The Hollywood Reporter Launches 'UP NEXT' to Bridge Creators and Studios

The Hollywood Reporter has announced a strategic partnership with Access Media to launch 'UP NEXT: The Creator IP Market,' a new industry event scheduled for October 2026 in Los Angeles. This initiative aims to serve as a formal marketplace connecting digital content creators with traditional industry powerhouses, including major studios, streamers, talent agencies, and global brands. By providing a dedicated space for deal-making, live IP presentations, and curated networking, the event seeks to professionalize the integration of creator-led content into the broader entertainment ecosystem.

This move reflects a significant pivot in how Hollywood approaches talent and intellectual property. As traditional development pipelines face disruption, studios are increasingly looking to the creator economy to find culturally relevant, audience-tested content. By facilitating direct access between digital innovators and legacy media buyers, the event acknowledges that the next generation of star power and commercially viable storytelling is now emerging from independent, community-driven platforms rather than traditional studio development cycles.

For the industry, 'UP NEXT' signals a maturation of the creator economy, moving beyond influencer marketing toward a more structured model of IP acquisition and development. With Scott Benzie, founder of the WorldBuilder Summit, appointed as general manager, the event is positioned to become a critical nexus for media executives seeking to diversify their content portfolios. As audience habits continue to shift toward digital-first storytelling, this marketplace could prove essential for studios aiming to remain competitive in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.