Walt Disney has struck a first-of-its-kind deal with TikTok allowing select creators to use characters and scenes from its back catalogue, including Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar, in a US pilot program.
Disney and TikTok have agreed a deal allowing creators to use clips from Disney, Star Wars, and Marvel films in videos. The launch starts in the US before global rollout, following the collapse of a previous $1bn deal between Disney and OpenAI.
Cyan Worlds, creators of the classic puzzle adventure game Myst, revealed a trailer for their cancelled mid-market game 'Anglerfish' after failing to secure publisher funding, resulting in studio layoffs.
Big Walk, the new co-op multiplayer game from House House (Untitled Goose Game developers), launches August 4th. Players explore a large island as sentient spheres, solving puzzles through proximity chat. The game emphasizes communication and shared discovery, offering a unique adventure experience.
A sexta edição do Rio Innovation Week (RIW) acontecerá de 4 a 7 de agosto de 2026 no Pier Mauá, Rio de Janeiro, com o tema "Simbiose". O evento global de ciência, tecnologia e negócios espera movimentar R$ 4 bilhões, gerar 22 mil empregos e reunir 180 mil pessoas, 2 mil startups e palestrantes renomados como Malala Yousafzai e Edvard Moser.
Berlin's historic "Treehouse at the Wall," a garden and structure built by Turkish guest worker Osman Kalin in Cold War no man's land, faces potential demolition due to public safety concerns. Supporters are rallying to save the site, which symbolizes defiance, immigrant ingenuity, and the city's unique history.
Twitch streamer ExtraEmily launches 'ExtraEmily: Creator Essentials,' a 15-episode series for teens, in partnership with pocket.watch and major streaming platforms. The show expands her content beyond livestreams, featuring real-life challenges and gaming, marking a significant career step.
Rightwing influencers and politicians, including Chris Philp and Nigel Farage, depict Dover as an "invasion" frontline due to small boat crossings, using it for social media content. However, local residents express frustration over this portrayal, while a refugee charity highlights the positive contributions of asylum seekers, challenging the narrative.
Shenzhen-based creators are leveraging AI to produce comic dramas, drastically cutting production time and costs. China's AI short-drama market is projected to reach 40 billion yuan (US$5.9 billion) this year, with content gaining global viewership.
Moonshot's Beijing-based start-up introduces the Kimi Ambassador Program, targeting passionate users to build communities and drive AI adoption, offering perks like early access to Kimi models and API credits.
Comparison of ProWritingAid and Grammarly, two popular grammar-checking tools, highlighting their features, pricing, pros, and cons to help users decide which suits their writing needs best.
Patreon is laying off 93 employees, 20% of its staff, to adjust its cost structure and adapt to AI's impact on operations. CEO Jack Conte stated the company needs to embrace AI internally while simultaneously restricting AI scraping of creators' content to protect their work.
Despite perceived decline, the 2020s have seen significant innovation in cinema, driven by YouTube creators achieving box office success, the emergence of copyright expiry films, and unprecedented audience influence on film production and marketing, as seen with *Sonic the Hedgehog* and *Barbenheimer*.
Newly appointed Prime Minister Andy Burnham is adopting a "social first" communication strategy, focusing on authentic, low-production content and collaborations with online influencers like Max Klymenko and Sir Mo Farah to reach younger, diverse audiences.
Yope, a startup building an algorithm-free, private social network focused on "micro communities," secured $12.3 million in funding led by Northzone. The app, with 15 million users, aims to offer a premium, ad-free experience for real-world connections, leveraging AI for games and real-life meetups.
German startup Passionfroot secured $15 million in Series A funding led by Insight Partners to expand its B2B creator marketplace, opening offices in New York and São Paulo, and growing its team to meet increasing demand for creator-led brand recall amidst AI-driven product commoditization.
Instagram has introduced new features like audio replacement and grid reordering, primarily aimed at content creators to enhance their ability to monetize and compete with TikTok. These updates, alongside a new premium subscription tier, reflect a strategic shift in the platform's focus, potentially alienating casual users.
Twitch streamer TheMightyBA faced major criticism for controversial actions at Streamer University 2026, including disrespecting fellow streamer MeesterKeem. Prominent streamer Ludwig believes TheMightyBA's career isn't finished, citing past examples of creators rebuilding their image over time.
TheMightyBA faced significant criticism at Streamer University 2026 for a disrespectful interaction with MeesterKeem. Fellow streamer Ludwig believes TheMightyBA, 19, can rebuild his image, citing IShowSpeed's redemption as an example of changing online reputation.
IShowSpeed made history by performing his viral song "Champions" at the FIFA World Cup 2026 final closing ceremony in New York New Jersey Stadium. He is the first content creator to perform live at such an event, highlighting the growing influence of online personalities on global stages.
LimeWire, a generative AI platform, empowers creators to produce, share, and monetize AI-generated content, including images, with upcoming music and video tools, offering NFT minting, ad revenue, and royalty models.
A new era of content discovery, AI Optimization (AIO), is emerging as AI models like ChatGPT and Perplexity become primary search tools. This shift requires content creators to optimize for AI-generated responses, distinct from traditional SEO, to capture growing organic traffic.
Beijing has expanded its visa-free travel policy for citizens from over 50 countries, leading to a significant increase in foreign visitors. This move, contrasting global trends of closure, aims to boost inbound tourism and allow visitors to form their own perceptions of China, despite existing limits on long-term stay.
A guide for 2025 highlights ten AI tools, including ChatGPT, Canva Magic Studio, and RunwayML, that aim to revolutionize content creation by enhancing efficiency and quality for marketers, businesses, and creators across various digital platforms.
