Microsoft pledges to fight climate change with carbon neutral Xbox

September 24, 2019 | 109 views

Microsoft is joining Sony on the efforts to combat climate change by switching things up on the console front. In the former’s case, it’s starting a pilot project to make 825,000 Xboxes carbon neutral. As part of the UN’s Playing for the Planet alliance, Microsoft joins several other game companies pledging to do what they can to help climate change. According to the United Nations Environmental Program, the promised changes from these companies could make a big impact: “Combined, these commitments from 21 companies will result in a 30 million tonne reduction of CO2 emissions by 2030.

Spotlight

TVT Media

One of the world’s fastest growing media services companies, TVT Media brings an exciting new approach to content services. We combine a strong ethos of customer service with the industry’s most complete, end-to-end content management, media logistics and distribution offering.A longstanding international player in content versioning, localisation and related services, we extended the scope of our global offering with the acquisition of Amsterdam-based DMC (Digital Media Centre) from AMC Networks International in July 2017. We offer the expertise and reach that content owners and media brands need today to meet the growing demands of modern consumers, helping them transform the viewer experience and drive next generation entertainment.

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MEDIA AND BROADCASTING, BUSINESS

Microsoft’s xCloud game streaming arrives on iOS with some Apple restrictions

Article | August 4, 2022

Microsoft is expanding its Project xCloud service to the iPhone today. The software giant is launching a beta of xCloud through Apple’s TestFlight service, allowing xCloud testers to try the service on an iPhone or iPad. It’s the first time we’ve seen a cloud game streaming service appear on iOS since the days of OnLive — and OnLive’s iOS app wound up in limbo when Apple didn’t approve it. Google’s Stadia and Nvidia’s GeForce Now are still not available on Apple’s devices, either, and neither company has been able to tell us when that might change.

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VIRTUALIZATION, MEDIA AND BROADCASTING

Apple's AR & VR headset may not need external input for orientation & motion detection

Article | July 13, 2022

Apple is continuing to investigate headsets like its "AR Glasses," as part of its exploration of Augmented and Virtual Reality systems. One such headset in future may utilize sensors that can detect angular rotation, such as that experienced when the device is placed on a user's head or removed. "[It] may be beneficial for the VR headset to be able to detect when a head-worn device (e.g., headset, eyeglasses, headphones, etc.) is being removed from the user's head, is being placed on the user's head, or both," says Apple in US Patent No. 10,557,724, "Angle detection of a rotating system using a single magnet and multiple hall sensors."

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TECHNOLOGIES

Game On: These Entertainment Stocks Hit New Levels

Article | February 14, 2022

Some Chinese entertainment stocks listed in the U.S. got a boost last week after the People Bank of China (PBOC) said it would pump $173 billion into the economy. Since news of the report from Beijing hit the street, one of the biggest gainers was Chinese gaming giant NetEase Inc. (Nasdaq: NTES) NetEase, a partner of California-based Blizzard Entertainment in China, traded as low as $317.48 per American depositary share within the last couple of weeks, and soared as high as $347.95 apiece last week. NetEase rolled out its international presence in recent years in Japan and North America, lowering its China dependency.

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The Future of Tech: Gaming Consoles, the Xbox and PlayStation of Tomorrow

Article | February 10, 2020

Consoles have come a very long way since the arrival of first-generation machines from Atari and Coleco in the seventies. Even the original PlayStation (1994) and Xbox (2001) look dated compared to the 4K/HDR-capable machines of today, and that divide will grow even larger once the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X arrive at the end of 2020. But what about the future? More than once console makers have tried to break new ground, by focusing on functionality beyond gaming, but for the most part those attempts have failed. Nintendo has found the most success with specialized hardware that still focuses on games first, while Sony and Microsoft have seemingly understood that building powerful general purpose machines that are akin to PCs is their best and safest bet.

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Spotlight

TVT Media

One of the world’s fastest growing media services companies, TVT Media brings an exciting new approach to content services. We combine a strong ethos of customer service with the industry’s most complete, end-to-end content management, media logistics and distribution offering.A longstanding international player in content versioning, localisation and related services, we extended the scope of our global offering with the acquisition of Amsterdam-based DMC (Digital Media Centre) from AMC Networks International in July 2017. We offer the expertise and reach that content owners and media brands need today to meet the growing demands of modern consumers, helping them transform the viewer experience and drive next generation entertainment.

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SOLUTIONS

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Gamefam Unveil New Immersive World on Roblox

Gamefam | May 30, 2023

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Gamefam, a leading metaverse game developer, are joining forces to create Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever immersive experience on Roblox, a global immersive platform where millions of people connect and communicate daily. In Cirque du Soleil Tycoon, users can build their own Cirque du Soleil universe filled with performers, artists, sell-out crowds and some of the most visually stunning performances in the metaverse. Community members will have the chance to build and manage their own Big Top performance, try their skills in interactive challenges and mini-games, hire acrobats, and set the stage to create their very own custom Cirque du Soleil site. Inspired by Cirque du Soleil’s brand-new touring show, “ECHO”, which explores the relationship between humans and nature, the experience incorporates whimsical and fantastical Cirque du Soleil details and brings existing and new fans together for a behind-the-scenes look at how Cirque du Soleil productions work. Roblox community members will also have access to unique virtual items, such as animal head masks inspired by real-life ECHO costumes, allowing them to customize their avatar and express their creativity in true Cirque du Soleil fashion. “Cirque du Soleil Tycoon will channel the influence of global online platform Roblox for immersive shared experiences and harness Cirque du Soleil’s high-end entertainment expertise, creative DNA, and multi-generational fanbase. To launch Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever digital experience on a major immersive platform like Roblox made a lot of sense for us – just like the story of ECHO which centers around connection, Roblox is all about bringing people together, and in this case, also enabling us to offer a coveted behind-the-scenes experience to millions of fans at once, sans distance or other physical limitations,” said Sébastien Ouimet, Head of Filmed and Immersive Entertainment at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. This unique experience supports Cirque du Soleil’s newly defined mission to diversify its offering beyond live shows by bringing its world-renowned creative development engine to the immersive world of Roblox and allowing new and existing fans to engage with a first-of-its-kind metaverse experience. “With the creation of Cirque du Soleil Tycoon, we underscore the increasing importance of widening our portfolio of brand experiences across 3D immersive and filmed entertainment, premium content, gaming, and beyond,” notes Nickole Tara, Chief Growth Officer, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “It has been a privilege to bring one of the world’s most admired and magical attractions to Roblox and invite the community to experience Cirque du Soleil beyond the physical big top,” added Ricardo Briceno, Chief Business Officer at Gamefam. “Cirque du Soleil Tycoon serves as yet another great example of how beloved brands can extend their reach and engage new fans right where they are spending time each and every day.” By tapping into Gamefam’s metaverse gaming expertise, Cirque du Soleil aims to engage some of the 66 million+ daily active players on Roblox, attract a new fan base, and provide people globally an easily accessible way to experience the creativity and universe of Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil Tycoon will be available for free on Roblox via most platforms and devices, including consoles, PCs, mobile, and tablets starting in summer 2023. About Gamefam Gamefam, a leading metaverse game developer and publisher that creates connected experiences with gaming communities and well-known brands, is building the next generation of pop culture franchises born from the metaverse. Our mission is to create dynamic experiences for an amazing community while we grow the next generation of super hit gaming and entertainment franchises from within the metaverse. Gamefam operates the largest network of games on Roblox with over 25 million daily game sessions and 115 million hours of engagement each month across 30+ live games in the company’s portfolio. Gamefam’s top franchises include Sonic Speed Simulator, Twilight Daycare, Tower of Misery, Funky Friday, Ultra Power Tycoon, Starving Artists, Hot Wheels Open World, Easy Obby and Weapon Fighting Simulator. The Gamefam experience also extends into metaverse destinations including its operation of the three leading Minecraft servers and development of Fortnite’s top 40 maps. With its headquarters in Los Angeles, the Gamefam team combines the business and production expertise of longtime brand experts and game industry professionals with the metaverse’s top creators.

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VIRTUALIZATION

Strivr Advances Content Services with Generative AI, Expands VR Content Library with Mental Health & Well-Being Experiences

businesswire | May 29, 2023

Strivr, the leading platform for enterprise-scale Virtual Reality (VR) solutions, announced the evolution of its offering to accelerate content and solution capabilities using Generative AI (GenAI) for enhanced storyline development, animation and asset creation, and optimization of visual and content-driven features. Staying true to its roots in using cognitive science, data science, and artificial intelligence, Strivr will also be using GenAI to intelligently derive unique insights from immersive user data to support HR and L&D leaders in making critical business decisions. With nearly 60,000 hours of content creation experience, Strivr has driven measurable impact for its enterprise customers through a best-in-class content library in the areas of cost savings, increased sales, and faster onboarding. Along with advancements like the use of GenAI to accelerate the content creation process, Strivr is able to drive further value for customers with advanced capabilities and a broader library of experiences including a critical area of today's enterprise: employee well-being. “The demand for high-quality, scalable VR experiences that deliver meaningful and impactful results is at an all-time high,” said Derek Belch, founder and CEO at Strivr. “Our customers are among the largest companies in the world, and they are seeing firsthand the impact immersive technology can bring to employee engagement, retention, and performance. They want more, and we’re listening. Along with GenAI to accelerate content creation, we’re also going beyond training and partnering with one of the world’s leading financial institutions to offer immersive meditation to support the mental health of its workforce. This is just the beginning of how VR will continue to impact the employee experience, and we're excited to see our customers embracing it." “Immersive and generative AI technologies are taking over the corporate learning landscape,” said Josh Bersin, Global Industry Analyst and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company. “Strivr, through its deep experience with immersive and VR implementations in the market, is clearly a leader to watch.” Expanding the Strivr Content Library In recognition of Mental Health Month, Strivr is hosting its first in-headset mental health and well-being applications on the platform in partnership with Reulay and Healium. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, meditation can help reduce anxiety just as well as drug therapies, while practicing mindfulness has also been shown to help employee productivity, focus and collaboration. Strivr customers can now offer safe mental health “breaks” to their employees as part of their VR-based immersive programs and training curricula, addressing reskilling for emotional well-being to tackle increasing levels of employee burnout, depression, and anxiety. Building on this newly expanded offering, Strivr also offers customers choice when it comes to sourcing content to build out their VR libraries. Whether it’s Strivr-created content, content developed by Strivr-certified partners, or content developed in-house, Strivr’s open platform enabled by the Strivr Software Development Kit (SDK) allows customers to choose how they want to source content. Similar to Strivr’s Solutions team, content partners have the potential to leverage Strivr’s enterprise-scale platform to impact millions of learners, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the global workforce. For content developers interested in Strivr’s assessment and certification process, please visit developer.strivr.com. Introducing Strivr Home Enabling learners to navigate their own experiential learning path, Strivr has also introduced Strivr Home, a virtual in-headset performance hub focused exclusively on employee experience. As the central hub to upskill, reskill, and recharge, Strivr Home simplifies, unifies, and personalizes the in-headset experience by transporting users into a tranquil home setting to access world-class immersive content. With features including single sign-on and a central hub where people can browse premium training content, Strivr Home is also designed to guide the user’s journey and will evolve to offer insights on learner performance and recommendations on future experiences. Strivr Home is available today with the latest release of the company’s in-headset Player product. To experience Strivr Home and new content offerings. About Strivr With over 1M learners trained in VR, Strivr is transforming the employee journey through experiential learning. Incubated at Stanford, Strivr’s platform empowers enterprises to build, manage, experience, and measure VR-based learning to optimize workforce performance. With a premium content offering based on nearly 60,000 hours of content creation experience since its inception in 2015, Strivr customers gain unique learning and assessment data to measure training effectiveness and predict learning outcomes at scale. With nearly 2M sessions conducted in VR from hiring to training and upskilling, Strivr is proud to partner with elite sports teams and Fortune 1000 companies to elevate performance through immersive experience.

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SOLUTIONS

#paid Launches Content Usage Rights Platform Solution

businesswire | May 26, 2023

#paid, a leading creator marketing platform, has announced the release of Creator Content Usage Rights, a new offering that allows brands to purchase rights to creator content for use across a full range of marketing channels out-of-home, print, in-flight, cinema, broadcast, in-game, online video, display, virtual reality, and paid social media. #paid is the first platform to centralize the process of purchasing creator content usage rights, transforming the way brands and creators collaborate. For creators, the tool ensures fair compensation when their content is used beyond the social feed., and it allows them to generate passive income from content long after its creation. For brands, it ensures consistency and standardization of rates, and it further cements creators as a cost-effective way to produce high-quality, creative content for marketing campaigns. "The magic behind this new industry-first feature is our proprietary pricing algorithm built on top of our first-party data," said Bryan Gold, CEO of #paid. "Until now, there has been no standardized way to price creator content on channels like out-of-home or virtual reality. Now, we have paved the way in what was previously the wild west of our industry. Creators have long been vulnerable to having their content misused. Until now, managing the legal process, and tracking and monetizing usage rights have been onerous tasks, often leading to exploitation. Brands, too, have struggled to use creator content at scale because contracts are difficult to negotiate and manage; there is no standardized usage rights pricing, and usage cannot be tracked properly. Now, says Gold, “Creators are protected and empowered to monetize their content in new ways, while brands have a scalable and cost-effective way to amplify their marketing using creator content across their entire marketing mix.” The #paid Creator Content Usage Rights product will be revolutionary for brands and creators alike, providing a simplified process to secure usage rights with standardized pricing, automated contracting, and easy-to-manage terms. #paid is proud to continue its pioneering in the creator marketing industry, introducing innovative products that continue to instill trust and accountability in the space. It looks forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the creator economy. About #paid #paid is a creator marketing platform situated at the nexus of brand and creator collaboration. The company powers the campaigns of Fortune 500 brands like Phillips Hue, Unilever, and Sephora, who leverage the platform to activate creators for growth. #paid is building the go-to platform that fuels content creation and distribution for brands globally, while providing creators with an unparalleled environment to do what they love create.

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SOLUTIONS

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Gamefam Unveil New Immersive World on Roblox

Gamefam | May 30, 2023

Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group and Gamefam, a leading metaverse game developer, are joining forces to create Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever immersive experience on Roblox, a global immersive platform where millions of people connect and communicate daily. In Cirque du Soleil Tycoon, users can build their own Cirque du Soleil universe filled with performers, artists, sell-out crowds and some of the most visually stunning performances in the metaverse. Community members will have the chance to build and manage their own Big Top performance, try their skills in interactive challenges and mini-games, hire acrobats, and set the stage to create their very own custom Cirque du Soleil site. Inspired by Cirque du Soleil’s brand-new touring show, “ECHO”, which explores the relationship between humans and nature, the experience incorporates whimsical and fantastical Cirque du Soleil details and brings existing and new fans together for a behind-the-scenes look at how Cirque du Soleil productions work. Roblox community members will also have access to unique virtual items, such as animal head masks inspired by real-life ECHO costumes, allowing them to customize their avatar and express their creativity in true Cirque du Soleil fashion. “Cirque du Soleil Tycoon will channel the influence of global online platform Roblox for immersive shared experiences and harness Cirque du Soleil’s high-end entertainment expertise, creative DNA, and multi-generational fanbase. To launch Cirque du Soleil’s first-ever digital experience on a major immersive platform like Roblox made a lot of sense for us – just like the story of ECHO which centers around connection, Roblox is all about bringing people together, and in this case, also enabling us to offer a coveted behind-the-scenes experience to millions of fans at once, sans distance or other physical limitations,” said Sébastien Ouimet, Head of Filmed and Immersive Entertainment at Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. This unique experience supports Cirque du Soleil’s newly defined mission to diversify its offering beyond live shows by bringing its world-renowned creative development engine to the immersive world of Roblox and allowing new and existing fans to engage with a first-of-its-kind metaverse experience. “With the creation of Cirque du Soleil Tycoon, we underscore the increasing importance of widening our portfolio of brand experiences across 3D immersive and filmed entertainment, premium content, gaming, and beyond,” notes Nickole Tara, Chief Growth Officer, Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group. “It has been a privilege to bring one of the world’s most admired and magical attractions to Roblox and invite the community to experience Cirque du Soleil beyond the physical big top,” added Ricardo Briceno, Chief Business Officer at Gamefam. “Cirque du Soleil Tycoon serves as yet another great example of how beloved brands can extend their reach and engage new fans right where they are spending time each and every day.” By tapping into Gamefam’s metaverse gaming expertise, Cirque du Soleil aims to engage some of the 66 million+ daily active players on Roblox, attract a new fan base, and provide people globally an easily accessible way to experience the creativity and universe of Cirque du Soleil. Cirque du Soleil Tycoon will be available for free on Roblox via most platforms and devices, including consoles, PCs, mobile, and tablets starting in summer 2023. About Gamefam Gamefam, a leading metaverse game developer and publisher that creates connected experiences with gaming communities and well-known brands, is building the next generation of pop culture franchises born from the metaverse. Our mission is to create dynamic experiences for an amazing community while we grow the next generation of super hit gaming and entertainment franchises from within the metaverse. Gamefam operates the largest network of games on Roblox with over 25 million daily game sessions and 115 million hours of engagement each month across 30+ live games in the company’s portfolio. Gamefam’s top franchises include Sonic Speed Simulator, Twilight Daycare, Tower of Misery, Funky Friday, Ultra Power Tycoon, Starving Artists, Hot Wheels Open World, Easy Obby and Weapon Fighting Simulator. The Gamefam experience also extends into metaverse destinations including its operation of the three leading Minecraft servers and development of Fortnite’s top 40 maps. With its headquarters in Los Angeles, the Gamefam team combines the business and production expertise of longtime brand experts and game industry professionals with the metaverse’s top creators.

Read More

VIRTUALIZATION

Strivr Advances Content Services with Generative AI, Expands VR Content Library with Mental Health & Well-Being Experiences

businesswire | May 29, 2023

Strivr, the leading platform for enterprise-scale Virtual Reality (VR) solutions, announced the evolution of its offering to accelerate content and solution capabilities using Generative AI (GenAI) for enhanced storyline development, animation and asset creation, and optimization of visual and content-driven features. Staying true to its roots in using cognitive science, data science, and artificial intelligence, Strivr will also be using GenAI to intelligently derive unique insights from immersive user data to support HR and L&D leaders in making critical business decisions. With nearly 60,000 hours of content creation experience, Strivr has driven measurable impact for its enterprise customers through a best-in-class content library in the areas of cost savings, increased sales, and faster onboarding. Along with advancements like the use of GenAI to accelerate the content creation process, Strivr is able to drive further value for customers with advanced capabilities and a broader library of experiences including a critical area of today's enterprise: employee well-being. “The demand for high-quality, scalable VR experiences that deliver meaningful and impactful results is at an all-time high,” said Derek Belch, founder and CEO at Strivr. “Our customers are among the largest companies in the world, and they are seeing firsthand the impact immersive technology can bring to employee engagement, retention, and performance. They want more, and we’re listening. Along with GenAI to accelerate content creation, we’re also going beyond training and partnering with one of the world’s leading financial institutions to offer immersive meditation to support the mental health of its workforce. This is just the beginning of how VR will continue to impact the employee experience, and we're excited to see our customers embracing it." “Immersive and generative AI technologies are taking over the corporate learning landscape,” said Josh Bersin, Global Industry Analyst and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company. “Strivr, through its deep experience with immersive and VR implementations in the market, is clearly a leader to watch.” Expanding the Strivr Content Library In recognition of Mental Health Month, Strivr is hosting its first in-headset mental health and well-being applications on the platform in partnership with Reulay and Healium. According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, meditation can help reduce anxiety just as well as drug therapies, while practicing mindfulness has also been shown to help employee productivity, focus and collaboration. Strivr customers can now offer safe mental health “breaks” to their employees as part of their VR-based immersive programs and training curricula, addressing reskilling for emotional well-being to tackle increasing levels of employee burnout, depression, and anxiety. Building on this newly expanded offering, Strivr also offers customers choice when it comes to sourcing content to build out their VR libraries. Whether it’s Strivr-created content, content developed by Strivr-certified partners, or content developed in-house, Strivr’s open platform enabled by the Strivr Software Development Kit (SDK) allows customers to choose how they want to source content. Similar to Strivr’s Solutions team, content partners have the potential to leverage Strivr’s enterprise-scale platform to impact millions of learners, and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the global workforce. For content developers interested in Strivr’s assessment and certification process, please visit developer.strivr.com. Introducing Strivr Home Enabling learners to navigate their own experiential learning path, Strivr has also introduced Strivr Home, a virtual in-headset performance hub focused exclusively on employee experience. As the central hub to upskill, reskill, and recharge, Strivr Home simplifies, unifies, and personalizes the in-headset experience by transporting users into a tranquil home setting to access world-class immersive content. With features including single sign-on and a central hub where people can browse premium training content, Strivr Home is also designed to guide the user’s journey and will evolve to offer insights on learner performance and recommendations on future experiences. Strivr Home is available today with the latest release of the company’s in-headset Player product. To experience Strivr Home and new content offerings. About Strivr With over 1M learners trained in VR, Strivr is transforming the employee journey through experiential learning. Incubated at Stanford, Strivr’s platform empowers enterprises to build, manage, experience, and measure VR-based learning to optimize workforce performance. With a premium content offering based on nearly 60,000 hours of content creation experience since its inception in 2015, Strivr customers gain unique learning and assessment data to measure training effectiveness and predict learning outcomes at scale. With nearly 2M sessions conducted in VR from hiring to training and upskilling, Strivr is proud to partner with elite sports teams and Fortune 1000 companies to elevate performance through immersive experience.

Read More

SOLUTIONS

#paid Launches Content Usage Rights Platform Solution

businesswire | May 26, 2023

#paid, a leading creator marketing platform, has announced the release of Creator Content Usage Rights, a new offering that allows brands to purchase rights to creator content for use across a full range of marketing channels out-of-home, print, in-flight, cinema, broadcast, in-game, online video, display, virtual reality, and paid social media. #paid is the first platform to centralize the process of purchasing creator content usage rights, transforming the way brands and creators collaborate. For creators, the tool ensures fair compensation when their content is used beyond the social feed., and it allows them to generate passive income from content long after its creation. For brands, it ensures consistency and standardization of rates, and it further cements creators as a cost-effective way to produce high-quality, creative content for marketing campaigns. "The magic behind this new industry-first feature is our proprietary pricing algorithm built on top of our first-party data," said Bryan Gold, CEO of #paid. "Until now, there has been no standardized way to price creator content on channels like out-of-home or virtual reality. Now, we have paved the way in what was previously the wild west of our industry. Creators have long been vulnerable to having their content misused. Until now, managing the legal process, and tracking and monetizing usage rights have been onerous tasks, often leading to exploitation. Brands, too, have struggled to use creator content at scale because contracts are difficult to negotiate and manage; there is no standardized usage rights pricing, and usage cannot be tracked properly. Now, says Gold, “Creators are protected and empowered to monetize their content in new ways, while brands have a scalable and cost-effective way to amplify their marketing using creator content across their entire marketing mix.” The #paid Creator Content Usage Rights product will be revolutionary for brands and creators alike, providing a simplified process to secure usage rights with standardized pricing, automated contracting, and easy-to-manage terms. #paid is proud to continue its pioneering in the creator marketing industry, introducing innovative products that continue to instill trust and accountability in the space. It looks forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on the creator economy. About #paid #paid is a creator marketing platform situated at the nexus of brand and creator collaboration. The company powers the campaigns of Fortune 500 brands like Phillips Hue, Unilever, and Sephora, who leverage the platform to activate creators for growth. #paid is building the go-to platform that fuels content creation and distribution for brands globally, while providing creators with an unparalleled environment to do what they love create.

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