Photography: Audrey Damier | @shotby.drey

For our final NextGen Community event of the year, we joined forces with Levi's and YGN for a free event on the power of brand partnerships and personal branding in today’s creative landscape.

Hosted at Levi's Haus of Strauss in London, our hand-picked panel of industry experts featured NextGen Fund artist BINA., Levi's Head of Brand Marketing (UK), Temar Biratu, and Johnny Kay, CCO of Versus.

The panel explored how young creatives can forge meaningful collaborations, navigate brand partnerships, and develop their own unique identity. Diving into the partnership process, they shared how to avoid common pitfalls, and gave their top tips for building and sustaining a successful brand.

After the panel, attendees networked with delicious food from Wingstop, as NextGen Fund artist naafi spun some tunes.

Didn't make it to the event? We've rounded up all the advice from the panel talk so you don't miss out...

Align Partnerships with Personal Values and Vision

Choose brands that resonate with your identity, values, and creative goals. Authenticity is key to creating meaningful and lasting collaborations. Saying "no" to misaligned opportunities is not only acceptable but essential.

Focus on Building Genuine Relationships

Foster natural connections by engaging with brands you admire through tagging, attending events, or sharing their work. Networking is a long-term process, and personal relationships often lead to impactful opportunities.

Understand Brand Agendas and Collaborate Effectively

Brands come with specific objectives, but successful partnerships find a balance between creative input and brand expectations. Overly resisting their agenda can jeopardise the partnership, while thoughtful contributions can elevate the collaboration.

Patience and Persistence Pay Off

Building brand partnerships takes time. Stay consistent in creating high-quality work and focus on your craft. Brands and collaborators will notice your efforts when the time is right.

Strategic Communication is Crucial

Avoid generic outreach or mass emails; they can harm your credibility. Instead, research the brand, tailor your communication, and ensure clear alignment and expectations before entering agreements.

Leverage Your Network and Tools

Platforms like LinkedIn are valuable for connecting with decision-makers and showcasing your achievements. Additionally, nurturing real-world connections within your creative community can open unexpected doors over time.

Prioritise Your Craft and Identity

Your creativity is your foundation. Continue to refine your craft and stay true to who you are. Personal branding evolves naturally from being authentic in your work and public presence.

Financial and Professional Clarity Matters

Ensure fair compensation and clearly understand expectations in partnerships. Consult experienced individuals for advice on negotiating terms and valuing your contributions

As part of our mission to support emerging creatives UK-wide, our NextGen Community Series has so far headed to Bristol, Manchester and Glasgow, providing networking opportunities as well as opening the doors to some of the music industry's key organisations, such as Meta and KISS FM.

Not only have these events given young creatives the chance to connect, but they have also provided knowledge sharing opportunities from trailblazers and industry leaders, sharing tips and tricks about everything from building communities to leveraging social media platforms as an artist.