Business

The New Merchant Class

Independent creators are building micro-conglomerates that rival traditional media houses.

By Maya Chen·September 24, 2026·10 min read
The New Merchant Class

A decade ago, a creator with a million followers was a marketing channel. Today, that same person is more likely to be a holding company — with newsletters, products, podcasts, and equity stakes in the tools they use.

The implications for old media are not subtle.

About the author

Maya Chen

Maya reports on the intersection of policy, identity and the internet, with a focus on the Pacific.