Brand
Travel Media Brand Matador Network Seeks Broader Influence With Creator Podcast Launch
Matador Network, a travel media company with over 16 million social media followers, introduced “CREATOR, The Podcast,” featuring in-depth interviews with established content creators about their professional journeys, challenges, and business strategies in the creator economy.
Platform Expansion Following Brand Deal Success
The podcast launch follows Matador Network’s growth in branded content, having executed over $90 million in brand deals across more than 1,400 branded videos and 1,200 branded articles. The company’s videos currently receive more than 140 million monthly views on TikTok, where it ranks among the top travel brands.
CEO Ross Borden hosts the podcast, analyzing shifts in global advertising. “I believe creators are the future of all global advertising,” Borden said in a news release. “There is such a tremendous opportunity for brands and creative individuals in this space. One of the beautiful things about this community is that each creator’s journey is different.”
The podcast debuted with travel photographer Chris Burkard as its first guest. Burkard, who published on Matador Network early in his career, shared previously undisclosed aspects of his business development and personal journey.
“Matador has been a place that really gets creators, going back to before the term ‘creator’ even existed,” Burkard noted in the release. Future episodes will feature guests such as BBC presenter & singer-songwriter Stephanie Cheape, who described the podcast as “refreshing” given Matador Network’s influence in travel.
Social media platforms are increasingly central to travel discovery and purchasing decisions. TikTok reports that 71% of its European users actively search for travel content, with 77% making travel-related purchases after discovering destinations on the platform. Travel brands are responding to these trends, with Influencer Marketing Hub indicating that 70% are now incorporating influencer marketing into their strategies.
Creator Platform Development and Distribution
The podcast builds on Matador’s existing creator initiatives.
In 2021, the company launched Matador Creators, a platform connecting photographers, filmmakers, influencers, videographers, and producers with brand opportunities. The platform has grown to 60,000 members and produces content for major brands, including Jeep and Southwest Airlines.
The podcast is available across major platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. Matador Network maintains content distribution partnerships with American Airlines, Hearst Media, and GSTV while collaborating with leading brands such as Ford, REI, Samsung, YETI, Visit California, and Microsoft.
The company’s digital presence extends to GuideGeek, their free AI travel service.