Introducing the People First Creator Studio!
Influencer Impact: Creator Edition | People First's monthly roundup of creator trends, campaigns, and people to watch.
We’re back…! and somehow, despite being just 28 days long, February somehow lasted four years. I mainly spent it refreshing for Punch updates and counting down the days until the next Knight of the Seven Kingdoms episode.
My other favorite moments from the month included, but were not limited to:
Kash Patel attempting to look cool in front of the US Men’s Ice Hockey team
Tyra Banks releasing “Reality Check” documentary on Netflix
That one Staple’s Employee reviving the entire company
Anyway, I’m so excited to finally introduce something I’ve been working on behind the scenes for a while: the Creator Studio. Read on to learn what it’s all about.
Val
VP, Influencer & Partner
Industry News
The Benito Bowl
By: Val Cheney
This February, Bad Bunny delivered the most-watched Super Bowl halftime show of all time and if we know one thing for sure, it wasn’t because people were glued to that snoozefest of a football game. No, hundreds of millions of people from around the world tuned in to see him. What would he do, wear, say, promote, and defend? Well, Bad Bunny delivered a show that had a lot to say, so here’s my fav moments:
Bad Bunny Told us A Story
At People First, we talk about effective storytelling constantly. Having a big production budget and a celebrity cast is nice, but telling people a story is something they will remember.
From the sugarcane fields to the towering electrical poles, every corner throughout the performance revealed another layer of his upbringing and Puerto Rican heritage. For a lot of Americans, the references they saw on screen weren’t instantly familiar. But that’s exactly the point. Bad Bunny doesn’t water-down his performances to appeal to more people. He does the opposite because he trusts that if performance is his own, people will understand it for what it was, and not what it could be.
The same principle applies to you: when you’re growing your audience or shaping content for a brand, never dilute what makes you distinct.
He Leveraged Real People
Another thing that I loved was who he chose to share the stage with. And no, I’m not talking about Alix Earle. I’m referring to the real people that were central to the show.
A live marriage ceremony. Maria Antonia Cay of Toñita’s Caribbean Social Club. Elders playing dominoes like they were on a neighborhood sidewalk. Including these messengers throughout his performance is what made it clear that this story was more than just about him, it’s about all of the people it represents.
But that raises another question, one I immediately sent to my group chat: Why the hell was Lady Gaga there? Sure, they admire one another. But in a performance so intentionally rooted in Puerto Rican culture…how exactly did she fit in?
I think Martha Maria Lopez captured it really well: “Lady Gaga showed an American global superstar, stepping into Bad Bunny’s world, adapting to his culture, his rhythm, his sound, not the other way around.”
Latin artists have long felt the pressure to adapt their sound to appeal to English markets, whereas now he is flipping the script, and letting other cultures gravitate toward his style.
He Promoted Unity
The song choices were strong. The story was well done. But let’s be honest: didn’t he leave a lot on the table?
The backlash was already brewing long before he even got there. His haters were ready to dunk on him, while organizations like Turning Point staged their own weird performance – for members that didn’t even watch. The division was already there, so why not just capitalize on it?
Because he doesn’t need to. As Mariana Castro pointed out during our most recent creator webinar, Bad Bunny didn’t show up to become the spokesperson for every political grievance in the United States. He didn’t center ICE. He didn’t even mention Trump. Instead, he delivered a story about unity from start to finish.
What’s more, Bad Bunny didn’t give critics much to latch onto. It’s hard to clap back when the message he’s sending is about pride, inclusion, joy, and celebration. It’s hard to claim “this is the liberal agenda” when the banner at the top promotes love over hate.
And perhaps that’s the blueprint for success: It’s not always about what you, your friends, your family, your government, or your brands have to say, but rather how you show up.
Campaign Spotlight
Browse our current campaign listings and apply to the ones that feel like a fit for you.
Heads up: Some campaigns may only be available to users in certain regions.
Your Personal Health Companion: If you’re someone navigating T2 diabetes, join our campaign to learn more about an app that’s designed to deliver personalized health recommendations from licensed providers.
Protect What’s Human: AI is here to stay, which is why this campaign invites you to speak out about the need for clear safeguards that protect the people, jobs, and communities most impacted by its rapid growth.
Energy that Works for Virginia: As utility bills continue to climb across Virginia in nearby states, this campaign explores how clean energy can actually help drive down costs and keep families healthier than ever before.
People for Affordable Energy: This campaign invites you to examine how energy monopolies and reduced competition may be driving up costs and worsening the affordability crisis in your home state.
Creators to Watch
Meet Brooklyn!
By: Jiovanni
Born and raised in King George, Virginia, and a graduate of Hampton University, Brooklyn Olumba didn’t plan on becoming an advocate. But at just 28 years old, a breast cancer diagnosis changed everything — including the reason she began posting online.
What started as a way for Brooklyn to process her experience quickly became something much bigger. After completing chemotherapy and radiation, she searched for other young women — especially women of color — who looked like her and were openly sharing their breast cancer journeys. She could barely find any. That’s when it clicked: she needed to become the person she had been searching for.
She began sharing her story at the end of her diagnosis year, using her platform as a form of patient advocacy. Like many creators, Brooklyn has faced criticism and doubt. She understands why so many people hesitate to post at all — the fear of judgment and the vulnerability that comes with sharing your story. “Geez, I still feel cringy! If I waited until I felt perfectly polished, I’d never post anything meaningful. Vulnerability feels uncomfortable at first for sure, especially as a young Black woman talking about breasts, cancer, scars, hormones, grief. However, someone once told me that someone is always watching quietly. Someone who hasn’t told their family yet. Someone who feels alone after a new diagnosis of breast cancer. Someone Googling at 2 a.m. If my discomfort creates a connection for them, it’s worth it and I’ll take all the cringe.”
As part of the People First Creator Community, Brooklyn values working with brands that align with her values and allow her to make a meaningful difference. For her, partnerships are opportunities to extend her impact. Especially to young POC women.
Brooklyn has become a powerful voice for young women navigating one of the most life-altering diagnoses imaginable. Sometimes, it’s about helping one person decide to make an appointment that could save their life.
People First News
Introducing the Creator Studio
The People First team is excited to finally share something we’ve had cooking for a while now….
Since kicking off 2026, we’ve been building a space for creators who want more than just another campaign notification. We’re giving you more access, more collaboration, and more to say in the creative process in the campaigns that you know and love.
Meet the Creator Studio. The Creator Studio is our private Slack community where standout creators get early access to paid opportunities — and a closer connection to the People First team.
Inside, you can:
⚡ Jump on fast-turn paid UGC projects ($25–$250+ per opportunity)
🧠 Give input on creative briefs before they go live
💬 Collaborate directly with our team and other sharp creators
🚀 Move quickly when the right opportunity drops
This isn’t just about getting projects first (though that part’s nice). It’s about being in the room earlier to help shape our campaigns, pressure-test ideas, and build stronger campaigns from the start.
We’d love to see you inside. Apply to join the Creator Studio {here}.
Need more People First?
That’s all for this month. Stay up to date with People First throughout March by checking us out:
The Month in Digital: Where Ryan breaks down everything you might’ve missed in February.
Podcast Alert! Check out our latest podcast episode with Gabriella Zutrau, where she breaks down her Letter from the Internet People.
Influencer Impact: Strategist Edition: Ryan & Nicole discuss Building Campaigns and How Platforms Actually Work.
Creator Portal: All of our campaigns are shared directly to the Creator Portal. Browse our latest opportunities and apply to those that fit your vibe.
Ciao for now!