Syracuse University leaders to discuss creator-era political influence at Jupiter Festival Miami

Syracuse University’s Ryan Schram and Margaret Talev will headline a Oct. 8 fireside chat at Jupiter Festival Miami on how creators are changing political communication ahead of the 2026 midterms. The session comes as the inaugural four-day festival brings together media, entertainment and sports leaders at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

Why it matters: - Creators are becoming a bigger force in political communication ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. - The discussion puts Syracuse University scholars in front of a cross-industry audience that includes media, entertainment and sports leaders. - The session reflects a broader shift in how voters may get political information, including from short-form video and creator channels.

What happened: - Syracuse University is sending Ryan Schram and Margaret Talev to the inaugural Jupiter Festival Miami on Oct. 8, 2026. - Schram is executive director of Syracuse’s Center for the Creator Economy. - Talev is the Kramer Director of Syracuse’s Institute for Democracy, Journalism and Citizenship. - The pair will headline a fireside chat titled “The New Rules of Political Influence” at 2:05 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8. - Jupiter Festival Miami runs Oct. 6 to 9 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. - The event is produced by MCH Group, the parent company of Art Basel.

The details: - The festival is expected to draw about 5,000 attendees and more than 200 speakers from roughly 90 countries. - Organizers say the event is designed to bring senior decision-makers from media, entertainment and sports together under one roof. - The session will examine how creators are reshaping voter narratives ahead of the midterms. - The conversation will also look at how traditional newsrooms are adapting to that shift. - Speakers will address what political coverage looks like when a short-form video can reach as many voters as a Sunday morning news segment. - Schram’s work centers on building academic and industry infrastructure around the creator economy. - Talev has covered American politics and the White House for three decades and previously served as president of the White House Correspondents’ Association. - The event site is event details.

Between the lines: - Jupiter is trying to position itself as more than another industry conference by mixing creators, journalists, brands, athletes and studio executives. - The festival’s first-year status may help it attract attention as a new forum for media strategy and influence. - The session signals that political communication is now part of the same ecosystem as creator content, not separate from it. - For Syracuse University, the appearance extends the reach of two university centers focused on media, democracy and the creator economy.

What's next: - The Oct. 8 session will take place midway through the four-day festival. - Jupiter Festival Miami will continue through Oct. 9 at the Miami Beach Convention Center. - The event is expected to become a venue where media and political influence are debated alongside broader business trends in content and audience reach.

The bottom line: - Syracuse University is using Jupiter Festival Miami to frame creator influence as a central issue in political communication heading into 2026.