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☆ Hoards of people are stampeding stores to get Stanley's limited edition Valentine's Day cups, and resales are going for more than $100
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-03 | by ( Tanya Chen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The Stanley cup hype has reached new heights with its limited edition Valentine's Day drop at Target. AdvertisementStanley has just released its limited edition Valentine's Day cups — the Galentine's Day collection — and customers are stampeding Target stores to get their own. Other TikTokers captured the lines — reminiscent of Black Friday — outside several Target stores in the early morning hours before the cups were unveiled. But the chaos captured in these viral videos could also be, in part, a result of how profitable the resale market for them has become — especially for limited edition colors of its largest tumblers. Within days of its release, listings on eBay and Poshmark showed the red and pink cups going for over $100.

Persons: —, Stanley, Mikayla Barber, Barber, Stanley tumbler, TikTokers, Olds, rae dunn, Rae Dunn, There's, Casey Lewis, BI's Katie Noutopoulos Organizations: Service, Business, eBay, Poshmark

☆ A mom called out a Fisher-Price toy inspired by office supplies and corporate culture: 'Baby's first cubicle,' she quipped
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-28 | by ( Tanya Chen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

A mom on TikTok showed viewers an activity center she purchased for her baby. The mom, @stealth_revenger, showed off a calendar, iPhone, and computer that says, "Per my last email." NEW LOOK Sign up to get the inside scoop on today’s biggest stories in markets, tech, and business — delivered daily. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA mom TikToker has gone viral reacting hilariously and horrifyingly to a Fisher-Price activity center toy seemingly inspired by office corporate culture.

Persons: @stealth_revenger, commenter, —, TikToker, Fisher, Price, that's, @Stealth_revenger Organizations: Service, Activity

Many Instagram influencers use media kits to pitch themselves to brands. Insider spoke with thirteen Instagram influencers who shared the exact media kits they use. Instagram influencers often rely on brand deals as their main source of income. To get these deals, creators often use media kits to showcase their value to a company, providing audience metrics and, sometimes, pay rates. Here are thirteen examples of real media kits that influencers use to land brand deals on Instagram (ordered from least followers to most):This post has been updated to add more media kits.

With a shaky economy, some brands have reduced or cut sponsored content deals with creators. "That was definitely a bummer," Williams told Insider. "I think people are wanting to try things before they go all in with larger investments," Samuel told Insider. Taking on speaking engagementsThree creators told Insider that speaking engagements, in-person and virtual, have been a growing income stream for them. "You need to understand where you're spending money," Reed Duchscher, CEO of management company Night, previously told Insider.

Insider is keeping tabs on which creator economy companies are cutting back on staff. For more than a year, the creator economy was a red-hot industry flowing with new players, big deals, and massive investments. According to Crunchbase, funding for VC-backed creator economy startups topped $939 million in 2021. Those sunny days are coming to a halt, however, as creator economy startups grapple with a looming recession. Here are 24 creator economy companies that have laid off staff, as of December 2022:Note: Companies are listed in order of when layoffs occurred, with the most recent first.

☆ How influencers are trying to recession-proof their businesses, from locking down long-term deals to testing out fan-paid revenue models
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-22 | by ( Amanda Perelli | Tanya Chen | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Traditionally, brand deals have been the biggest income driver for Tosone. Unless any last-minute deals arise, Tosone said platform incentives (like Instagram's bonus program) will overtake brand deals. And for creators, Ashley said diversifying their businesses is the "best insurance plan." Relying on affiliate marketing, however, can still be a risk. Establishing a fan-paid model with memberships, subscriptions, or coursesTosone launched a Patreon membership and she's coaching other influencers on social-media strategy.

☆ Meta, Cameo, and Twitter are 3 of the latest creator economy companies to be hit with layoffs. Here are 22 that have cut staff recently.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-10 | by ( Sydney Bradley | Amanda Perelli | Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Insider is keeping tabs on which creator economy companies are cutting back on staff. For more than a year, the creator economy was a red-hot industry flowing with new players, big deals, and massive investments. According to Crunchbase, funding for VC-backed creator economy startups topped $939 million in 2021. These sunny days are coming to a halt, however, as creator economy startups grapple with a looming recession. As the creator economy responds to the changing markets, Insider is keeping track of which companies are laying off staffers.

One of the first things advertisers ask for during a pitch is to see a creator's media kit. Many influencers, especially those primarily working on Instagram and TikTok, say brand sponsorships are their main source of income. To get brand deals, influencers often use media kits as a tool to showcase their value to a company. Media kits also often include information about the brands that a creator has worked with and their audience demographics. Here are 19 examples of real influencer media kits from YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok stars (arranged by follower count):

TikTok creators are receiving their first payments from its new ad-revenue sharing program Pulse. TikTok has begun sharing ad revenue with creators as part of the rollout of its Pulse program. Dvorak said he joined the Pulse program about a week ago, and expects payments to go up. Competition to build out monetization tools for short-form video creators is heating up. YouTube is also in the process of rolling out an ad-revenue share program for its TikTok competitor Shorts.

TikTok creators are receiving their first payments from its new ad-revenue sharing program Pulse. TikTok has begun sharing ad revenue with creators as part of the rollout of its Pulse program. View counts and revenue for every 1,000 video views (RPM) from the program appear somewhat variable, resulting in some payouts ranging from pennies to $17, according to seven creators who shared their payment information with Insider. Dvorak said he joined the Pulse program about a week ago, and expects payments to go up. Competition to build out monetization tools for short-form video creators is heating up.

☆ Livestreaming's explosion has shaken up the creator economy. Here are 12 innovative startups changing how influencers use live video, from commerce to sports.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-31 | by ( Tanya Chen | Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

By 2023, Insider Intelligence forecasts there will be 163.4 million viewers of live video in the US alone – a substantial leap over the 126.7 million viewers it estimated in 2019. Beyond de facto streaming platforms like Twitch, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, a bevy of startups are seeking to capitalize on this proliferating viewership. As Twitch did for gaming, other players are seeking to create live programming hubs for different interest niches. Moment hosts live podcast recordings from the likes of Tiny Meat Gang, while Philadelphia-based Switchboard Live helps users post their streams on multiple platforms simultaneously. Insider looked at the space to determine the most innovating livestreaming startups today.

☆ 12 companies shaking up the livestreaming sector, from social shopping to digital events
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-28 | by ( Tanya Chen | Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Companies are trying to cash in on the practice, and grow it into a viable and stable industry. Here are 12 of the most innovative livestreaming companies to look out for. By 2023, Insider Intelligence forecasts there will be 163.4 million viewers of live video in the US alone – a substantial leap over the 126.7 million viewers it estimated in 2019. Others are looking to provide a space for the kinds of live events that have waned amid COVID. Insider looked at the space to determine the most innovating livestreaming startups today.

Social media continues to change the way we discover, market, and share new music and artists. Insider is seeking nominations for innovative creators, artists, or music label and social media execs. Every successful idea in the music and social-media spaces changes the way we consume and share music. Insider is seeking nominations for power players who are doing just that — be they creators, artists, music labels, or social-media execs. Who are the individuals that have been the most effective at using social media to drive change in the music industry this year?

Some influencers will start building relationships with brands by cold-DMing them on social media, like Instagram. While some influencers pitch PR reps or influencer-marketing contacts on LinkedIn, Lazerson goes straight to the top by DMing CEOs. "You get a lot of no's when you first start to pitch brands, but then you sort of fine-tune your approach," Kovach told Insider. To land her first paid deal, Lauren used a media kit. Here's how 21 influencers pitch brands, from email templates to media kits.

☆ Twitch's gambling ban goes into effect today. Here's how it will enforce the new policy, just 2 days after Drake streamed himself playing roulette on the platform.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-18 | by ( Tanya Chen | Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Days before the ban, Drake posted a stream of himself playing roulette that drew in 22,000 viewers. Starting today, here is how the platform is cracking down on gambling content — Drake not precluded. Twitch announced its gambling ban in September, and received an immediate and overwhelmingly positive reaction from its online community. Along with the major gambling websites listed, Twitch may ban more gambling sites if deemed necessary. Before the new rules took effect, Drake squeezed in a final gambling stream.

☆ Seeking nominations for leading livestreaming startups in 2022
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-12 | by ( Tanya Chen | Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Livestreaming is changing the way people connect with each other and engage with live events. Insider is looking for nominations of startups that are innovating the technology, and how it's used. The global streaming market is predicted to reach $247 billion by 2027, according to Vimeo. Some companies simply offer the technology to bring events to people's smartphones and TV, while others ideate and help market livestreaming events. We're seeking nominations for any startups that are adding interesting folds to the livestreaming industry and experience.

Twitch's September announcement that it will cut creators' revenue share spawned heated backlash. "There's, yes, angst and there's a lot of noise about [revenue share] right now," said Scott. "You take the streamer rev share and you add on the Prime earning," Minton said. "It's not an easy concept to understand, but in totality, we're effectively paying a 65% rev share, if you include Prime." "The rev share split change will only make a small dent in their journey to boost profitability.

☆ Kim Kardashian and Scott Disick are being sued for a 2021 Instagram 'loop giveaway.' Here are 4 takeaways from the 32-page potential class-action lawsuit.
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-10 | by ( Tanya Chen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Scott Disick and Kim Kardashian are being sued for hawking an Instagram "loop giveaway" in 2021. Celebrity influencers Scott Disick and Kim Kardashian are facing a $66 million potential class-action lawsuit that claims their 2021 Instagram lottery was a total sham. To enter, users had to follow a list of 75 accounts Disick was following at the time, and comment on his post promoting it. Why 'loop giveaways' are controversialThis type of Instagram lottery, also known in the industry as a "loop giveaway," has become a lucrative growth hack for top tier creators. The lawsuit alleges that the winners of the loop giveaway were not made public enough.

One of the first things advertisers ask for during a pitch is to see a creator's media kit. Many influencers, especially those primarily working on Instagram and TikTok, say brand sponsorships are their main source of income. To get brand deals, influencers often use media kits as a tool to showcase their value to a company. Media kits also often include information about the brands that a creator has worked with and their audience demographics. Here are 18 examples of real influencer media kits from YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok stars (arranged by follower count):

☆ A leaked Hype House contract reveals the 'rules' influencers have to follow and terms they agree to, which lawyers say are extremely restrictive
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Tanya Chen | Amanda Perelli | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Hype House, one of the longest-running TikTok groups, has several house rules — 11 to be exact — that new members must agree to when they join. Members live in a Spanish-style mansion located just outside of Los Angeles, and in exchange for housing, they're asked to make content with other Hype House members. "Most contracts would say, 'Hype House has the following duties...' but none of the standard provisions of Hype House and their obligations are in the contract at all. This includes anything that is a "result of accident, casualty or event or in connection with the Hype House Group." The 11 'House Rules' of Hype HouseHere is what the leaked contract says about Hype House's "rules":

☆ Dozens of TikTokers are quietly discussing forming a creator union, but legal experts say it would be difficult
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Tanya Chen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

TikTok creators are discussing forming a union to try and create more protection for their jobs. The National Labor Relations Act, for example, could not force a company like TikTok to negotiate a creator union. Sunderji said that even without a union, TikTokers coming together as a collective or an association could affect change. In 2019, a group of YouTubers formed FairTube, an unofficial YouTube "union," to ask for similar demands, like more transparency around its pay and penalties. "TikTok is a great place to be discovered, but a terrible place to be a professional creator," Valkai said.

☆ How The Dogist Instagram account reignited engagement by shaking up its content strategy
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-19 | by ( Tanya Chen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The account saw a 75% engagement drop when Instagram changed its algorithm to prioritize video. For years, 34-year-old Elias Friedman was always out of frame in the photos on his famous dog Instagram account, The Dogist. As his account has introduced short-form video Reels, he's been visible in almost every single one since April, and become an active subject of his Instagram posts for the first time. But declining Instagram engagement compelled him and his team of six employees to completely change the account's aesthetics, and its approach to content. @thedogist / InstagramThe account saw an immediate and dramatic increase in engagement when it began posting ReelsThe Reels pivot worked and engagement surged.

☆ 72 TikTokers are using a private Discord to talk about forming a creator union, but it's an uphill legal battle
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-16 | by ( Tanya Chen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

TikTok creators are discussing forming a union to try and create more protection for their jobs. The National Labor Relations Act, for example, could not force a company like TikTok to negotiate a creator union. Sunderji said that even without a union, TikTokers coming together as a collective or an association could affect change. Multiple TikTokers in the Discord pointed to YouTube as an example of the kinds of changes that could be made. "TikTok is a great place to be discovered, but a terrible place to be a professional creator," Valkai said.

But the company was recently found liable for using songs in TikTok videos without a license. But over the last year, the company has been embroiled in a lawsuit around its use of music in TikTok videos. The early days of companies blindly jumping into TikTok music trends are over. The takeaway, Elton said, is that this lawsuit should never have happened: "Bang Energy should have known better." "With a few simple inquiries, they could have easily found out that the TikTok music licensing model would not cover their intended use of the music."

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