The Times Australia
Small Business News

.

Launchd Acquires Huume, Strengthening Creative Firepower Across Talent-Led Marketing


Launchd, a leader in talent, technology and brand partnerships, has announced its acquisition of influencer talent management agency Huume from IZEA. The move comes as the media landscape continues to shift away from traditional channels, with brands increasingly turning to creators and influencers for marketing, brand alignment and direct-to-consumer engagement.

By bringing Huume into its growing portfolio, Launchd is deepening its ability to connect talent and brands through content creation and influencer-led campaigns. It marks a strategic step forward in Launchd’s mission to amplify human influence for both commercial and community impact.

Founded by entrepreneur and digital creator Mikhailla Fitzgerald, Huume has built a strong reputation for managing impact-driven talent in the content creation space. Huume brings a high-touch approach to talent management, shaped by Mikhailla’s personal journey and a deeply engaged digital audience. It currently manages a portfolio of 43 influencers, including: Georgie & Zac, Tash Invests, Steph Pase, Katie Lolas and Tara Pavlovic.

The acquisition marks another milestone in Launchd’s mission to combine human creativity and evolving technology for talent, brands and rights holders, in setting the standard for smarter, performance-driven partnerships.

“We did our research and knew we wanted to approach IZEA about an acquisition of  Mikhailla and the Huume team, as they bring an incredible depth of value, creative instinct and emotional intelligence to the talent industry,” said Launchd CEO James Begley.

“These days, clients require talent across the sporting, entertainment and influencer landscapes. For us to best serve our client needs, we at Launchd realised that Huume adds capability in a segment that we didn’t have a presence in.”

Huume will be fully integrated into Launchd’s national operations, joining a portfolio of specialist companies including Pickstar, ICMI and W Sports & Media. With more than 70 team members across five Australian cities, Launchd is now one of the most comprehensive talent and technology businesses in the Southern Hemisphere for brands and rights holders engaging with athletes, creators and media personalities.

Fitzgerald, who founded Huume after personally exploring the talent space and building a close-knit motherhood creator community and accumulating followers through sharing her personal story of loss and resilience, said the acquisition reflects a shared vision.

“Huume was always about connection. Creating content that moves people, because it’s made by people who care deeply,” said Fitzgerald.

“To now be part of a larger vision at Launchd, one that values storytelling, talent, and community as much as we do, is incredibly exciting. We’re ready to help more brands build deeper, more human relationships with their audiences.”

Backed by institutional investors Altor Capital and a high-profile investor group including Adam Gilchrist, Lleyton Hewitt, and Cate Campbell, Launchd is scaling rapidly across Australia and New Zealand. Global expansion plans are already in motion.

The Huume acquisition further positions Launchd as a first mover in the emerging "influence as a service" category. Launchd combines technology, talent, and creative services to deliver end-to-end marketing results with measurable impact.

Property Times

Choosing the Wrong Agent Is the #1 Regret Among Aussie Property Sellers

Selling your home is often one of the largest financial transactions you’ll make, and for many Australians, it’s also one of the most emotional. A new survey of Australian home sellers has revealed that their number one regret is having not selected...

Vietnam's "Gold Coast" Emerges as Extraordinary Investment Frontier and Australian Inspired Way of Life

$2 Billion super-city in Vung Tau set to replicate Australia's Gold Coast success story A culturally metamorphic development aptly named "Gold Coast" is set to reshape Vietnam's southern coast below Ho Chi Minh City, becoming a major investment...

First Home Buyers in Melbourne: 3 Key Statistics Proving Why Home & Land Packages Are Your Best Bet in 2025

Stepping into the Melbourne property market for the first time can feel like navigating a maze without a map. Prices, deposits, and decisions stack up fast. But here’s the good news: home and land packages are helping first home buyers get ahead in...

Off-the-Plan Sales Launched for $22 Million Ultra-Luxury Project ‘Vellora’ Set to Redefine Luxury Living in Brisbane’s St Lucia

A new standard of architectural distinction and elevated living is taking shape in one of Brisbane’s most coveted riverside suburbs, with off-the-plan sales officially launching for Vellora last night at an exclusive buyers’ event at The Powerh...

Food & Dining

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venues with in-house catering offer convenience and streamlined coordinatio...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncovered by leading dietitians Anna Debenham and Alex Parker from The Biti...

Cult Favourite, TokyoTaco, Opens Beachfront at Mooloolaba this June

FREE Tokyo Tacos to Celebrate!  Cult favourite Japanese-Mexican restaurant TokyoTaco is opening a beachfront venue at the Mooloolaba Esplanade on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast this June.  The doors of the new venue will open on 18 June and to cel...

International lager claims crown as Australia’s most preferred beer

Launching its inaugural ‘Brand Map of Australia’, Tracksuit reveals Corona as the nation’s most preferred beer  Sydney, Thursday, 29 May 2025 - From iconic mass-produced lagers to innovative craft brews, beer is woven into the fabric of Australi...

Business Times

Agentforce for Financial Services: Merging AI and Human Expertise…

In this rapidly evolving world of financial services, deploying customer experiences that are personalized and intelligen...

Samsara Eco and lululemon announce 10 year partnership

lululemon and Samsara Eco Announce 10-Year Plan to Advance Recycled Material Portfolio Plan will see lululemon source a...

Barelli Bathrooms announces celebrity interior designer Kellie Ri…

Barelli Bathrooms, a leading name in contemporary bathroom accessories and design, is proud to announce its new national ...

The Times Features

5 Questions to Ask Before Getting Blepharoplasty in Gold Coast

(Source) Blepharoplasty, or eyelid surgery, removes extra skin or fat from around the eyes. It’s often done for cosmetic reasons, but it can also help with vision if sagging eye...

How Smart Home Integration is Enhancing SIL Accommodation in 2025

(Source) The concept of "home" is intensely personal, a sanctuary where we experience security, comfort, and a sense of being in control. For people living with disability, acco...

How to Know If You’re Actually on Track for a Comfortable Retirement

Image by Drazen Zigic on Freepik It’s the kind of question that sits in the back of your mind, especially as you tick past your 30s or 40s: Am I actually saving enough for retire...

Onsite Caterer vs a Full Service Venue: 9 important things to explore

Choosing between an external catering company and an all-inclusive venue is a major decision that affects cost, flexibility, food quality, and the overall event experience. Venue...

The Hidden Vision Problem Impacting Mid Life Australians Every Day

New research from Specsavers reveals millions of Australians are living with an undiagnosed condition that could be putting their safety at risk. For many Australians aged 35 ...

Meal Prep as Self-Care? The One Small Habit That Could Improve Your Mood, Focus & Confidence

What if the secret to feeling calmer, more focused, and emotionally resilient wasn’t found in a supplement or self-help book — but in your fridge? That’s the surprising link uncov...