It’s been a really varied week here at Passionfruit HQ. In terms of events, our very own Liz Plank attended the Trending Up event in DC, while VidCon announced its whole schedule for its Anaheim event. We also learned the importance of being entrepreneurial as a creator and broke down some pretty impressive stats on the rising interest in political streams.
You know the drill by now, but if you want more details, just keep scrolling.
Inside DC’s Invite-Only Leftist Influencer Conference
Recently, writer Liz Plank attended the Trending Up conference in DC. The conference sets out to support progressive creators at a time when right-wing influencers are flourishing. While right-wing creators benefit from algorithms and lucrative backers, progressive creators are working to build similar coalitions.
Arguably, this is why events like Trending Up are so important, with speakers including Elizabeth Warren, Pete Buttigieg, and Hakeem Jeffries. Workshops at the event covered topics like using AI tools, how to approach branding, and accessing legal support. For Plank’s full dispatch of the event, click here.
Remember Kai Cenat’s Streamer University? Well, It’s Officially Happening
Back in February, Kai Cenat first introduced the idea of a streamer university. He proposed renting out a campus and getting in experts like MrBeast to teach classes. But while some sceptics thought this idea was pie in the sky, Cenat proved his doubters wrong by releasing more information about the university, where he will serve as Headmaster.
For more on the exciting event, check out our article here.
VidCon Anaheim Releases Full Schedule
It’s almost time for the biggest creator party of the year. Vidcon is a highly anticipated event for video creators, and we couldn’t be more excited it’s returning for the fourteenth time. The event, which is set to kick off on June 19, announced its full line-up earlier this week.
The schedule truly has something for everyone, from the ‘Secret Life of Mormon Wives’ stars Mayci Neeley and Layla Taylor, to Dhar Mann, to Entrepreneurs Alex Hormozi and Leila Hormozi. Attendees can also look forward to new features like the ‘Vidcon Hall of Fame.’ For more on Vidcon 2025, check out our full article here.
Netflix Is Getting TikTok-ified On Mobile
Netflix is getting a makeover. The iconic streaming service is completely redesigning its homescreen on both TV and mobile. But in a YouTube video surmising these changes, Netflix’s mobile homescreen looked a little familiar…
It’s become seeming inevitable for apps to center their homepage around vertical video clips. The clips come from various TV shows and movies on the app, and enable you to watch the full thing with the touch of your finger. For more on Netflix’s redesign, click here.
Political Live Streams Explode in Popularity Year Over Year
Content creators have gradually become more political over the past few years — and this reached fever-pitch in the run-up to the 2024 election, which saw both Democrats and Republicans courting creators in order to get that all-important youth vote.
Now, Stream Charts’ Politics in Streaming report has demonstrated just how political users have become. The report found that political stream viewership had increased by 56% year-on-year, with Hasan Piker, the Al Jazeera channel, and the Right Side Broadcasting Network, being among the most viewed streams on various platforms.
For the whole breakdown, click here.
How Can Creators Become More Entrepreneurial?
A recent report by creator content platform Kajabi found that 59% of creators consider themselves to be entrepreneurs. These days, being a creator is about so much more than receiving ad revenue: it’s about building your own brand in order to get viewers to trust you.
That being said, becoming a more entrepreneurial creator can come with its challenges, so we consulted some of the best creators in the biz on how to get this balance right. For the full story, click here.
