The Founding Father of The UK Creator Economy | Dom Smales

Managed · Oct 29, 2026 · 1h 2m

This week on Managed we're joined by Dom Smales, creator economy OG and founder of Gleam Futures. Started in 2010 as a small consultancy, it became one of the first digital talent management companies of its kind, with offices in London, Los Angeles and Sydney. Dom signed the first wave of full-time YouTubers, including Zoe Sugg and Marcus Butler, and helped launch brands like Real Techniques, Zoella Beauty and TA/LA. He looks back at what has stayed the same since then (audiences still want value and authenticity) and what hasn't: shrinking brand budgets, an oversaturated market, and AI that…