Creator-Hollywood Deals Risk IP Ownership

At Advertising Week New York, agency and media executives discussed the business stakes of creator-led content moving into Hollywood. Deals range from licensing existing IP, like Netflix's acquisition of Chicken Shop Date, to co-productions where ownership and revenue are split. The article highlights three common deal structures: work-for-hire, licensing, and co-production, each with different implications for IP ownership. Experts warn that broadly written work-for-hire clauses can inadvertently transfer rights to a creator's name and persona. Creating high-quality content requires investment in creator development, as seen with Tubi's Noah Beck project, but there are concerns that Hollywood's rush to replicate successes may lead to poor-quality, under-developed projects. The key is for creators to maintain control and build long-term media brands, not just transactional audience rental.