Tens of millions of individuals worldwide are engaged in the growing creator economy, which is projected to reach nearly half a trillion dollars by 2027. Creators and influencers are carving out a massive niche in the overall Media & Entertainment landscape, becoming their own media brands, shifting video consumption habits and attracting advertising dollars.

The NAB Show is a central hub for networking, exploration and education within the evolving creator market, offering unparalleled opportunities for insights, networking, and education. Leading the charge at this year’s event, which runs from April 13-17 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, is renowned YouTube star, digital creator, filmmaker extraordinaire and multi-media innovator Casey Neistat, a pivotal figure in the digital creation space known for his inspiring and unconventional approach to creativity.

“Do What You Can’t with Casey Neistat“ takes place on Wednesday, April 17 from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on NAB Show’s Main Stage. Neistat, who has more than 12.6 million subscribers on YouTube and has posted over 1,100 videos, is a New York-based filmmaker, writer, director, editor and star of the series The Neistat Brothers on HBO.

He won the John Cassavetes Award at the 2012 Independent Spirit Awards for producing the film Daddy Long Legs.

Celebrated for his “Do What You Can’t” philosophy, Neistat’s story is a powerful illustration of how thinking differently and embracing innovation can unlock extraordinary creative potential. It also offers a lens into the broader shifts in content creation and distribution. His transition from traditional media to digital success embodies the significant changes in how content reaches audiences today.

Neistat asserts that “Everything now that you’d ever need access to be a great filmmaker is kind of at our fingertips,” highlighting the democratization of filmmaking and storytelling.

“If I had known how to make movies the proper way, then, I would have never gone to Walmart and bought two of their cheapest cameras and turned that into a show that was on HBO,” he says. “It was that lack of understanding of the right way to do things that forced us to find our own path. And I think that was a virtue.”

Reflecting on his career, Neistat notes, “I spent years making this HBO show… nobody saw it, and then I make this silly little video and millions and millions of people saw [it]. That showed me something about distribution.”

READ MORE: Casey Neistat: Create First and the Money Will Follow (NAB Amplify)

This year’s NAB Show also debuts the Creator Lab, a dedicated experience to foster collaboration, learning and networking through panels, workshops, fireside chats and more. Topics include content monetization, video transformation, AI and mobile content creation. Featured speakers include Chris Laxamana, co-host and producer of The Adam Carolla Show and Marc Hustvedt, president of MrBeast YouTube.

NAB Show offers dozens of sessions related to the creator economy, including these panels in the Core Education Collection: Create Series:

• Recess Therapy: How a College Thesis Became an Instagram Sensation:
  Moderator Jasmine Enberg of Insider Intelligence will host Scott Dunn, VP, Talent and Business Development at Doing Things, and Julian Shapiro-Barnum, creator and host of Recess Therapy, to learn how Shapiro-Barnum’s college thesis became a viral web series. The hit series continues to grow as a major talent with brands turning to it to raise awareness of projects and campaigns.
• Creator Economy: From Million Dollar Listing to Estate Media, Transforming Entrepreneurs into Entertainers:
  Cami Lincowski will discuss how entrepreneurs are disrupting traditional industries by thinking like a creator-led brand and developing content that engages, monetizes and scales. Founded by real estate mogul and television personality Josh Flagg, of Bravo TV’s Million Dollar Listing, the newly launched Estate Media is rolling out a slate of compelling and captivating content that professionals and fans crave.
• Creator Economy: Lessons from Follow Me’s Influencer Showdown:
  The creators and distributors of Follow Me — the brand-sponsored reality competition series that gives influencers the chance to make it big on social media, work with major product partners and win a $50,000 grand prize — will give the inside scoop on moving beyond traditional advertising spend to authentically integrate brands on screen. Speakers include Derek Daugherty, business development and sales marketing for M&M’s, FedEx and F1; Michele Fino, head of branded entertainment for Crackle Connex; model, actress and influencer Charlotte McKinney; and John Stevens, CEO of V10 Entertainment.

Check out all sessions related to the creator economy here.

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this transformative experience. Register now for NAB Show 2024 and join a community of creators, innovators, and industry leaders as we explore the future of Media & Entertainment.