Ian Shepherd

London

Contributor at Forbes

Co-CEO and Co-Founder @electrifyvideo | Host of the Business of Creators podcast | Forbes Contributor

Articles

Inside The Week That Split The Creator Economy In Two

4 days ago | forbes.com | Ian Shepherd

CANNES, FRANCE - JUNE 17: Atmosphere at Spotify Beach during Cannes Lions 2025 on June 17, 2025 in ... More Cannes, France. (Photo by Antony Jones/Getty Images for Spotify)Getty Images for SpotifyLast week, the creator economy faced a pivotal moment, not because of a new algorithm, platform or monetization model, but because of a calendar clash. Cannes Lions and VidCon, now under the same parent company, unfolded during the same week for the second time in three years.
This Is Why Top Creators Are Suddenly Switching To Snapchat

1 week ago | forbes.com | Ian Shepherd

Young male creator recording online media video on his room - Millennial guy streaming online and ... More sharing social media content by mobile phone app network - New trends for millennial people conceptgettySocial media in 2025 often feels like a high-stakes performance. Filters, edits and algorithmic gimmicks dominate most platforms. But Snapchat is flipping the script by championing unfiltered storytelling and creator-first design.
What Every Creator Should Know Before Launching A Digital Product

2 weeks ago | flipboard.com | Ian Shepherd

6 hours agoExpress your feelings to reduce stress? Research shows complaining will often make you feel worse. I’ve been around leaders who liked to yell. Scream. Even, occasionally, throw a chair. Granted, expressing a little anger isn’t a bad thing. According to research conducted by Henry Evans and Colm …
What Every Creator Should Know Before Launching A Digital Product

2 weeks ago | forbes.com | Ian Shepherd

Man podcaster influencer blogger smiling while broadcasting his live audio podcast in studio using ... More headphones, laptop and headphones. Male radio host making podcast or interviewgettyThe creator economy is entering its next major phase, not one defined by followers or viral content, but by real product ownership and long-term equity.
Steven Bartlett Becomes Co-Owner Of Stan To Back Creator Founders

1 month ago | forbes.com | Ian Shepherd

Steven Bartlett is no stranger to backing the next wave of disruptors, but his latest move is more than an investment.
How Creators Are Building 7-Figure Products, Without Millions Of Views

1 month ago | forbes.com | Ian Shepherd

The idea that a creator’s business lives or dies by sponsorships is quickly becoming outdated. As audiences crave more authentic, purpose-driven products, creators are turning into entrepreneurs, developing tools, books, art and gear rooted in their content and expertise. Many are finding that they don’t need millions of views to make millions of dollars, they just need to solve a problem for the right audience.
Inside The Rise Of The Creator CEO Movement

1 month ago | forbes.com | Ian Shepherd

The creator economy is growing up. What started as a movement of individuals monetizing content has rapidly evolved into something more sophisticated: creators are becoming entrepreneurs and content is becoming the top of a real business funnel. These digital-first operators are no longer just chasing brand deals. They’re launching products, managing teams and running companies. And now, a new wave of platforms is emerging to support them.
What Trading Cards Tell Us About The Future Of The Creator Economy

1 month ago | forbes.com | Ian Shepherd

For years, creators have been chasing virality and hoping the money follows. But today, the most successful creators are flipping that script by monetizing directly through community, content and commerce. Fanatics Live, a livestream platform built for trading card enthusiasts, is a great example of what’s possible when creators are given the tools to operate like entrepreneurs.
The Webby Awards Just Gave Creators What They’ve Always Deserved

1 month ago | forbes.com | Ian Shepherd

For nearly two decades, creators have been the unsung architects of internet culture. From the rise of YouTube vloggers in the 2000s to today’s multi-platform content entrepreneurs, creators have consistently driven innovation, conversation and now commerce online. Yet structurally, they remained undefined, often folded into broader categories like "social" or "video" in institutional settings. That changed in 2025.
Creators Are Coming For QVC’s Crown

1 month ago | forbes.com | Ian Shepherd

When QVC launched in 1986, it reshaped shopping as entertainment. Hosts on live television sold everything from jewelry to juicers with charm, trust and storytelling. Fast forward to today, and the format is back, but this time, it’s powered by creators, not cable. The next QVC is already live-streaming from someone’s phone.