As the last of the purple decorations came down at Old Billingsgate, CreatorFest Europe 2025 wrapped up in true technicolour. The event, held last Thursday, was a loud, joyful celebration of just how far the creator economy has come, even compared to this time last year.
Bringing together creators, brands, agencies, and tech innovators, CreatorFest highlighted the fast-moving world of creator-led marketing and digital entrepreneurship and the real people shaping it.
The day started in a way only CreatorFest could: with a live SpudRave DJ set hosted by SpudBros. Attendees danced their way into the vault for a morning party on the Modash Brand Stage, followed by a witty and refreshingly honest session with Taster and SpudBros CEO titled “The Baking Of.”
While the Modash stage set the tone for a high-energy day, the Main Stage brought the first big-name moment. Spotify hosted an engaging session on video storytelling featuring true-crime creator Bella Fiori. It was a full-on fan moment for many in the audience (myself included), but also a powerful look at how Fiori carved out her niche in the podcasting world and built a loyal global audience.
Industry heavyweights like YouTube and Meta took to the stage to explore how creators are driving authentic engagement and tangible results. A standout panel with Beatrice Mustocea, Henry Rowley, and Zainab Jiwa showcased how creators are expanding beyond social platforms by moving into traditional television and even film, proving the creator economy’s reach has no ceiling.
It wasn’t just the stages stealing the spotlight. The venue itself was alive with activations, creative corners, and yes, plenty of free stuff. The Adobe Lounge offered a calm, creative space complete with keyring-making and professional LinkedIn headshots, while Activation Alley kept things playful with Invyted’s free cookies and impact.com’s claw machine.
The Collab Hub was the beating heart of the event: a buzzing space where creators, brands, and talent managers could connect through 1:1 meetings, casual group chats, and spontaneous introductions that often led to something bigger. This year, it was about building real relationships.
The theme of professionalisation ran throughout the day, particularly during the Scaling or Sinking session with Adobe and Digital Voices, which explored what influencers need to evolve in an increasingly sophisticated industry.
Over on the Brand Case Study Stage, chaired by Gordon Glenister, attendees got a peek behind the curtain at successful partnerships, from BrewDog to Sprout Social, offering practical insights and inspiration for future campaigns.
Sessions from Twitch, Lemon8, and Linktree unpacked the realities of multi-platform growth, helping creators balance reach with authenticity. Meanwhile, Jade Beason’s Monetisation Masterclass was a fan favourite, breaking down exactly how creators can earn across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, without burning out or selling out.
With over 1,500 attendees, CreatorFest 2025 felt more like a creative ecosystem than a conference. A space buzzing with colour, charisma, and collaboration, you were there to learn, connect, and soak in the atmosphere. One thing was clear: the creator economy isn’t slowing down anytime soon.
