#80 The 2026 Playbook: AI, Influencer Marketing & the Future of Social Media

⚡️ Join the Scale Partner Community, a FREE space where founders connect, exchange ideas, and support each other ➡️ community.rectified.co/scalepartnerIn this episode of The Rectified Podcast, Sandy reconnects with Lorie Dishoyan — founder of Maison Branding Marketing Agency — for a deep, honest conversation about what’s actually working in marketing today.Lorie walks us through her journey from PR to launching Maison Branding, and breaks down how social media has evolved from curated perfection to the era of authentic, organic content. We talk about why micro-influencers are winning, how AI is reshaping content creation, and what brands must focus on to grow in 2025 and beyond.Whether you're a founder, marketer, or content creator, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can start using right away.✨ In this episode, we cover:How Lorie transitioned from PR to building a successful marketing agencyWhy organic, real content is outperforming polished brand campaignsThe rise of micro-influencers (and how to work with them effectively)How AI is changing marketing workflows and brand strategiesWhat small & medium businesses should focus on to grow through contentPractical tips for staying relevant in an oversaturated digital landscapeMaison Branding’s Website: https://origenseawater.com/Maison Branding on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biainilinyc/Canada Luggage Depot: https://www.canadaluggagedepot.ca/Nanor: https://nanorcollection.ca/Find me here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandydedeian/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sandydedeian LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandydedeian/⚡️Subscribe to our Substack and receive the podcast in your inbox ➡️ https://sandydedeian.substack.com/Chapters: 00:00 Welcome to Rectified Podcast00:31 Meet Lorie Dishoyan: Founder of Maison Branding02:15 The Shift to Organic Content in Social Media06:57 The Role of Micro-Influencers08:34 Challenges and Misconceptions in Influencer Marketing16:41 The Rise of AI in Marketing18:45 AI's Impact on Visual Content20:15 The Cost of Quality AI Content22:16 Rapid Fire Questions23:38 Underrated Social Media Strategies27:04 Going Viral: Risks and Rewards30:15 Favorite Creator Brands