Bright: A New Platform for Live Creator Interactions

Imagine being able to connect directly with your most admired creators via Zoom. This is the core concept behind Bright, a novel live video platform that launched today. Co-founded by Guy Oseary and Michael Powers, a former YouTube product manager, Bright leverages the familiar Zoom infrastructure to facilitate engaging, face-to-face video sessions between fans and creators.

Focus on Education and Ticketed Events

While sharing some similarities with voice-based social apps like Clubhouse, Bright distinguishes itself through a dedicated focus on educational content. The platform is designed for learning directly from experts who share their knowledge with a community. Furthermore, all sessions on Bright are structured as ticketed events, empowering creators to determine both the price and the number of available tickets.

The Rationale Behind Bright’s Educational Focus

According to Bright CEO Michael Powers, a significant portion of YouTube content is dedicated to learning. “Twenty percent of the content on YouTube was learning,” he states, “making it the second-largest category after music, both initially and currently.” Powers’ experience includes launching the YouTube Channels feature and pioneering revenue-generating opportunities for creators at YouTube, as well as serving as SVP and GM at CBS Interactive.

He observed the challenges creators faced in achieving self-sustainability while relying on revenue sharing from ad networks. This realization inspired the development of a platform designed to empower creators to monetize their expertise effectively.

Oseary’s Perspective and Industry Experience

Guy Oseary, founder of Maverick music management and current manager of artists like Madonna and U2, also recognized a need for a new approach. Through his investments with Sound Ventures and A-Grade Investments (co-founded with Ashton Kutcher), he gained firsthand insight into the creator landscape.

Despite not yet meeting in person, Oseary and Powers collaborated online to bring Bright to fruition during the pandemic, demonstrating the power of remote connection.

Bright’s Initial Creator Lineup

The platform’s launch features a diverse roster of over 200 prominent creators. This includes notable figures from various fields, such as Madonna, Ashton Kutcher, Naomi Campbell, Shawn Mendes, Amy Schumer, D-Nice, the D’Amelio Sisters, Laura Dern, Judd Apatow, Deepak Chopra, Diplo, Kenny Smith, Kane Brown, Drew and Jonathan Scott (Property Brothers), Lindsey Vonn, Rachel Zoe, Diego Boneta, Tal Fishman, Ryan Prunty, Demi Skipper, Charlotte McKinney, Jason Bolden, Yris Palmer, Cat & Nat, Ronnie2K, Chef Ludo Lefebvre and Jonathan Mannion.

An additional 1,500 creators are currently on a waitlist, eager to host their own sessions as Bright expands its capacity.

Accessibility and Inclusivity

Oseary emphasizes that Bright is not exclusive to high-profile individuals. “This is not elitist,” he clarifies. “If you have an audience and valuable content to share, we welcome you to the platform.”

While other social networks offer casual live chats, Bright aims to provide a dedicated space for focused educational experiences. Oseary believes it offers the next best alternative to a direct FaceTime call with a creator, leveraging the widespread familiarity with Zoom.

Leveraging the Familiarity of Zoom

“The best way to connect is through a platform everyone has learned to use in the past year,” Oseary explains, highlighting the ease of use and accessibility of Zoom. “We all already have the app and understand how to navigate it. We’ve simply added features to enhance the experience.”

Upcoming Session Examples

Bright’s initial offerings include a variety of engaging sessions. Laura Dern will lead a discussion on “Tell Your Story” and personal growth. Kenny Smith will interview athletes about pivotal moments in their careers. Jonathan & Drew Scott (Property Brothers) will present “Room by Room,” focusing on home improvement. Kane Brown will host “Record This: Nashville Edition,” exploring the country music industry. Ronnie2K will present a series on building a gaming career.

Bright’s Business Model and Future Plans

Bright operates on a commission-based model, taking 20% of creator revenue. This is a more favorable split for creators compared to the traditional 70/30 split common in marketplaces, yet differs from Clubhouse’s currently commission-free approach. The platform plans to introduce additional tools to support creators in managing and expanding their businesses, including the sale of both physical and digital products.

A key differentiator for Bright is its commitment to providing creators with direct access to analytics about their audience, content performance, and fan contact information (with opt-in consent). This data empowers creators to nurture their communities beyond the platform through channels like email newsletters and online stores.

The Bright Team and Funding

To achieve its vision, Bright has assembled a team with extensive experience in the creator economy and technology. Key personnel include Kaitlyn Powell (VP of Talent & Partnership, formerly of Caffeine), Sadia Harper (Lead Creator & Product Strategy, formerly of Instagram), Jeben Berg (Director of Creative Programming, formerly of YouTube & Maker Studios), Heather Grates (Design Lead, formerly of Pinterest), and Jarad Backlund (Finance Lead, formerly of Apple and Facebook).

The startup has secured an undisclosed amount of funding from Sound Ventures (Oseary’s firm), RIT Capital, Norwest, Globo, and other investors.