CASA Launches to Empower Southeast Asia’s Growing Creator Economy. As Southeast Asia’s creator economy continues to flourish—now encompassing over 200 million active social media users—a new regional initiative has been launched to unite and empower digital creators across the region. The Creators Association of Southeast Asia (CASA), officially known as Asosiasi Kreator Konten Asia Tenggara (AKKAT), was recently established as a collaborative platform aimed at strengthening the region’s creator ecosystem. Founded by Vero, IBV, Mantappu Corp, and Vina Mulian, CASA represents a strategic alliance between communications, talent management, and creator communities that share a vision of fostering a fairer, more sustainable digital landscape.
CASA positions itself as a movement “by creators, for creators”, designed to address long-standing challenges faced by content creators, including limited access to opportunities, lack of professional protection, and the absence of standardized industry guidelines. According to Jehian Panangian Sijabat, Co-Founder of CASA and Founder of Mantappu Corp, many creators have long worked in isolation without proper guidance or advocacy. CASA, he emphasized, will serve as a bridge connecting creators, brands, and platforms—ensuring that creators’ voices are not only heard but also represented in policymaking and industry development.
The official launch of CASA in Jakarta brought together a dynamic mix of creators, agencies, and representatives from leading platforms such as Meta and TikTok. The event featured panel discussions and workshops exploring the future of the creator profession amid the rise of artificial intelligence and digital transformation. A key session titled “Beyond Endorsements: Building Meaningful Brand x Creator Partnerships” underscored CASA’s mission to reshape brand-creator relationships from transactional engagements into long-term, authentic collaborations. As Vanya Qinthara (Minyo Diego), Co-Founder of CASA and Founder of IBV, explained, CASA aims to be a safe space for dialogue, education, and innovation—empowering both emerging and established creators through shared learning and professional development.
Interactive sessions on creative monetization, digital storytelling, and legal protection further highlighted CASA’s dedication to education and capacity building. Moving beyond its role as a networking platform, CASA is set to lead advocacy initiatives and develop ethical industry guidelines, focusing on fair collaboration practices, monetization models, and digital safety training. Co-Founder Vina Muliana, a communications professional and TikTok creator known for her educational content, emphasized that creators are more than content producers—they are economic drivers who shape public trust and deserve structures that protect their interests while uplifting industry standards.
While CASA’s journey begins in Indonesia, its vision spans the entire Southeast Asian region. Astari Laksmiwati, Executive Director of CASA, stated that the initiative’s spirit is borderless, with plans to expand through regional forums and creative industry events. This regional integration aims to encourage cross-border collaboration and shared learning among creators to drive collective growth.
As Southeast Asia’s digital landscape continues to evolve, CASA’s establishment represents a significant milestone in promoting inclusivity, professionalism, and sustainability within the creator economy. Chatrine Siswoyo, Senior Advisor at Vero, encapsulated CASA’s mission succinctly: “CASA invites all stakeholders—creators, communities, brands, and platforms—to build an industry rooted in creativity and sustainability. We believe CASA can become a catalyst for empowering creators across Indonesia and the broader Southeast Asian region.”