Illustrated by Pixel Pushers; Getty Images You know you're in peak creator economy when influencers employ not one, not two, but three law firms to handle their business, such as Dhar Mann Studios, the largest scripted creator studio with approximately 45 million daily streams, which works with Manatt Phelps & Phillips, Greenberg Glusker and Weinstein Senior. With so much opportunity in the influencer-verse for hyper-lucrative brand deals, ambassadorships, book contracts and TV shows, lawyers act as the first line of defense in brand protection as well as for brand expansions. Expect the gift to keep on giving. Says Goodman Genow's Will Jacobson, "As a space that is still very much in its nascent stages, the opportunity for creativity in dealmaking is unmatched." Adds Alex Cooper's attorney Shaun Gordon of Weintraub Tobin: "These multihyphenate talent have commanded their place in media and business." Chris Chatham Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject OG YouTube star Logan Paul's combined following of 100 million has led to numerous deals put together by Chatham - one prime example being the new HBO Max docuseries Paul American. The attorney also reps the world's biggest shortform YouTuber, 28-year-old Alan Chikin Chow, who boasts 96 million-plus subscribers and averages more than 2 billion views per month; Chris Williamson, host of Modern Wisdom, the No. 1 video podcast on Spotify; Gen Z's favorite economist Kyla Scanlon; and inspirational influencer Dhar Mann, founder of Dhar Mann Studios, with more than 26 million subscribers on his YouTube channel. Advice for when content goes viral for the wrong reasons "Take responsibility, articulate your intent and engage with the criticism thoughtfully. Social media rewards chaos, but it respects courage." Adam Cooper Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject Cooper knows all about the Scoville heat levels of hot sauces from repping Sean Evans in his multiyear extension to continue hosting the hit series Hot Ones and his purchase of food vertical First We Feast from BuzzFeed. His extremely online comedic clients include Meg Stalter, whose deal to return for the final season of Hacks he negotiated; Caleb Hearon, whose HBO deal for the comedy special Model Comedian he ironed out (Hearon also joined the cast of The Devil Wears Prada 2); and Mary Beth Barone for her witty podcast Ride. Are content creators the new Hollywood? "The creators I work with are artists, no different than the type we have always represented, except that they have created for themselves a direct line to their audience." Matthew Dysart and Eric Perlmutter-Gumbiner Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject (2) For corporate deals from brand sponsorships to financing, this powerhouse duo reps such popular influencers as Dhar Mann Studios (as outside counsel), Mad Realities, MeatEater and Teton Ridge. Beauty creator Sarah Cheung and her super successful cosmetics line Sacheu; XO, MaCenna and her home goods collection MaCenna XO; and Jen Atkin with her Ouai hair care's sale to P&G all rely on the pair to look out for their brand interests. Influencer agencies like Long Haul, Underscore and Click Management also turn to Dysart and Perlmutter-Gumbiner for key legal guidance. The influencer-brand collaboration you'd most like to see DYSART "YouTuber Sam Eckholm and Paramount for Top Gun 3!" Best advice for new creators PERLMUTTER-GUMBINER "Don't sign anything you don't completely understand, especially when it comes to ownership of your content or long-term exclusivity." Shaun Gordon and Jessica Marlow Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject (2) Call him her lawyer: Gordon serves as counsel to Alex Cooper, host of the wildly popular podcast Call Her Daddy and founder of Unwell, her media company that develops and produces podcasts, live events and more. Gordon negotiated Cooper's $125 million deal with SiriusXM; structures show and live-event transactions for Unwell, including for the Hulu docuseries Call Her Alex; and closed the deal with the National Women's Soccer League. He also reps Caleb Pressley, host of the hit YouTube series Sundae Conversation; Guy Raz, groundbreaking podcaster of How I Built This fame (with NPR/Amazon), for deals with Square and LinkedIn; and podcast host MrBallen, former Navy SEAL turned storyteller. Marlow reps powerhouse sister duo Claudia and Jackie Oshry, the voices behind the top-performing podcast The Toast, in signing a blockbuster three-year deal to remain with Dear Media; and Remi Cruz, co-host of the podcast Pretty Basic. Best advice for new creators GORDON "Surround yourself with a strong, knowledgeable and experienced team of representatives." When content goes viral for the wrong reasons MARLOW "Take a beat, breathe, then call your lawyer. And stay out of the comments section." Julie Gurian Image Credit: Courtesy of Subject Gurian works with pocket.watch, the digital media studio that helps turn young YouTube talent into global franchises, including Ryan Kaji, whom Pocket.
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