In this episode of Influencing Outcomes, Nathan Powell, Ben Gunn and Eliza Lewis unpack three stories shaping the future of the creator economy and what they reveal about where the industry is heading.

They kick things off with a closer look at YouTube’s growing role in creator strategy, from its unmatched trust with audiences to the rise of Shorts as a serious discovery engine. The conversation explores why brands should be rethinking platform mix heading into 2026, and how new tools like clickable links and brand mention tracking could reshape how performance and creator discovery work.

The episode then shifts into one of the most talked about stories in the space right now, the rise and rapid fall of the Khaby Lame investment deal. What started as a groundbreaking moment for the creator economy has quickly unravelled, raising bigger questions around how creators are valued, the gap between influence and business, and whether audiences are ready to treat creators as investable assets.

From there, they dive into a local case making waves, Stax Burger Co, and what happens when brand content pushes the boundaries of humour, regulation and platform rules. The discussion highlights the growing disconnect between what regulators say is acceptable and what platforms actually allow, and what this means for brands navigating risk versus attention.

Finally, the conversation turns to AI and the growing shift in how audiences consume and trust content. With more people questioning what’s real online, brands are now starting to position “no AI” as a differentiator, creating a new dynamic where authenticity is no longer assumed but something that needs to be proven.

Across all three stories, a clear theme emerges, the gap between how fast content is evolving and how slowly the systems around it are catching up. The episode explores what this means for brands, creators and platforms, and why trust is becoming the most valuable currency in the space.

In this week’s conversation, they unpack platform strategy, creator monetisation, paid vs organic, brand safety, AI scepticism and the future of trust in digital content.

This episode is designed for marketers, brands and creators looking to better understand where the creator economy is heading and how to stay ahead of the shift..

Follow, Subscribe and Stay Connected.

Enjoyed the episode? Follow Influencing Outcomes on your favourite podcast platform so you never miss an update.

For more insights, industry trends and behind the scenes content:

Follow Fabulate on socials: LinkedIn | Instagram| TikTok | Youtube

Visit our website: www.fabulate.co