Happy Valentine's Day, lovebirds 💘

While some of your friends may be celebrating with chocolates and roses, we're here to shower you with something even sweeter: a dose of creative inspiration and social updates you can’t miss.

Let’s get started!

Super Bowl MOST watched US broadcast since the Apollo moon landing in 1969

This year's Super Bowl was out of this world, attracting a record-breaking 123.4 million viewers! Not since the moon landing has a US broadcast drawn such a crowd. Talk about a touchdown for television!

Here are the top 3 highlights:

• Record-breaking viewership: 123.4 million tuned in, with 202.4 million watching at least part of the game. Nielsen's new counting method helped, but the excitement was undeniable!

• Usher rocked the stage, bringing in Alicia Keys, H.E.R., and a whole crew for an epic performance. Then, he sealed the deal by marrying his girlfriend in Vegas! Talk about a double celebration!

• Chiefs win again! Defending their title and with Taylor cheering them on, the Kansas City Chiefs took home the trophy in a nail-biting overtime game. 

The real MVP:  While the Chiefs ultimately reigned supreme, the real MVP might have been Taylor Swift. Her presence, cheering on her boyfriend Travis Kelce, sent the internet into a frenzy. Their post-win kiss sealed the deal, with 20% of viewers admitting they rooted for the Chiefs thanks to Taylor-mania!

^{Sponsored by vidyo.ai}

vidyo.ai: The better way to create viral short videos

There's no doubt that short-form video is the best way to grow your reach on social media today. Growing on socials should not be a difficult task, and vidyo.ai makes it super easy for you.

With vidyo.ai, you can churn out multiple short videos optimized for TikTok, YT Shorts, Reels & Linkedin with the click of a button. You can also get metadata like timestamps, chapters, and transcripts instantly.

Each video is highly customizable with options to apply brand guidelines, outros, B-rolls, animated captions, and directly schedule on social media platforms.

Try vidyo.ai today, it's free forever!

Here's why YouTube might be Hollywood’s real nightmare, not Netflix.

While everyone's busy celebrating Netflix's streaming crown, there's a giant competitor in the living room they're ignoring: YouTube. 

This platform isn't just crushing it in views (more than Netflix!), and dominating advertising but it's also winning the hearts of Gen Z with its creator-driven content. It could be Hollywood’s biggest threat yet.

Here's why YouTube is the real threat:

• Highest watch hours: YouTube boasts the most-watched platform, even on the big screen. Netflix might have "must-see" shows, but YouTube offers an endless rabbit hole of cat videos, makeup tutorials, and yes, even educational content.

• Ad revenue king: YouTube raked in $9.2 billion in ad revenue last quarter, while Netflix is just starting its ad game. It's clear viewers don't mind a few interruptions for free entertainment.

• Gen Z's BFF: Forget live sports, Gen Z prefers user-generated content. Kids these days are all about MrBeast and his crazy challenges.

• UGC content machine: Hollywood relies on a few big-budget blockbusters to sustain itself, but YouTube churns out hits like a well-oiled machine. MrBeast, PewDiePie, and countless other creators consistently generate millions of views, proving that quality content doesn't need a multi-million dollar budget.

The future belongs to the creators, and YouTube looks to be their kingdom.

Social media updates:

• X announces new option for advertisers to sponsor creator video uploads in the app (link)

• Instagram is rolling out the ability to cut out a section of a video and use it as a sticker (link)

• What social media marketers can expect in 2024 (link)

• Instagram’s Threads: all the updates on the new Twitter competitor (link)

• Spotify is killing a feature music podcasters love (link)

V-day special: Google shares Valentine’s Day search trends

Google has published some new overviews of Valentine’s Day data, based on Search activity, which point to what’s popular this year, and what people are looking to do to celebrate Valentine’s Day.

First off, Google shared an updated map of unique Valentine’s date night ideas by state:

Creator spotlight 😍

Ever wondered HOW your favorite creators' started? What books spark their imagination, podcasts ignite their minds, or shows leave them buzzing? 

Well, we’re introducing your new favorite section where we'll be shining light on a popular creator every week. 

This week's featured creator: ✨ PEWDIEPIE ✨

Felix Kjellberg, better known as PewDiePie has 111M subs on Youtube. 

But he also had to start somewhere to get here today. Pewdiepie’s FIRST video was just him and his friend playing Minecraft together. They goof around with a zombie and a minecart. Though vastly different from his current content, it hints at the comedic and improvisational style that would become his signature.

It’s been removed by him but if you look hard enough…you might just find it yourself.

Keep reading…

• How to create an influencer media kit to pitch brands

• Rolling Stone’s top editor steps down

• MrBeast gives new life to X’s creator plans

We’ll see you next week! (or as Pewdiepie says: 🤜🤛)