Adweek has launched its inaugural Creator Economy Power List, and entries are now open for 2026. The list honours the executives building the business behind the creator boom: the dealmakers, platform builders, brand leaders and technologists turning the creator business into a durable economy.

Who’s eligible

Entrants must work at a company operating in the creator economy. Individual creators, influencers and on-camera talent are not eligible unless they are entering for a business role, such as founder or executive of a company. Entrants may nominate themselves or a colleague.

Eligible companies include:

• Creative & Influencer Agencies – Shops that plan, cast and run creator-led campaigns for brands
• Brand-side Marketers – In-house leaders who have made creators a core part of their marketing mix
• Social Media Platforms – The companies building the programmes, products and payouts that creators depend on
• Content Creation & Management Tools – Software that helps creators and brands make, edit, schedule and manage content
• Talent Management Firms – Managers and agencies representing creators and building their businesses
• Creator Monetisation Platforms – Companies helping creators earn through subscriptions, commerce, tipping, licensing and more
• Creator Adtech – Measurement, marketplace, data and analytics, and media-buying technology that makes creator content work as a paid channel

What judges are looking for

Judges will favour entries that show hard results from the past 12 months, not just vision. Entries with verifiable metrics, named campaigns and clear timelines will stand out.

• Business impact – Revenue growth, funding, new clients or market share, with numbers wherever possible
• Innovation – A new product, model or partnership that changed how brands and creators work together
• Creator outcomes – Measurable gains for the creators the entrant’s business serves, from earnings to reach
• Industry influence – Leadership that moved the wider market, including standards, deals or programmes others followed

Key dates and fees

• Early bird deadline – 6 November, $175
• Final deadline – Monday 7 December 2026, $275

For more information, visit adweek.com.