Welcome back. And thanks to all of you who have helped us reach 30,000 subscribers! We’ve been at this for just over a year and are so excited to keep learning about the business of creators with you.

–Hannah Doyle

Yes Theory Launches an NFT Project for a Feature Film

The YouTube creators recently turned down a $1.25 million streaming deal to fund their first feature film, Project Iceman. 

The documentary follows the journey of business analyst turned athlete Anders Hofman attempting the risky feat of completing an ironman across Antarctica. 

To raise funds, they are relying on their community, and launching exclusive tickets and NFTs, broken up into four tiers.

How it works:

• There are 10,000 limited premiere tickets and 226 NFTs corresponding to every kilometer the Iceman traveled.

• The lowest tier offers a ticket to the premiere, voting on premiere cities, and early merch access for $50.

• The highest tier, which will be auctioned off, includes becoming an executive producer and having a say in future Yes Theory projects at their annual advisor meetings.

Initially they launched with solely NFTs. But after receiving pushback from their community, they adjusted to offer tickets without the NFT component so fans could contribute without getting into crypto.

“[When making a movie] you do hit a ceiling of how big you can go. You’re going to need someone to cut you a check,” Thomas Brag, co-founder of Yes Theory told Colin and Samir. “And if you can work instead directly through the excitement of the community that comes from the ground up, it changes the game for any artist out there to be able to go out and create the art that they want to make.”

Our Take

We see this as a growing trend of creators using blockchain technology to not just create for their audience, but with their audience. And considering their community’s feedback on NFTs and their quick response with a solution—it’s yet another sign that this project is made for and by the community.

Alex Cooper Starts a Live Show

Last week the Call Her Daddy (CHD) host launched After Hours, a live talk show sharing behind-the-scenes intel on the CHD podcast and answers to listener questions.

The live show is a part of Spotify’s rebrand of Greenroom, their live audio product, which is now called Spotify Live. 

After Hours is available on the main Spotify app as well as the stand alone live audio app, Spotify Live. However, fans can participate only through the Spotify Live app. It operates like a Clubhouse, where listeners login and ask to participate in the conversation.

Our Take

Live audio has found success in Twitter spaces thanks to its strong social community—will users be drawn the same way to Spotify? Programming drives audiences, not platforms, so this is a smart move for Spotify to get some live traction. This is also a good litmus test for gauging the strength of Cooper’s audience and provides an opportunity to deepen the relationship in real-time with a less-produced format.

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Shorts Creator Katie Feeney Becomes an NFL Correspondent

Following her popular Super Bowl coverage on YouTube Shorts, Feeney signed a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders as their social media correspondent. According to ESPN, it’s the first deal of its kind for the NFL.

Feeney, 19, is a student at Penn State University, with over 9 million followers on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. She also was a social media intern for the university’s football team. She posted her first TikTok in 2016, when the app first launched in the US. 

Our Take

Feeney shows how a 19-year-old can take their career into their own hands. Using the tools of YouTube and TikTok, you can make your own path toward your dream job with just the phone in your pocket.

🔥 Press Worthy

• MrBeast is hiring for content and production positions.

• Casey Neistat returns to YouTube

• YouTube videos can now be “remixed” into Shorts.

• RedCircle helps independent podcasters monetize content and grow their audience, all in one place.*

• Bella Poarch partners with Cash App.

• This creator is the MrBeast of Argentina.

*This is sponsored advertising content.

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