Agentio, the pioneering ad platform for creator content, has announced an expanded collaboration with YouTube aimed at enhancing branded content opportunities for advertisers on YouTube Shorts. While advertisers have already been leveraging Agentio to manage long-form YouTube creator campaigns-handling everything from creator selection and content vetting to contract automation and performance measurement—this latest development extends those capabilities to Shorts for the first time. As part of the agreement, YouTube will subsidize a portion of brand investments dedicated to scaling Shorts branded content through Agentio, making Agentio the only advertising platform facilitating brand-creator partnerships on Shorts.
With short-form content surging in popularity, the expanded partnership addresses the increasing demand from brands eager to engage with audiences through creator-driven advertising, while simultaneously accelerating the growth of YouTube Shorts. Boasting 2 billion monthly logged-in users and 70% of YouTube channels actively uploading to Shorts, the platform presents a prime opportunity for advertisers. Agentio simplifies the process by offering an automated marketplace and standardized ad units, enabling advertisers to efficiently match with creators, review content, track performance, and more. By automating traditionally time-intensive advertising workflows, Agentio compresses what once took weeks into mere seconds.
“The demand we’re seeing for in-video advertising is unprecedented,” said Arthur Leopold, CEO of Agentio. “Leading brands like MasterClass, Bombas, DoorDash, and Mejuri recognize the power of connecting with audiences on platforms like YouTube and YouTube Shorts, and creators are eager to partner with these brands to tell compelling stories to their audiences. Investing across the YouTube ecosystem is no longer a luxury for advertisers—it’s a necessity to drive meaningful results.”
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To accelerate adoption, advertisers who purchase long-form YouTube integrations via Agentio from YouTube’s top creators will receive a complimentary Shorts branded content placement. YouTube will cover creator costs up to an undisclosed amount to incentivize participation.
“Creator-led videos are shaping the future of advertising,” said Soham Patel, Global Head of Creator Services Partnerships at YouTube. “We’re committed to providing brands and creators with the resources needed to thrive in this evolving landscape. Platforms like Agentio are key to unlocking the full potential of YouTube Shorts, enabling advertisers to scale their creator programs, reach new audiences, and drive measurable impact.”
This strategic expansion marks another major milestone for Agentio. Since discussions around a potential TikTok ban began in January, the company has experienced a 240% surge in brand inquiries and an over 1,000% year-over-year increase in new advertiser spending. As brands seek to diversify their digital advertising mix and shift budgets toward YouTube creator collaborations, Agentio continues to solidify its position as an industry leader. Following its $12 million Series A funding round in November, the company remains focused on innovation, equipping brands and creators with the tools they need to excel in the evolving landscape of in-video advertising.