Creator Economy - from My Media to Me Media

Imagine if your Twitter feed (I mean... X) - well, that's another thing. Is it only me, or does it happen to everyone? Sometimes my word association gets so rigid (eg Twitter) that it just refuses to come to terms with a new associated word (eg X). Twitter still feels so much like the internet's Town Hall. X just doesn't cut it for me!

…I digressed...

Coming back to the newsletter... Up until now, I imagined the social media experience being primarily human-led, with AI bots being additives or supplements to enhance the quality of communication. Then I heard thoughts about Small and Medium businesses being able to have their AI-driven chatbots for things like customer queries, account mining etc. Then about creators having their AI-driven chatbots to engage with their fandoms and other such use cases. What I didn’t see coming was AI-driven audiences!?

Read on to learn more

Spotlight Story

The spotlight story this week is the story of SocialAI. A social network where everyone but you is an AI bot. Yes, you read that right!?

So the entire social chatter is built around the content you post, and comments from the ‘AI’ audiences of your liking. One can choose from various types of audience experiences from ‘supporters’ to ‘Trolls’, from ‘Critics’ to ‘Fans’, from ‘Visionaries’ to ‘Drama Queens’ and have that desired tone of voice as comments to your post.?

The listed use cases on the app store reads -?

• Post status updates and get infinite replies from millions of AI followers
• Enjoy your own private space for reflection and feedback, like you’re the main character
• Experience AI conversations tailored to your mood and thoughts
• Use SocialAI as a tool for therapy, journaling, or simply feeling heard
• Receive helpful insights and AI-generated support in real-time
• Feel the boost of always being surrounded by your AI community
• Explore a new kind of social engagement where it’s all about you

Could there be a future where every single person on social media would have their own personalized AI Creator Ecosystem? Like your Instagram or Snapchat feed today, except that you and your chosen circle of humans are the only audience and AI creates bespoke content to grab your attention.?AI doesn't just predict what you might like—it creates what you'll love.

Research Reports

If you’ve been wondering how the music creator economy needle moves, you should get your eyes on this report by MIDiA. However, if you’d prefer, here’s a quick and dirty overview of the report.?

I was blown away when I learned that despite the democratization social and streaming have driven, streaming is still dominated by big artists. Did you know that less than three percent of artists account for more than nine-tenths of all streaming royalties? This begs the question - Will more artists release full songs on social media in 2025? The answer seems to be a resounding YES! Perhaps, that’s why A quarter of indie artists now put their music straight on TikTok!

While you’re deep-diving into the Music Creator Economy give this video a watch as it talks about the inevitable bifurcation of the Music industry.?

Across the Globe

• North America has the most podcast listeners in the world for now, but in 2025 it will be eclipsed by Latin America, and by 2027 China will have more listeners than any other country or region. Did that make you sit up and take notice? Perhaps, the good folks at Podeo, a Dubai-based podcasting startup saw that too, and raised $5.4M to go beyond the Arab world
• T-series, the Indian record label, came on top of the most viewed channel on YouTube globally, clocking a whopping 842.8 million weekly views! Here are the Top 5 most viewed channels globally. No, Mr. Beast didn’t make it to the worldwide list, but made it to the Top 5 most viewed YouTube channels in the US.?
• Meta recently concluded its Meta Connect day. Here’s a run-down of everything that was announced during the Meta connect. During the conference, Mark Zuck recently gave a candid forward-looking interview where he predicted that AR glasses will replace phones (it’s a long interview, but you can skip to the good parts in the timestamps). TBH, I won’t be surprised in a future where glasses are going to be our primary wearable device!?
• In another YouTube news, as a result of a stalemate in not being able to renew its deal with a music rights organization SESAC, YouTube has restricted access to music videos from artists like Adele, Nirvana, R.E.M., and Kendrick Lamar.
• In Indonesia, Virtual humans or Digital Avatars have graduated from being chatbots to reading the news and guiding travelers through Jakarta’s airport.

Portuguese-speaking influencers from Africa are moving to Brazil, where the creator economy is booming

• The global gaming industry is valued at $200 billion — outpacing both film and music. China is the world’s biggest gaming market with nearly 700 million players. A recently released game Black Myth: Wukong has had unprecedented success by selling 10 million copies in just three days — one of the fastest debuts in gaming history.?
• After recently acquiring the world’s largest influencer marketing company, Influencer, for $500mn, Publicis Groupe has gone ahead and acquired the world’s largest independent commerce marketing company - Mars United Commerce for a reported $600mn. Combine this with its 2019 acquisition of Epsilon for nearly $4bn, Publicis is now uniquely positioned to own?

AI x Creator Economy

OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, is reportedly considering transitioning to a for-profit model, while the non-profit entity will continue to co-exist. It is noteworthy that OpenAI is reportedly heading for a valuation of $150bn under the new $6.5bn fundraising drive (actually, during the writing of this newsletter OpenAI just raised $6.6bn at $157bn). This move will certainly have ramifications for the larger AI ecosystem - here is a good read on what this could mean.?

My Corner

I am back in Dubai, after spending a quick week in India to be a part of the Executive Roundtable Conference by the James Douglas Middle East team. A brilliant discussion on the topic “Aye-Aye to AI within the Banking and Financial Services”.? Thank you Sanjeev Pradhan ‘Roy’ for leading the initiative!?

Dubai has been fantastic, from meeting old friends/colleagues to making new mates, from attending military veterans gathering at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi to being a part of the fun Taco Stars start-up community event. There’s something for everyone here!?

I am in Dubai for most of this month and if you are here too, or even transiting, do holler and I’d love to grab coffee (or beer)!?

On the 28th of September, was the 198th Gunners Day of the Indian Army. This day brought back memories of the time I got commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery, in the glorious unit that my Dad had served too. So Happy Gunners Day to you too Dad! ??

Dad Joke of the Week

Speaking of Dad, here’s your much-awaited joke of the week - Why do dads take an extra pair of socks when they play golf? In case they get a hole-in-one.

Hope you like this free newsletter? I’m still learning and this newsletter is still evolving. Would love your candid feedback. Anything you’d like to see more of, less of or least of! ??

I have held leadership roles in big tech sales & partnerships across Asia Pacific-Japan, North America, and Latin America. I’m a seasoned entrepreneur (EdTech) and a military veteran. I am a business author on the evolving Content and Creator Economy and a LinkedIn Top Voice on Team Management and Creator Economy.

I serve on the Advisory Boards of several growth-stage companies in the Web3 and MediaTech sectors and am a jury member at several Hackathons and Startup mentor groups.?

Join our community for a midweek insight into the pulse of the global Creator Economy, delivered straight to your inbox. Email me at [email protected] or swing by www.MetaCogX.me (under construction).

Stay curious, keep exploring!