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NEWSMAKERS Clockwise from top left: Sony is hiring a YouTube expert, Alex Cooper is making big moves, Travon Free (right) is producing an indie TV series and Marie Faustin is hosting a new show from First We Feast.

WISE UP From left: Anthony Dabbundo, Sal Iacono, Joe House and Raheem Palmer on Monday’s inaugural Twitch livestream of Ringer Wise Guys. (Like & Subscribe illustration; screenshots) I wrote about LinkedIn’s creator boom, the podcast insiders hashing out new standards for the industry, creators launching scripted series on Instagram, how YouTubers’ shows and podcasts are faring on Netflix, and reps’ race to sign buzzy Love Island stars.

(Like & Subscribe illustration; Andriy Onufriyenko/Getty Images) I wrote about the podcast insiders hashing out new standards for the industry, creators launching scripted series on Instagram, how YouTubers’ shows and podcasts are faring on Netflix, reps’ race to sign Love Island stars and creator M&A deal flow. I’m natalie@theankler.com Last week, LinkedIn announced a crackdown on AI-generated posts, introducing a “Seems like AI slop” button for users to flag material that feels too artificial.

(Like & Subscribe illustration; Douglas Sacha/Getty Images; Manusapon Kasosod/Getty Images) I wrote about creators launching scripted series on Instagram, reported on how YouTube creators’ shows and podcasts are faring on Netflix, covered reps’ race to sign buzzy Love Island stars and analyzed creator M&A deal flow.

SOCIAL-FIRST SERIES From left: Friend Material, Brooklyn Coffee Shop and Mt. Mystic all launched on social platforms and have caught Hollywood’s eye. (Like & Subscribe illustration; screenshots) I wrote about how YouTube creators’ shows and podcasts are faring on Netflix, reported on reps’ race to sign buzzy Love Island stars, analyzed the robust creator M&A deal flow so far this year and covered Hollywood’s creator gold rush.

STREAMING STARS From left: Danny Go!, Ms. Rachel, Mark Rober and Salish Matter have all hit big on Netflix. (Like & Subscribe illustration; image credits below) I wrote about reps’ race to sign buzzy Love Island stars, the robust creator M&A deal flow so far this year, which creators are winning with the 2026 World Cup, and Hollywood’s creator gold rush.

FLYING HIGH Erling Haaland returned to Norway with a taxidermied raccoon and tens of millions of new social media followers. (Jan Langhaug/NTB/AFP via Getty Images) I wrote about reps’ race to sign buzzy Love Island stars, the robust creator M&A deal flow so far this year, 2026 as the summer of reality TV and Hollywood’s creator gold rush.

BRANDS AHOY! Love Island’s season eight cast, especially winners Trinity Tatum and Bryce Dettloff (center), should sail into social media success. (Like & Subscribe illustration; Ben Symons/Peacock via Getty Images) I wrote about the robust creator M&A deal flow so far this year, covered 2026 as the summer of reality TV and Ankler Media’s conversations and convenings at Cannes Lions and analyzed Hollywood’s creator gold rush.

CREATING VALUE Clockwise from top left: Whalar co-CEOs Emma Harman and Jo Cronk, Byron Allen, Salish Matter, Jay Shetty and TBPN hosts John Coogan and Jordi Hays. (Like & Subscribe illustration; image credits below) I wrote about 2026 as the summer of reality TV, covered Ankler Media’s conversations and convenings at Cannes Lions, listed 14 must-meet power players at the fest, profiled YouTube daredevil Michelle Khare and analyzed Hollywood’s creator gold rush.

HOUSE PROUD “There’s a big long journey that we live in life, and to be able to capture these pivotal moments is highly relatable,” says Summer House and In The City star Lindsay Hubbard, center, with me (left) and Bravo & Peacock unscripted chairman Frances Berwick.