Journalists Reaching Audiences Traditional Media Miss?
Liz Kelly Nelson, former Vox VP, launched Project C in 2024 and co‑founded the Independent Journalism Atlas in 2026 to map the surge of creator‑model journalists who publish on YouTube, Substack and TikTok. She argues that Gen Z and Gen Alpha now treat...
How Reality Star Rob Rausch Became Beauty’s Unexpected ‘It’ Boy
Reality TV star Rob Rausch, known from Love Island USA and The Traitors US, has become a surprising face in the beauty sector. He recently teamed with MAC Cosmetics to launch the brand’s entry into Sephora’s U.S. stores and fronted Kosas’...
ShopMy’s New Personal Shopping Service Is Powered by Actual Humans
ShopMy launched Noir, a human‑curated personal shopping service, on Wednesday. The free perk is currently limited to gold and black tier members, who can text prompts and receive hand‑picked selections within about 30 minutes. Noir taps ShopMy’s network of over...
How to Get More Views on TikTok (Proven Strategies That Work in 2026)
TikTok’s algorithm now rewards videos that keep users watching, making watch time and completion rate the top ranking signals. Creators who hook viewers in the first three seconds, keep videos short (8‑20 seconds), and encourage high‑value engagement such as comments,...
They Were YouTube’s First Stars. Here’s What They Wish They’d Known.
MatPat, Miranda Sings, Grace Helbig and WheezyWaiter were among YouTube’s first breakout creators, building massive followings before the platform offered any reliable revenue streams. They recall a tight‑knit community where comments, subscriber alerts and direct audience interaction drove growth. Their...
How Livano Agency Cold Started Fryaway on TikTok Shop
Launching a brand on TikTok Shop without an existing store, creator network, or playbook creates friction that often leads to under‑performance. The article explains why traditional influencer assumptions—ample samples, simple briefs, and discount codes—fail in a commerce‑driven social platform. It...
Eddie Reynolds Lands Monster Energy Sponsorship
Eddie Reynolds, a rising freeride snowboarder, announced a sponsorship deal with Monster Energy for the 2026 season, unveiling a Monster‑branded helmet on social media. The partnership follows a series of creative video projects that have elevated Reynolds’ profile in the...
Another Lawfluencer Steps Back From Lawyer Life
Popular lawfluencer Henry Nelson-Case announced he is no longer practicing as a lawyer after more than a decade in the field. He began his career as a paralegal in 2014, qualified as a solicitor in 2018, and shifted to a...
YouTube to Hold Back Ads During Peak Livestream Moments
YouTube introduced a suite of livestream enhancements aimed at preserving viewer engagement and boosting creator revenue. The platform will automatically hold back ads when live chat spikes, expand gifting to horizontal streams across several new markets, and grant ad‑free windows...
FINRA Investor Education Foundation Examines Effects of Social Media “Finfluencers”
FINRA’s Investor Education Foundation released a brief on April 2, 2026 analyzing retail investors who follow social‑media “finfluencers.” The study shows these followers are typically younger, male, hold smaller portfolios and include a higher share of racial minorities. While they report stronger...
Vamp Strengthens Team with Four New Hires
Vamp, a tech‑enabled influencer marketing agency, announced four senior hires to bolster its leadership team. Simone Bevan joins as Head of Brand and Integration, tasked with shaping go‑to‑market and large‑scale creative strategy. The new senior product manager, client delivery manager, and...
Meta Updates Threads API with More Third-Party App Integration
Meta announced a major overhaul of the Threads API, adding new post‑type support, deeper analytics, and real‑time controls. The updates let third‑party social‑media‑management tools schedule ghost posts, GIFs, and Instagram Story shares, embed public Threads without tokens, and filter content...
YouTube Will Now Pause Livestream Ads when Chat Engagement Peaks
YouTube introduced real‑time ad suppression that pauses automatic ads when chat activity spikes, and it adds personal ad‑free windows for viewers who send Super Chats or gifts. The update arrives alongside dual‑format streaming—vertical and horizontal—plus virtual gifting now available in...
How AI Is Democratizing Content and Creating Today’s ‘Access Era’
Higgsfield AI, described as an AI studio built by creators for creators, is democratizing multimedia content creation with a drag‑and‑drop platform that handles images, audio and video. Co‑founder Mahi de Silva highlighted a case where Eight Sleep reduced a three‑week, $30,000...
X Cuts Clickbait Payouts and Exposes a Creator Program Problem
X announced it will cut payouts for accounts that post clickbait, keeping the content live but reducing creator earnings. The move follows a similar penalty for undisclosed AI‑generated conflict footage, showing X prefers monetization sanctions over content removal. The Creator...
Survey: 81% of Creators Rely on Brand Deals as Primary Income Amid Life Milestones
Creator marketplace #paid’s "Creator Signals 2026" report shows 81% of creators rely on brand deals as their primary income, while 63% identify as full‑time creators. Earnings are spread across brackets, with 24% making $50K‑$100K annually and 6.6% exceeding $200K. Travel‑vlog...
Roblox Is Changing the Eligibility to Upload Games on the Platform
Roblox is tightening its game‑publishing rules to protect its young user base. Developers targeting all ages must now subscribe to Roblox Plus, complete ID verification, enable two‑factor authentication, and keep their accounts in good standing. For titles aimed at players...
Ayra Starr’s Roc Nation Deal Tests Afrobeats’ Global Reach
Ayra Starr’s nine‑month Roc Nation management partnership has kept her streaming engine humming, with 3.48 billion Spotify streams and roughly 17.5 million monthly listeners. However, new releases in Nigeria now hover around the 90‑range on daily charts, a noticeable dip from her pre‑deal...
YouTube Livestreams Will Now Hold Back Ads During Peak Engagement to Protect the Vibe
Google’s YouTube announced it will automatically hold back ads on livestreams when chat engagement spikes, aiming to preserve the “vibe” of high‑energy streams. The ad pause applies to all viewers, while Super Chat, Super Stickers, or gift purchases still trigger an immediate,...
The Surprising Trick Corporate Natalie Used to Kickstart Her Career as a Content Creator
Content creator Natalie Marshall, known as Corporate Natalie, pretended to have an assistant by creating an email alias, making brands think she ran a larger operation. The tactic helped her secure deals with Dell, Paycom, SoFi and a Dunkin’ commercial,...
Roblox Is Turning Its Product Roadmap Into Advertising Inventory
Roblox introduced a new Makeup feature on March 31, letting creators sell avatar cosmetics that overlay players' faces. The launch was partnered with e.l.f. Beauty, which worked with Roblox’s Kestrel studio to create five branded looks and offered them in the...
Brands Briefing: 40-Year-Old Travelpro Invests in Video, Creators to Compete with Béis, Away and Other Digitally-Native Players
Travelpro, the 40‑year‑old luggage maker famed among airline crews, is revamping its marketing to attract Gen Z and millennial travelers. The brand is pouring resources into short‑form video, creator collaborations, and educational content, launching a "Made to Move" campaign across TikTok,...
YFCon Is Turning TikTok Commerce Into a Contact Sport
YFCon, a TikTok Shop‑focused expo in Los Angeles, is set for April 14‑15 and expects over 13,000 attendees, 300+ brands and 150 speakers. Organized by FastMoss and YooFinds, the event sold out 80% of its exhibitor booths a month early,...
Ozen.fm Names Bruno Pinheiro Network Manager to Accelerate Podcast Growth Across Latin America
Ozen.fm announced the appointment of Bruno Pinheiro as Network Manager to accelerate podcast growth across Latin America. Pinheiro will oversee a network of roughly 100 Brazilian shows and expand the slate to Portuguese‑ and Spanish‑speaking audiences. His background in advertising,...
Graveyard Keeper's Mammoth Success Proves that Giving Games Away for Free on Steam Works
tinyBuild gave its indie hit Graveyard Keeper away for free over a weekend to promote the upcoming sequel. The promotion drove a record 46,305 concurrent players, pushing the title to #47 on Steam’s most‑played chart. Within days the publisher sold...
Last Click Captures Demand, But Creators Build It
Creator marketing has moved beyond simply capturing the last click, becoming a pivotal force in the middle of the funnel. While affiliate links still excel at converting intent that already exists, creators introduce brands to consumers and guide them toward...
Affiliate Earns a Seat at the Table: Meytal Markman Talks Innovation, Brand Safety and Micro-Influencers
Meytal Markman, VP of Product Management at Rakuten Advertising, told DealMaker that brands are now blending creator‑driven content with affiliate programs to reach niche audiences at scale. She highlighted the surge of micro‑influencers and closed‑user groups, which deliver higher trust...
Meet the Swiss Distro Company Banking on Agentic AI to Power the ‘Next Generation’ of Indie Labels.
Swiss tech firm iGroove, founded by former rapper Dennis Hausammann, has rebuilt its platform from the ground up to embed agentic AI in a product called Label OS. The AI‑driven system automates core label functions—distribution, royalty accounting, payments, contracts and recoupments—while...
Dhar Mann Kicks Off Social Media Week With $1,000 Old Navy Giveaway
Creator Dhar Mann launched ADWEEK’s Social Media Week by reviving his Old Navy partnership, giving away a $1,000 gift certificate. The giveaway builds on a previous campaign where participants guessed whether outfits were Old Navy or designer, reinforcing the brand’s...
Patrick Starrr’s One/Size Names First Brand Ambassadors for ‘New Era of Artistry’
Cosmetics brand One/Size by Patrick Starrr has appointed its first brand ambassadors as it expands globally. Influencer‑makeup artist Spencer Hedges, with over five million followers, joins as Global Brand Ambassador, while veteran celebrity artist Shanell Sorrells becomes the brand’s Educator...
Gary Neville’s Media Group Buys Football YouTuber Mark Goldbridge’s Channels
Gary Neville’s sports media venture, The Overlap, has purchased Mark Goldbridge’s YouTube channels The United Stand and That’s Football, together reaching 3.7 million subscribers. The deal, reported to be a seven‑figure sum (roughly $2‑$5 million), marks The Overlap’s first acquisition since its...
Synclicity Sees More Sync Opportunities for Emerging Artists
James Lloyd has launched Synclicity, a boutique sync‑licensing agency that debuted this week with a roster of 18 emerging artists spanning alt‑rock, indie pop, punk and folk. The firm targets placement opportunities across television, film, advertising, sports and the rapidly...
Beauty Briefing: The Business of Being Rachel Zoe
Fashion influencer Rachel Zoe is capitalizing on her recent stint on "Real Housewives" to secure high‑value brand partnerships, expanding her beauty empire beyond traditional styling services. The exposure has translated into multiple endorsement deals and a surge in her social...
MrBeast Is so Big, Beast Industries Turns Down Eight-Figure Brand Deals if They Aren’t the Right Fit
Jimmy "MrBeast" Donaldson’s Beast Industries has become a magnet for Fortune 1000 CMOs, leveraging a billion‑plus viewership to command multi‑year, category‑exclusive brand deals. Under CEO Jeff Housenbold, the company now fields a 25‑person partnership team and routinely rejects eight‑figure offers that...
Nollywood Needs to Get on the Microdrama Train Now
Microdramas are exploding worldwide, with China’s revenue soaring from $500 million in 2021 to $7 billion in 2024 and global earnings projected at $9.5 billion by 2030. The United States alone generated $800 million in 2024, while Nigeria’s Nollywood cinema made a modest $10 million...
Hollywood Is Making yet Another Roblox Movie Adaptation
Disney‑owned 20th Century Studios announced plans to adapt the Roblox horror hit *99 Nights in the Forest* into a live‑action feature film, marking its first game adaptation and the fourth Roblox title pursued by Hollywood. The game, launched in June 2025, has amassed 26 billion lifetime visits and...
YouTube Viewers Can Now Work Together to Stop Ads From Playing
YouTube announced that livestream ads will be held back when live‑chat engagement spikes, letting viewers collectively prevent interruptions. Donors using Super Chat, Super Stickers or gifts receive a personal ad‑free window, while the platform expands its Gifts feature to six new countries....
Joe Rogan Shuts Down Claims that Podcasts Are “Antiquated” Compared to Streamers Like Clavicular
On episode 2,481 of The Joe Rogan Experience, host Joe Rogan rebuffed claims that podcasts are outdated compared to video‑streaming stars like Clavicular. Guest Duncan Trussell suggested the younger audience prefers continuous live streams, citing Clavicular’s viral looks‑maxxing content. Rogan...
The Amazing Digital Circus' Series Finale Will Be a Theatrical Exclusive
The Amazing Digital Circus, an indie animated web series that debuted on YouTube in late 2023, has exploded to over 425 million views on its pilot and 81 million on its latest episode. Netflix licensed the eight‑episode run while keeping it free...
YouTube Boosts Creator Economy Focus at 2026 AUS CHILDREN’S SUMMIT
YouTube has joined the Australian Children’s Content Summit in Coffs Harbour as a Major Partner, marking its first formal involvement in the nation’s dedicated kids‑content event. The four‑day summit, running 24‑27 August 2026, will showcase leading family‑friendly creators alongside producers,...
Independent Journalists Are Mission-Driven, but Financially Strained, a New Report Says
A new Center for News, Technology & Innovation (CNTI) report, based on a survey of 43 independent information providers and in‑depth interviews with 26, reveals that creator‑journalists are largely mission‑driven but financially strained. Only five respondents can fully fund their...
Bran Flakezz’s Fans Didn’t Love His Starbucks Coachella Spon-Con
Bran Flakezz, a TikTok influencer known for political transparency, accepted a sponsored trip to Coachella from Starbucks. He posted a tour of the brand‑styled Starbucks House, prompting a wave of criticism from followers who view Starbucks as a union‑busting company....
Steve Goldstein: The Attention Economy Comes for Podcasting
Steve Goldstein argues that podcasting has been fixated on download counts, a metric that reflects distribution rather than consumption. He highlights an industry shift toward engagement indicators such as streams, completion rates, and repeat listening, mirroring practices of Spotify, YouTube,...
OBS Studio Revamps Audio Mixer, Adds WebRTC Simulcast Support
OBS Studio rolled out version 32.1.1, a hotfix that completely redesigns the audio mixer, adds WebRTC simulcast support, and introduces undo/redo for scene items. The update also raises the default bitrate to 6000 kbps, refines the plugin manager, and hardens browser‑source security....
Webtoon Is Making New Platform
Webtoon Entertainment Inc. announced the spring launch of Canvas, a unified international platform that will aggregate its regional services and support seven languages with AI‑powered translations. The new hub offers creators performance analytics, expanded monetization options, and personalized recommendations for...
“Global Affiliate Programmes Are Becoming a Hot Topic”: PartnerBoost VP on China’s Affiliate Ecosystem
William Hamer‑Jones, VP of Partnerships at PartnerBoost, says global affiliate programmes are moving from siloed niches to a hot topic, especially in the APAC region. Agencies are overcoming resource gaps by establishing local offices in China, Japan and South Korea,...