Every year, millions of creators share their voices, stories, and skills online. Global names in the creator economy have eclipsed traditional media.
While we all may be familiar with the likes of Mr Beast, Marques Brownlee, Charli D’Amelio, Sophia Amoruso, or Steven Bartlett, what about the next generation of creators ready to enter the global stage?
At a time when creators are redefining culture, storytelling, and the way we connect, few programs have managed to capture that spirit on a truly global scale. The RØDE Creator of the Year Awards is one of them.
While only in its second year, the program has quickly become one of the world’s most exciting platforms for spotlighting creators across almost every medium: podcasters, filmmakers, TikTokers, and YouTubers. What sets it apart is its openness: anyone, anywhere, on any platform can enter. It’s a celebration of the breadth and authenticity of the creator economy.
In 2025, we’re especially proud to support the awards as a prize partner for the second year running. Last year, we saw absolute legends like Becca Farsace get recognised for incredible work in the Gear & Tech Reviews category, along with the overall winner, GawX.
RØDE is a brand we deeply admire. It’s one of the few Australian hardware companies that has built a global reputation in its field. It has democratised audio technology, making professional-grade tools accessible to anyone who wants to share their story. They have a great synergy with espresso Displays products that help people create a dual-screen workstation or studio anywhere.
To take a closer look at how the RØDE Creator of the Year Awards program works, we caught up with Kalinda Atkinson, Global Sales & Marketing Director at RØDE.
Can you give us an overview of the Creator of the Year Awards and what makes it unique compared to other creator-focused initiatives?
The Creator of the Year Awards is RØDE’s global platform for celebrating the best in content creation. What makes it unique is the inclusivity and scale. It is open to anyone, anywhere, across multiple categories. We are not focused on one type of creator or one platform. Instead, we showcase the full spectrum of modern storytelling - podcasters, filmmakers, streamers, shortform creators on YouTube, Instagram and TikTok, with a range of audience sizes.
What inspired RØDE to launch this program in the first place? Was there a specific gap or opportunity you saw in the creator community?
We recognised that creators were not being celebrated in a way that reflected the diversity of the industry. Most awards programs are tied to a single platform, a genre, or a region. Creators don’t think in those silos. We launched this program to fill that gap, to celebrate creativity on its own terms, globally, inclusively, and with the same innovative spirit that drives RØDE.
How has the program evolved since it started, and what’s new or different in this year’s edition?
The program has grown in scale and ambition this year. We’ve honed in on categories, built new partnerships, and reached wider audiences to make it more representative of the ecosystem. This year we have simplified the entry process to make it as accessible as possible.
What are RØDE’s main objectives with the Creator of the Year Awards?
Our objective is to shine a global spotlight on creators and give them recognition that can help grow their platforms and their communities. It is about championing creativity and showing that great storytelling can come from anywhere.
What makes it a success? Is it based on entries, audience engagement, partnerships, or creator outcomes?
We define success in three ways. First, the quality and diversity of entries. Second, the engagement and excitement we see from the global creator community. And third, the outcomes for the winners: whether the recognition helps them expand their reach, build new collaborations, or elevate their work to the next level.
Looking back at last year’s entries, what stood out to you in terms of creativity, trends, or the kinds of stories people were telling?
What stood out was the authenticity. Creators weren’t just showing off technical skill, they were telling stories that mattered and building genuine communities around their work. We especially loved the storytelling from last year’s Creator of the Year winner, Gawx.
Were there any surprises? Either in the winners or in the way the community engaged with the program?
One surprise was the range of platforms and styles represented across the globe – from horror movie podcasters to gardening YouTubers and makeup artisans, it really shows the breadth of content out there.
How do you choose the brands and partners you collaborate with for the program?
We look for partners who share our values of innovation and a genuine commitment to creators. It’s about alignment, shared vision, and impact.
Can you share some examples of cool or unexpected collaborations that have emerged from the awards?
Some of the best outcomes have been unexpected: winners connecting with each other, new voices being discovered by brands, and even product feedback loops opening up between creators and RØDE. It’s been exciting to see collaboration happen organically through the program.
How do programs like this help extend the impact of the program beyond just the awards themselves?
The program creates a ripple effect. Recognition does not stop at the award. Winners are amplified, partnerships are sparked, and momentum is built that continues long after the ceremony. But ultimately, it’s about celebrating creators in the moment.
What trends are you seeing among creators right now, whether in tools, workflows, or the type of content being produced?
Creators are streamlining workflows and leaning into gear that supports a ‘create anywhere’ mindset. Portability, flexibility, and speed are becoming non-negotiables.
Do you notice any particular shifts in what creators are valuing most, such as portability, authenticity, or community engagement?
The biggest shift is the value placed on authenticity and community. These are the real currencies in the creator economy. Creators want tools that help them connect more meaningfully with their audiences.
How do you see the role of technology and gear, like microphones and portable monitors, evolving in the creator ecosystem?
We see technology and gear evolving to become invisible seamlessly woven into the creative process so that the focus is always on the story. At RØDE, our vision is to lead that shift: delivering professional tools that are more powerful, more portable, and more accessible than ever. The future of gear is not just about better specs, it is about empowering more voices to create without friction, wherever they are.
What do you hope to see in this year’s submissions that maybe didn’t appear as much last year?
I’d love to see even bolder experimentation - creators breaking conventions, blending formats, and surprising us with new ways of telling stories to their audiences.
Where do you see the Creator of the Year Awards going in the next few years?
We see the program becoming a cornerstone of the creator landscape. Each year it will grow in influence and reach, not just as an awards platform, but as a catalyst for shaping how creators are seen, supported, and celebrated worldwide.
Find out more. Get inspired:
Entries for the RØDE Creator of the Year Awards are now open. Creators, whether you’re sharing podcasts, films, short-form videos, or live streams, are invited to enter and showcase your work on a truly global stage.
To get inspired, you can also explore last year’s winners and see the diversity of creativity celebrated in 2024, from YouTube innovators to TikTok storytellers. Discover categories, prizes, and past highlights at creatorawards.rode.com.
Check out the RØDE Creator of the Year Awards 2024 winners here:
.png)
.png)
.jpg)
