Max Klymenko wins top RØDE award as creator of the year
Max Klymenko has been named Creator of the Year at the RØDE Creator of the Year Awards, earning USD $25,000 for his work in educational content.
Klymenko, a UK-based creator, is recognised for engaging Gen Z audiences with accessible explanations of complex subjects. His widely viewed Career Ladder series, filmed using a street interview format, regularly reaches 12 million views per episode.
Award details
The awards span 18 categories, recognising creators' achievements on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. In addition to three major titles-Creator of the Year, Emerging Creator of the Year, and People's Choice-15 Spotlight Awards identified talent across genres including comedy, sports, travel, and podcasting. Recipients are awarded cash prizes totalling over USD $200,000, supported by leading creative and technology companies.
Braxton Haugen received the Emerging Creator of the Year title, securing USD $10,000 for his autobiographical short films. Haugen's series, developed independently in the USA, focuses on personal and universal themes and has struck a chord with audiences through intimate storytelling.
Krystal Duran was awarded the People's Choice Award and USD $10,000 for her work as a plant educator, providing advice and entertainment centred on indoor gardening. Duran engages audiences with accessible content designed to support newcomers to plant care.
Spotlight awards
Winners of the Spotlight Awards each receive USD $5,000. The categories covered a wide spectrum: Comedy, Filmmaking, Gaming, Gear & Tech, Innovation, Instagram and YouTube personalities, Leadership, Music, Niche Excellence, Positive Impact, Podcasting, Sports, TikTok personality, and Travel.
Creators were selected from a global pool, with awardees based in Australia, the USA, Canada, the Philippines, Malaysia, India, Lebanon, and Singapore.
Recipients include Andy Burkitt in the Comedy category, Mariano Casaca for Filmmaking, Kristian Carl Mackay for Gaming, and Tina Yong for YouTube Personality of the Year. Other categories acknowledged positive impact, leadership, and travel storytelling, reflecting a broad approach to digital creativity.
Prize and recognition
This year's competition builds on the previous edition's audience and participation, underscoring the growing prestige of the awards.
Prize money aims to support creators in developing new projects and maintaining their production standards. The initiative seeks to highlight the evolving role of independent content producers across digital channels.
The event follows the release of new microphone and production equipment by RØDE but concentrates on highlighting individuals' achievements rather than technology. Recognition in the awards is expected to help winners expand their audiences and further their careers in content creation.
"Creators are at the heart of everything we do. The talent, courage and passion shown by every entrant this year has been incredible. We congratulate the winners, celebrate the finalists and applaud every creator who stepped into the spotlight to share their craft with the world," said Damien Wilson, CEO, RØDE.
