5 Creators to Watch in 2025
Recommendations for your next brand campaign
Welcome to Creator Campaigns, a deep dive on Paid Partnership into a specific aspect of building a creator marketing campaign.
While the streets are still buzzing about our Pulitzer Prize-worthy investigations into Creator Discovery and Creator Classification, Paid Partnership isn’t simply here to lead you to water to drink for yourself - Our goal is to serve you the crispest, coldest, mountain water you’ve ever tasted.
Presenting: Paid Partnership’s 5 Creators to Watch in 2025
For this list, I wanted to focus on mid-sized creators who crushing the experiential content game recently and show great promise to continue to grow as they keep pursuing their content careers.
Below you’ll find creator backgrounds, examples, contact information and more 👇
Trey Phills
There aren’t too many creators in the industry with a degree from Yale.
From my first time meeting Trey, it was evident his passion for learning and his storytelling ability would propel him to the next level as he pursues content creation full time after retiring from his career in basketball.
Despite winning MVP at the NBA’s most recent “Creator Cup” game, Trey’s been intentional with his desire and output to grow beyond the game of basketball - Exploring other avenues such as cricket, running, and fashion.
Trey’s fresh approach feels unique on social and has allowed him to slow build a community in an intentional way.
Contact: Reuben Gol - Raymond Representation (reuben@raymondrep.com)
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Crystal Sorem
Oftentimes I wonder how creators find the energy to continuously make content while keeping the spirit levels high - But not with Crystal.
Crystal’s infectious personality and relatable content make her one of the most engaging creators in this realm right now, with a rabid community of followers hanging on her every (often relationship-based) decision.
These factors combine to facilitate Crystal’s ability to make large quantities of quality content in any situation, a key attribute when partnering with a brand whether it’s Adidas or Sherwood Hockey (above).
Contact: Seb Javier - Upside Down Media (seb@upsidedownmedia.co)
Connor Willey
The Willey Goat! Standing at 6’6“ a respectable height, Connor’s content and comedy career continues to gain steam around LA and beyond.
Connor’s bread and butter are hilarious skits so relatable you’ll experience Déjà vu - A skill and technique he’s refined through his continued collaborations with the 189M view IG pool sharks themselves, The Pointer Brothers.
Excited to see Connor continue to gain experience and opportunities with brands as his stardom keeps rising.
Contact: Max Fleming - Motive LA (max@motive-la.com)
Nolan Reid
Guys being dudes. Deep in the northern plains of Canada exists a man so chill that hundreds of thousands of fans on social flock daily to his feeds just to be in the presence of his vibes - Hello, Nolan Reid.
Known for drinking beer, hanging with his friends, and driving his scooter, Nolan’s content is a breath of fresh air in the world of ever-increasing, TikTok-voiced, speed-run, day in the life(s).
The most interesting part: Nolan never rarely speaks in his videos, instead letting the scenes do all the talking.
Maybe the 4am wake up grindset isn’t the only way after all?
Contact: Brent Cardy - Grail Talent (brent@grail-talent.com)
Josh Eckert
X Games social media member by day, hilarious creator by night: Josh does it all
His unique combination of action sports content, mixed with finely tuned and forever funny niche comedy skits, make Josh an up-and-coming talent to keep an eye on - all with the savvy social skills gained through his full-time role.
What may have started as a joke has turned into millions of views and a wealth of potential opportunities which Josh embraces with his patented high level of stoke.
Hyped to see Josh continue to crush, whether it’s behind the keyboard or in front of the camera.
Contact: IG DM Josh directly