Charles Kerr: YouTube in 2025: Shorts, Living Room, Podcasts & More!

2025

Apr 14

At SocialDay's Social Media Marketing Festival 2025, hosted at Phantom Peak London, we’re thrilled to welcome Charles Kerr, Podcasts, Sports & Gaming Lead at YouTube UKI. With a background that bridges tech, startups, and media innovation, Charles brings a uniquely insightful perspective on how YouTube is evolving — and what marketers need to know to stay ahead.

About Charles

Charles Kerr is at the forefront of YouTube’s growth in the UK and Ireland, leading on Podcasts, Sports, and Gaming as part of his role as Senior Strategic Partner Manager. With a career built across telecoms, blockchain startups, and digital disruption, Charles now works with some of the platform’s biggest creators and MediaCos to drive meaningful innovation and growth.

Before joining YouTube, Charles played a key role in launching monetisation tools like Shorts, helping creators unlock new revenue streams. From startup hustle to shaping global strategy, he’s known for connecting the dots between content, culture, and platform evolution. Whether it’s YouTube on your phone, your TV, or in podcast form — Charles is helping shape what’s next.

What to Expect from YouTube in 2025: Shorts, Living Room, Podcasts & More!

In this lightning session, Charles will take us on a rapid-fire tour through YouTube’s biggest developments — past, present, and future. With platform updates coming thick and fast, this is your chance to hear directly from someone inside the engine room. Expect insights, product deep-dives, and an early look at what’s coming next across YouTube’s different formats.

Key Areas of Focus

Format Trends: Understand what’s new (and what’s working) across Shorts, Living Room content, podcasts, and more.
Product Insights: Learn how creators and brands can adapt to the latest platform features.
Real-World Examples: Explore how creators like Goalhanger have found success by leveraging YouTube’s ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

Attendees will walk away with:

A clearer picture of how YouTube’s format landscape is evolving in 2025
Practical tips for making the most of new tools and features
Insights from one of the most connected minds at YouTube

What’s Exciting in Social Media Right Now

For Charles, the most exciting trend in social right now is globalisation. Platforms like YouTube are making it easier for creators to reach international audiences through dubbing and translation tools — breaking down language barriers and helping creators scale across borders.

A Look Ahead

As someone deeply embedded in the platform space, Charles knows that external forces — like shifts in government policy — could have a major impact on the future of social and marketing platforms. The challenge will be staying agile in the face of changing regulations while continuing to support creative growth.

Social Media Success Story

One of Charles’ favourite success stories? The rise of Goalhanger and their wildly successful podcast presence on YouTube. Their growth is a prime example of how powerful YouTube can be as both a content platform and monetisation engine for creators.

Favourite Social Media Campaign

Charles’ favourite campaign of the year is a surprising one — the moment Duolingo killed off its iconic owl character. A bold and unexpected move, it’s the kind of campaign that stops you scrolling and gets people talking. Proof that even small, tongue-in-cheek ideas can make a big splash.

What Charles Would Like to See More of in Social Media

Looking ahead, Charles would love to see more monetisation opportunities for creators — and a little more fun! As platforms evolve, he believes that keeping the creator economy thriving (and playful) will be key to long-term success.

Connect with Charles

Want to hear more from Charles?

Connect with him on LinkedIn: Charles Kerr

Charles joins a lineup of leading industry professionals at SocialDay's Social Media Marketing Festival 2025, where top minds in social media marketing will share their insights and expertise.