Sponsorships aren't the only way influencers can make money working with brands. The Newcastle Network, a private-equity firm, is tapping creators as investors for DTC brands. And Newcastle Network, a private-equity firm based in Boston, is taking those relationships one step further with the help of Village Marketing's Vickie Segar. Since then, she's been developing strategic partnerships with influencers through the private-equity firm, such as tapping those influencers for market research on behalf of the firm's portfolio companies or bringing on creators themselves as investors. Here are 3 ways that private-equity firm Newcastle Networks is working with influencers:Tapping creators for market research.

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Persons: Vickie Segar, —, she's, Segar, Shawn Johnson East, Andrew East, Chris Casgar, Casgar Organizations: Newcastle Network, DTC, YouTube, Newcastle, WPP, Newcastle Networks, influencers, Andrew, Easts Locations: Boston, Newcastle, Instagram