Latest news with #Creators
Al Etihad
3 days ago
- Business
- Al Etihad
Creators HQ, Snapchat Partner to empower region's creative economy
25 July 2025 18:38 DUBAI (ALETIHAD)Creators HQ, the region's first dedicated hub for digital content creators, has partnered with Snapchat in a first-of-its-kind collaboration to launch a long-term initiative aimed at empowering creators across the GCC and beyond. The partnership will bring to life a calendar of programmes, including Snap Schools, AR masterclasses, talks by guest speakers and creators, and on-ground AR activations, all designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and growth within the region's creator kickstart the newly established partnership, Creators HQ and Snapchat hosted the first Snap School this Thursday with over 50 notable content creators in attendance. The session offered hands-on training, platform insights, and direct engagement with Snapchat experts, equipping creators with the tools, trends, and strategies needed to succeed on the partnership stems from a shared commitment to support the rapidly growing community of Snapchat creators who continue to inspire audiences across the region. As Snapchat continues to evolve into a true companion for creators, personally and professionally, it is shaping a space where authenticity, transparency, and trust are the guiding Alhammadi, Vice Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office, said: 'At Creators HQ, we are committed to empowering creators in the region through targeted educational initiatives. By delivering programs in collaboration with our partners, we help creators produce meaningful content that fosters growth and sustainable income.'Alhammadi continued: 'Partnering with Snapchat marks a strategic step in our mission to support and develop talented content creators in the region. We look forward to joining efforts and helping creators level up their skills and create impactful content that celebrates and elevates digital creativity.''We've been truly inspired by the incredible creativity of creators across the region,' said Hussein Freijeh, Vice President at Snap Inc. MENA. 'This partnership with Creators HQ marks a strategic investment in the next generation of storytellers, giving them the tools, mentorship, and monetisation opportunities to grow their presence and impact.'Freijeh continued: 'We believe equipping creators with the right knowledge and tools is the foundation for growing our creative community on Snapchat. Our goal is to empower creators with the tools and confidence to produce inspiring content and experiences that create positive impact, while staying true to who they are. Snapchat makes it easy to create authentic, spontaneous content without being tied to a niche. We're focused on supporting a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem, one where established creators and celebrities, as well as homegrown talent, can thrive."Snapchat is also actively expanding its monetisation tools, helping creators turn passion into a profession. Through programmes like the Spotlight and Stories Reward programmes, Creator Marketplace integrations, creators can explore several ways to monetise their content while staying true to their creative is also doubling down on Augmented Reality (AR) in the region, recognising its power to spark imagination, boost engagement, and fuel innovation. With over 300 million people engaging with AR on Snapchat every day, the platform continues to be a global leader in this support developers and creators alike, Snapchat will be hosting masterclasses utilising Lens Studio, allowing creators to build an AR experience in minutes. To nurture a thriving regional AR ecosystem, the partnership offers educational programs, technical tools, and global visibility for MENA-based AR ahead, Snapchat and Creators HQ will continue rolling out new initiatives, including deeper programming tied to Spectacles, Snap's standalone, see-through AR glasses, with the goal of pushing creative boundaries and supporting digital upskilling across the region. This partnership marks a significant step in building a sustainable and inclusive creator economy, one where innovation thrives, creators are rewarded, and authentic storytelling is celebrated.
The Verge
6 days ago
- The Verge
Threads is trying to entice creators with improved analytics.
Posted Jul 22, 2025 at 11:49 PM UTC Threads is trying to entice creators with improved analytics. The changes include tools to compare post performance over time and see where people encounter your posts. You can read more about the changes in a blog post or on Threads. Follow topics and authors from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. Jay Peters Posts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All by Jay Peters Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Meta Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All News Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Tech Posts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed. See All Threads
Al Etihad
16-07-2025
- Business
- Al Etihad
Creators HQ hosts regional launch of 'Nothing Phone 3'
16 July 2025 22:59 DUBAI (ALETIHAD) British tech company 'Nothing' marked its regional debut with the launch of its new Nothing Phone (3) and first over-ear Headphone (1) during an event held at the Museum of the Future in partnership with Creators event marked a major milestone for the brand, which selected Dubai as the starting point for its regional journey, reflecting its vision for innovation and with content creators in mind, the new devices offer advanced performance and immersive audio-visual features to support high-quality launch was attended by over 120 leading content creators from across the region, who together command an online audience of more than 90 million followers. The gathering provided a platform for creators and tech innovators to exchange ideas and explore new tools for digital Phone (3) and Headphone (1) were introduced as powerful production tools to help creators enhance productivity and build sustainable digital businesses. The launch aligns with the UAE's wider vision for a creative, digitally driven those in attendance were Akis Evangelidis, Co-founder of Nothing; Rishi Kishor Gupta, Regional Director for the Middle East and Africa; Alia Al Hammadi, Deputy Chairperson of the UAE Government Media Office and CEO of the 1 Billion Followers Summit; and Abdulaziz AlJaziri, Deputy CEO of the Dubai Future Foundation, alongside key media and tech said the launch at the Museum of the Future symbolised the company's focus on shaping next-generation user experiences.'Through this event, we're not just unveiling devices — we're delivering experiences that empower users to express their individuality, connect, and create in unprecedented ways,' he Al Hammadi said the UAE continues to serve as a global hub for innovation and creativity. She praised Creators HQ's role in supporting the creator economy with access to world-class tools and a collaborative highlighted the UAE's position as a magnet for global tech companies, saying, 'Hosting this launch reflects growing interest from global startups and innovators in the UAE's digital ecosystem. Our country continues to offer unmatched opportunities in future sectors, including advanced tech, communications, and new media.'The Phone (3) features a revamped transparent design with the new Glyph Matrix interface, professional-grade camera, and a Snapdragon® 8s Gen 4 processor for enhanced performance and (1), developed with British audio firm KEF, includes advanced noise cancellation, spatial audio, and a distinctive transparent finish. It was designed with creators and music enthusiasts in mind. Nothing also announced the launch of its #Drops100 campaign, which begins on July 17 at Sharaf DG in Dubai Mall, giving early buyers access to the Phone (3) and Headphone (1) ahead of their market release.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
When Passion Economy Leadership Meets The Private Equity Playbook
Private equity and the passion economy may come from opposite ends of the business spectrum. One is built on leverage, returns, and operational discipline. The other thrives on identity, emotional connection, and niche authenticity. Yet increasingly, we're seeing these worlds collide—and when they do, a new kind of leadership becomes not just relevant, but essential. I've worked across both domains: from M&A execution to managing value creation and to support founder-led businesses where the product was an extension of the founder's personality. What I see today is a growing need for leaders who can blend the creative drive of the passion economy with the scalability and structure of the PE model. HQ of Bain Capital - a well renowned private equity firm. The Rise of the "Hybrid Leader" The passion economy often produces microbrands, creators, and niche B2B service providers, businesses that are deeply personal, often founder-driven, and culturally cohesive. These types of businesses are increasingly attractive targets for serial acquirers and PE-backed platforms. But here's the catch: the traits that made the company successful under the founder: speed, intuition, product obsession - don't always translate directly into a traditional PE operating model. Enter the hybrid leader: someone who understands both worlds, and can translate one into the other without killing what made the company special in the first place. A new generation of hybrid leaders is emerging. Three Traits of Successful Hybrid Leaders 1. They protect the founder's vision—without freezing it. When an owner exits, they don't just hand over assets. They hand over identity. The best post-acquisition leaders honor that identity while evolving the company into a more scalable, investable platform. 2. They introduce process without killing momentum. It's easy to bog down a nimble, creative team with overbuilt reporting structures. Hybrid leaders build 'lightweight systems', enough to reduce chaos, not so much that it stifles speed or innovation. 3. They translate culture up and down the chain. Whether it's a technician in Sundsvall or a CFO in Stockholm, hybrid leaders can speak both "founder" and "finance." They turn mission into metrics, and vice Example: From Niche Services to National Platform Most companies are founded by one or two hands-on owners. Many have built their reputation over 20+ years on trust, speed, and relationships, things that don't appear on a P&L. A few years ago, I worked in a setting where we supported a B2B service business investor and brought on a post-acquisition CEO who had led a management business in the passion economy, later scaled a productized service, and knew how to operationalize without alienating the team. What happened? The transition was smooth. Integration was fast. And importantly, the frontline staff stayed engaged. EBITDA grew, and so did retention, culture scores, and customer This Means for Investors Private equity investors can widen the perspective when evaluating post-acquisition leadership. The most effective operator may not have the most traditional resume. They may have built a boutique agency, scaled a creator brand, or led a bootstrapped SaaS product through inflection. And while they may not speak in discounted cash flows and roll-up logic, they often deeply understand customers, people, and positioning, which is what protects and grows enterprise value long-term. - Building Platforms for Passion-Driven Companies It's not just about picking the right leader. It's also about creating the right environment. PE sponsors and serial acquirers should build operating platforms that allow for creative variance. This means:The Bigger Picture We're entering an age where more of the value in small-to-midsize businesses lies in brand, culture, and community, not just scale and process. If we want to unlock that value post-acquisition, we need a certain archetype of leadership. Not softer. Just smarter. Leaders who understand the founder's 'why,' build a scalable 'how,' and deliver an investor's 'what.' In a world of roll-ups and replicability, what stands out is not the system, it's the soul. And the leaders who can scale both are the ones who will win the next era of private equity.
Forbes
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Cannes 2025: TikTok Redefines Film Culture On The Global Stage
As an official partner of the 78th Cannes Film Festival, TikTok returned to the Croisette with a robust programming slate designed to connect the global creative community with one of cinema's most iconic events. Through platform-native storytelling, creator-led content, and thoughtfully curated in-person moments, TikTok showcased its growing influence in shaping how global audiences engage with film. Over the course of the festival, TikTok gave users unprecedented access through exclusive behind-the-scenes content, red carpet highlights, interviews with talent and more, all discoverable through the official #Cannes2025 hashtag and the dedicated Festival de Cannes Hub in-app. The platform became a cultural lens through which audiences experienced the festival in real time, with creators capturing the energy, fashion, and love of film from their unique perspectives. In the lead-up to the event, TikTok launched the TikTok Film & TV Competition, inviting the global #FilmTok community to submit original content using #TikTokFilmTVCompetition. Running from April 10 to May 7, the competition garnered over 300,000 entries from creators in the US, France, UK, Germany, Korea, and Japan. Selected winners were hosted by TikTok during the second week of the festival, gaining exclusive access to premieres and industry events. TikTok has also sparked a new wave of film reviewers whose commentary and festival coverage shape audience perception in real time. Red carpet moments and festival highlights go viral, showcasing the platform's power to drive immediate engagement. Fan engagement is so impactful that today's audiences influence the narrative before a film's release, prompting studios to embrace TikTok-driven storytelling into their marketing strategies. Hollywood's biggest stars are recognizing the influence of the #FilmTok community. In a conversation during Kering's Women In Motion Talks, Nicole Kidman spoke about TikTok's role in helping her film Babygirl find its audience, showing how the platform is shaping modern film discovery and audience connection. As Dawn Yang, TikTok's Global Head of Entertainment Partnerships explained: Together, creators, fans, and stars are reshaping the traditional press cycle, putting TikTok at the center of modern movie buzz. TikTok is putting creators at the center of how stories are told, shared, and experienced, and these creators are helping to shape culture in real time, bridging the gap between audiences and the entertainment industry. Reece Feldman (@guywithamoviecamera on TikTok) is a filmmaker and creator best known for his behind-the-scenes content that offers an insider's look at the film industry. What began as behind-the-scenes on-set videos as a production assistant quickly evolved into red carpet coverage, film festival access, and a growing reputation as a cultural bridge between Hollywood and TikTok. In just a few years, Feldman has become a recognized voice in both the creator space and the film industry, helping define how studios and streaming partners build relevance to a younger, authenticity-seeking audience. TikTok invited Reece to the 78th Cannes Film Festival not only as a creator but as a recognized filmmaker. Closing out the week, Reece premiered his debut short film Wait, Your Car? starring Whitney Peak, Ruby Cruz, Minnie Mills, and Noa Fisher, earning rave reviews. Reece's journey exemplifies TikTok's unique role in shaping modern film culture—where fans become filmmakers, platforms become stages, and creators help rewrite the rules of promotion and storytelling for the next generation. From competition entries to red carpet commentary, and from creator-led panels to official film premieres, the 78th Cannes Film Festival made clear that TikTok is not just capturing the moment, it is helping define the future of entertainment.
