VideoDays Festival 2025: How In-Person Connection Elevates Influencer Marketing

The world of content creation is digital, but the relationships that power it are deeply human. Nowhere was this more evident than at the VideoDays Festival 2025 in Cologne. Our agency attended, not just as industry observers, but as active participants seeking to connect and gain inspiration.

We initially hoped to qualify for the Best Brand Collab Award with our Crystal of Atlan campaign, but sadly didn’t make the shortlist.

However, getting two free tickets to the VideoDays instead turned out to be priceless. We gladly took the chance to listen in on key industry discussions, connect with fellow agencies, and broaden our German talent network.

Key Takeaways: The Pulse of Content Creation

The VideoDays Festival was packed with exciting talks and keynotes that provided a clear snapshot of where the industry is heading. Beyond the main stage, our social media team dedicated time to connecting directly with creators.

We went around and interviewed talents, both big and small, focusing on two critical questions:

1. What marked their first success and turning point to become a professional content creator?
2. What are their top tips for up-and-coming influencers in 2026?

The creators we interviewed were unanimous on one central piece of advice for aspiring influencers: build your content around what you genuinely love.

As several talents put it, you’ll spend countless hours creating—so it should be something you’re truly passionate about. This commitment not only keeps you motivated, it also shines through in the content itself, making it more engaging and relatable.

Another overwhelming theme was the importance of authenticity. The talents stressed that sharing your real personality (not playing a character or hiding your quirks) is what sets you apart.

As one creator told us, "My breakout moment came when I stopped trying to be perfect and just showed my most cringe, most honest self." This willingness to be vulnerable and personal resonated deeply with their audiences and was often the catalyst for going viral.

Ultimately, most creators we spoke with attributed their growth to the unique, authentic, and personal content they created.

Their stories underline that standing out in the influencer space isn’t about following trends, but about sharing what makes you, you.

Brands That Are Fully Embracing Influencer Marketing

It was inspiring to see which companies were stepping up and fully embracing the dynamic world of influencer marketing in 2025. The brands visibly moving forward, committing heavily to creator partnerships and brand collaboration, included heavy-hitters like Rhøde, Canon, and Maoam.

Seeing these major players commit resources to this space is a powerful signal. As an agency working daily in influencer marketing, this visibility confirms that the future is bright and that direct, creator-led connection is now a mainstream, essential part of the marketing mix.

The True ROI: The Power of Meeting in Person

This brings us to the most significant takeaway from the VideoDays Festival: the profound benefits of meeting brands, talents, and other agencies in person.

In a field that is overwhelmingly virtual, where contracts are signed via email and campaigns run on videos and posts, bringing everyone together once a year does more than just facilitate networking.

It fundamentally improves professional relationships and boosts business.

• Strengthened Bonds: Nothing builds trust and understanding better than a handshake and a face-to-face conversation. We have experienced this in the past with our client roadshows, where direct contact has helped clients in their decision-making and significantly strengthened professional relationships.
• Inspiration and Innovation: Being physically present was inspiring and allowed us spontaneous brainstorms and shared insights that will inspire new campaign ideas and business strategies.
• Humanizing the Business: Influencers, agency personnel, and brand managers stop being profile pictures and become real people. This human connection creates stronger, more sustainable partnerships.

For us, the VideoDays Festival 2025 was a huge success. It truly inspired us to connect more deeply with clients, talents, and our peers. We firmly believe that the most successful outcomes are built when we all come together. The VideoDays are certainly an event we now look forward to annually, taking inspiration from the event's spirit when connecting with our clients and talents in the future.