Influencers, digital experts gather at WPP Media’s Creatorverse

Editor’s note: This press release was submitted by WPP Media Philippines and was handled by BrandRap, the sales and marketing arm of Rappler. No member of the news and editorial team participated in the publishing of this piece.

WPP Media hosted Creatorverse: Beyond the Algorithm in Manila — its inaugural and landmark gathering for content creators in the Philippines — bringing together the country’s leading brands, creators, media publishers, and experts to tackle the creator economy not just as a channel but as a discipline.

The Philippines is not a market where brands are still debating whether social media and creators matter. Filipinos are among the world’s most active social media users, spending more time online than almost any other nationality — and they are profoundly shaped by the voices, communities, and content they encounter. The question for Philippine brands has never been if the creator economy is relevant, but it has always been how to do it properly, and Creatorverse was brought forth to answer that question.

A roster of distinguished experts shared critical insights throughout the event. They covered foundational aspects of the creator economy, the evolving role of media publishers, strategies for leveraging regional and local market advantages, and innovative approaches to branded content creation. The speakers also delved into the transformative power of AI in personalizing creative delivery and optimizing influence strategies for the future of marketing.

“No single brand, agency, or creator builds the future of this industry alone. What we need, and what today was about, is the whole ecosystem in the same room, speaking the same language,” Crisela Cervantes, CEO of WPP Media Philippines said.

The event featured panel discussions that thoroughly explored current dynamics and future opportunities within the evolving creator landscape. Critical dialogues centered on sophisticated monetization strategies, including how creators could effectively turn their content into direct revenue.

Experts also discussed the vital role of engaging audiences through interactive and playful content, as well as the pervasive impact of artificial intelligence in enhancing creative processes and broadening reach. These engaging conversations were significantly enriched by the participation of prominent Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) who offered practical experiences and forward-looking perspectives.

The impactful sessions featured contributions from the following notable speakers and panelists: Malyn Molina of ASEAN Business Advisory Council, Howard Go of Summit Media, Bryan Yap of Republiq Group of Companies, Sanjay Vasudeva of Buzzone, Emir Caglayan of WPP Media Singapore, Geia Lopez of Google Southeast Asia, Erwann Heussaff of The Fat Kid Inside Studios and FEATR Media, and content creators Abi Marquez, Myrtle Sarrosa, Teree Daisuke, Nicole Hyala, and Mike Phillips.

More than a demonstration of capabilities, the event served as an open forum, a space where brands already navigating the creator economy shared what’s working, where the gaps remain, and what a more mature, more accountable industry could look like for everyone. In a market as culturally rich and digitally active as the Philippines — where regional communities, platform behaviour, and creator relationships vary enormously — that kind of honest, cross-industry dialogue is rare and necessary.

“Filipino creators don’t just have audiences, they have communities. That is a fundamentally different kind of relationship, and the whole industry benefits when we build around that truth,” Said KB Ignacio, senior director of WPP Media Philippines.

Creatorverse: Beyond the Algorithm powerfully reaffirmed WPP Media’s commitment to shaping, conquering, and helping brands become part of the dynamic creator universe. The event showcased how WPP’s unique blend of scale, integrated strategy, and AI-powered creativity can create lasting impact for brands, creators and consumers. – Rappler.com