THIS is what happens when you stop collecting “creator tips” and start building actual SKILLS. 🥹 This morning, PUMA reached out to me about a Growth Marketing Manager opportunity. I didn’t apply. Ever. At all. They found my background in growth marketing + performance strategy and decided they wanted to have a conversation. And I need every creator in here to understand why this matters. UGC can open the door. But learning strategy, analytics, consumer behavior, campaign performance, messaging, acquisition, testing, optimization THAT is what starts opening doors you didn’t even know were available to you. You stop only being qualified for the next $300 video. You start becoming qualified for retainers. Strategy work. Management positions. Creative roles. Marketing roles. And apparently… emails from PUMA Talent Acquisition lol This is exactly why I push you guys to build beyond content creation and dive into the Creator Advantage. Every masterclass. Every portfolio change. Every new skill. Every time I make you think deeper than “how do I make a cute video?” 😂 It compounds. Your goal isn’t just to become a better creator. It’s to become so skilled that companies start seeing you as someone who can help grow the business. Keep building. You genuinely have no idea which room your skills are preparing you to walk into next. 🥹🤍

Matchd is getting closer, and these are just 10 of the brands joining the platform: 🔥 Tommy Hilfiger 🔥 Victoria’s Secret 🔥 Wrangler 🔥 Abercrombie 🔥 Alo Yoga 🔥 American Eagle 🔥 Athleta 🔥 Wolverine 🔥 Zeagoo 🔥 YesStyle And yes… there are MORE. 😭 But here’s the difference between Launchpad and The Creator Advantage: Launchpad is where I’m helping you build the foundation — learn UGC, find opportunities, start pitching, build your portfolio and get moving. Advantage is where we start positioning you to actually compete for opportunities like THIS. We’re working on: ✨ High-converting portfolios ✨ Brand strategy ✨ Content performance + analytics ✨ Positioning beyond “just UGC” ✨ Higher-value creator services ✨ Retainers + long-term brand work ✨ Skills brands are actually hiring for ✨ Portfolio + Positioning Clinics ✨ Deeper strategy + advanced training Because having access to Tommy Hilfiger or Alo Yoga sounds amazing… but access means nothing if your creator business isn’t ready when the door opens. That’s what Advantage is for. 👏🏼 And as Matchd gets closer to launch, I’m going to be VERY intentional about making sure Advantage creators have the skills + positioning to take advantage of what we’re building. 🚀 If you’ve been hanging out in Launchpad and you know you’re ready to go beyond the basics, it might be time to move up. Comment ADVANTAGE below and I’ll get you the details. 👀

Stop waiting for brands to post a giant “WE’RE LOOKING FOR CREATORS” announcement. One of the biggest advantages you can give yourself is finding brands while they’re actively launching, promoting, or pushing new products. Here are 5 worth putting on your pitch list 👇🏼 1. CVS CVS is currently running paid UGC through its creator storefront program, with an open brief and no major niche lock-in. This is a good one for creators who don’t fit neatly into one niche or want to build more lifestyle/retail content. Pitch angle: CVS run, everyday essentials, beauty finds, wellness, convenience, “what I picked up at CVS” style content. 2. Neutrogena Neutrogena has current activity tied to Walmart + a specific promotional window, including facial care and the Clear Up range. The interesting part? They’re leaning into a one-month-results storytelling angle. That gives skincare creators WAY more to work with than a basic product demo. Think: ✨ Routine integration ✨ Progress updates ✨ Before/after storytelling ✨ Problem → solution content ✨ Walmart shopping + product discovery 3. Aveeno Aveeno is also connecting current creator activity to a Walmart promotional window this month. This is another strong opportunity for skincare, beauty, wellness, mom/lifestyle and everyday-routine creators. Don’t just pitch “I’d love to create for Aveeno.” Pitch the campaign concept. 4. JAYJUN K-beauty brand JAYJUN has creator activity surrounding its Costco shelf placement. This gives you TWO hooks: K-beauty + big-box retail. Creators who already make beauty, lifestyle, Costco finds, shopping or home content could build a really strong concept around product discovery. 5. PETCO 🐶🐱 Pet creators THIS is the one I’d be watching. Petco’s WholeHearted brand has new product launches including: 🐾 Limited-ingredient dog + cat food 🐾 Poke-bowl-style cat food 🐾 Petco Candy Shop treats Important distinction: I did NOT find a live creator call attached to this one. This is a timing-based cold pitch opportunity.

Pet creators… THIS is the kind of brand research you should be doing. 👀 Instead of pitching the same 10 massive pet brands every creator already knows, start watching the brands that are launching, rebranding, attending trade shows, and actively trying to gain visibility. Here are 5 pet brands with momentum right now that aren’t nearly as picked over: 🐶 1. Wuffes Dog supplements + wellness. Founded in 2020, NASC-certified, and steadily growing after showing up at SuperZoo. Content angles: routines, problem/solution, educational content, product integration, testimonial-style UGC. 🦴 2. BetterBone They just rolled out a brand refresh + BetterBone GO at SuperZoo 2026. A rebrand/new product launch = a VERY good time to introduce yourself because brands suddenly need a whole lot of fresh content. 📍 3. Squeak N Snap Woman-owned pet tech brand with an app-free tracking device. Pet + tech gives you SO many content angles: demonstrations, lifestyle content, problem/solution, comparisons, tutorials, etc. 🧪 4. Spirited Paw by Standard Process Science-backed pet supplements from an established supplement company but the pet line itself is newer and still building awareness. This is exactly why I tell you not to automatically overlook brands connected to larger companies. 🫧 5. Atomic Bubbles St. Louis-based brand making non-toxic pet bubbles + treat duos. Tell me you can’t immediately picture the TikToks/Reels. 😂 Fun, visual products like this practically hand you the creative concept. 🔥 THE BIGGER LESSON HERE: Watch trade shows. SuperZoo just wrapped August 12–14, and events like this are basically giant scouting grounds for pet creators. Brands are there because they’re: ✨ Launching products ✨ Rebranding ✨ Looking for retailers ✨ Building awareness ✨ Trying to get their products in front of more people AKA… They need visibility. Don’t wait six months until you’ve seen the brand on your FYP 47 times and every creator in your niche has already emailed them.

Found another opportunity worth getting in front of 👀 A major national retailer is casting UGC creators for a Halloween CTV campaign and they’re moving FAST. 📍 LOCATION: Boston OR Florida-based creators 🎬 WHO THEY’RE LOOKING FOR: - Ages 18–45 - Strong, natural on-camera presence - Comfortable acting + delivering scripted content conversationally - High energy + expressive without feeling forced - Clear delivery, pacing + reactions - Comfortable filming in a retail environment - Able to take direction + repeat performances consistently - Professional, responsive + reliable 📱 YOUR PORTFOLIO SHOULD SHOW: - UGC / talking-to-camera content - Skits or character work - Commercial-style or CTV content - On-camera acting 📅 TIMING: You must be available within the next TWO WEEKS. And PAY ATTENTION to what they’re asking for. 👏🏼 This is exactly why your portfolio needs to prove more than “I can make a cute video.” On-camera delivery. Acting. Scripting. Performance. Taking direction. Those are SKILLS — and the more skills you can demonstrate, the more opportunities you can qualify for. 🔗 APPLY HERE: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd2oJIV26tEVCpwb7qgJp0vaYGHCOBT3sVQwbfHuuLG62mULA/viewform If you apply, drop an “APPLIED” below! 👀🔥