How Creators Became the New Distribution Layer for Brands

What was once a novel insight—that individual creators could distribute brand messages more efficiently than traditional media—has become structural reality: creators now operate as embedded marketing infrastructure rather than occasional partners. Brands can no longer treat creator networks as optional channels; they're betting growth on algorithmic reach and audience trust that creators have built independently. Creators control access to audiences at scale without owning studios or broadcast licenses. This shifts how marketing budgets flow and who captures value in the attention economy.