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The Jeb Portal

35m 7s

The Jeb Portal

Jeb Barnett, a senior talent producer at Portal A, explains how her company creates premium social content for brands by working directly with creators. Unlike traditional influencer marketing, Portal A manages the entire process—from talent sourcing to production and post-launch—ensuring authentic, engaging experiences. Jeb emphasizes that creators, including celebrities and athletes, are now central to brand campaigns, and her role involves building genuine partnerships that empower creators to feel valued and involved. She shares memorable stories, such as working with Tom Holland and emerging creators like Drew Joiner, who gained brand success through high engagement despite small follower counts. Jeb also highlights key industry trends, such as the risks of cross-posting content across platforms and the growing importance of long-form content on YouTube. She advises creators to build strong, authentic relationships with managers and teams, and encourages them to simply start sharing content without overthinking. The conversation culminates in a fun rapid-fire list of favorite creators, including Galoria, John Grootin, Jacko Willing, and Morgan J, celebrating authenticity, diversity, and humor in the creator space. Jeb’s insights underscore a shift toward meaningful, person-first collaborations in the evolving creator economy.

Transcription

6568 Words, 33768 Characters

English
Welcome back to the creator and corporate fun one today. We got Jeb Barnett who is a senior talent producer at portal a stick with me now I'm gonna explain how all this works portal a helps make premium social content so for example if you were watching a YouTube series about say Anthony Edwards is journeying the playoff sort of this behind-the-scenes stuff. It's brought to you by BMW or something BMW didn't frickin make the social videos they hired portal a to do it for them and how Jeb fits into this she sees a senior talent producer so she works directly with the talent or the creator that this brand wants to work with and she helps source it so she would work with Anthony Edwards I don't know if she did work with Anthony Edwards I'm kind of just making that up but you get the gist so Jeb has some really cool insights as to whether brands looking for when they're working with creators she has some pretty fun stories short with Tom Holland and she explains that Tom Holland's a creator too anyone can be a creator a lot of these big celebrities and actors a list they're also creating stuff and brands want to work with that and tap into those people and their crews and their audiences so Jeb's kind of the conduit big word stick with me conduit between the brand and then the creator or the influencer or the talent that they want to work with very cool stuff very different look at things she has some fun stories about how she's worked with creators and how she's you know kind of found some diamonds in the rough Jeb also got engaged right before this so she was glowing with energy love all in the air so thanks to Jeb thanks to portal lay keep doing what you're doing and thank you for listening this is the creator incorporated follows on instagram did what you got to do a lot of fun episodes and we're going to keep this thing rolling um with the show talk to you later bye bye we're back like we never left Jeb what's up dog Jeb Barnett not for long okay fun fact Jeb is my initials right my first name and from the south two names Jane Emma is my first name in college I started going by Jeb so obviously I can't change my last name when I get married because it'd be jerk jerk well if you do the dash if you do the dash it'll be jerk I don't think it's gonna happen I don't think it's gonna happen so you are gonna change your nose okay no breaking breaking news I just announced your fiancee as well hey come on all right well welcome to the show this is so exciting and fascinating you are an interesting person I have my notes here if you can see that there's so organized and beautiful um you are a senior talent producer at portal a what does that mean great question it actually took me a while to really figure out for sure portal a content company um I would say a little bit different different than the like traditional influence I'm also he knows what this is but I'm just saying it for the viewers yeah nice that's a good look how the sausage is made podcast and thank you exactly um a little different than like a traditional influencer marketing agency because the campaigns aren't just like I love this water here's an instagram post it's more of like a multi-step thing we we do everything from creative to production to talent to post production to launch like we literally do everything and I think something that's really fun about my job I'm on the talent team um is that I get to see everything from start to finish and that honestly like what is what drew me to this role for sure so I uh pitch talent to brands uh I portal a there's two sides like a brand side which is probably like probably 85% of our business and then we do original stuff which is very fun but yeah my day today is mostly branded content um pitch creators and everyone's a creator by the way creators that's an all-encompassing tour we use celebrity yeah creator celebrities athletes blah blah blah all to client they tell me who they like I negotiate their deals and then I'm their point person throughout the campaign it's great all right so let me try and understand this for my brain yeah uh so portal a pretty much like makes social media videos but they're like for brands yes it can live on creator or brand channels but yes okay and so it's like this is when if correct me if I'm wrong when you see like stuff like a Mercedes Ben Steph Curry you know yeah I think I didn't see that so like when it when it's like oh here's this five-part YouTube series that's posted by Mercedes Ben's and it's Steph Curry driving around with his family like day in the life with Steph yeah five times and it's this really well-produced yeah social series you all are pretty much making that is it like Mercedes Ben's isn't like oh we're gonna stop making cars for a couple days and make videos about Steph Curry oh we are souped and nuts is as they say I just learned with that meant by the way I literally I don't know why I'd never heard it before my boss made fun of me because I was like what the heck is souped and not whatever um but it's funny that you today that we literally did a driving around with Steph Curry series with lift okay I wasn't here apportally so I can't really speak to it yet but uh but yeah it was it was that kind of thing and then we also do you know a lot of times these campaigns will have like I've done up to like 15 creators per campaign so some will do Instagram some will do TikTok videos some will be in like the brand film quote unquote um which is the thing that we love to do because that's so premium um but yeah what's a brand film what's brand film I feel like yeah that's like kind of a newer term because you know we like to create experiences for a career like we actually want the talent honestly me personally you want the talent to have fun and like want to do it so saturated now the creators are getting approached all the time to like hold up a water bottle and say I like this like we just did something with um Lenovo Legion where we like brought these two Minecraft streamers Tommy in it you know that is okay you're not really probably the Minecraft world but huge like mega yeah creators Tommy in it and UI stream to this castle in the UK and then we built a Minecraft version of this of this me tapping everywhere inside Joe yeah is our joke alert um this like huge Minecraft map of the castle grounds and like did this whole activation blah blah but you know Tommy shot his own content I'm getting back to the brand film don't worry yeah I got you going all around um Tommy shot Tommy in it the screener shot all this stuff for his own channel you know he's like I want my vlog guys there we're like late we want it to be off ended to your channel blah blah blah and then we for today like we're like cool we're gonna bring all the premium cameras and capture everything and like me and then make like a whatever five minute however video to put on Lenovo Legion channel to like run paid behind and then it's like the more like premium thing that's not always a case we do mixes of all those things but yeah it's interesting because brands want to like do sort of a make sense why they would want to do like a two-in-one authentic reader vibe if you have it all set up and you've got the creators yeah why are there you want to maximize yeah all the kind of they do so like it it makes sense it's kind of the way things are going you're creating more content here's it each asset that you make from that experience is worth something to someone so yeah hundred percent and obviously that's all in the like creator contract it drives up their fee but it's like yeah it's way easier to get and more exciting than just being like all right Tommy let's stop the cameras and film us 10 second brand video yeah that's not helpful so it's like way more organic and probably a better experience for the creator to ding stuff is happening so what you also this is essentially just the jab brand our press tour because you won at age gens ears to know to watch well there's a difference so watch the space we don't necessarily need to know a jab but we should watch for her exactly where would you would you say that would you rather be a gens ear to know or a gens ear to watch because no one can ever really know me yeah so you're saying no oh sorry uh no I think like what I think the whole point is like they're starting there on the comma well congrats you have just been named to all I'm not about that you're just been named to breaking enterings gens ears to know yes and you I know he was on the genome is on the gens ears to I believe it was oh was it called to understand I think was the gens ears to understand I don't remember I think it was watch as well so we have two two turns of us here to hang out yeah I'm on gens ears to avoid yeah yeah the punches I'm so scared to touch anything because I don't want to yeah you don't want to make the noises I get it but that's you're on a freaking bill or a time square that was hilarious my mom I was theater major shout out to the theater major queens of the world and my mom was like of course this like for it was like my first you know big recognition in my career huge and she's like of course you're they put you what it was actually so funny like all my friends came like pop champagne but it was cute yeah it's fun to just like meet other people you know I graduated during covid and just like have never worked full-time the off So being able to meet all these like different people who are doing space was was really great How'd you get like nominated or put up for it that someone have to nominate you? I think we work with this great like portal. I has like a PR team. It's Raven. Okay. I was gonna get there This amazing RIT do you guys work with them too? We were in conversation. We talk. I love Raven. Raven PR is awesome Fantastic. Yeah, and I think they just reached out to Shout out Zach Bloom founder of portal a great guy president slay Loves wriggling and turning media slay, but he was like Jeff would be grateful this and they were like great Let's admit it. I was like yay Yeah, I mean he'll work at portal a I think it is about 35 All-time and then a couple other like freelance people that rotate for sure. Is there something you're gonna say? No, okay He's like great. We need a buzzer. Yeah, I have a question. How old is portal I? It was started approximately 15 years ago, but I think like in terms of like company company Yeah, like hiring people I would say about 10. Okay. Yeah, that's so fun. So you're like You have a cool job. Oh my god, Zach is gonna be Issue a correction on that first share which part? The how long is or he said well Because they started it when they were like young just making videos online and that's why I probably a big reason why It's been successful because you all have the taste and understanding of like what's good social media content I also wanted to bring this up. I was looking at your LinkedIn and Jeb went to the London School of Economics per her LinkedIn and The only thing that she says about it It says London School of Economics a plus. Okay, and that's it Grade a plus and that's all you have under London School of Economics. Well, first of how do you just get a grit? One grade for the entire school. Oh my god. That is actually so funny that you found that I went to Northwestern, but I went and did I took micro economics there over the summer of course How could you possibly learn micro economics and that? Because I was actually acting in the proxiexpure festival whole areas. Oh, that's awesome. And I Had like a month to kill And I was like I genuinely like I want to eventually do something in bed I don't know. Yeah, we had a friend. I had a friend of days. Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah, it's fantastic And I got a plus, so I put I don't know I think it made you put your degree and I didn't get a degree So I think I just put the course and then it said the grade. Yeah, it's awesome It's one of my favorite things in the world. No, you need to keep it up forever I'm gonna change all my education histories to just like a plus. Yeah, so people with their GPAs all LinkedIn for sure I might still have my GPA. Oh my god. I think I've never been born very similarly, but that's awesome That is awesome. I just had to bring that up. I laughed out loud as nothing to do with the rest of this interview, but Okay, I want to get into like now the stuff that you do and first off How do you even get the job and how do you end up being in this position where like now you're working with creators and you're doing all this cool freaking stuff. Yeah, oh yeah, what were you doing before I was working at a casting agency in Chicago Pascal Reniki casting their fabulous, but Again, graduating COVID nothing was really happening Strike happening all that good stuff. They were they're an amazing Chicago casting agency They cast like we kept when I was there we did the bear We were doing shameless we were doing all this like classic Chicago stuff is great And I think I just fell in love with working with talent. Mm-hmm. I obviously just actors then Yeah, so like that was a sick gig to like be doing And like my favorite part honestly, this sounds so cheesy, but like was like calling someone and saying You got it like Especially these Chicago actors who like you know aren't in LA like just like turning out bookings Like you have to like really be grinding. Yeah, and so I just loved that part and then I yeah, yeah, get get the ball That's good. Um And then I yeah, I think I just I was working at part time and working at a restaurant Well also part time I was working every day of the week trying my knee whatever whatever and I was like I think I just wanted to do something you know more in the I wanted to move from Chicago in New York LA whatever was looking for like meet mail room agency sort of jobs But I was like I really want to be like in casting working with talent, but there were just wasn't a ton of stuff And then yeah, just interviewing making connections and met this woman who knew my current boss Brittany She'd be great, and I was like amazing. I know creators. I'm a time hole is at 22. Oh, 21 Whatever I'm on deck dog like I'm with the favorite creators. I was like this person is like I just it's obviously our age like you just use Yeah, you got your short list of um, and I think yeah, just working with talent is my And now it That's amazing Fantastic. Yeah. Well, so who do you who's like been the coolest person that you've worked with in terms of talent? That's honestly so hard I I think one of the coolest experiences was Getting these two legendary WMBA players, Asia Wilson and Kelsey plum. No, we did like a target deal with them Last year and like it was actually I'm just a quick start. It's actually you actually found this really interesting. Yeah, I mean, I mean you know me Right before we ended up releasing this it was this teammates of target It was a celebration of this like pickleball line. They launched it was really fun. It was like a sketch almost like it was really fun whatever and Caitlin Clark got her shoe Right before the episode came out and she wasn't even in the WMBA yet, or she maybe she'd just also know hey This is a not a like goat conversation at all just by the way But she's obviously great. She's a white player and then there were these like the conversations happening Like why Asia Wilson is a two-time MVP like she doesn't have a shoe right and then like why isn't that and why do certain athletes get brand It was this whole like big conversation the marketing world about certain athletes Getting brand deals versus not and what blah blah blah and then Asia will so meet really step so never was like This is why like give her more brand deals blah blah. I don't know. It was just really fun to be a part of that like I mean, that's like it because that's something that transcends just your job and just like the project or whatever you're working on that It was a part of the conversation right so being able to be references like this. That's real stuff And obviously like I wasn't like I didn't know that whole conversation was gonna be happening But it was fun to to to be a part of it and so yeah, they're great. I touched on this earlier, but All public figures are creators. That's not that's a blanket statement But like so many different types of people are making branded content creator content blah blah blah It's been like we worked with Tom Holland recently. That was really fun. Don't spider man spider bed Tom. Did you get to talk to him? Yeah, we're like what's up? What's up? I think hi Jeff He's really sweet. Yeah, his whole team was great. You's nice. That's always good to hear I love hearing the stories of the the people the mega Superstars that are really actually nice. Yeah. Yeah, he was great It was just like a couple hours shoot. He was did the thing and he was great It was I keep saying great, but it was great. It was great and to be honest if I was that successful and that level of celebrity I would be insufferable. I would be the worst. Yes, I would. I'd be like get on my face go get me a coffee I mean, let's go do this thing or whatever. No, I honestly like I'm not even saying this just for the pod I've had great experiences. I think it's specifically like on set Sometimes I don't even get to meet the creator because they're doing Self-shot something, but like on set like I think genuinely it's exciting for Digital talent to come to a set that's like With the green room and with the whole shabang and with people filming for them like obviously not all the time You know, you kind of have to sense out what people want to do that But I've had like very great experiences on set because they don't get to they're like all their phones Yeah, okay, that's interesting because uh, yeah that changes my perception because I Always assume the worst in these people that are super mega talented and famous I'm like yeah, sure they come across as one way in their content But there's no way they're actually like that day-to-day or like there's no way they can sustain that Yeah, was there anyone that surprised you was there anyone that maybe you had like a different preconceived notion about going into If you're allowed to say I mean like obvious, you know stuff goes wrong Or someone that someone that exceeded even your expectations of them being okay, Matt's not what? Oh, yeah Well, let me tell you Matt Stauver hilarious and I did you know quarterbacks football players. They could be a little So funny like actually again, we did another target sort of sketchy not sketchy sketch like thing with Super's got you know sketch ask thing with any I yeah, he was hilarious like so funny. I was like You know, can I take this home to my daughters and we're like that's so cute that like Matt Stauver was like take a toilet Like he was just oh, Matt. That's pretty funny. My friend. Oh, no, he was sweet. He was great. Where was that? Where was the shoot? That was in L.A. Yeah, and also Carole Wilson was there who's a judge player and I'm a judge man and that wasn't easy No way So you guys talk about nothing, but I have a video of him saying hi to me and my fiance and it's really cute nitrous That's really cool, that's okay, I totally just like flexed with some like like celebrity That's what this is about. This is what we do like I there's this creator drew joiner Do you know that is he's like a fashion New York City guy? He's following these great. Okay, he He should come on the podcast. Oh my 100% he's now like such a good friend of Port Leu He was like the first who drew joiner Port Leu and send the stage a little podcast trick joiner He's fabulous, but drew joiner. He is like what we were casting for a Google shopping thing on YouTube big creator of their holiday 100 campaign They wanted like big people obviously they wanted like five creators and different verticals blah blah blah and He was like the first person. I like really this was like three years ago at this point was like he has smaller Numbers on YouTube like he doesn't have an average of what they wanted I think was like 200k plus we use or something video. He did not have that at all like respect love you drew But he had like 50k or something. No very up and coming but his comments were like awesome. His engagement was awesome He just like was a smart cool dude. I like really believed in him and I just remember getting on the call client and being like This is gonna be like like he's like take a chance on him like you know a lot of these other people on the list They they're huge, but they do this type of thing all the time like their audiences are not gonna like cuz the KPI at that time For the campaign was like they want to click the link to the site Whatever like we need to engage with that the fans are gonna be like whoa Drew you got to deal with cool Let's go and that's what happened and like that was like a very proud moment for me. Yeah, you saw it. You saw the diamond No, you saw the diamond in the rough or just like I feel like analytics are So you really have to get more into like this objective. Yeah, there's an art and science to it Like that you probably have a tasty built-up and you can kind of like it's the it's the eye test - for sure There's a lot. How would you get like the confidence to say to the brand like you guys should do this One that I feel like that would be freaking Terrifying to like go to the brand and be like no, you got to work with this and like kind of like stand on your stand-on business I feel like it's like a push pull like if they're like no then you're not gonna be like Yes, but like they're like like me like what are and I could you know, I could show them His engagement right is I can come with the words, you know, but I think portal I also was like people brands come to us for our expertise That's what we are selling quote-unquote like we we are like the experts on this type of creator Brands are have their own taste and of course we want to respect those things But I think they also trust us to come with cool cool ideas cool people was drew pumps So pumped and we were I we worked with him the next year again, and we did an original series with him Oh, this is just Drew I love him. I like he and my birthday, and we like took a shot to And we were like let's go But yeah, I know he's just like now a friend and that's what it's all about This is what we do that was something surprised. I don't know if you feel I don't do you feel this way of like The creator world is such a personal Space and like obviously for me. I have to draw boundaries with either creators or reps or whatever because of course Like it's professional, but you're really like getting into their lives with their content and like you have to go to their homes and shoot They're like blah blah blah like you're in there. Yeah, it's a it's a whole thing I mean, yeah, probably different than every other industry or any other business relationship because Like creators and like social media is one of the only places where If you're working in that world, it's also your personal life like you go on Instagram For personal reasons and business reasons if you're a creator. Mm-hmm. So the line gets blurred foe show. Yeah, that's why you see people creators have like you know, they're fenced does or whatever You know, they have the we have a dietician cast who's been on the show. She's like a big in the dietician nutritionist world and she has You know close to 200,000 followers across LinkedIn or across TikTok and Instagram LinkedIn always in you and link the speaking of And she has her dietician cast account and then she also has her other account That's like personal and private and it's on thing, but I feel like there's more and more of that happening because it's so personal for sure And but that also worries me a lit. I mean by the way Do whatever you want but like it doesn't worry me now, but like in the future it's like Oh, is it gonna be just be like brand deal account? Oh, yeah, personal account not sit dietician cast Absolutely no shade. That was not saying anything to you, but I've I know I could see that road Yeah, what diverging in an interesting way I'm curious is that one of Any other like trends or takes or things that you see the creator space going into are there any other things that you're Noticing or like you have your eye on in terms of what's going to happen in the future with the creator world Okay, yes, okay. I think brands do a lot of cross posting and what you as in same asset Across platforms. Yeah, and I get it. They're like, oh, we have this asset like why shouldn't we just We'll ask it everywhere whatever and I'm like What that that makes no it doesn't really make sense to me because you know people look at like you know The dual-lingo take talk account or the Twitter account and like obviously that's its own thing I was like that's its own like beast If you will spark so many trends, but I'm like and brands like we should I do that and like you can tell when it's Inauthentic obviously, but I'm like try it on like Twitter first and then like keep your keep your branding on Instagram Like go over there, and I don't know. I think like there's so much like Convergence that they just post the same thing everywhere. I'm like why there's different platforms or reason I think like I don't know Creators don't want to be like They're linked themselves on yeah, do you think do you think that there's a Reason or like do you think people should start being like okay? It's not enough to just have a social media manager for aren't for every platform. We should have a Tiktok manager Instagram manager like a LinkedIn manager. I feel like that's probably what the best social council ones that aren't Converging all their content like I feel like a big reason why brands do that what you're saying is because it's like One or two people that are running every social channel. Yeah, and I get it. They need like a brand identity You want to like speak to each other, but like brands like get really nervous to do things like try it like I'm like an Instagram story It's like it's like make something just in that app and then post it. Yeah, try that exercise out See what happens use the tiktok editing and just yeah start recording from the tiktok app and then yeah post it Yeah, do the apple dance. Oh Okay, cool. So that's one like we got to get away from brands number one. Yeah, let's get away from cross or the Converging all the asset cross posting. Yeah, let's get away from that anything else. Is there another one in Jeb's brain? Creators creators I Mean I'm I'm just always like if you're not on you to get there their ad share is just Bigger and you're gonna make more money if you're a creator if you're a creator. Yeah, or anyone Go start your journey And you know also if that's not your brain. Don't do that. Don't listen to me. I don't know, but like if you're trying to do this like Make long form and put on YouTube. It's more lucrative for you for up and coming people and You know YouTube just surpassed like double Netflix and like watch hours. Yeah, it's the most stream thing Yeah, it's crazy and like that's that's to if you don't undo that's fine But if you're like really trying to I know it's a little harder and it's more effort to like make long form content, but I Think you should okay cool. Okay cool And now the people say that all the time so not a hot take but like no It's good to hear from your perspective too, which leads me to my next question. Do you have any advice for creators out there that are Trying to set themselves up for more brand deals like what's that should they be looking for? What should they be thinking about? To try to facilitate some potential partnerships with portal it Well, first of all get a don't How do I say this talk to a couple managers and or agents before you sign with anyone if you're at that point because By the way, you don't have to have a million followers to get a manager agent like a lot of folks are looking to like sign cool People with not a ton of followers first of all Talk to a couple see who you vibe with like genuine and you know I a lot of times just like cold email creators. So if you see an email from me, Jebaportalay.com Bleep that out Sorry, but if you see an email from me like that's me and I fall I find a lot of people just like from hashtags because Why not yeah, but at the same time I do get a lot of suggestions from managers and reps and like find someone you really Like fuck with as a person for sure because you're they're gonna understand you and understand like Is this a type person that just like wants to do a million brand deals to get some money or is this the type of person? It's like I want to find a really meaningful You know long-term partnership with a brand that really associate with right so Yeah, just like make sure you're you have good good people on your team. I'm sure yeah, you gotta create It is a it's a business like you're running your own business Yeah, you get in the creator game if you get big enough. Yeah. Oh, yeah, absolutely like you need some peeps Oh, yeah, even just one one little peep one little one little peep I feel like in the creator world like you can you're talking to your phone and you might go crazy Yeah, just doing listening to you're and that's fine like some people just are built for that like individual like it's 24 hour Twitch stream. Yeah, crazy. I think I would actually do you make any content on your own like any are you making stuff? Are you posing on take back? No, well, I separate nutrition state. I get it. I mean, I'll like make a funny TikTok with my friends But not trying to do that. Okay, good to know. Good to know. Do not look at my TikTok though. It's it's just like No, it's honestly mostly me like if we like want people to do a TikTok trend for a brand. It's like me doing it Just show you like this is how it's done creator. Let me show you how to actually do the graph and To to pour to lay. I'm like, oh, guys Yeah, I'm sure they love that I'm sure they love because I know she I think if I had to get some advice to any pre-professional not create Maybe just like anyone who loves the creator just no shame just like message people Bear yourself who cares? Post it. Just post it. I know we have a digital for president don't go crazy with it But just in terms of like it's straight up like embarrassment to be extra. Who cares? Oh who cares? Just grow up I know you get that. Oh, I get it. What do you mean by that I know what you mean by that? I don't know what you mean by that. No, I'm not even trying to your home You guys left of like just been like aren't let's put it out there. Yeah. Yeah, who cares? And and everyone can tell Everyone and I'm gonna tell that we just put it out there. Oh, cuz I know your story I'm just messing with yeah. Oh Well, this has been freaking awesome. Yeah, I'm so glad that you came in Is there anything else you want to leave the world with any closing thoughts anything that we missed? You want to talk? I just want to know if you have a couple favorite creators, and I'll tell you mine We can do a little crater. I will go bet. We'll do a little draft. You know what you're jumping into a draft We're gonna do a little draft Da-na-na-na-na-na-na-na. I literally only listen to drafts. Okay. Alright, so we'll do it. Let's go Three each rapid fire. You say it. Maybe a little sentence. Great job. You're going first. All right Here we go. I'm going Galoria. Do you know that is amazing beauty creator and the reason why she's my number one pick is because she's like This also like advocacy for like expansion of shade readers this stuff and like has changed business models Has been like this doesn't look good on dark skin and the business like got it queen. Oh, yeah She's great. She's great. The hilarious stuff is also I'm thinking about in terms. Okay. That was way more than one thing Sorry great storm We might as I make this too each. Oh, yeah, I would go with creator John Grootin. Okay. I'm going with John Grootin. He's so funny. I think he's just the funniest and he's so authentic Yeah, he just loves football. Yeah, he's obsessed with football and he just that's all he talks about. Geno you're up. I like Jacko willing There you go. You know, Jacko willing Good good Remember I've ever seen the video where he's like where he's like you just got broken up by your girlfriend good Oh, yep, yep, yep, yeah, I just need that okay Morgan J. Yeah, I was a little too. Oh, oh, oh, yeah, guys show he's so funny And I think like again authentic font dust of the other people don't do and I think you should do some brandels up in there He's more of a comedian, but again, comedians are creators. That's right. I'm speaking of that bow burn them nice You know, you know who that is, you know, yeah, of course No, you know, super active so he I saw is like stand up. Okay thing. I just saw a spectacular day of The one where he pretends that he's not he knocks over the water bottle I think he's so funny. I think he's a genius. Yeah, oh, I believe it. He was cute and struggle Yeah, all right. You know, I like a Sebastian Maneskelka's nice. Geno Chipotle. Yeah, I think we all do it. Oh, yeah, it's too nice. Yeah, I win Jeb nice job. Well, thanks so much for coming in and how should people reach out to you if you want people to reach out to you LinkedIn jenima in quotes jab or net a plus at the London School of economics. Thank you so much - Thanks for being here. - Found it.

Podcast Summary

Key Points:

  1. Jeb Barnett is a senior talent producer at Portal A, where she acts as a bridge between brands and creators, sourcing, negotiating, and managing talent throughout multi-step content campaigns.
  2. Portal A produces premium social content, including brand films and multi-platform series, by collaborating with creators like Tom Holland and athletes such as Asia Wilson and Kelsey Plum, emphasizing authenticity and creator experience over generic branded content.
  3. Jeb highlights that creators—especially athletes and public figures—are now a key part of brand strategies, and successful campaigns often feature authentic, organic content that empowers creators to engage personally and creatively, while also revealing deeper industry conversations around equity and representation.

Summary:

Jeb Barnett, a senior talent producer at Portal A, explains how her company creates premium social content for brands by working directly with creators. Unlike traditional influencer marketing, Portal A manages the entire process—from talent sourcing to production and post-launch—ensuring authentic, engaging experiences. Jeb emphasizes that creators, including celebrities and athletes, are now central to brand campaigns, and her role involves building genuine partnerships that empower creators to feel valued and involved.

She shares memorable stories, such as working with Tom Holland and emerging creators like Drew Joiner, who gained brand success through high engagement despite small follower counts. Jeb also highlights key industry trends, such as the risks of cross-posting content across platforms and the growing importance of long-form content on YouTube. She advises creators to build strong, authentic relationships with managers and teams, and encourages them to simply start sharing content without overthinking.

The conversation culminates in a fun rapid-fire list of favorite creators, including Galoria, John Grootin, Jacko Willing, and Morgan J, celebrating authenticity, diversity, and humor in the creator space. Jeb’s insights underscore a shift toward meaningful, person-first collaborations in the evolving creator economy.

FAQs

A senior talent producer, like Jeb Barnett, works directly with creators and brands to source talent, negotiate deals, and manage the entire campaign lifecycle—from creative development to post-production and launch.

Portal A does more than just manage influencer posts; it handles everything from creative concept to production, talent selection, and post-production, offering a full-service, end-to-end approach to premium social content.

Yes, many celebrities are creators in their own right, producing content such as videos, vlogs, or social media series. Brands often collaborate with these creators and their teams to build authentic, engaging content.

A brand film is a premium, high-quality video that showcases a brand experience through authentic creator content. It’s significant because it creates a deeper, more engaging connection with audiences and feels more organic than a traditional brand message.

Brands work with talent producers who identify creators with strong engagement and authenticity, even if they don’t have massive follower counts. For example, creators like Drew Joiner were discovered for their high engagement and unique content, not just follower numbers.

Having a manager or agent helps creators build relationships with brands, understand business opportunities, and maintain authenticity. A good team supports long-term, meaningful partnerships rather than just short-term deals.

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