In this solo kickoff to 2026, Amber pulls together the biggest shifts she saw in 2025 and what they mean for creators, brands, and consumers in the year ahead. From the end of experimental creator marketing to an internet flooded with AI content, she explains why 2026 is a breakout year for direct-to-consumer brands and what it takes to build something that actually lasts in a low-trust environment.
Amber breaks down three core themes: the democratization of creator marketing (including LTK’s decision to kill SaaS fees and open its full brand platform and data for free), the shift to owned audiences and human-led communities, and why AI is a tailwind, not a replacement, for human creators. Along the way, she shares key lessons from 2025, how AI can help boost productivity, and a candid Q&A drawn from your questions about business, family, and life online.