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☆ Spotify's CEO says the music industry has 'legitimate concerns' about AI-generated songs
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-26 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Spotify CEO Daniel Ek said concerns from labels and music companies about AI are "legitimate." His comments come after AI-generated songs that sound like popular artists went viral this month. The music industry has "legitimate concerns" about songs generated by AI, the CEO of Spotify said. Daniel Ek addressed the industry's growing unease about AI music in Spotify's first quarter earnings call Tuesday and said it's working with partners to come up with solutions. Grimes, the former partner of Elon Musk and mother to two of his children, tweeted Monday that she'd share half the royalties from any AI-generated song using her voice.

☆ Check out the 18-page pitch deck that Hollywood-focused fintech FilmHedge used to raise tens of millions and help hot new movies and TV series get made
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-12 | by ( Reed Alexander | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

FilmHedge lends credit to movies and TV shows with budgetary needs between $1 million and $5 million. The 3-year-old fintech closed on a $5 million round in March and has a $100 million credit facility. FilmHedge, an Atlanta-based fintech launched in February 2020, provides liquidity to productions with budgets ranging from $1 million to $50 million. It follows a $100 million credit facility from Coromandel Capital and Fallbrook Capital in 2022, which helps FilmHedge finance projects. FilmHedge gave Insider a look at the 18-page pitch deck it used while raising its $5 million Series A round and $100 million credit facility — check it out here.

☆ Netflix expands its product ambitions in a clothing collab that mashes up the Lacoste crocodile with 'Bridgerton,' 'Stranger Things,' and more
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-11 | by ( Lucia Moses | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Netflix has teamed with Lacoste to create a clothing collaboration inspired by eight of its popular shows, including "Bridgerton," "Stranger Things," and "Lupin." For the pieces, Lacoste reimagined its iconic crocodile logo with elements of the Netflix shows on a collection of polos, caps, sweatshirts, and tracksuits. For "Stranger Things," a sweatshirt features the crocodile with the face of the Demogorgon, the feared creature from Season 1. Lacoste apparel inspired by "Stranger Things." NetflixThe items cost $30 to $210 and will be sold at select Lacoste stores and on Lacoste.com and Netflix.shop.

☆ 10 email and Instagram DM templates that influencers use to reach out to brands to collaborate with
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

For many influencers, brand collaborations are one of the main ways to earn income, especially for those who work full-time as content creators. Her Instagram template that she used to successfully pitch brands has helped her earn enough to sustain her lifestyle in Virginia. Kovach has a "pitch bank" of email templates, and chooses one depending on the company, product, or experience. Here is a recent template she used to successfully pitch a brand over emailInsider spoke to nine influencers who shared their exact DM and email templates used to land brand collaborations. Email templates influencers use to pitch brands:DM templates influencers use to pitch brands:

☆ I Direct Music Videos — the Bigger the Artist, the More Stressful the Job
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Eboni Boykin-Patterson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Courtesy of Neil FavilaMusic video director Hannah Lux Davis grew up watching TRL and always loved music videos. I took out a student loan to pay for my first two official music videos. I always loved music videos and was very passionate about them. I grew up watching MTV's music video show "TRL," and was inspired to be a director by music videos from Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, NSYNC, Christina Aguilera, and Janet Jackson. They assume some artists get more money for a video, so they're comparing their videos to other artists' videos.

☆ Read the 27-page deck a creator with 300K TikTok followers uses to pitch himself as a consultant for brands
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-13 | by ( Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Here's the deck he uses to pitch services like content strategy, headhunting, and influencer marketing. Offering brands services beyond traditional influencer marketing can unlock many opportunities for creators, Barnett said. Like many creators and agencies alike, Barnett uses a deck to pitch potential clients and highlight case studies. While he often uses his website as an alternative, Barnett shared the latest version of the pitch deck he uses for BarnettX and CreatorX. Read the 27-page deck content creator and advisor JT Barnett uses to pitch consulting opportunities to brands:

☆ Glossier, Ugg, Le Creuset: Product releases this week
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-03 | by ( Krystin Arneson | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

There are a ton of great products that drop every week — and we’re here, as always, to keep you up to date on the best of them. This week brings the launch of Otherland’s ’90s-inspired candle collections, Ikea’s stunning collab with Sabine Marcelis and Le Creuset’s new matte navy cookware. Shop our favorite new releases below, but be fast — they’re prone to selling out. The $90 device comes in black, white, brushed steel and brass, so it’s also easy to match to your kitchen fixtures. Loungewear-meets-streetwear from the expertsUggIf anyone knows a thing or two about creating comfortable things to wear, it’s Ugg.

☆ The $400 Tiffany & Co. and Nike sneaker collab is just the beginning — the brands are also hawking silver accessories like shoe horns totaling over $1000
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-02 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Nike and Tiffany & Co. are releasing their first sneaker collaboration next month for $400. Accessories are a sterling silver shoe horn, sneaker toothbrush, deubré, and a referee whistle. But the sneaker, dubbed the Nike Air Force 1 Low Tiffany & Co. "1837," is just the beginning. But in classic Tiffany's style, the luxury jeweler is selling a sterling silver shoe horn, sneaker toothbrush, deubré, and a whistle as part of the release. The brand also sells sterling silver photo frames, bowls, and pens, among other items.

☆ Nike is teaming up with Tiffany & Co. on a $400 shoe. Sneakerheads aren't impressed.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Nike and Tiffany & Co have confirmed a new collaboration sneaker. A Nike and Tiffany & Co collaboration sneaker is on the way. In separate Instagram posts, the retailers revealed the shoe box for the upcoming sneaker. The shoe marks Tiffany & Co's first collaboration with Nike. So far, sneaker collectors on Twitter are not as impressed with the upcoming Nike and Tiffany & Co. collaboration.

☆ StoryCo and 'Halo' showrunner team up to launch 'Disco Ball,' a blockchain-based immersive story that's a model for Hollywood's move into Web3
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The blockchain-based creative platform StoryCo is launching a new immersive storytelling concept. People who sign up for a StoryPass (an NFT) can collect digital art and have creative control over "The Disco Ball." StoryCo just raised $6 million in a seed funding round led by VC firms Collab + Currency and Patron. At the end of "Disco Ball," NFT holders "will assume control over the infinitely expanding Disco Ball universe." Half of all net revenue from projects like "Disco Ball" would then be split among the treasury's members after its story writers and creators are compensated.

☆ Read the 15-page pitch deck that raised $6 million for StoryCo, a blockchain-based platform that links Hollywood creatives directly with fans
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Elaine Low | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

StoryCo founders Justin and J.P. Alanis are part of a wave of entrepreneurs building blockchain-based storytelling platforms. StoryCo raised a $6 million seed round from Web3-focused VC firms and Hollywood insiders. In other words, Hollywood studios have been gatekeepers to content — and profits — for far too long. StoryCo is one of several startups that see blockchain and Web3 technology creating big new opportunities for TV and film creatives. Passholders will have access to a project's treasury, which will include NFT sales, IP licensing revenue, and royalties.

Parafin, launched in 2020, works with so-called platform partners, or companies that other small businesses sell their products through. All the cofounders knew was that they wanted to build technology that would help small businesses. And they may not get their first contract payment from the government for as long as 120 days," Reed, the startup's CEO, told Insider. Helping small businesses manage their taxesComplYant's founder Shiloh Jackson wants to help people be present in their bookkeeping. HoneyBookWhile countless small businesses have been harmed by the pandemic, self-employment and entrepreneurship have found ways to blossom as Americans started new ventures.

☆ Creator economy experts say 2023 will be a buyer's market for M&A. Here are 5 themes to watch, from tech buyers like Shopify to startup consolidation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-30 | by ( Marta Biino | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"As a result, institutional acquirers, like PE firms who still have dry powder to spend, will start snatching up mid-to-large sized creator startups at much more advantageous prices." Insider spoke with creator-economy and market experts about what deals and the broader M&A landscape in 2023 may look like. "They're going to see that the creator economy exists as a direct failure of them to support creators," Gestetner said. "But if an opportunity arises for us to significantly enhance our capabilities to make us a better business powering the creator economy, we'll consider it." Startups can expect consolidation in saturated marketsThe crowded niches within the creator economy startup sphere could also face a wave of consolidation.

☆ It's just the beginning of M&A in the creator economy. Industry experts predict 2023's top trends, and the buyers and sellers to watch.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-19 | by ( Marta Biino | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +12 min

"As a result, institutional acquirers, like PE firms who still have dry powder to spend, will start snatching up mid-to-large sized creator startups at much more advantageous prices." "They're going to see that the creator economy exists as a direct failure of them to support creators," Gestetner said. "But if an opportunity arises for us to significantly enhance our capabilities to make us a better business powering the creator economy, we'll consider it." Startups can expect consolidation in saturated marketsThe crowded niches within the creator economy startup sphere could also face a wave of consolidation. In the creator economy, companies bet on the fact that YouTube advertising revenue on the videos will increase as the audiences of creators grow and they gain more views.

☆ Struggling sneaker brand Vans is trying to lure millennials away from Nike and other brands with nostalgia, high heat collabs, and better arch support
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-13 | by ( Danni Santana | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

But Harrer, who joined Vans from Dollar Shave Club in April 2021, noted that Vans wasn't reminding people about those classic shoes. Vans stopped marketing its classic sneakers for some time before resuming earlier this year with the "Classic Since Forever" campaign. "Our top-tier limited-distribution footwear, which you may know as Vans Vault, has previously met the needs of influential footwear-trend accounts in the past," he said. With Vans Vault, the company takes classic shoes and collaborates with popular designers and boutiques on new colorways. Vans Vault releases compete with Nike, Adidas, Converse, and others for the general sneaker lover.

☆ How much TikTok pays for views, according to creators
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-09 | by ( Dan Whateley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The company is also paying users directly via its Creator Fund and TikTok Pulse ad program. Instagram also pays some creators based on the number of views their Reels generate, offering "bonuses" for hitting certain short-video view thresholds. As with the Creator Fund, initial payments from TikTok Pulse have been underwhelming, creators told Insider. The creator RPMs were competitive on TikTok Pulse when compared to other ad programs like YouTube's, but the revenue-generating views were comparatively low, often dipping below 1,000 views. Read more about how much creators have earned from TikTok Pulse:

☆ 9 email and DM templates that influencers use to reach out to brands for paid partnerships
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-03 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

☆ Patagonia is suing Gap, claiming the retailer copied its fleece pullover and is hoping to trick shoppers into thinking it's a collab
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Avery Hartmans | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Patagonia filed a lawsuit against Gap, claiming that Gap copied the clothing brand's snap-front fleece pullover. The suit says that Gap's product could fool shoppers into thinking it's a Patagonia collaboration. The outdoors retailer says Gap's Arctic Fleece pullover for men and kids uses "look-a-like" design elements of Patagonia's Snap-T Fleece. A close-up of the front pocket of Gap's fleece, left, and the front pocket of Patagonia's fleece, right. Gap pulled Yeezy products from its stores in October, and the company said during its third-quarter earnings this month that it sustained a $53 million write-down related to Yeezy Gap merchandise.

☆ Read the 9-page pitch deck that YouTuber Moriah Elizabeth used to raise $2.5 million for her art app 'Spark'
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-18 | by ( Geoff Weiss | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Arts and craft creator Moriah Elizabeth has raised $2.5 million for her digital art startup. The app emerged from Night Labs – the same venture studio that built MrBeast Burger and Feastables. In a video introducing the platform, Elizabeth noted that upon firing up the app, Spark provides users with three creative prompts. "You're not going to make the most complicated, realistic art on here," Elizabeth explained in the video. You can check out the pitch deck that it used to raise its seed round below.

☆ October Prime Day: Top Deals on Earbuds, Headphones and Other Audio Gear
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-11 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +3 min

We’re seeing sales on many of our The Amazon Prime Early Access Sale is an excellent time to up your audio game. We’re seeing sales on many of our favorite high-end headphones, including best-ever prices on good-quality noise-canceling headphones, with some at as much as $100 off their usual price. Compared with the prior version, these wireless earbuds have better audio, stronger noise cancellation, longer battery life, volume adjustment and precision finding features if you lose them. Bose headphonesBose’s QuietComfort 45 headphones are our overall favorite noise-canceling headphones at full price, and they’re a steal at $230 during the Amazon Prime Early Access Sale. The refreshed design offers superior noise cancellation, but they don’t fold down as small so they might not be a top-pick for travel.

☆ "Unholy:" Sam Smith's new song is a TikTok hit
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-24 | by ( Zoe Sottile | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —British singer-songwriter Sam Smith’s newest collab with Kim Petras, entitled “Unholy,” has taken over TikTok. “Unholy” is one of several songs that have achieved viral fame on TikTok – some even before the songs have actually been released. Petras and Smith first teased the track in August, posting a TikTok in which they dance alongside Petras to the lyrics. “At the body shop / Doing something unholy.”The video received over 29 million views and hundreds of thousands of users quickly created “Unholy” videos of their own. “I’ve never had so much fun making a record, so I hope you can all get weird and UNHOLY to it.”

☆ How to get sponsored on Instagram, according to influencers
▼ + stars: | 2022-02-17 | by ( Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Dozens of influencers have explained to Insider their strategies for getting sponsored. Fast-forward six years and Cortes is a full-time influencer and earned more than $300,000 in a year — with under 50,000 Instagram followers. Read: 7 top brands that work with micro influencers on Instagram, TikTok, and moreTo help content creators better understand how they can get sponsored on Instagram, here's a compilation of our coverage of how influencers get brand deals. Getting the right pitch is a keyWhether it's over email or Instagram DM, what influencers include in a pitch can make all the difference. Christian Di Bratto, a talent manager who works with creators, told Insider that personalizing pitches is key.

☆ Fast-food workers are gaining millions of TikTok followers with on-the-job videos, but the trend has muddied the relationship between brands, creators, and consumers
▼ + stars: | 2021-07-24 | by ( Amelia Tait | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

In the last year, Mirg has accumulated over 4.4 million TikTok followers and 1.8 million YouTube followers who watch him cutting bread, arranging cheese, and tossing cucumber slices into their container. POV videos from service workers have become a huge TikTok trendNumerous fast-food workers have built followings of millions by filming themselves at work. 24-year-old Dylan Lemay began TikToking at Cold Stone Creamery in 2020 and now has 9.8 million followers. Starbucks employee Maya Smith has gained 2.1 million followers making videos mixing drinks. While there is an appetite for this format of content, advertising legislations (and perhaps some store managers) have yet to catch up.

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