SoCom Founder Max Benator Explains Why We Should Care about Social Commerce | Creator Upload

Is the creator economy's future in micro-dramas and social commerce? This week, we're unpacking the billion-dollar rise of short-form dramas and whether they're just a smarter version of Quibi.In this episode, Lauren reports from Trilith Studios, the new home of the DC Universe, on the explosion of production in Georgia. Then, Josh unveils his new platform, Gospel Stats, and shares exclusive data on the YouTube sponsorship landscape that no one has seen before. We also sit down with Orca CEO and SoCom founder Max Benator to discuss everything you need to know about TikTok Shop, creator storefronts, and the future of social commerce. What you’ll learn:-- How micro-dramas are generating billions with a "predatory" monetization model -- Exclusive data on the growth of YouTube sponsorships -- The strategy behind successful social commerce on TikTok Shop-- Why professional sports leagues are partnering with creators00:00 Intro: Late Night Recording01:12 Lauren at Trilith Studios03:45 Are Micro-Dramas Just Quibi 2.0?05:50 The Business of "Bad" Content10:17 Announcing Gospel Stats12:28 How We Track YouTube Sponsorships15:25 Exclusive Sponsorship Data Revealed18:11 Interview: Max Benator of SoCom23:30 Why a Social Commerce Conference?28:55 The Future of Creator Storefronts35:42 Upload: Good Good Golf x PGA38:11 Download: Instagram's New "Rings" Awards40:23 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Stealth Talent CEO Phil Ranta joins the show to discuss the future of creator IP, the rise of the "clipping" economy, and why brand deals are drying up. From AI's unstoppable impact to new companies turning influence into equity, this episode covers the seismic shifts happening right now.Also: Is MrBeast launching a bank? Why are streamers suddenly getting paid to watch old game shows? In this episode, you'll learn:- How creators are now monetizing classic TV shows.- The secret world of content clipping that made Joe Rogan a household name.- MrBeast's next big move into the financial services industry.- How creators can turn their influence into long-term equity.00:00 Guest Co-Host Phil Ranta Intro01:03 Inside the Creator IQ Conference03:19 Is AI a Tool or a Threat?06:33 Gaggl: Get Paid to Watch TV13:50 Creators Rebooting Classic Game Shows18:09 The "Clipping" Economy Explained21:02 Why MrBeast Launched a Clipping Company23:45 Is MrBeast Starting a Bank?26:57 Phil Ranta on Stealth TalentCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, created by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Is AI a threat to creators? With OpenAI's new video creation app Sora soaring in popularity, creators like MrBeast are starting to wonder what the future will hold.In this episode, hosts Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen are live from VidSummit in Dallas to break down the biggest news in the creator economy. They discuss Instagram's exclusive new "Rings" awards, major algorithm updates from Facebook and X that give users more control, and a powerful new AI-driven podcasting tool from the creator of "Diary of a CEO".In this episode, you’ll learn about:-- Instagram's new "Rings" awards for cultural catalysts.-- First impressions of OpenAI's new AI video app, Sora.-- How Facebook's algorithm will prioritize new content.-- MrBeast's and Casey Neistat's concerns about AI video.Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.00:00 Intro: Live from VidSummit01:17 What is VidSummit?02:37 The Value of Creator Conferences06:09 Instagram Launches "Rings" Awards11:07 How Instagram's Award is Different13:14 Facebook's Algorithm Gives Users Control14:46 X is Building a "Purely AI" Algorithm17:36 First Look: OpenAI's Sora App21:22 MrBeast & Casey Neistat on AI Video24:57 UPLOAD: A New AI Podcasting Tool28:45 UPLOAD: Discord's Ads Are Working30:25 Outro and CreditsFollow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Today's big focus: the White House has greenlit a $14B deal for a U.S. version of TikTok. We unpack what this means for the app, who is involved (hello, Larry Ellison's media empire), and what President Trump wants to do with the algorithm.But first: the cringey, confusing, and absolutely wild "TikTok Night" on Dancing with the Stars. Was it a brilliant marketing move or a two-hour infomercial we were forced to watch? Plus: OpenAI just launched a new app that lets you deepfake your friends. Is this the future of content or a disaster waiting to happen?And: DoorDash is getting into the creator game with its own short-form video feed for food reviews.Finally: YouTube is coming to a flight near you! (again)Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.00:00 Intro00:21 Dancing with the Stars' TikTok Night10:27 The White House Moves on TikTok Acquisition14:08 Is Larry Ellison the Next Media Mogul?16:25 OpenAI's New Deepfake Video App20:53 DoorDash Wants to Own Food Reviews22:53 Uploads: VidSummit Preview25:05 Uploads: YouTube is Coming to Delta Flights26:28 OutroFollow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Lauren and Josh explore the incredible turnaround of Dancing With the Stars (which is seeing a huge ratings spike thanks to TikTok). Related: TikTok continues its will-they, won't-they journey into US spinoff territory. We have to ask: will the rest of the world follow? Then, a turn to creator commerce as Sephora, Condé Nast, and Best Buy are all launching their own "creator storefronts," giving creators a direct way to curate and sell products. Is this the next evolution of affiliate marketing or just a passing trend? Finally: a discourse on the staggering growth of NFL viewership and how the league is dominating not just TV screens, but second screens too. We discuss why more fans than ever are shopping, betting, and scrolling while watching the game.Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.00:00 Introduction00:27 How TikTok Made Dancing With the Stars Cool Again05:29 The Charli D'Amelio Effect09:22 Why the DWTS and TikTok Partnership is So Organic14:15 The Inevitable TikTok Sale16:14 Will the World Adopt a US-Only TikTok?22:18 Creator Storefronts Come to Sephora & Condé Nast25:57 Is the Creator Storefront Trend Here to Stay?31:00 UPLOAD/DOWNLOAD: NFL Viewership is Dominating33:25 The Rise of the Second Screen Fan36:56 UPLOAD/DOWNLOAD: The Summer I Turned Pretty38:48 OutroFollow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

We sit down with YouTube superstar Jordan Matter for an incredible conversation about the launch of Sincerely Yours, the skincare brand he created with his daughter, Salish. Jordan walks us through the entire journey, from the initial idea to their "Sephora or Bust" retail strategy. He shares the unbelievable story of their launch event, where an expected crowd of a few thousand turned into an unprecedented 87,000 fans, shutting down one of America's largest malls.Also: we go in depth on YouTube's "Made On" event. We cover the major updates, including dynamic ad insertion. We dig into how this could turn every creator's back catalog into a gold mine by allowing sponsored segments to be swapped out over time. But is the 2026 launch date realistic? We share some behind-the-scenes intel that might surprise you.00:00 Intro00:22 The Return to Linear TV05:57 The Story Behind YouTube's "Made On" Event10:54 YouTube's BIG Announcements13:32 The Future of YouTube Ads: Dynamic Ad Insertion18:27 The Big Question: Is YouTube's New Ad Tech Real?24:01 Interview: Jordan Matter on Launching a Viral Brand27:38 Why Jordan & Salish Matter Created a Skincare Line29:36 How to Build a Product With Your Audience33:28 Inside Their "Sephora or Bust" Strategy37:12 When 87,000 Fans Shut Down a Mall41:34 Aftermath and What's Next for Sincerely Yours45:44 Upload: The Power of Fan Culture & The Summer I Turned Pretty50:55 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Is MrBeast starting a mobile phone company? In this episode, we break down a leaked pitch deck that reveals Jimmy Donaldson's next potential business venture and what it tells us about his plan for profitability.Plus, YouTube's first exclusive NFL broadcast set a new livestreaming record, but traditional sports fans are NOT happy about creators like IShowSpeed and Deestroying taking over the commentary. Did YouTube fumble the ball or score a touchdown with a new generation of fans?We also cover a brief recap of Press Publish NYC, Steven Bartlett's podcasting secrets, Salish Matter's skincare launch to 87k fans in a mall in New Jersey, and the acquisition of Vimeo.Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.00:00 Intro00:28 Recap: Inside the YouTube Creator Collective & Publish Press Event03:57 Steven Bartlett's Secrets to a Great Podcast06:05 YouTube's Record-Breaking (and Controversial) NFL Game12:13 The Perfect Example of Creator x NFL Content13:58 LEAKED: MrBeast Wants to Start a Mobile Network18:31 This Creator Broke MrBeast's Mall Appearance Record22:13 Why Vimeo Was Just Acquired24:10 OutroFollow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Lauren and Josh dive into a wild week that saw Roblox shatter concurrent user records thanks to a viral developer beef over a game called "Italian Brainrot." The duo unpacks how this grassroots event, which supported MrBeast and Mark Rober's Team Water initiative, amassed 47 million simultaneous players...and what it means for youth culture and platform safety. Next: YouTube's new Hype feature, a discovery tool designed to spotlight channels with under 500,000 subscribers. They discuss the mechanics, its potential impact on discoverability, and the future possibility of viewers being able to purchase Hype for their favorite creators. Finally: YouTube's creator-heavy partnership with the NFL. They cover the exclusive kickoff game stream and the use of the Watch With feature, which will allow top creators like iShowSpeed to officially co-stream the game, signaling a massive shift in live sports distribution.Also: Spotify slides into the DMs with a new messaging feature, and YouTube is caught automatically enhancing Shorts with AI, much to the dismay of creators.00:00 Intro: Lauren's First Book Club02:55 How Italian Brainrot Led to a Roblox Record07:22 The Dangers of Massive Youth Platforms08:50 YouTube's Hype Feature for Small Creators Arrives in the U.S.12:10 How The Hype Button Actually Works15:01 Should Viewers Be Able to Buy Hype?18:48 YouTube's Game-Changing NFL Partnership20:06 Creators Like iShowSpeed Will Officially Co-Stream NFL Games22:52 The Power Shift from Experts to Creators25:48 Upload: Spotify is Adding DMs29:20 Download: YouTube is Using AI to Enhance Shorts Without Asking31:48 A Parent's Reaction to the Roblox Story32:50 OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Is Hollywood's most prestigious night coming to YouTube? This week, we break down the news that YouTube has inquired about the broadcast rights for The Oscars and what it means for the future of entertainment. As the lines continue to blur, Mark Rober and Jimmy Kimmel are teaming up for a new show on Netflix, and Fox's Tubi is bringing on creators like MrBeast.Then, we dive into the serious lawsuit facing Roblox, as the state of Louisiana sues the platform over child safety concerns, leading to fears of a potential "ad-pocalypse."Finally, we have an app recommendation from Hank Green that's taking over the App Store by helping you put your phone down.Creator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.00:00 Intro00:28 Inside UCLA's Exclusive AI & Creativity Summit01:08 The Big Debate: How Should AI Pay Creators?02:57 Does New Tech Actually Destroy Industries?06:12 What is "Vibe Coding"?09:36 The Oscars on YouTube?10:53 By the Numbers: The Shocking Decline of Oscar Viewership14:33 Why YouTube Wants to Be More Like Hollywood17:40 "Every Door Was Slammed in Our Face" - How Much Has Changed20:18 Mark Rober's New Show on Netflix21:48 Tubi is Making a BIG Push for Creators23:43 Roblox Sued by Louisiana Over Child Safety29:08 The YouTuber Who Ran Predator Stings on Roblox (And Got Banned)32:39 Upload: Hank Green's #1 App "Focus Friend"36:05 OutroFollow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand

Today: Lauren and Josh Cohen fangirl over Taylor Swift's first-ever podcast appearance on New Heights and assess the massive impact it had on the show's viewership and subscriber numbers.Then, they are joined by Evan Britton, the founder of Famous Birthdays, to discuss their new partnership with Pixability, a data and media solutions company. Britton explains how Famous Birthdays' platform-agnostic data on rising creators can lead to more effective advertising campaigns, citing a 58% increase in engagement and a 31% rise in conversions for campaigns using their velocity data. We also break down a new television audience measurement system from Barb that will put YouTube viewership on a level playing field with traditional TV ratings, potentially unlocking larger advertising budgets for the creator economy. Finally: Jonathan Katz-Moses, a YouTube creator and entrepreneur in the woodworking space, joins the show to discuss the $2 million investment he received from Slow Ventures. He shares his journey of building a multi-million dollar business, the importance of maintaining operational control, and his plans to use the capital for live events and product development.00:00 - Are the Hosts Swifties?00:43 - Taylor Swift's First-Ever Podcast Appearance01:54 - The Hosts' Take on Taylor and Travis's Relationship03:31 - Details on Taylor's New Album: "The Life of a Showgirl"04:44 - The "Taylor Swift Effect" on the New Heights Podcast06:19 - Why Were There No Ads on the Taylor Swift Episode?08:18 - Introducing Evan Britton, Founder of Famous Birthdays09:18 - How Famous Birthdays' Data Identifies Rising Stars11:19 - Famous Birthdays' Partnership with Pixability13:28 - The Impressive Results of the Pixability Partnership16:18 - Nielsen vs. YouTube: The Problem with TV Ratings18:44 - What "Total Viewers" Actually Means21:36 - Barb's Plan to Standardize TV and YouTube Measurement23:25 - Why Jonathan Katz-Moses Partnered with Slow Ventures24:55 - The Importance of Maintaining Operational Control26:50 - How Jonathan Plans to Use the $2 Million Investment27:22 - Why Not Every Creator Is an Entrepreneur29:37 - Helping Other Creators Build Their Businesses31:40 - A Look at the Numbers Behind the Slow Ventures Deal34:24 - Breaking Down the Revenue Streams37:13 - Why Jonathan Katz-Moses Avoids Brand Deals40:19 - Life After the Investment: Getting Off the Hamster Wheel44:17 - Cocomelon Announces Live-Action Spinoff45:56 - OutroCreator Upload is your creator economy podcast, hosted by Lauren Schnipper and Joshua Cohen.Follow Lauren: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schnipper/Follow Josh: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuajcohen/Original music by London Bridge: https://www.instagram.com/londonbridgemusic/Edited and produced by Adam Conner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonbrand