Southeast Asian Creators Accuse Influencer Marketing Platform Partipost of Withholding Campaign Payments

Why It Matters

The dispute highlights systemic payment risks for gig‑economy creators and could erode trust in influencer platforms across the rapidly growing Southeast Asian digital market.

Key Takeaways

• Creators across SEA report delayed or withheld payments from Partipost.
• Payments pending date back to 2024, some campaigns from 2025.
• CEO cites operational and client-side issues, not intentional withholding.
• Platform’s Instagram account removed, raising concerns about transparency.

Pulse Analysis

The influencer marketing sector in Southeast Asia has exploded in the past few years, with brands allocating billions of dollars to creator‑driven campaigns. Platforms such as Partipost act as intermediaries, matching brands with local talent and handling campaign logistics, including payment processing. For creators who often operate as freelancers, predictable cash flow is essential; delayed payouts can quickly become a financial crisis, especially in economies where social‑media work supplements primary income. Consequently, payment reliability has become a key competitive differentiator for influencer marketplaces.

The recent backlash against Partipost illustrates how operational bottlenecks can quickly damage a platform’s credibility. Malaysian influencer Kezia Zhang, Singapore‑based Deborah Kwek, and a Filipino creator publicly disclosed unpaid invoices ranging from 2024 to 2025, prompting a coordinated WhatsApp effort to pressure the company. CEO Jonathan Eg admitted that some delays stem from internal administrative hurdles and client‑side processing, but insisted there is no intentional withholding. The episode mirrors a similar controversy at Singapore’s BrandTok Media, where scaling pains and weak systems led to unpaid commitments, underscoring a broader industry challenge.

Regulators and brand managers are now watching the situation closely, as repeated payment disputes could invite stricter oversight of influencer platforms in the region. To restore confidence, marketplaces may need to adopt escrow mechanisms, transparent invoicing dashboards, and clearer dispute‑resolution pathways. Creators, meanwhile, are advised to negotiate contract terms that include milestone‑based payouts and retain legal counsel for larger deals. How Partipost addresses these concerns will likely influence creator loyalty and could set a precedent for payment standards across Southeast Asia’s burgeoning digital economy.