Around the World: The YouTube Music museum, Pakistan’s million-dollar creator fund, and more

Welcome to Around the World, our summary of top digital media headlines from countries other than the United States. We’re always looking for stories that don’t get enough Stateside attention, so hit us up at  if you have one.


A YouTube Music museum has opened its doors in Mexico City

YouTube Music is using visual art to celebrate the impact of global pop stars. In the capital city known locally as CDMX, the Museo de la Música is operating as a pop-up until October 8. To highlight artists like Billie Eilish, Maroon 5, Karol G, and Sebastián Yatra, YouTube Music teamed up with local designers and illustrators. The result is a colorful — and totally free! — tribute to some of the most-viewed musicians in YouTube history.


A Pakistani influencer convention produced a million-dollar headline

The ecommerce platform Daraz Pakistan put on an “Influencer Convention” in Karachi. At the event, Daraz announced a million-dollar creator fund, which it hopes to use to increase its user base from 2,400 creators to 10,000. Daraz, which has generated 4.4 billion rupees ($52.9 million USD) through its affiliate marketing program, is an example of Chinese influence in the global ecommerce market. Its parent company is Alibaba Group, which also owns the domestic Chinese marketplace Taobao.

Subscribe to get the latest creator news

Subscribe

TikTok and Meta have their eyes on South Africa

If you’ve been keeping up with these Around the World reports, then you may remember that South Africa is the world’s most internet-obsessed country. Both TikTok and Meta are making moves in hopes of harnessing that consumer appetite. The former company has redoubled its commitment to #LevelUpAfrica

, a program designed to grow South Africa’s creator economy.

Meta’s latest overture to South African influencers is Creator Lab Live, an initiative that ran out of the company’s office in Johannesburg. The one-day event drew more than 40 creators “a day filled with creative energy, insights and engagement.” Looks like South Africa won’t be kicking its internet obsession anytime soon.


Platforms and creators are teaching game developers how to invest in social media

On October 12, the GI Investment Summit will bring game developers to London. The one-day event will offer insights related to game financing and will be linked to a consumer show that will run until the 15th.

Speakers will include TikTok’s Rollo Goldstaub, who will share strategies attendees can use if they want to buy into the platform’s expanding video game operation. Members of The Yogscast will also be present. The legendary YouTube gaming hub, which has added game publishing to its list of services, has released a dozen titles to date.


Chinese opera. So hot right now.

To celebrate Chinese Opera Culture Week, a YouTube topic page shared some highlights from the 1,700-year-old genre. It turns out that people really love traditional Chinese opera, because the topic page pulled in more than five million views. I can’t say I’m surprised. I mean, just look at these costumes. What’s not to love?

Share
Published by
Sam Gutelle

Recent Posts

Facing Congressional pressure, an influential advocacy group ends its relationship with TikTok

TikTok's plan to challenge the new "divest-or-ban" law has encountered a setback. NetChoice, an advocacy group…

1 day ago

Is Warner Bros’ next ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie inspired by a YouTube fan film?

Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis are planning to tell the story of The Hunt For Gollum, but a…

1 day ago

Critical Role just launched its own streaming service–but don’t worry, its core content isn’t getting paywalled

After building an audience of more than 3.5 million viewers across YouTube and Twitch, Critical…

1 day ago

After leaving the Bluesky board, Jack Dorsey sounds off on the Twitter rival he backed

Jack Dorsey is breaking up with Bluesky. The co-founder of Twitter (now known as X) has abdicated his position on…

1 day ago

Logan Paul, KSI’s Prime Hydration faces lawsuit over the “harmful chemicals” in its bottles

Recent reports have raised the alarm about the presence of "forever chemicals" like polyfluoroalkyl substances…

2 days ago

Kendrick Lamar and Drake removed copyrights from their diss tracks, and creators are grateful

In the war of words between Kendrick Lamar and Drake, creators are the true winners. Commentators and streamers…

2 days ago