TAKUMI has launched TAKUMI X, a new creative arm and consultancy that is redefining how brands work with creators by putting the creator at the heart of the process.
TAKUMI X creators are hand-picked based on creative capability, voice and ambition. TAKUMI X does not view creators as “brand ambassadors”, but full-blown creative directors and producers.
Traditionally creators are often brought into discussions when content and comms plans have already been signed off. We are turning this on its head and actively matching talent to strategic projects from the very beginning.
Creators are setting the cultural agenda, their audiences are looking to them for inspiration, world views and are aligning themselves behaviourally in these micro-communities. TAKUMI X utilises their expertise to help brands navigate how they too, can join the important conversations they are now expected to be a part of.
Meet our TAKUMI X Ambassadors…
Shaadow Sefiroth
Shaadow Sefiroth is a world acclaimed movement artist, digital consultant, creative director and CEO of Noesisx a full-service digital media agency.
With over 300K followers across his social channels Shaadow generates over 100 millions views monthly and stands out for his eye for creativity and unique spin on social media.
Why are you partnering with TAKUMI on TAKUMI X?
TAKUMI X is an exciting and bold move taken by TAKUMI. TAKUMI X represents the partnership of the culture with the voice of creativity.
Do you feel marketers understand the different characteristics of each channel and how to engage audiences on them effectively compared? How could this be improved?
I don’t feel marketers do, I feel they think they do and it creates a barrier which restrains them from learning. Marketers focus on amplification, not message and target audience. This could be improved by marketers studying the culture conversing with creators that are tastemakers and working alongside them to understand a market.
Amber Doig Thorne
Amber is an actress, presenter and content creator that has over 3 million followers across her social media platforms.
She produces hilarious skits on her social platforms. A video she created during lockdown which documented her momentous ‘’achievement’’ of making it downstairs before 12:00 pm has received over 165k views on TikTok.
Why would you recommend brands/marketers to consider TAKUMI X?
It’s such a great idea to have numerous creators working collaboratively on content for a brand, and is something that isn’t often achieved — particularly in the UK.
Is it important for you to be active across multiple channels for brand partnerships — and why?
I certainly think so! I have 3 million combined followers across my social media channels, and I make sure to regularly post on all of them (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat). Each platform has its own audience and style of content, some brands will be more suited to one platform over another so I think it’s very important to have a strong multi-platform presence.
Do you feel brands are stifling your creativity? Or have you ever felt pressured to promote or align with a brand when unclear about a commercial partnership?
Sometimes yes! I’ve had my fair share of brands approach me and say they want me to take a photo of me holding up a product to the camera. There’s plenty of advertisements like this on Instagram. It’s inorganic and inauthentic, and your followers can tell it’s a brand deal from a mile off. I like my brand deals to be more collaborative and organic, and these are always the ones that perform best.
Amardeep — Magic Singh
Amardeep Singh Dhanjal aka ‘Magic Singh’, is one of the UK’s finest magician’s who has created a large social following with over 1.9 Million followers on TikTok. He is famous for performing jaw-dropping magic tricks which have received over 7.9M views.
Why are you partnering with TAKUMI on TAKUMI X?
TAKUMI has shown me the potential of their workforce and what they are capable of achieving. Therefore I would like to be at the forefront when they dominate social media marketing campaigns.
Is it important for you to be active across multiple channels for brand partnerships — and why?
< p name=”5b8f” id=”5b8f” class=”graf graf–p graf-after–p graf–trailing”>I believe it is important to be active across various platforms, simply because the demographic varies between them all, and It’s important to reach all ages and backgrounds so that the creator gets maximum visibility.
Sydney Purl
Sydney Purl is a makeup artist with a unique creative flair. With over 398.5K followers on TikTok and 5.3 million likes, her content is both inspiring and interesting.
Why are you partnering with TAKUMI on TAKUMI X?
TAKUMI has been great so far and I’m really looking forward to meeting the talent executives along with other creators! I think what makes TAKUMI different is they are open and honest without making any false promises. I have a really good feeling about the future and my working relationship with them.
How do you adapt your content or tone across multiple channels if applicable to reach your audience?
My main platforms are TikTok and Instagram. I like to be a bit more relaxed on TikTok and have more fun with my videos as my audience are quite a lot younger than my Instagram audience. On Instagram, I feel my images need to be very clean cut and professional so it’s a slightly different vibe.
Do you feel marketers understand the different characteristics of each channel and how to engage audiences on them effectively compared?
My experience with brands has been mostly positive. I always prefer to discuss content with brands rather than following a strict brief as I like to ensure that my content is appropriate for my niche and fits my other content so it’s not looking like a random ad on my page.
f0urbr0thers
The Four brothers produce comedy skits and sketches across different video platforms including YouTube, TikTok and Triller.
Their skits range from tense biscuit splitting to Dads bartering on holiday. One of their more recent videos on TikTok ‘MumVSDad’ has received over 4.5Million views.
Why are you partnering with TAKUMI on TAKUMI X?
We felt TAKUMI had a great depth of knowledge of the industry and will steer our journey in the right direction.
Do you feel marketers understand the different characteristics of each channel and how to engage audiences on them effectively compared? How could this be improved?
From the brands we have worked with I don’t think they fully understand the importance of creating different campaigns for different platforms, instead they use a one size fits all approach.
Dr. Karan Rajan
Dr. Karan is a NHS Surgeon and clinical lecturer at Imperial College. He creates edu-tainment videos on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. His videos can help you to cut onions without crying or educate you about ethical dilemmas doctors face and have received 59.6M likes on TikTok.
Why are you partnering with TAKUMI on TAKUMI X?
TAKUMI is changing the brand advertising genre on social media and i’m keen to be part of this exciting new journey!
How do you adapt your content or tone across multiple channels if applicable to reach your audience?
I keep the content varied to keep audiences interested and adjust according to the platform..i.e longer detailed videos on YouTube vs quick to the point content on TikTok
Sherice Banton
Sherice Banton has 1.6 Million followers on TikTok and produces entertaining and quirky comedy sketches which sometimes feature recurring characters like fate. She has been on TikTok for over four years and has seen how the platform has developed and changed.
Why are you partnering with TAKUMI on TAKUMI X?
It looked like a great opportunity! I love that they’ve chosen creators for the quality of the content they produce as that really makes a difference when coming up with creative ideas for campaigns. The potential to collaborate with other creators in TAKUMI X was also really attractive to me.
Is it important for you to be active across multiple channels for brand partnerships — and why?
I think this depends on what the brand would like to achieve. It can be really effective to partner on a campaign across multiple channels so that you can reach your full audience and for those that watch your content on more than one channel, they may be more likely to engage when they see me talking about the brand more than once. Plus the message can be delivered in slightly different ways on each channel giving it a better opportunity to succeed.
At the same time though, there may be some occasions where it makes more sense to use one channel, for example, if your audience is quite different from platform to platform and you only need to target one group.
Luke Franks
Luke Franks calls himself the “presenter of the ridiculous”. With over 125K followers on TikTok, his own podcast and frequent radio shows, Luke is a man of many talents.
Why would you recommend brands/marketers consider TAKUMI X?
I’d like to think you’ll be able to work with some of the best creators on the platform! And build some actually fun, entertaining or meaningful campaigns that do well.
Why are you partnering with TAKUMI on TAKUMI X?
They seem to be putting collaboration first, which I think is something I’ve not seen elsewhere. Collaboration between creators but also with the brands on their ideas for campaigns. I think that is ultimately how you build good long term relationships. Also, more importantly, they seem like right nice people.
How do you adapt your content or tone across multiple channels to reach your audience?
You have to listen to your audience and put them first. Ultimately they are the whole reason you are doing what you’re doing. They are your boss but like a really supportive, encouraging, motivating boss who writes hilarious comments, which is ideal.
If you would like to find out more about how you can work with TAKUMI X, please visit www.takumi.com/takumi-x and get in touch!
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