Sam Blumenthal

Based on the livestreaming trends in China, here are my predictions for the future:  Prediction 1: 1 to 1 face-off competition is coming,  Prediction 2: The players who own the logistics and fulfilment structures will be the winners for e-commerce livestreaming,  Prediction 3: The popular influencers of Youtube and Instagram will be the big winners... See more

Miko embodies the rise of “VTubers” (Virtual YouTubers), a catchall term for online creators who digitally obscure their faces and bodies. But more broadly, Miko embodies a nascent, but fascinating space: synthetic media.

Experts agree that as live video shopping evolves, the apps most likely to succeed will be those that can nurture fervent engagement with their creators. “Larger platforms will copy features, so livestreaming as the value proposition will not be enough,” said Rachel Tipograph, founder and CEO of Mikmak, an e-commerce marketing platform whose... See more

• Let Influencers Run the Show. Because TikTok celebrates and rewards creativity, brands eager to stand out on the platform shouldn’t limit influencers’ artistic liberty. Instead, follow Valentino’s lead by letting content creators take the reins when it comes to planning and producing videos. The resulting content will feel more in keeping with... See more