In this episode of Earned, CreatorIQ CMO Brit Starr sits down with Gracie Schram, Head of Strategic Initiatives for Creators at Epidemic Sound, live from Dubai during the 1 Billion Followers Summit. Gracie brings a rare, dual perspective to the conversation, shaped by nearly 15 years in the music industry as a recording artist and her current role helping creators and brands harness the power of sound at scale. Together, Brit and Gracie explore how the creator economy has matured into the economy—and why sound is one of the most underutilized tools in modern storytelling. Gracie breaks down the concept of sonic branding, explaining how music shapes emotion, identity, and audience retention across platforms, from YouTube and TikTok to Netflix and global brand campaigns. She also demystifies Epidemic Sound's unique model, where music is fully licensed to travel anywhere without risk, enabling creators to scale without friction. The conversation dives into how creators can think more intentionally about sound design, the difference between viral sound and intentional scoring, and why emotional resonance matters just as much in educational content as cinematic storytelling. Brit and Gracie also discuss the growing overlap between brands and creators, the role of data and AI in music discovery, and why global creator communities—far beyond the U.S.—are shaping what comes next.

In this episode, you'll learn:

Why sound is a core part of creator branding, not an afterthought
How sonic consistency drives emotional retention and recall with the audience
What creators often miss about music licensing and long-term scale

Connect with the Guest:

Gracie's LinkedIn - @gracieschram

Connect with Brit Starr & CreatorIQ:

Brit's LinkedIn - @britmccorquodale
CreatorIQ LinkedIn - @creatoriq

CreatorIQ YouTube - @CreatorIQOfficial
CreatorIQ Instagram - @creatoriq
CreatorIQ TikTok - @creator.iq
CreatorIQ Twitter - @CreatorIQ