Steven Bartlett, the entrepreneur behind the hugely popular podcast “The Diary Of A CEO,” is expanding his footprint in the creator economy through his media company, Steven.com. What began as a personal podcast recorded in his Manchester bedroom has evolved into a media enterprise serving over 500 creators and employing nearly 200 people. Steven.com recently secured an eight-figure investment aimed at empowering creators to build sustainable businesses.

In a new development, Steven.com has partnered with Authentic Brands Group (ABG), a powerhouse managing over 50 global brands with annual retail sales exceeding $38 billion. This collaboration has launched OBSN (Obsession), a platform designed to transform creators into global businesses. Steven.com will focus on media, technology, data, and audience engagement, while ABG will leverage its expertise in brand strategy, product development, licensing, and worldwide distribution.

OBSN is backed by ambitious plans to inject up to $400 million into creator-led ventures in the coming years. Bartlett noted that while many creators have large audiences, those audiences should not be the ceiling of their potential. The partnership aims to combine Steven.com’s media growth capabilities with ABG’s brand-building prowess to scale creator businesses on a global level.

Authentic Brands Group CEO Matt Maddox emphasized that creators are reshaping media and entertainment and that many have the potential to become multigenerational brands. He expressed enthusiasm over the partnership with Bartlett’s team, highlighting that OBSN will create a new model for creator businesses by identifying, investing in, and scaling intellectual property within the creator economy. This collaboration signals a significant strategic investment in the future of creator-driven media brands.