Earned: Unlocking the Power of the Creator Economy

Welcome to Earned, a podcast by CreatorIQ. In this series, we explore the transformative power of creator marketing by sitting down with the industry leaders who do it best. Tune in to learn the tried-and-true marketing philosophies and strategies behind today’s top brands and agencies, best practices for building impactful communities online and off, and powerful career advice to inspire industry newbies and veterans alike. We hope you enjoy!

200 Episodes Later, Earned Enters Its Next Chapter 08/05/2026

What Cannes Lions 2026 Revealed About the Future of Creator Marketing 07/22/2026

From Reach to Relationship: Why the Future of Creator Marketing Is Customer Experience 07/08/2026

What Heritage Brands Can Learn From the Creator Economy, According to Gap Inc.'s Damon Berger 06/24/2026

Why Lived Experience Is Every Creator's Competitive Advantage With Fola Amudipe 06/10/2026

Chase Fitzgerald on the Evolution of Creator Relations, Measurement, and Modern PR 05/27/2026

From Campaigns to Infrastructure: Jamie Gutfreund on What Brands Still Get Wrong 05/13/2026

REPLAY: Anastasia Soare, the Legend Behind Anastasia Beverly Hills, on Mastering Makeup and Market Influence 04/30/2026

REPLAY: Anastasia Soare, the Legend Behind Anastasia Beverly Hills, on Mastering Makeup and Market Influence REPLAY: Conor Begley sits down (in the iconic flagship location) with Anastasia Soare—legendary founder and CEO of iconic beauty powerhouse, Anastasia Beverly Hills—to discuss her journey to creating a beauty (and brow) empire. To start, we discuss Anastasia’s journey from arriving in the U.S. in 1989 without knowing English, to transforming her passion for beauty into a billion-dollar empire. Anastasia shares the remarkable story behind building ABH from scratch, highlighting the importance of resilience, hard work, and family bonds. An influencer marketing pioneer in the early days of social media, Anastasia reveals how ABH’s authenticity and digital savvy fostered a loyal community of fans that took the brand—and consumers’ brows—to new heights. Switching gears, we dive into Anastasia’s artistic background, and she pulls back the curtain on how principles of light, shadow, and proportion from her art school days have influenced her makeup techniques, before emphasizing the brand’s commitment to solving customer problems with innovative products. To close the show, Anastasia shares her tips for managing a global enterprise while staying true to your brand’s core values. In this episode, you will learn: How Anastasia Soare’s resilience, passion, and visionary strategies propelled her journey from immigrant to beauty mogul Why organic community building played a crucial role in Anastasia Beverly Hills' runaway success How artistic principles and innovative problem-solving have kept ABH at the forefront of the beauty industry Resources: Anastasia Beverly Hills - Connect with the Guest(s): Anastasia’s LinkedIn - Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/40991455

How Creators Are Transforming Marketing Strategy: From Campaigns to Infrastructure with Monica Khan 04/15/2026

How Creators Are Transforming Marketing Strategy: From Campaigns to Infrastructure with Monica Khan In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ VP of Brand Marketing Ashley Waxman sits down with Monica Khan—multihyphenate creator economy advisor, operator, and founder—to explore how brands must evolve from campaign thinking to creator-led infrastructure. Monica shares her unique perspective from working across platforms like YouTube and Meta, advising top creators through her firm Creator Revolution, and consulting with companies via McKinsey. At the center of the conversation is a fundamental shift: creators are no longer just a marketing channel—they are R&D, storytelling engines, and strategic partners shaping business outcomes. Ashley and Monica dive into why brands must move beyond one-off campaigns toward always-on, cross-functional creator strategies that drive long-term growth, and how building deeper partnerships unlocks compounding value across the funnel. Monica also unpacks the importance of brand self-awareness, redefining measurement beyond last-click attribution, and leveraging qualitative signals like community feedback and content performance to inform smarter decisions. The conversation explores the growing role of AI in marketing and creation—where it can accelerate workflows, but shouldn’t replace original thinking or creative instinct—and why transparency and editorial standards are critical to maintaining trust. Finally, Monica reflects on the power of in-person community building, the rise of creator-driven ecosystems, and what the next chapter of the industry looks like: a world where creators sit at the center of modern marketing infrastructure. In this episode, you’ll learn: The importance of long-term relationships with creators in building brand trust and fandom Creating a balanced marketing strategy that combines AI with human creativity How creators can build authentic, engaged communities around their brand Connect with the Guest: Monica’s LinkedIn - Connect with Ashley Waxman & CreatorIQ: Ashley’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/40882925

REPLAY: Unveiling Luxury: Inside Four Seasons' Marketing Strategies with Christina McCarthy 03/18/2026

REPLAY: Unveiling Luxury: Inside Four Seasons' Marketing Strategies with Christina McCarthy In this replay episode of Earned, Conor sits down with Christina McCarthy, Vice President of Global Media at Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts. To start, we dive into Christina's impressive career journey from fashion and beauty giants like Victoria's Secret and MAC. We delve into Four Seasons' strategic shift from traditional marketing to crafting rich, brand-building experiences that resonate with audiences. Christina highlights the pivotal role of high return guests (HRGs) and the tailored strategies that ensure their loyalty. She also explores the impact of social media influencers and user-generated content on guest perceptions, detailing how platforms like TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube are leveraged for global branding and local engagement. Listeners will gain insights into the integration of SEO and OTA (online travel agency) advertising and how Four Seasons harnesses cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experiences. The discussion extends to the allure of luxury travel destinations, emphasizing the brand's commitment to exceptional service and personalization. To close the episode Christina offers an insider's perspective on the innovative marketing tactics that distinguish the brand in the luxury hospitality industry. In this episode, you'll learn: How Christina McCarthy leads global media strategy for a luxury brand like Four Seasons: She shares how a fashion and beauty background shaped her approach to digital luxury marketing. Why VIP treatment drives loyalty: Christina explains how making guests feel like the star of their stay creates an emotional connection and repeat visits. Where content and paid media work best together: It's about blending platforms like TikTok and YouTube with creator content and search strategy. Connect with the Guest: Christina’s LinkedIn - Connect with CreatorIQ: CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/40363925

How Dove Turns Cultural Moments into Creator Marketing 03/05/2026

How Dove Turns Cultural Moments into Creator Marketing In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Dana Paolucci, Head of Influence and PR at Dove North America, to unpack how one of beauty’s most iconic brands is evolving creator marketing—without losing sight of its mission. Dana reflects on the “everything and nothing changes” reality of the space, from creators becoming full-fledged brands and franchises to the enduring importance of trust, community, and authenticity. Brit and Dana explore how Dove has scaled from a traditional, tightly controlled campaign model to an always-on creator engine—while staying grounded in Dove’s commitment to real beauty. Dana shares how the team engaged over 10,000 creators and generated 30,000+ pieces of content, guided by strict standards like Dove’s no digital distortion policy and a clear filter: partnering only with creators who contribute to a positive beauty experience online. The conversation also dives into Dove’s program structure, including full-funnel product launches, trend-responsive content, and the Dove Love community initiative designed to increase earned creator content through reciprocal relationships, replenishment, and life-moment support. Finally, Dana breaks down the cultural insight and agility behind Hot Seats—Dove’s music-fandom-driven platform that turned sweaty concerts and Coachella commentary into brand-relevant moments that drove real lift. The takeaway: listen deeply, release control, and show up with solutions. In this episode, you’ll learn: The shift from one-off influencer campaigns to always-on creator strategies at Dove How to balance earned and paid media in creator marketing The power of event-based campaigns in driving authentic creator content Connect with the Guest: Dana’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/40309205

How Creators Drive Demand Across the Customer Journey with Frank Dudley 02/18/2026

How Creators Drive Demand Across the Customer Journey with Frank Dudley In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Frank Dudley—marketing leader, Northwestern professor, and author of an upcoming Wiley book on Creator Marketing and Commerce Media—to unpack why the industry’s shift from influencer marketing to creator marketing is more than semantics. Frank argues that creators aren’t a channel; they’re the connective tissue across the customer choice journey, orchestrating demand from awareness through conversion in a dynamic, signal-driven system. Brit and Frank explore how this reframing helps brands move beyond siloed campaigns and start designing creator programs around jobs to be done: removing real consumer friction like confusion, skepticism, inertia, and perceived risk. Frank shares concrete examples—Dyson using explainer creators to demystify product claims, Sephora leaning on creators for mid-funnel confidence like shade matching, and Instacart creators driving lower-funnel utility through speed, substitutions, and savings. The conversation also dives into measurement, including why the market is shifting toward incrementality over engagement, and how integrating creators with commerce and paid amplification enables closed-loop learning and attributable impact. Finally, Frank breaks down the unglamorous—but essential—operational infrastructure required to scale: creative supply chains, decisioning layers, and data/legal ops. The takeaway: creator marketing isn’t a tactic—it’s a full-funnel operating system CMOs can roadmap. In this episode, you’ll learn: How creators are now the engine behind modern targeting and demand creation The shift from disconnected creator efforts to coordinated marketing systems How creator programs contribute to measurable revenue outcomes Connect with the Guest: Frank’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/40121380

Epidemic Sound’s Gracie Schram on Using Sound as a Strategy for Creators 02/04/2026

Epidemic Sound’s Gracie Schram on Using Sound as a Strategy for Creators In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Gracie Schram, Head of Strategic Initiatives for Creators at Epidemic Sound, live from Dubai during the 1 Billion Followers Summit. Gracie brings a rare, dual perspective to the conversation, shaped by nearly 15 years in the music industry as a recording artist and her current role helping creators and brands harness the power of sound at scale. Together, Brit and Gracie explore how the creator economy has matured into the economy—and why sound is one of the most underutilized tools in modern storytelling. Gracie breaks down the concept of sonic branding, explaining how music shapes emotion, identity, and audience retention across platforms, from YouTube and TikTok to Netflix and global brand campaigns. She also demystifies Epidemic Sound’s unique model, where music is fully licensed to travel anywhere without risk, enabling creators to scale without friction. The conversation dives into how creators can think more intentionally about sound design, the difference between viral sound and intentional scoring, and why emotional resonance matters just as much in educational content as cinematic storytelling. Brit and Gracie also discuss the growing overlap between brands and creators, the role of data and AI in music discovery, and why global creator communities—far beyond the U.S.—are shaping what comes next. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why sound is a core part of creator branding, not an afterthought How sonic consistency drives emotional retention and recall with the audience What creators often miss about music licensing and long-term scale Connect with the Guest: Gracie’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/39961235

Credibility Over Clout: Inside LinkedIn’s Vision for Creators 01/22/2026

Credibility Over Clout: Inside LinkedIn’s Vision for Creators In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Sam Clanon, Director of Product, Create at LinkedIn, live from Dubai during the Billion Follower Summit, to explore how today’s platforms can better serve creators, professionals, and businesses alike. Sam reflects on his career shaping content ecosystems at TikTok and Snapchat before stepping into LinkedIn’s uniquely complex mandate: designing tools that help people translate content into real economic opportunity—not just attention. At the heart of the conversation is LinkedIn’s philosophy of “Create,” not “Creator.” Sam breaks down the three major forces defining creation on the platform today: people creating content in service of their careers, professional creators building media businesses, and brands behaving as creators in a world where distribution is a prerequisite for growth. Together, Brit and Sam unpack why LinkedIn prioritizes credibility over clout, rewarding perspective, experience, and specificity rather than purely viral engagement. The episode also dives into how LinkedIn thinks about content distribution, the balance between personal and professional expression, and why impressions alone are often the wrong metric. For many creators and founders, Sam argues, success may come down to a single meaningful message—from the right customer, investor, or employer. Brit and Sam discuss the challenges of building for such a wide range of use cases, the importance of avoiding survivorship bias in product decisions, and how better analytics and clearer feedback loops can help creators define what “performance” actually means for them. In this episode, you’ll learn: How LinkedIn is evolving to support diverse creators. The shift from virality to credibility in content strategy. Why personalization drives real professional connections on LinkedIn. Connect with the Guest: Sam’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/39809055

Building a VIP Community That Drives Retention With Jenna Habayeb 01/06/2026

Building a VIP Community That Drives Retention With Jenna Habayeb In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Jenna Habayeb, President of Posh Peanut and four-time CMO (formerly of IPSY and Ruggable), to unpack how community, speed, and product obsession power sustainable brand growth. Jenna shares Posh Peanut’s origin story—founded by Fiona on Etsy—and how the brand differentiated itself in kids apparel through buttery-soft viscose bamboo fabric, bold maximalist designs, and a founder-led commitment to listening closely to customers. At the center of the conversation is retention. Jenna explains how Posh Peanut’s exceptional repeat purchase rates are fueled by both product quality and a highly engaged VIP Facebook community of nearly 250,000 members. This community plays an active role in shaping the business—providing real-time feedback, influencing product decisions, and getting early access to launches. Brit and Jenna dive into Posh Peanut’s fast-paced drop model, from weekly collections to daily drops during key moments like Black Friday and “Poshmas,” and how scarcity and newness keep customers coming back. Jenna also reflects on her transition from CMO to President, why brand and performance must work together, and how creators drive a full-funnel flywheel—from ambassador content to paid amplification and organic celebrity momentum. Looking ahead, Jenna shares the key questions brands should be asking as they scale: balancing acquisition and retention, evolving distribution, and defining the right role for AI in the business. In this episode, you’ll learn: How community engagement fuels retention and product demand. The importance of hands-on founders in sustaining momentum and trust as brands scale. Why weekly drops and creator moments keep customers coming back. Connect with the Guest: Jenna’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/39624880

How to Build Brands and Influence People’s Predictions for Creator Marketing in 2026 12/22/2025

How to Build Brands and Influence People’s Predictions for Creator Marketing in 2026 As 2025 comes to a close, Alex Rawitz—CreatorIQ’s Director of Research & Insights—hosts the final How to Build Brands and Influence People: Live of the year with a special crossover guest: Brit Starr, CreatorIQ’s Chief Marketing Officer and host of the Earned podcast. Together, they unpack the biggest creator marketing shifts of 2025 and lay out what brands should prepare for in 2026. Brit names 2025 the year the creator economy became inevitable—an inflection point where creators moved from “nice to have” to a true business imperative. They dig into the data behind that momentum, including a major budget realignment: creator marketing investment surged, with significant net-new budget coming from traditional and paid advertising. The takeaway is clear—creators didn’t just stay relevant; they took a bigger share of center stage. From there, the conversation turns to brand safety—why it became a top priority for enterprise brands and agencies, and how safety and suitability now go beyond binary “safe/not safe” decisions into nuanced, values-based alignment. Alex and Brit also explore the evolving role of AI in creator marketing, where adoption is growing but audiences (and creators) are signaling a renewed preference for human-led authenticity. Finally, they look at the platform landscape heading into 2026—why YouTube may be poised for a breakout year, how LinkedIn is evolving into a true creator platform, and why multi-platform strategy and tighter community-building will define what’s next. In this episode, you’ll learn: How creator marketing matured in 2025 and what that means for budget and planning decisions in 2026. Why brand safety and suitability are now prerequisites for scaling creator programs. Where AI supports creator programs and where human judgment still matters most. Connect with the Guest Host: Alex’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/39469365

Center of Excellence, Center of Execution: Leah Walker on Scaling Creator Marketing at Adobe 12/09/2025

Center of Excellence, Center of Execution: Leah Walker on Scaling Creator Marketing at Adobe In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Leah Walker, Director of Social Media at Adobe, to unpack how one of the world’s leading creative companies is scaling its creator strategy. Leah reflects on her decade at Adobe and shares how the brand moved from scattered influencer activations to establishing its first dedicated influencer marketing team—marking a major shift in how Adobe views creators as core to its marketing engine. Leah offers an inside look at programs like CAMP, Adobe’s Creator-Led Content Amplification Program, which repurposes creator content across the full funnel to drive both awareness and measurable performance. She explains why long-term partnerships consistently outperform one-offs, and how creators are helping Adobe uncover new use cases and workflows for its tools through authentic storytelling. Brit and Leah also explore Adobe’s unique operating model, where the influencer team acts as both a Center of Excellence and a Center of Execution—centralizing best practices, governance, and measurement while directly running high-impact programs. Leah highlights Adobe’s commitment to empowering creators at every stage, from beginners using Express and Firefly to established creators shaping culture on platforms like YouTube. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Adobe built its first dedicated influencer marketing team and why creator marketing is now essential. Why creator content often outperforms brand-produced ads across the funnel. The surprising ways creators influence Adobe’s products, workflows, events, and long-term marketing strategy. Connect with the Guest: Leah’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/39337960

From Creators to Entrepreneurs With Sidewalker Daily’s Nina Zadeh 11/25/2025

From Creators to Entrepreneurs With Sidewalker Daily’s Nina Zadeh In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Nina Zadeh, co-founder of Sidewalker Daily, to explore the evolving landscape of the creator economy and the transition of creators into savvy entrepreneurs. Nina shares her extensive experience in brand management and offers invaluable insights into how creators can strategically position themselves as essential partners to brands. The discussion highlights the significance of long-term partnerships, the role of data transparency, and the need for fair compensation, as creators increasingly take control of their business relationships. Listeners will gain an understanding of the strategic shifts expected in 2025, where creators are adopting a business-minded approach, utilizing financial tools like P&L statements, and tailoring content to meet the specific demands of platforms such as YouTube and Substack. This episode is packed with strategies for monetization and audience engagement, emphasizing the importance of exclusive, platform-specific content to build deeper connections with followers. Join us as we uncover the future of content creation, brand collaboration, and business innovation, setting the stage for creators to achieve sustainable success in the digital world. In this episode, you’ll learn: The business skills creators need to set their value and present it effectively. Where creators are finding growth today across social platforms and audience behaviors. What creators can do to build stronger businesses as they shift toward strategic, ongoing partnerships. Connect with the Guest: Nina’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - Where to find SideWalker: Website: Instagram: YouTube: Free Trainings: /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/39147855

Live From CreatorIQ Connect LA: Expert Takes on What’s Next in the Creator Economy 11/12/2025

Live From CreatorIQ Connect LA: Expert Takes on What’s Next in the Creator Economy This week on Earned, we dive into the dynamic evolution of the creator marketing landscape. Recorded onsite at our CreatorIQ Connect LA event, this episode brings you insights from industry leaders like Kate Brady from PepsiCo, Brian Manning from Wayfair, Leah Walker from Adobe, Dana Paolucci from Dove, and Amy Johnson from Wasserman as they discuss the shift from traditional advertising to more genuine, storytelling-driven strategies. Explore how brands are embracing community-driven growth and the transformative power of qualitative metrics over traditional engagement measures. We highlight the emerging trends reshaping the industry, such as the rise of macro and nano influencers, and the growing integration of creators in product development. Additionally, the episode examines the pivotal role of AI in amplifying creator value and the critical importance of precise ROI measurement. As we navigate the challenges of the digital age, we underscore the enduring power of storytelling and personalized content, envisioning a renaissance of authenticity in this ever-evolving landscape. Tune in for a compelling discussion on the future of creator marketing and its limitless potential to forge genuine audience connections. In this episode, you’ll learn: How leading brands measure the business impact of creator marketing. How community and storytelling help brands reach new audiences and create more memorable campaigns. What’s ahead for creator marketing as AI, new metrics, and creator partnerships change how marketers work. Connect with the Guests: Leah Walker’s LinkedIn - Amy Johnson’s LinkedIn - Brian Manning’s LinkedIn - Dana Paolucci’s LinkedIn - Kate Brady’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/39008295

How INNBEAUTY’s Alisa Metzger Builds Trust Through Real People and Real Results 10/28/2025

Unpacking the State of Creator Marketing with Jasmine Enberg 10/14/2025

Unveiling the Magic of Toy Marketing: Inside Moose Toys with Liz Grampp 09/30/2025

Harnessing Curiosity: Insights from Roya Zeitoune, Head of Culture and Trends at YouTube EMEA 09/16/2025

From Aussie Brand to Culture Shaper: Outcast’s Bold Brand Identity with CMO Christina McGonagle 09/02/2025

From Aussie Brand to Culture Shaper: Outcast’s Bold Brand Identity with CMO Christina McGonagle In Episode 181 of Earned, CreatorIQ’s Chief Marketing Officer Brit Starr sits down with Christina McGonagle—Chief Marketing Officer of Outcast, the bold Australian fashion brand taking the world by storm—to unpack how a bikini startup transformed into a global powerhouse. From its humble beginnings selling swimwear out of a bedroom, Outcast has grown into an international sensation, fueled by a fearless brand identity and a savvy embrace of influencer marketing. Today, the U.S. accounts for 70% of its revenue, thanks to immersive brand activations that go far beyond photo ops and create experiences customers can’t forget. Christina shares the strategic bets that have propelled Outcast toward the $100 million milestone, from investing in team culture to weaving influencers directly into advertising and product development. She also takes us inside the brand’s expansion into the UK, with a new warehouse and dedicated site designed to elevate customer experience. Along the way, Christina highlights how Outcast keeps customer engagement playful and personal through initiatives like the Heartbreak Hotel loyalty program and the Lake Club Outcast community. At the core, she makes a compelling case for balancing technology with real human connection—showing how Outcast is redefining authentic engagement in a digital-first fashion landscape. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Outcast turned influencer partnerships and organic gifting into a growth engine, driving US sales to 70% of total revenue. Why immersive, unconventional events are key to Outcast’s brand strategy and build lasting community engagement. The strategy behind scaling a fashion brand from a small Australian startup to nearly $100 million in revenue while staying true to its core identity. Connect with the Guest: Christina’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/38018670

Bridging Authenticity and Business with Trend CEO Ted Raad 08/19/2025

Strategies & Success Stories From Trailblazers in Beauty 08/06/2025

Strategies & Success Stories From Trailblazers in Beauty In this special episode of Earned, we’re compiling the best moments from our conversations with five powerhouse beauty brand founders: Sarah Gibson Tuttle of Olive & June, Lilly Ghalichi of Lilly Lashes, Rea Ann Silva of Beautyblender, Taylor Frankel of Nudestix, Courtney Shields of DIBS, and Deepica Mutyala of Live Tinted. Tune in to hear how these women transformed personal inspiration and experiences into globally recognized beauty brands. We dive into the emotional and strategic aspects of entrepreneurship, highlighting the role of empathy and leadership in driving brand success, before discussing the importance of flexibility, resilience, and maintaining authenticity amidst growth challenges. We also examine the effective role of influencer marketing in their business strategies, emphasizing the significance of organic promotion and community engagement. Learn how to navigate entrepreneurial challenges, the importance of quality products and strong teams, and the emotional highs and lows that accompany business growth. In this episode, you’ll learn: What the most successful beauty founders know about building brands that outlive trends, and how they keep consumers coming back. How the beauty industry has shifted over the years, and what today’s founders are doing differently to grow their brands. What aspiring founders need to hear before they start, from emotional endurance to building the right team. Connect with the Guests: Sarah Gibson Tuttle’s LinkedIn - Lilly Ghalichi’s LinkedIn - Rea Ann Silva’s LinkedIn - Taylor Frankel’s LinkedIn - Courtney Shields’ Instagram - Deepica Mutyala’s LinkedIn - Connect with Conor Begley & CreatorIQ: Conor’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/37630265

FP Movement’s Courtney Wartman Weis on Growing From Free People Sub-Brand to Global Activewear Powerhouse 07/30/2025

FP Movement’s Courtney Wartman Weis on Growing From Free People Sub-Brand to Global Activewear Powerhouse In Episode 179 of Earned, CreatorIQ’s Chief Marketing Officer Brit Starr sits down with Courtney Wartman Weis, managing director of brand marketing at FP Movement, to explore how the activewear label is scaling purposefully in today’s creator-driven landscape. Courtney shares how FP Movement evolved from a sub-brand of Free People into a global community-led brand of its own—and reveals how the pandemic-era shift to athleisure created new momentum. From launching Run Day and the Moving Together activity series to building a thoughtfully curated ambassador program (featuring top tennis athletes like Sloane Stephens, Sofia Kenin, and Danielle Collins), FP Movement is doubling down on creator and athlete partnerships to fuel impressive brand growth. Tune in to hear the brand’s plans for international expansion—with new stores launching in London and Paris, and eyes set on Asia and Australia—and learn how creators have continued to drive engagement and brand awareness across 55+ locations since 2020. Whether you're building a creator strategy or scaling a brand globally, this episode offers a front-row seat to what it takes to lead with authenticity and impact. In this episode, you’ll learn: How FP Movement built its community by working closely with creators who help represent the brand's identity and expand its reach. What it took to grow from one store to dozens, and how a clear but flexible strategy helped the brand navigate major shifts, including the pandemic. Why content, consistency, and creator partnerships are central to FP Movement’s marketing and how each plays a role in building trust with customers. Connect with the Guest: Courtney’s LinkedIn - Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ: Brit’s LinkedIn - CreatorIQ LinkedIn - Follow us on social: CreatorIQ YouTube - CreatorIQ Instagram - CreatorIQ TikTok - CreatorIQ Twitter - /episode/index/show/bdba5d00-82ab-4c9c-a0ba-75f5f11e005b/id/37575385

How Venting Went Viral: Shima Katouzian’s Journey to Social Media Stardom 07/22/2025

The Future Is Wearable: Marketing Innovation With Meta’s Raashi Rosenberger 07/15/2025

From Creator to Co-Founder: Jess Hunt’s REFY Journey from CreatorIQ Connect Europe 07/08/2025

Earned: Unlocking the Power of the Creator Economy

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