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Creators, Events, and Inspiration
Inside the Bay’s creator scene. What’s hot this month, who's hiring and a creator you won't want to miss!
Jim Louderback & Bay Area Creator Economy
May 20, 2025
Hello and welcome to the Bay Area Creator Economy’s biweekly newsletter—the ultimate hub for everything you need to know about the buzzing creator scene in the San Francisco Bay Area!
If you’re reading this because someone shared it with you (lucky you!), and you want to make sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe here:
Ah, spring. Time to get outside, catch up with old friends, meet a few new ones, and find fresh inspiration.
In today’s issue, we’ve got a recap of our recent Patreon mixer, a spotlight on a Bay Area creator sharing her family’s adventures, and a roundup of upcoming events, from local gatherings to global stages.
And with VidCon and Cannes just around the corner, we know your dance card is probably packed until late June. So, we’re hitting pause for June (hard to compete with the South of France), but mark your calendars for a July 17th banger—more details coming soon!
And if you see us out and about, come say hi. Let us know how we can keep building a better Bay Area Creator Economy community for all of us. We’re just getting started, and we’d love your input.
Cheers, Jim
The Bay Area Creator Economy Community Team / Co-Founders
MAIN STORY
Spring Vibes & Creator Connections at Patreon HQ
France Tantiado, Contributor
Our BACE x Patreon mixer brought the creator economy to life—come for the community, stay for the connections.
On May 8th, the Bay Area Creator Economy (BACE) and Patreon teamed up for a Spring Mixer at Patreon’s San Francisco headquarters. Creators, founders, and industry friends gathered for an evening of great energy, conversation, and connection.
Big thanks to:
Rachel Masters, BACE co-founder, for shaping the concept and overseeing every detail.
Stephanie Hind, Head of Top Creator Partnerships at Patreon. She has been a huge part of the BACE family from day one. Her unwavering support and generous, welcoming spirit have been invaluable—and when we asked her to co-host, she went the extra mile, transforming Patreon’s HQ into a warm, inviting space that set the perfect tone for genuine connections.
Grace Ling, Stephanie Hind and Paul Bakus having fun!
We kept the night simple—no panels, no programming—just real people building real connections. Here’s what some of our guests had to say:
“There’s something special about being in a room full of people building the future of the internet, and not just any future, but one that actually works for creators. That’s what made the BACE night at the Patreon office so energizing. Real talk, smart minds, and a shared belief that creators deserve more. Count me in, every time.”
And a good time was had by all!
“Love these events by the Bay Area Creator Economy group. They bring together decades of relationships from across the Bay and spark conversations at the intersection of brand deals, creative strategy, monetization, and successful creator collaborations.”
Priscilla Lau with Alex Dwek, CEO Nas.IO, who flew in from Singapore!
“I really enjoyed attending the Creator Economy event. I loved the venue and the people; I felt welcomed and made many connections and new friends in the field. I’m always looking forward to these local events—huge thanks to France for inviting me and for always being on top of things!”
“The Bay Area Creator Community gathers the best and brightest creators, technologists, and community builders. The mixer at Patreon opened up so many valuable connections with like-minded leaders—from CEOs to agency owners to solo-preneurs—there’s something for everyone!”
“I’m always grateful for the chance to attend BACE events and be part of the inspiring community they’ve built. As an emerging creator, having a support system makes a real difference. Connecting with others, exchanging ideas, and staying current on tools and trends is so valuable—and a lot of fun!”
That’s a fine looking crew!
At every BACE gathering, we believe that bringing passionate people together naturally sparks collaborations and friendships. Thank you to everyone who attended, to our volunteers, and to our hosts for making it happen.
Stay tuned: We’ve got something extra special planned for mid-July—more details coming soon (keep your eye on this newsletter for more)!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Bay Area
MAY
May 20–21
Upscale Conf 2025
This two-day conference brings together global creatives and technologists to explore AI’s impact on design and innovation. Speakers include leaders from OpenAI, Meta, Microsoft, and Adobe. (San Francisco)May 20
Sip & Shop with FACE FOUNDRIÉ x SF Social Club
Enjoy skincare, refreshments, and permanent jewelry at this evening mixer, co-hosted with SF Social Club. (San Francisco)May 21
Scaling AI Companies with Creator Partnerships
A panel with Intercom, Replit, Gamma, and AlphaSignal on how creators are fueling the growth of AI startups. (San Francisco)May 22
Beyond 2% – Building A Better Tomorrow Salon
An exclusive gathering spotlighting women in entrepreneurship, featuring a founder showcase, investor panels, and a VIP lounge for high-level networking, our Co-Founder, Monica Khan, will be speaking as well. Hosted by Not Too Crazy and partners, this event aims to foster innovation and meaningful connections. (Oakland, CA)May 24
Coffee Shop Party at Avotoasty! Coffee and Music with Creatives
Join fellow creatives for coffee, music, and good vibes at this chill daytime gathering. (San Francisco)May 28
Google’s AI Agent Builders Summit
An evening exploring AI agent innovation with builders and technologists hosted by Google. (San Francisco)May 31
Fit & Flow Wellness Event
A full day of wellness programming including yoga, workshops, and mindful community gatherings. (San Francisco)
Beyond the Bay Area
MAY
May 27–30
AI on the Lot
The largest AI film conference bringing together filmmakers, innovators, artists, media execs, startups, and developers. Explore new tools, gain insights, and meet leaders in the space. (Culver City, CA)May 27–30
Web Summit Vancouver
Join thousands of entrepreneurs, investors, and tech leaders at this year's "Glastonbury for Geeks." Keynotes from industry leaders, and our Co-Founder, Jim Louderback will be in attendance. (Vancouver, Canada)May 29
Houston Creator Collective Meetup – Dream Con
YouTube and RDCWorld1 co-host the official kickoff of Dream Con 2025 with a Creator Collective meetup. Our Co-Founder, Cassandra Bankson will be in attendance. Space is limited; RSVP through the link required. (Houston, TX)May 30–June 1
Dream Con 2025
A convention celebrating anime, gaming, and pop culture, featuring panels, tournaments, and meetups. Our Co-Founder, Cassandra Bankson will be in attendance. (Houston, TX)
JUNE
June 2
Mix & Mingle – #NYTechWeek
Join a networking event in Madison Square Park with over 200 RSVPs expected. (New York, NY)June 2
Filmmakers Gather
A monthly networking event for filmmakers in Los Angeles, featuring script readings and mingling. (Marina del Rey, CA)June 2–4
Shoptalk Europe
A premier retail and e-commerce conference featuring insights and trends redefining European commerce. (Barcelona, Spain)June 2–7
SXSW London
The inaugural European edition of SXSW, featuring over 450 sessions across 29 venues in Shoreditch, focusing on music, film, and technology. (London, UK)
Have an event you’d like us to include here? If so, please send the event URL to [email protected].
COMMUNITY NEWS
🤖 Hedra Raises $32M to Power the Next Wave of AI Characters
San Francisco-based AI character-generation platform Hedra has raised a $32M Series A led by Menlo Ventures to scale its toolset for creators building immersive, character-driven experiences. Backers include YouTube co-founder Steve Chen and AI luminary Andrej Karpathy. (Deadline)
🎤 MrBeast, Gaga & Hot Ones Take the Stage at YouTube Brandcast
YouTube’s Brandcast 2025 featured a stacked lineup including MrBeast, Lady Gaga, and Sean Evans, signaling the platform’s ongoing investment in creator-led entertainment. CEO Neal Mohan—who is based in the Bay Area—framed YouTube as a modern TV network built by and for creators. (Hollywood Reporter)
📺 Samsung TV Plus Unveils Creator-Led FAST Channels and Interactive Ad Formats
At NewFronts 2025, Samsung TV Plus introduced the Samsung Television Network (STN), a new FAST channel featuring live sports, music, movies, and late-night programming, including exclusive content from creators like Bay Area-based science YouTuber Mark Rober and Dhar Mann. The platform also announced partnerships with top creators such as Michelle Khare, Smosh, The Try Guys, Epic Gardening, The Sorry Girls, and Donut Media to launch dedicated channels. (Samsung)
🧑💼 Creator Career Conference Spotlights Creator Pathways
At the inaugural Creator Career Conference hosted by San Francisco-based hybrid media company Media Mobilize, our co-founder Jim Louderback joined a panel to discuss the rising importance of email newsletters as a direct, owned channel for creators looking to build long-term businesses.
JOBS
Global Influencer Lead @ Airbnb (Remote)
Senior Director, Social Media Content and Production @ Sephora (San Francisco)
Videographer/Editor @ Bucketsquad (Remote)
Business Development Intern @ HeyGen (San Francisco)
Software Engineer @ Twitch (San Francisco)
Have a job you’d like us to include here? Send the job posting URL to [email protected].
“HELLA BAY AREA” CREATOR PICK
Anna Brown (@AnnaTwinsies) ASMR, Aesthetic Vibes & East Bay Family Adventures
Bay Area mother and content creator @AnnaTwinsies is turning everyday moments with her two sets of twins into aesthetic memories, often with four little co-stars in tow. Known for her Family Fashion, ASMR videos, and cozy day-in-the-life vlogs. Anna and her family bring a fresh, soothing energy to the local creator scene with a recent post about a weekend getaway in the East Bay with her family.
A recent attendee of our Patreon x BACA event, Anna is more than just a digital storyteller. She’s also an active part of the Bay Area Creator Economy, regularly highlighting the region’s nature, culture, and family-friendly gems. Her content blends lifestyle, fashion, food, and gentle parenting, while raising two sets of twins.
In a recent reel, Anna takes her audience on a peaceful fishing trip in the East Bay. With sunny skies, lakeside reflections, and the pure joy of her kids catching their first fish, the clip feels like a love letter to family life in Northern California. After the trip? A wholesome home-cooked trout dinner, lemon-dill perfection, and Ramune sodas to top it off.
With over 10 million followers across her platforms, AnnaTwinsies has built a loyal, global audience who keep coming back for her calming energy, creative vision, and refreshingly real take on motherhood.
Whether she’s cooking, styling, or exploring the outdoors, Anna creates a space where motherhood meets mindfulness, and where every reel feels like a warm hug.
Her mantra: "Sundays are for slowing down, savoring joy, and letting the kids lead the way."
Follow her journey:
Instagram – @annatwinsies
TikTok – @annatwinsies
YouTube – AnnaTwinsies
Would you like to sponsor this newsletter or one of our events? Please email [email protected]
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If you are a Bay Area Creator and have a piece of content you’d like for us to share, email it to us at [email protected]
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