The Contract Playbook

The Contract Playbook is your on-the-go resource for tackling contracts in your online creator business. Each week, we'll dive into topics that will help you navigate, simplify, and negotiate contracts in the ever-evolving online landscape.

034: Navigating Brand Deals During DEI Rollbacks 03/10/2025

034: Navigating Brand Deals During DEI Rollbacks In this episode of The Contract Playbook, host Casey Handy-Smith sits down with Brittany Bright, founder of The Influencer League, to discuss the current challenges around DEI rollbacks in brand partnerships. Brittany shares her personal experiences managing creators and how she navigates brand deals while ensuring they align with her creators' values. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to The Contract Playbook Casey introduces the episode’s shift in focus, discussing the importance of addressing DEI rollbacks within the context of brand deals, especially for Black creators. 00:20 - Season Focus and Current Industry Issues Casey talks about the DEI rollbacks happening across large brands, explaining how they have affected creators, talent managers, and agencies since the beginning of 2025. 01:45 - Introducing Brittany Bright and The Influencer League Brittany shares the mission of The Influencer League, an online platform that uplifts and educates creators of color, particularly Black creators, and their journey in the influencer marketing industry. 03:25 - Interview with Brittany Bright Casey dives deep into the conversation with Brittany, where they explore the impact of DEI rollbacks, their implications for creators, and the ethical concerns that arise when navigating brand partnerships. 04:32 - Navigating DEI Rollbacks in Brand Partnerships Brittany opens up about the growing concerns around DEI rollbacks in major brands, highlighting how these rollbacks impact creators, especially those who have worked with brands for years. She shares her personal insights on why some brands have retreated from their DEI commitments and how creators can best handle these shifts. 22:31 - The Importance of Mutual Morality Clauses Brittany and Casey discuss the importance of including mutual morality clauses in brand deals. These clauses offer protection for both the creator and the brand in situations where a brand or creator comes under public scrutiny. 26:48 - Advice for Creators and Brands They provides crucial advice to both creators and brands on how to navigate this difficult terrain. She encourages creators to prioritize their values and not shy away from walking away from deals that may conflict with their moral compass. She stresses the importance of being selective and aligned with brands that truly support DEI initiatives. 31:04 - The Future of The Influencer League Brittany shares exciting news about The Influencer League’s rebranding, including new initiatives and tools for creators to help them thrive in the creator economy, including the launch of an AI-powered platform aimed at leveling the playing field. 37:16 - Closing Remarks and How to Connect Casey wraps up the episode with final thoughts from Brittany on maintaining authenticity in brand deals and how to push forward in the creator space, despite challenges like DEI rollbacks. Brittany also shares how to connect with her and The Influencer League. Key Takeaways: Navigating Rollbacks: Brittany and Casey discuss the impact of DEI rollbacks by brands and how creators can handle the ethical concerns around these changes. Creators should continue to be vocal about their values and selective about their partnerships. Mutual Morality Clauses: They emphasize the importance of negotiating mutual morality clauses in contracts. This protects both parties in the event of public backlash or reputational damage and gives both sides the ability to exit the partnership under certain conditions. Creating Ethical Partnerships: Advice is given on how to make sure brand partnerships align with your values and beliefs, as well as how to walk away from deals that don’t feel right for your personal or professional integrity. Empowering Creators: Brittany emphasizes the need for creators to stay empowered in their careers by making decisions that benefit their long-term growth and mental health. The Importance of Education: The Influencer League is dedicated to educating creators on industry standards, helping them navigate brand deals with confidence, and ensuring their work is valued and properly compensated. Resources: – Connect with Brittany and discover resources for creators of color. Connect with Brittany on Join Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - If you enjoyed this episode and want more content on navigating brand deals, contracts, and the creator economy, don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review. Share this podcast with others who may benefit from this conversation, and follow along for more episodes. 🎧 Tune in now and gain valuable insights to help you thrive in your creator career, even amidst the shifting landscape of brand partnerships. /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124005

033: From Pitch to Contract - Integrating AI into Every Stage of Brand Deals 03/10/2025

033: From Pitch to Contract - Integrating AI into Every Stage of Brand Deals In this episode of The Contract Playbook, host Casey Handy-Smith sits down with Phe Morgan, influencer manager and founder of For Creator Good. Phe discusses how AI is integrated into every step of the brand deal process, from researching brands to curating content. She shares her process and how AI empowers creators by increasing efficiency without replacing their creativity. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to The Contract Playbook Casey introduces the episode and the importance of AI in brand deals. 00:22 - Exploring AI in Brand Deals Casey and Phe discuss how AI can be a powerful tool for streamlining the creator-business relationship and improving efficiency in brand collaborations. 02:18 - Interview with Phe Morgan Phe shares her journey into the creator economy and how she launched For Creator Good, an organization designed to empower creators through tools, resources, and campaign management. 03:11 - Phe's Journey and For Creator Good Phe talks about her background in design, marketing, and social good, and how her passion for supporting creators led her to start For Creator Good. 06:20 - Utilizing AI for Brand Research Phe explains how AI helps her research brand history, controversies, and positive campaigns to ensure alignment with her creators’ values before entering partnerships. 09:17 - Custom AI Bots for Creators Phe walks through how she creates custom AI bots for each creator she manages, detailing their goals, bio, niche, and previous partnerships to tailor pitches effectively. 14:19 - AI in Content Strategy and Pitching Phe shares how AI helps her generate creative content ideas, streamline pitching strategies, and optimize the outreach process to brands. 21:19 - Curating Content with AI Phe explains how AI aids in content curation by identifying gaps, addressing weaknesses, and crafting an editorial calendar for creators. 24:25 - Getting Started with AI Tools Phe offers actionable advice for creators and talent managers looking to integrate AI into their business processes, including finding the right tools and practicing with them. 27:21 - Conclusion and Resources Phe wraps up with resources for learning more about AI tools and how to implement them effectively for greater efficiency in the creator economy. Key Takeaways: AI as a Support Tool: Phe emphasizes how AI enhances creators’ capabilities without replacing their core skills, making it an invaluable support tool. Custom AI Bots for Creators: Phe uses custom bots to manage individual creator profiles, tailoring brand outreach and content strategies to each creator’s goals. AI in Brand Research: AI helps speed up the process of vetting brands by providing insights into their history and public image, ensuring the best partnerships. Content Strategy & Efficiency: By automating content strategy, AI helps creators pitch and produce more effectively, saving time while maintaining authenticity. Tools for Success: Phe recommends experimenting with AI tools and customizing them to suit specific needs for more efficient campaign management. Resources: - 5 AI Tools Every Influencer Manager & Content Creator Should Use to Streamline Operations Connect with Phe on Visit Phe’s website: Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - If you found this episode helpful, share it with other creators and talent managers. Be sure to leave a review and let us know what you found most valuable. 🎧 Tune in to discover how AI can boost your efficiency, elevate your creativity, and transform your brand deal process. /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124010

032: Scaling Smart - How One Agency Built a Custom AI Playbook for Brand Deals 03/10/2025

032: Scaling Smart - How One Agency Built a Custom AI Playbook for Brand Deals In this episode of The Contract Playbook, host Casey Handy-Smith talks to Mia Cunningham, co-founder and director of talent at Alora Society. Mia shares how they use custom AI playbooks to speed up contract negotiations and secure the best deals for their creators, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how AI is helping scale their agency. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to The Contract Playbook Casey introduces the episode and discusses the power of AI in scaling agencies and improving contract negotiations. 00:21 - Season Overview: AI in Contract Review Casey explores AI's role in transforming contract review and management for creators and talent agencies. 01:03 - Interview with Mia Cunningham Mia shares her background, journey into talent management, and how she co-founded Alora Society with her partner, Kaylea Nicole. 01:16 - Mia’s Background and Journey Mia recounts her experience transitioning from working in social media and PR for a national brand to managing Kaylea’s brand and eventually founding Alora Society. 01:59 - Founding Alora Society Mia explains how Alora Society focuses on long-term, relationship-driven influencer management rather than transactional partnerships. 02:11 - Alora Society's Operations and Philosophy Mia describes their agency's mission to advocate for creators, ensuring they get the best deals while maintaining strong ethical standards. 10:28 - Challenges in Contract Management Mia discusses early challenges in managing contracts manually, such as repetitive tasks and the time it took to review contracts. 11:54 - Integrating AI in Contract Management Mia shares how they began integrating AI into their contract process to improve efficiency, especially as their agency scaled. 13:51 - Custom AI Playbooks for Agencies Casey and Mia dive into how Alora Society created a custom AI playbook tailored to their agency’s needs, allowing them to streamline contract review. 37:06 - Training and Scaling with AI Mia discusses how Alora Society is using the custom playbook to train new team members and scale the agency while maintaining consistency across contracts. 43:08 - Conclusion and Final Thoughts Mia reflects on how AI has transformed their contract process, saving time, increasing efficiency, and allowing them to scale with confidence. Key Takeaways: Scaling with AI: Alora Society has effectively integrated AI to scale their agency and improve contract efficiency. AI helps speed up redlining and ensures consistency. Custom AI Playbooks: The agency built a custom AI playbook, allowing them to automate repetitive tasks and apply consistent terms for their creators, including clauses for late payments and termination fees. Efficiency in Contract Review: By using AI, Mia can review contracts in a fraction of the time it used to take, reducing the cognitive load and ensuring accuracy. Ethical Agency Practices: Alora Society's philosophy centers on maintaining integrity and advocating for creators, ensuring fair negotiations with brands. Empowering Teams: AI enables the agency to scale by providing a system for training new team members in contract review and keeping everyone aligned on contract standards. Resources: Follow Mia on Connect with Alora Society on If you found this episode insightful, share it with others in the creator economy and leave us a review. Don’t forget to subscribe for more tips on navigating brand deals, contracts, and the creator business. Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - 🎧 Tune in to learn how to leverage AI to make your contract process smarter, faster, and more efficient. /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124015

031: AI in the Contract Workflow - Simplifying Brand Deals from Start to Finish 03/10/2025

031: AI in the Contract Workflow - Simplifying Brand Deals from Start to Finish In this episode of the Contract Playbook Podcast, Casey Handy-Smith discusses how AI is transforming the contract management process for talent managers and creators. Beyond just contract negotiation, AI simplifies every step from drafting to final execution, saving time and improving accuracy in managing brand deals. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the PodcastCasey introduces the broader conversation about AI in contract management, expanding beyond negotiation to managing contracts throughout their life cycle. 00:28 - Expanding the Conversation Beyond NegotiationAI's role in simplifying the entire contract workflow, from tracking key dates to ensuring consistency across deals. Casey explains how contract management is more than just signing the deal—it's about the whole life cycle. 01:06 - The Importance of Contract ManagementCasey stresses that managing contracts is a critical process that touches every aspect of a brand campaign. It includes renewals, termination deadlines, payment schedules, and tracking special terms. 01:13 - How AI Simplifies Contract ManagementAI tools help automate many of these tasks, such as tracking key dates and deliverables, which makes managing contracts much easier, especially when handling multiple deals across several creators. 04:08 - Automating the Review Process with AIAI tools can quickly analyze contracts, flagging missing or inconsistent terms and ensuring all standard clauses are included, such as payment schedules, deliverables, and exclusivity terms. These tools can save you hours of work and improve contract accuracy. 05:06 - Training and Onboarding with AIAI can make it easier to onboard new team members, especially those without a legal background. With AI tools offering instant insights and guidance, your team can quickly learn how to spot issues in contracts and apply your agency's standards. 06:11 - Maintaining Consistent Terms Across DealsAI ensures consistency across your contracts by helping you maintain your agency's preferred terms, like intellectual property ownership, exclusivity, and payment deadlines. Customizing AI playbooks for your agency can make this process even more efficient. 07:30 - Real-World Application of AI in Contract ManagementA case study from the Contract Collective highlights how one agency used a custom AI playbook to streamline their contract review process. By flagging key terms like late payment penalties, content revisions, and kill fees, the agency saved time and ensured consistency across contracts. 11:30 - Key Takeaways and ConclusionCasey wraps up with actionable advice on implementing AI in contract management, from identifying pain points to building your custom playbook. AI is a powerful tool, but it’s essential to combine it with human expertise for the best results. Key Takeaways: Automate Contract Review: AI tools can help streamline contract reviews by flagging missing or inconsistent terms, saving time and ensuring key clauses are always included. Onboard New Team Members Faster: With AI's instant insights and guidance, your team can learn how to spot issues and maintain consistency in contracts quickly and effectively. Maintain Consistent Terms: AI helps ensure that your agency's standard terms, like intellectual property ownership and payment deadlines, are consistently applied across all contracts. Custom AI Playbooks for Agencies: Build a custom AI playbook to meet your agency's specific needs, ensuring terms like late payment penalties and content revisions are always flagged. Human Component is Key: While AI offers efficiency, it’s essential to maintain a human component to ensure contracts are handled with the appropriate expertise and attention to detail. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - 🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more actionable contract advice. /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124020

030: Time-Saving Magic - How AI Automates Contract Review and Redlining 03/10/2025

030: Time-Saving Magic - How AI Automates Contract Review and Redlining In this episode of the Contract Playbook Podcast, Casey Handy-Smith delves into how artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the contract review process for creators and talent managers. AI not only saves valuable time but also enhances contract accuracy, providing a powerful tool for streamlining negotiations and protecting rights. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to Season 4Casey welcomes listeners back to Season 4, where the focus is on how AI is changing contract review and negotiation for creators and talent managers. 00:54 - Why Time Matters in Contract ReviewCasey emphasizes the importance of saving time during the contract review process, especially for creators and managers who may not have the luxury of hours to spend on tedious tasks like contract redlining. 02:11 - Combining AI and Lawyers for EfficiencyThe episode explores how AI can work alongside lawyers to create a highly efficient contract review process. AI tools can flag risky clauses and suggest alternative language, while lawyers can focus on the more complex aspects of the contract, reducing billable hours and cutting costs. 04:48 - How AI Reduces Review TimeAI-driven tools can reduce the time spent on contract review by up to 80%. What once took an hour may now only take 10-15 minutes, freeing up more time for strategic thinking and creativity. 05:50 - Improving Accuracy with AI ToolsCasey shares data showing that AI tools can identify contract risks with up to 94% accuracy, compared to just 85% for human lawyers. This improved accuracy not only saves time but also ensures that critical risks are flagged early, offering more reliable contract assessments. 07:27 - How to Get Started with AI-Powered ToolsCasey explains how easy it is to start using AI-powered contract tools, especially those designed specifically for the influencer and brand partnership industry. With AI tools like the Contract Collective’s playbook, you can simply upload your contract, click a button, and get a detailed review that highlights risks and suggests alternative language. 09:36 - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCasey wraps up by reiterating that AI is not replacing lawyers but rather enhancing their capabilities and saving time. By combining AI and legal expertise, you can streamline the process, reduce costs, and negotiate better deals with confidence. Key Takeaways: AI + Lawyers = Efficiency: AI tools help identify risks and suggest improvements, allowing lawyers to focus on more critical aspects of contract review. This combination saves time and reduces billable hours. Time-Saving Benefits: AI can reduce contract review time by up to 80%, enabling creators and managers to focus on higher-level tasks and strategy instead of getting bogged down in the details. Increased Accuracy: AI tools are significantly more accurate in identifying potential risks, making the contract review process both faster and more reliable. AI can identify contract risks with 94% accuracy compared to 85% for human-only reviews. Easy Integration with AI Tools: Casey discusses how easy it is to get started with AI-powered tools, such as the Contract Collective’s AI-powered influencer agreement playbook, which provides a seamless review process without the need for complicated prompts. Empowering Creators & Managers: AI enables creators and talent managers to feel more empowered in their contract negotiations, giving them the confidence to manage brand deals effectively without relying solely on lawyers. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - 🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more actionable contract advice. /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124025

029: Human + AI – The Perfect Combo for Smarter Contracts 03/10/2025

029: Human + AI – The Perfect Combo for Smarter Contracts In this episode of the Contract Playbook Podcast, Casey Handy-Smith explores how combining human expertise with AI can revolutionize the contract review process. AI tools can significantly improve contract efficiency, but human judgment is still essential for nuanced contract negotiation. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the Contract PlaybookCasey introduces the episode’s theme: combining human expertise with AI for smarter, more reliable contract review. 01:03 - The Power of Combining Human Expertise and AIDiscussing the synergy of human judgment and AI tools, and how they can work together for a more effective contract review process. 01:10 - Real-World Example: AI in ActionA case study of how AI is used for redlining contracts and how it benefits talent managers and creators, offering quick initial reviews and freeing up time for strategic decision-making. 02:20 - The Importance of Human Touch in AI-Assisted Contract ReviewCasey explains how AI tools handle the initial heavy lifting, but human expertise is needed to fine-tune the redlines and make strategic decisions. 03:25 - Understanding AI Limitations and the Need for Legal ExpertiseAI tools, especially generic ones, can miss nuanced details like indemnification clauses and may not recognize the industry-specific context, making human input essential. 06:38 - Case Study: Missing Clauses and AI's RoleA member used AI to flag a missing dispute resolution clause, but human guidance was needed to finalize and refine the language, ensuring both parties agreed. 08:59 - The Advantage of Lawyer-Backed AI ToolsLawyer-backed AI tools, like the one in the Contract Collective, provide more accurate, industry-specific suggestions based on years of legal expertise, making them far more reliable than generic AI. 11:03 - Encouragement to Leverage AI in Contract ReviewCasey encourages creators and talent managers to start using AI tools to improve contract efficiency, with the added benefit of human expertise when necessary. 11:48 - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCasey wraps up the episode, emphasizing the value of combining AI with human expertise to create smarter, more reliable contracts. Key Takeaways: AI + Human Expertise: Combining AI’s efficiency with human judgment results in smarter, more thorough contract reviews, ensuring all nuances are addressed. AI Efficiency: AI tools help speed up the redlining process by flagging issues quickly, freeing up time for more strategic contract negotiations. Understanding AI Limitations: Generic AI tools can miss key contract details, making human oversight essential for catching missing clauses or nuances. Lawyer-Backed AI: Lawyer-backed AI tools provide industry-specific insights and legal expertise, ensuring your contracts are reviewed with precision and accuracy. Smarter Negotiations: AI tools enhance contract efficiency, but human guidance ensures you make the right decisions based on strategy and legal requirements. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - 🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more actionable contract advice! /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124030

028: Lawyer-Backed AI vs. Generic AI: Why It Matters 03/10/2025

028: Lawyer-Backed AI vs. Generic AI: Why It Matters In this episode of the Contract Playbook Podcast, Casey Handy-Smith dives into the difference between generic AI tools like ChatGPT and lawyer-backed AI for contract review. Through an experiment, Casey compares how each handles contract clauses and explains why this distinction matters for creators and talent managers. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to AI in Contract ReviewCasey introduces the episode’s focus: comparing lawyer-backed AI and generic AI tools for contract review. 00:20 - Lawyer-Backed AI vs. Generic AIThe differences between AI tools designed for legal purposes and those designed for general use, and why it’s important to use lawyer-backed AI for contracts. 01:57 - Experiment: ChatGPT vs. Lawyer-Backed AICasey runs an influencer agreement through both ChatGPT and a lawyer-backed AI tool to illustrate the discrepancies and potential risks. 02:49 - Key Findings from the ExperimentHow ChatGPT missed key usage distinctions, provided inaccurate definitions, and suggested overly broad redlines, while the lawyer-backed AI tool gave more accurate, nuanced suggestions. 12:54 - Confidentiality Risks with Generic AIDiscussing the risks of using generic AI tools, especially around confidentiality, as these tools may expose sensitive contract details. 14:11 - The Power of Contract PlaybooksHow contract playbooks, built into lawyer-backed AI tools, help streamline the process and ensure consistent, high-quality reviews. 16:22 - Scaling Your Business with Lawyer-Backed AIThe benefits of using AI in scaling your business, particularly for agencies managing multiple contracts, and how it aids in training new team members. 18:17 - Conclusion and TakeawaysCasey wraps up by highlighting the importance of using lawyer-backed AI to improve contract review processes and protect business interests. Key Takeaways: AI Comparison: Generic AI tools like ChatGPT miss critical distinctions in contracts, such as intellectual property usage and indemnification clauses, which can lead to incorrect or incomplete advice. Confidentiality Risks: Generic AI tools pose significant confidentiality risks, as they store user data that could expose sensitive contract details, unlike lawyer-backed AI tools that prioritize privacy. Contract Playbooks: Lawyer-backed AI integrates contract playbooks that ensure standardized, accurate revisions and redlines based on real legal strategies, tailored to your business needs. Scaling with AI: Using lawyer-backed AI not only speeds up the contract review process but also ensures consistency across contracts, making it easier to scale and train new team members. Actionable Guidance: Lawyer-backed AI gives actionable, reliable advice that aligns with your business goals, making contract negotiations smarter and more efficient. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - 🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more actionable contract advice! /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124035

027: Common Contract Red Flags AI Can Catch Instantly 03/10/2025

027: Common Contract Red Flags AI Can Catch Instantly In this episode of the Contract Playbook Podcast, Casey Handy-Smith dives into the top red flags in influencer brand deals that AI can catch instantly. As AI continues to revolutionize contract review, Casey highlights the most common legal traps in brand deals and explains how AI can help you spot and fix them quickly. Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to the Contract Playbook PodcastCasey introduces the episode’s focus: common contract red flags that AI can catch instantly, expanding on previous discussions of AI in contract negotiations. 00:19 - Overview of AI in Contract ReviewHow AI-driven contract playbooks are revolutionizing contract review, saving time and ensuring more accurate brand deals. 00:33 - Common Red Flags in Influencer Brand DealsCasey explains the common red flags that creators and talent managers encounter when reviewing brand contracts, and why they need to be cautious. 02:12 - Red Flag 1: Payment Terms Beyond Net 30Brands pushing for payment terms beyond net 30, and why creators should push back on terms that extend beyond this standard. 03:23 - Red Flag 2: Lack of Protection for Services RenderedThe importance of ensuring payment for services already rendered in case of early termination of a contract. 04:22 - Red Flag 3: No Late Payment ProtectionContracts lacking penalties for late payments, and why it’s important to include protections for timely payments. 05:08 - Red Flag 4: Broad Content Revision ClausesThe dangers of broad content revision clauses that could lead to endless revisions without additional compensation. 06:48 - Red Flag 5: Work for Hire LanguageWhy “work for hire” clauses, which give brands full ownership of content, should be avoided by creators. 08:29 - Red Flag 6: Usage Rights in PerpetuityThe risks of brands requesting usage rights in perpetuity, and why it’s important to limit the scope and timeline of usage. 09:32 - Red Flag 7: Broad Exclusivity TermsThe dangers of exclusivity clauses that are too broad, preventing creators from working with other brands in their niche. 10:35 - Red Flag 8: Broad Media and Image Use TermsThe importance of clearly defining media and image use terms to prevent brands from overstepping or using your image in ways not agreed upon. 12:29 - Red Flag 9: No Compensation for WhitelistingThe importance of ensuring compensation for whitelisting (running ads with your content), as brands should pay for that additional use. 13:07 - Red Flag 10: One-Sided Boilerplate ProvisionsThe dangers of boilerplate clauses that place excessive responsibility or legal costs on the creator, and how to negotiate these terms. 14:48 - How AI Can Help Spot and Fix Red FlagsHow AI tools can instantly identify these red flags and make the necessary changes to protect creators in contracts. 18:02 - Combining AI with Human ExpertiseThe importance of pairing AI contract review with human expertise for the most effective contract management process. 20:20 - Conclusion and Final ThoughtsCasey wraps up by reiterating the importance of using AI to spot red flags early and improve contract negotiations. Key Takeaways: Spot Red Flags Instantly: AI tools can instantly flag common red flags in contracts, such as late payment terms, unclear revisions, and broad exclusivity clauses. AI Saves Time: AI doesn’t just spot issues—it also suggests edits to fix them, saving you hours of legal review time. Human Expertise Complements AI: While AI tools do the heavy lifting, human expertise is still essential for handling more complex issues and refining contract terms. AI Improves Negotiations: With AI flagging red flags and suggesting changes, you can enter negotiations with more confidence and a clearer strategy. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - 🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more actionable contract advice! /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124040

026: What Is a Contract Playbook - And How AI Can Supercharge Yours 03/10/2025

026: What Is a Contract Playbook - And How AI Can Supercharge Yours In this episode of The Contract Playbook, host Casey Handy-Smith dives into the essentials of contract playbooks and how AI can enhance their effectiveness. Casey explains why having a contract playbook is essential for running a successful agency, particularly when negotiating brand deals for creators. She also discusses how AI can streamline the review and negotiation process, saving time and minimizing errors. Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to Season Four Casey introduces the fourth season of The Contract Playbook and encourages new listeners to start with the first episode of the season for foundational context. 00:52 - Introduction to Contract Playbooks Casey explains the importance of contract playbooks for talent managers and agency owners who frequently handle brand deals for creators. 01:42 - Real-Life Example: Women in Influencer Marketing Casey shares a moment from a presentation she gave at Women in Influencer Marketing (WIM) about contract redlining and negotiation, where the concept of a contract playbook resonated with attendees. 05:00 - The Power of AI in Contract Playbooks Casey discusses how pairing a contract playbook with AI can drastically improve the efficiency and effectiveness of contract review, making the process faster and more accurate. 08:11 - Benefits of Contract Playbooks for Agencies Casey outlines how contract playbooks are crucial for agencies, especially as they scale. They help streamline contract review, delegate tasks, and maintain consistency across the team. 13:33 - Case Studies and Success Stories Casey shares examples from her own membership, The Contract Collective, where AI-driven playbooks helped talent managers spot risks, improve negotiations, and protect creators. 16:28 - Final Thoughts and Takeaways Casey wraps up by encouraging listeners to implement contract playbooks in their agency workflows and consider using AI to supercharge their process. 18:01 - Closing Remarks Casey encourages listeners to leave a review, share the podcast with a friend, and stay tuned for more insights in future episodes. Key Takeaways: What Is a Contract Playbook? A contract playbook is a customized strategy document for negotiating brand deals. It includes sections on common clauses like indemnification, termination, and force majeure, along with instructions on what to negotiate and how to handle each clause. AI Enhances Contract Playbooks: Pairing a contract playbook with AI significantly speeds up the process by identifying risks and suggesting solutions, making contract review faster and more accurate. Benefits for Agencies: A contract playbook helps agencies scale by making it easier to train new team members, delegate contract reviews, and maintain consistency. AI-driven playbooks also help reduce errors and improve negotiation outcomes. Success Stories: AI-powered contract playbooks have helped agency owners save time, improve negotiations, and protect creators by spotting risky clauses and suggesting better terms. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - If you enjoyed today’s episode, share it with a friend and leave a review. Reviews help us get the podcast to more creators and talent managers who need this info. Thank you so much for tuning in! /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124045

025: AI in Contract Review – Beyond Basic Redlines 03/10/2025

025: AI in Contract Review – Beyond Basic Redlines Welcome to Season Four! In this episode of the Contract Playbook Podcast, Casey Handy-Smith explores how AI is transforming contract review, especially for creators and talent managers. Moving beyond simple redlining, AI is revolutionizing contract workflows by offering real-time redlines and comments based on industry standards, saving time and improving accuracy in negotiations. Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to Season FourCasey introduces Season 4 of the podcast and the focus on AI’s role in contract review. 00:16 - Introduction to AI in Contract ReviewAI’s potential to change the way contracts are negotiated, improving efficiency and confidence in contract management. 01:18 - Understanding Contract RedliningThe basics of contract redlining—reviewing and marking changes in a contract to protect your rights and negotiate better terms. 03:19 - AI in the Creator EconomyHow AI is already used by creators and talent managers for tasks like research, content creation, and campaign strategy—and how it can be applied to contracts. 04:59 - Debunking Myths About AI in Contract ReviewAddressing common myths about AI, such as the idea that it’s too risky or only useful for small deals. 10:21 - Lawyer-Backed AI vs. Generic AIThe differences between lawyer-backed AI, built with legal expertise, and generic AI like ChatGPT, highlighting how each impacts contract review. 16:58 - Real-Life Applications and BenefitsA real-life example of how lawyer-backed AI improved contract review, making it faster and more efficient for talent managers. 18:37 - Conclusion and Next StepsCasey wraps up the episode with actionable advice on how AI-backed tools can enhance contract negotiations and streamline your workflow. Key Takeaways: Redlining with AI: AI tools, especially lawyer-backed ones, go beyond spotting red flags by making real-time revisions and suggestions based on industry standards. AI in the Creator Economy: AI is already widely used for tasks like brand research, content creation, and rate determination, and now it’s making its way into contract review. Debunking Myths: AI, when lawyer-backed, is not risky—it improves accuracy and speeds up contract review, reducing human error and freeing up time for strategy. Lawyer-Backed AI vs. Generic AI: Generic AI can miss nuances and provide overly broad suggestions, while lawyer-backed AI is tailored to your needs and follows industry standards, offering more accurate, nuanced suggestions. Real-Life Application: AI tools can drastically reduce the time spent on contract review by suggesting specific changes and flagging critical terms, all while maintaining legal soundness. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Join Casey's Substack Newsletter - 🎧 Tune in now and subscribe for more actionable contract advice! /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124055

024: Wrapping Up with Closing Clauses 12/17/2024

021: Termination Provisions: How to Protect Yourself When Campaigns Get Canceled 12/17/2024

023: Work-for-Hire: How to Secure Ownership of Your Creative Work 12/17/2024

022: When the Unexpected Happens: Force Majeure in Influencer Contracts 12/17/2024

020: Navigating Dispute Resolution Clauses 11/19/2024

020: Navigating Dispute Resolution Clauses In this episode of The Contract Playbook, we dive into the essential boilerplate provision of dispute resolution clauses in influencer brand deals. Host Casey Handy-Smith, Esq. unpacks what these clauses are, why they’re important, and how they can save you from costly legal conflicts. Through a real-life story from The Contract Collective™, Casey shares how one influencer agency dealt with a missing dispute resolution clause, why brands sometimes leave this out, and what creators and talent managers should watch for in similar situations. Key Takeaways: What is a Dispute Resolution Clause? A dispute resolution clause defines how disagreements between parties will be handled, outlining a clear, structured process that helps both parties avoid unnecessary legal battles. Types of Dispute Resolution: Mediation: A flexible, collaborative approach where a mediator helps both sides reach an agreement. Arbitration: A more formal process, often binding, with a neutral arbitrator making a decision. Litigation: The traditional court process, typically used as a last resort due to its cost, time, and public nature. Why Include a Dispute Resolution Clause? These clauses provide a roadmap for resolving issues, save time and costs, and help maintain a good working relationship between influencers and brands. How to Negotiate Dispute Resolution Clauses: Make your preferred method (like mediation) known to the brand early. Be open to compromise with brand preferences while ensuring protection for your client’s interests. Document discussions if the clause is missing or disputed, creating a record of your negotiation. Real-World Example from The Contract Collective™: Hear how one influencer agency handled a contract missing a dispute resolution clause, why the brand preferred to keep it out, and how they worked through it. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Subscribe & Review: Enjoying the show? Be sure to subscribe to The Contract Playbook so you don’t miss any episodes, and please take a moment to leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and build a community of informed, empowered negotiators. /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124080

019: Covered or Not? The Importance of Insurance in Brand Partnerships 11/13/2024

019: Covered or Not? The Importance of Insurance in Brand Partnerships In this episode of The Contract Playbook, we continue our journey through boilerplate provisions by tackling a topic that’s becoming increasingly relevant for influencers: insurance provisions. Casey breaks down why brands often include insurance requirements in influencer contracts, how these provisions complement indemnification clauses, and whether influencers need insurance at all. We discuss the types of risks influencers face—from intellectual property claims to potential data breaches—and explore practical steps to take if you don’t currently have insurance. Plus, Casey shares strategies for negotiating insurance requirements, including requesting a grace period for obtaining coverage or adjusting the indemnification language to protect both parties. Key Takeaways: The purpose of insurance provisions in influencer contracts and how they relate to indemnification clauses. Types of risks influencers may face and why brands may require insurance. Strategies for handling insurance requirements if you’re uninsured, including negotiating timelines or alternative protections. Links to insurance resources tailored for influencers and creators are available in the show notes. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Insurance for Influencers Other Resources: ™ – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Subscribe & Review: Enjoying the show? Be sure to subscribe to The Contract Playbook so you don’t miss any episodes, and please take a moment to leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and build a community of informed, empowered negotiators. /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124085

018: Limitation of Liability: Protecting Your Creators from Excessive Risk 11/05/2024

018: Limitation of Liability: Protecting Your Creators from Excessive Risk Summary: In this episode, we take a deep dive into limitation of liability provisions —another key boilerplate clause that works closely with indemnification to manage financial risk in influencer contracts. We start by recapping the previous episode on indemnification and then explore what limitation of liability means, why it’s crucial for influencer talent managers, and how it can protect creators from potentially devastating financial exposure. Join us as we discuss: What limitation of liability provisions are and why they’re essential for managing risk in contracts. How limitation of liability and indemnification clauses work together to cap liability for influencers. The types of damages influencers could be liable for without limitation of liability provisions and why it’s important to narrow the scope to direct, predictable damages. Tips for negotiating these clauses with explanatory comments, including insights from Nada Alnajafi’s book Contract Redlining Etiquette on the persuasive power of using the word “because” in redline comments. Key Takeaways: Defining Limitation of Liability: This provision caps the amount of financial exposure one party has, ensuring that even if something goes wrong, liability remains manageable. Working with Indemnification: Indemnification shifts risk, and limitation of liability controls that risk, ensuring creators aren’t left responsible for unlimited damages. Narrowing the Scope of Damages: Limiting liability to direct, economic damages helps avoid unforeseen or speculative losses, which could bankrupt an influencer if left unchecked. Using Explanatory Comments: When making substantive changes to a contract, include clear explanations to improve the chances of acceptance. Studies show that redlines with well-reasoned comments are more likely to be accepted by the other party. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to our AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a supportive community of influencer talent managers and creators. – Find lawyer-drafted contract templates to protect your business and intellectual property. – Learn more about effective redlining techniques to improve your negotiation skills. – Stay up to date with more contract tips and insights from the entertainment and influencer marketing worlds. Subscribe & Review: Enjoying the show? Be sure to subscribe to The Contract Playbook so you don’t miss any episodes, and please take a moment to leave a review. Your feedback helps us reach more listeners and build a community of informed, empowered negotiators. /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124090

017: Indemnification: How to Negotiate and Cover Your Bases 10/29/2024

017: Indemnification: How to Negotiate and Cover Your Bases Summary: In this episode, host Casey Handy-Smith dives into the world of indemnification provisions. Clauses that may seem standard but hold significant weight in influencer contracts. We recap the first episode, which set the stage for understanding why boilerplate terms should never be overlooked, and then focus on what indemnification clauses are, why they matter, and how you can negotiate them effectively to protect your creators. Join us as we break down: What indemnification provisions really mean and why they’re essential in influencer marketing. How indemnification clauses work in the real world, including a common example where an influencer could face legal exposure if they use unlicensed music in their content. Why indemnification clauses are typically one-sided in favor of brands —and why it’s crucial to limit the scope of liability for creators. Tips for negotiating these clauses using explanatory comments to help brands understand the reasoning behind your redlines and increase the likelihood of approval. Key Takeaways: Understanding Indemnification: Indemnification clauses shift risk and responsibility, holding your creators’ liable for certain actions or claims. They’re a powerful tool but can lead to significant financial exposure. Application in Influencer Marketing: Indemnification clauses often come into play when influencers use content—like music—that hasn’t been cleared. Without proper negotiation, these clauses can leave influencers vulnerable to unexpected liability. Limiting Liability: These clauses are often one-sided, so it’s essential to limit your client’s liability to relevant claims, such as intellectual property infringement and defamation, while excluding unreasonable terms. Explanatory Comments: When negotiating substantive changes, include clear, concise comments explaining your redlines. This can make it easier for the brand to understand and accept your proposed changes. Links & Resources: – Join the membership for access to the AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and a private community of influencer talent managers and creators dedicated to negotiating stronger contracts. – Discover a range of lawyer-drafted contract templates designed to protect your business and intellectual property. – Stay connected and get more contract insights and tips. Subscribe & Review: If you found today’s episode valuable, be sure to subscribe to The Contract Playbook and leave a review. Your feedback helps others find the show and join our community of informed, empowered negotiators! /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124095

016: Behind the Boilerplate: Negotiating Every Clause in Contracts 10/23/2024

016: Behind the Boilerplate: Negotiating Every Clause in Contracts Summary: Welcome back to The Contract Playbook! This season, we’re diving deep into the so-called “boilerplate” provisions found in nearly every contract. These aren’t just filler terms—they’re crucial clauses that shape the deal and impact your clients. Join host Casey Handy-Smith, an experienced Entertainment and IP attorney, as she debunks the myth of the boilerplate and explains why these terms should never be ignored. In this episode, we set the stage for the season by tackling common misconceptions about boilerplate clauses and why it’s essential to negotiate them. We discuss why brands may resist changes to these provisions and how to approach these negotiations without feeling discouraged. Key Takeaways: The Myth of the Boilerplate: Boilerplate provisions are often misunderstood as standard and unchangeable, but each clause has the potential to affect your deal significantly. Why Brands Resist Change: Brands prefer to stick with their templates to avoid disrupting their processes, but this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t ask for changes. A brand’s unwillingness to negotiate these terms isn’t a reflection on your abilities as a negotiator. The Danger of Vague Language: Vague clauses are risky and open the door to misinterpretation. Never settle for unclear terms. Listen to a story about how a simple clarification on an indemnification clause helped one of our members limit their creator’s liability. Asking the Right Questions: Understand the stakes and potential risks for your client by asking key questions about the purpose of each clause. Legal support is invaluable for identifying these risks and negotiating stronger contracts. Links & Resources: – Access the AI-powered Influencer Agreement Playbook and join a community of influencer talent managers and creators who are leveling up their negotiation skills. – Check out our selection of lawyer-drafted contract templates designed to protect your business and IP. – Stay connected and get more insights on navigating contracts in the entertainment and influencer spaces. Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to The Contract Playbook so you don’t miss a single episode. Please take a moment to rate and review the podcast—it helps more people discover our show and join the community! /episode/index/show/64b5462c-5f0a-4504-b0aa-7edf037acd87/id/39124100