For content producers looking for official support networks, the launch of the Creators
Guild of America (CGA) may be a goal for some creators. The CGA’s website claims to
“protect and promote the rights and financial interests of digital creators.”¹ Although it
describes itself as a service organization committed to enabling creators across three
distinct membership categories—Media, Marketing, and Maker—it’s not quite a union.
The CGA hopes to bring the varied demands of the creator community together with its
introduction.²
Joining the CGA: Criteria
Joining the Creators Guild of America begins with paying the $99 annual fee. Specific
eligibility criteria is also needed for “Media,” “Marketer,” and “Maker” categories. Media
creators need at least 15,000 followers and $15,000 from brand deals, Marketing
creators must have a role at an agency or 25,000 followers across five accounts, and
Makers should have raised $500,000 in venture capital or achieved 50,000 digital
interactions.³ With that, members get resources, potential work opportunities, and their
contributions recorded in a public database—establishing their standing in the creator
economy.
The Creators Guild of America sets high standards for joining, but this might not fit
everyone’s journey.⁴ For creators just starting out, or focusing on different goals, the
strict rules for “Media,” “Marketer,” and “Maker” might feel out of reach. This approach
could leave out many talented people who are taking their own unique paths in the
creative world. Might this strategy suppress the growth and fuel of the creative
community as a whole, in addition to diminishing the hopes of upcoming creators?
Challenges of the CGA
While the CGA is well-known for its support of content creators, it confronts obstacles
such as a $99 yearly membership fee and strict eligibility requirements that can keep
independents and up-and-coming creators out.
To become a member of the CGA, Media, Marketers, and Makers must overcome a
variety of obstacles, such as having a sizable internet presence and hitting certain
financial targets. Though intended to maintain professionalism, these rigorous
requirements unintentionally run the risk of marginalizing a wide range of creative
people. Those who are creative and unique, but don’t have the necessary amount of
followers, website traffic, or project values may not fit in with the CGA’s community, even
though they have a lot to offer in the changing landscape of digital content.⁵
Predictions & Takeaways
For those who create digital content, the Creators Guild of America (CGA) is an
organization that provides a structured support system to protect their legal rights and
financial interests. It’s more of a service organization than a union, with a mission of
promoting rights and transparency in all creative industries. In spite of its advantages,
the CGA has drawbacks such as high dues and strict qualifying standards, which can
prevent a wider spectrum of creators from using it. Not to mention that this might not fit
every creator’s journey—as there are impractical uses for creators with high followings.
The Creators Guild of America, particularly for high-grossing creators with a variety of
needs and content, essentially provides a “paid support group” with minimal advantages
beyond networking.
So, is the Creators Guild of America the new IMDb for creators? Not really. It has yet to
prove its worth in the digital media industry.
Written By: Jessica Carrasco, Josue Saldana, Ryan Distaso
Attributes:
1. https://creatorsguildofamerica.org
2. https://passionfru.it/heres-everything-we-know-about-the-new-creator-guild-8503
3. https://techcrunch.com/2023/08/28/creators-guild-america-influencer-labor-rights-nonprofit/
4. https://techcrunch.com/2024/01/13/the-creator-economy-is-ready-for-a-workersmovement/
5. https://teachable.com/blog/what-is-the-creators-guild-of-america