Spotify Launches Podcast Program, Cassey Ho Debuts Blogilates line, Teens Profit from Content, Meta Advances Generative AI

Spotify Officially Launches Partner Program for Podcasters

Spotify recently celebrated the launch of its first-ever Partner Program to provide monetization opportunities for creators based in the U.S., U.K., and Canada. First announced at the platform’s Now Playing event, the Spotify Partner Program offers eligible creators access to multiple revenue streams. These include audience-driven payouts for video engagement on Spotify Premium and opportunities to monetize through ads on Spotify Free as well as other podcast platforms.

Under the new Spotify Partner Program, users also benefit from an enhanced viewing experience and a larger video podcast catalog, while Premium users enjoy an ad-free experience with only creator sponsorships, ensuring seamless content on any device. Spotify shared that the platform is committed to enhancing users' viewing experience while helping creators leverage the format for discovery and growth. Podcast clips, which were also introduced at the Now Playing event, have proven 33% more effective than previews in converting browsers into engaged listeners.?

Spotify shared about the early success of its Partner Program and avid creator optimism in its official announcement. Spotify noted that since it first announced the Partner Program in November, more than 65% of eligible shows and networks have successfully enrolled in the program. Podcast hosts, including Zach Misischia, co-host of The Makeshift Podcast, were quick to share their thoughts on the new program. Misischia told Spotify, “The new Spotify Partner Program has given us a way to monetize our podcast without interrupting the listener’s experience, which is extremely important to us since it can often deter listeners from continuing an episode.”

Creators interested in learning more about the Spotify Partner Program can check out Spotify’s official FAQ page here.?

Cassey Ho Launches Target-Exclusive Blogilates Activewear Line

If you’ve visited one of Target’s 1800 U.S. stores recently, you may have noticed an amazing new addition featuring none other than Cassey Ho, YouTube fitness guru and founder of Popflex. This past week, Cassey Ho celebrated the official launch of Blogilates for Target, an affordable activewear line featuring functional yet fashionable designs inspired by her Popflex line. Blogilates first launched its collection of home workout gear in U.S. Target locations in 2020, selling out quickly due to high fan demand, and has been restocked on shelves since then. Now, Blogilates fans are running to their nearest Target to try out Cassey Ho’s inclusive activewear line and sharing their honest feedback on social media.

Cassey Ho shared to her blog and social media her experience developing Blogilates for Target from curating her 108-page pitch deck to overcoming the learning curve of designing product tags. “Every detail of this collection was so thought out, from the design features to the fabric, to the color options, down to the tags,” Ho wrote. “The team that made this happen is made up of only 7 women, including me! This project was unlike anything else we have done and it truly tested us in every way.”

Fans across the U.S. have shared reviews and videos about the amazing quality of the new Blogilates activewear line, which is exclusive to Target. Common questions from fans include inquiries about the design and quality differences that contribute to its affordability compared to Popflex, possible restock dates at Target, and the potential availability of extended plus-size options in-store. Cassey Ho mentioned in her blog that Blogilates is currently undergoing a six-week trial phase at Target, and if the line performs well and sells out, Target may consider restocking the collection.

To learn more about Cassey Ho’s design journey and the story behind Popflex, check out our blog on IMF’s Top 10 Influencer-Founded Fitness Brands today!

How U.S. Teens Are Leveraging Content Creation for Profit

A recent Digiday report highlights that teens are entering the creator economy, actively seeking new ways to earn money online. According to a Whop study cited by Digiday, over 42% of U.S. teens aged 12 to 18 earned an average of $717 from online side hustles and content creation in 2024. Additionally, approximately half a million U.S. teens reported earning $1000 or more from sponsored social media posts last year.

Alyssa Stevens, global director of PR, social media, and influencer marketing at Connelly Partners discussed with Digiday how today’s teens’ interest in becoming content creators can be attributed to their digitally native nature and consumption of social media content. “[Being a creator] is something that anybody can do, and they’re watching everyday people start creating content and a massive following and make pretty sizable income — and then get that star power,” Stevens told Digiday.?

Amron Lopez, U.S. talent director at Sixteenth, also spoke with Digiday about the rising trend of teens aspiring to become content creators. “[Teen creators] offer cultural relevance — making them highly valuable for brands looking to connect with these younger demographics, like Gen Z and Gen Alpha,” Lopez explained. As these teen creators continue to grow in influence, many benefit from professional resources, such as talent management, parental support, and legal protections, ensuring they navigate the creator economy with guidance and compliance.

Meta’s Generative AI Strategy: AI Personas on Social Media

Meta is heavily investing in AI-generated content, aiming to populate its social media platforms with digital characters that engage users across Instagram and Facebook. Over the past year, Meta has launched AI tools allowing users to create unique AI personas that will ultimately have bios, profile pictures, and the ability to generate content. According to a recent report from the Financial Times, Meta's goal over the next two years is to enhance app engagement and create more social interactions with such AI personas.??

Connor Hayes, vice president of product for generative AI at Meta, told the Financial Times, “We expect these AIs to actually, over time, exist on our platforms, kind of in the same way that accounts do.” While hundreds of thousands of AI characters have been created using current tools on Instagram, most remain private, with users primarily utilizing AI to enhance real-world content, such as photos. Meta recently launched interactive AI Chatbots on Instagram that can respond to users' questions, but Hayes noted that Meta is actively working to release its text-to-video generation software to creators and develop their innovative AI accounts.

Given Meta's focus on generative AI, the company is committed to protecting user integrity and safety through AI safeguards and content regulations. For example, AI-generated content must be clearly labeled, and creators have the ability to design their AI personas to avoid specific topics or promote chosen ones. Meta has yet to announce any new updates for AI personas or chatbots but stay tuned to Spreading the Influence for the latest news on generative AI and the creator economy.