Social media consultant Rachel Karten on the death of the follower, micro-dramas, and being “algorithmically ungovernable”
Summary
Ben Smith and Max Taney interview social media consultant Rachel Karchin about the shift from follower-based engagement to algorithmic entertainment. They discuss the rise of branded micro-dramas, the professionalization of content creation, and the ethical challenges of undisclosed marketing. The episode also covers the impact of AI on trust and the future of creator-platform relationships.
Topics discussed
Introduction and guest Rachel Carton
Social media as entertainment and algorithmic shifts
Professionalization and the rise of micro-dramas
Branded entertainment and disclosure ethics
Memorability and the decline of influencer marketing
Marketing strategy and the Frontier CMO podcast
Undisclosed ads and platform responsibilities
AI content and the return of creative advertising
Platform reliance and the future of creators
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