With the creator economy on track to hit $480 billion by 2027, the pace of professionalisation is accelerating. The days of creators being perceived as hobbyists are firmly behind us. Today, they are founders, producers, storytellers and community leaders, helping to shape the broader cultural, political and business landscape.
This year’s CreatorFest is designed to reflect that evolution. Our second wave of speakers continues to build a programme that’s not only forward-looking, but grounded in the practical realities of making a career in content creation. From scaling operations and mastering monetisation to transforming brand partnerships and redefining community engagement, the 2025 agenda gets straight to the chorus.
Below, we explore the theming of each stage, along with a few unmissable sessions.
Main Stage: The Professional Era of Influence
This year’s Main Stage centres on the professionalisation of the creator economy, exploring what’s next as the space matures. Sessions will spotlight strategic foresight, operational rigour, and the cultural power creators now hold.
Don’t Miss:
Scaling or Sinking: The Operational Overhaul Influencer Needs
This session pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to scale sustainably – from hiring to infrastructure and workflow optimisation.
Adobe and Digital Voices will spotlight the brands and agencies staying ahead of the curve, and will unpack why traditional influencer models need to upgrade their strategy to survive.
With the right strategy, the future of influencer is scalable - don't get left behind.
HEADLINER: Productivity Meets Purpose – Grace Beverley’s Blueprint for Brand Building
Entrepreneur and creator Grace Beverley shares her approach to building a high-performing, purpose-driven business, from building her following at Oxford University to becoming a founder of multiple companies. She’ll share how she’s leveraged authentic connection and long-term engagement to fuel brand success.
Ideology of Influence: Introducing the Creator Economy’s Next Phase
Influence is no longer just about selling. This session explores how creators are becoming ideological leaders, reshaping industries and movements from the inside out.
Brand Stage: When the Vibes Bring Value
On the Brand Stage, we explore how creators are transforming from content collaborators into strategic brand partners.
Don’t Miss:
Passing the Vibe Check: How L’Occitane Mastered Sensory Storytelling
How do you capture scent, texture and luxury on screen? L’Occitane’s creative team takes us behind the scenes of their immersive, creator-led campaigns.
Stop Renting, Start Owning: Building Brand Real Estate on Social
Dom Smales, GloMotion Studios, and two special guests will explore how brands can start to build valuable entertainment assets with lasting value, all while owning the IP. Our experts will break down how brands have a real opportunity to work with creators as strategic partners on their own channels, and create content that truly keeps audiences entertained. Stop renting, start owning.
Why Smart Brands Are Betting on Substack
With select brands already killing it on the platform, this session will map out how brands can develop deeper partnerships with Substack creators to build trust, especially when it comes to ‘high-consideration purchases’. Where creators go, brands should follow.
Learn how prioritising story fit over product fit can reduce costs, decrease competition and lead to better content.
Creator Stage: Monetise, Mobilise, Move Beyond
The Creator Stage is all about empowerment. It’s where creators take the reins – on income, creativity and community. With a focus on mastering monetisation, rejecting one-size-fits-all brand deals, and building community-powered platforms, this stage celebrates creators as multi-hyphenate entrepreneurs.
Don’t Miss:
Monetisation Masterclass: How Creators ACTUALLY Make Money
In this session, YouTuber and Founder Jade Beason will break down the steps creators need to grow and get paid. From in-bound brand partnerships to creator funds, Jade might even drop some figures.
From Online to IRL: Why Community Ownership Matters More Than Ever
Millie Gooch, Founder of the Sober Girl Society, is heading up a deep-dive into what it really takes to build, grow and sustain a purpose-driven community both online and IRL.
Your Brand, Your Terms & Why ‘No’ is a Full Sentence
In this session, Justin Girdler, Founder at Diving Bell, is joined by food creator, Matt Adlard, and Abigail Foster, personal finance educator, to unpack the shift from brand partnerships to personal branding.
Across all stages, this year’s sessions cut through the noise to spotlight the real building blocks of the modern creator economy. Expect candid conversations with industry leaders, honest reflections from creators, and practical takeaways that go beyond the usual playbook.
There are still plenty more sessions to come, so keep a look out on our website. Explore the CreatorFest agenda so far here and join us as we shape what comes next.
