After an 18-month pilot period, Cameo’s new product, CameoX, is now available to all.
Launched in 2017, Cameo, the celebrity video shout-out service, soared in popularity during the pandemic. At its peak, the business was valued at $1 billion, but since then, as TechCrunch notes, it has experienced a sharp decline, facing layoffs, drops in valuation, and being left unable to pay a FTC fine that was issued over undisclosed celebrity endorsements.
As TechCrunch pointed out, Cameo never quite managed to capture the A-list talent it was hoping for, and while their business model of video messages was unique, it made it hard for the platform to diversify its income. They tried everything, from live events to NFTs: but none of it stuck. That’s where CameoX comes in.
What is CameoX?
CameoX is an app that makes it easier than ever for creators to be part of Cameo. Previously, applications to Cameo were selective, with the platform noting that it rejected over 100,000 applicants.
But now, all creators have to do is enroll themselves via CameoX. All they need to do is fill out the form, download the app, and verify their identity.
In a blog post, Cameo CEO Steven Galanis said, “We realized we had missed out on thousands of talented individuals who could have made meaningful contributions to the marketplace. We missed SAG-AFTRA actors who had applied before landing breakout roles in hit Netflix shows. We missed emerging artists before releasing chart-topping singles.”
“We missed creators before their viral moments on TikTok. And we missed pro athletes who applied while in college, prior to NIL rule changes that allowed them to monetize their talent. With CameoX, those days are over.”
Since CameoX began its pilot, the platform has added 31,000 creators who have performed over 155,000 Cameos.
“The amount of fame in the world is exponentially increasing as new stars are being minted overnight on platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitch, SoundCloud, and YouTube,” Galanis added. “Whether you’re famous, infamous or emerging, there is a place for you on Cameo.”
