At the start of last year, our team shared three predictions for communication trends in 2025. Did the year prove our Magic 9-Ball right? Let’s take a look… 

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“We’ll see a super-charged trend of more micro content communities taking off, as folks depart long-term social channels in lieu of platforms that better speak to their world views, while seeking out podcasts and other creators.” 

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The Verdict: ✅ Correct — and In Progress

Niche online communities have emerged as a new frontline in influencer marketing, while platforms like Substack and Patreon have exploded in popularity, offering alternative avenues for connecting with target audiences. Will these platforms’ latest moves, like Substack TV, further expand their reach? Stay tuned… 

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“Companies will increasingly turn to their employees as brand ambassadors.”

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The Verdict: ✅ Correct

Companies like Starbucks and Delta Air Lines put this prediction into action, encouraging employees to create and share brand content on social media. Some employees were even compensated for serving as in-house creators or ambassadors. This shift reflects a broader move toward trusted, employee-led storytelling as a meaningful part of modern communications strategies.

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“As AI-generated visual content becomes more mainstream, design trends are going to swing back in favor of analog, hand-created elements.”

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The Verdict: ❓Somewhat Correct

2025 saw a strong divide between AI supporters and dissenters. While some companies — like Coca-Cola and their controversial holiday commercial — leaned into AI art, others have distanced themselves from it, particularly independent artists advocating for human-made designs. Based on design trend predictions coming out for 2026, this division will likely continue. 

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Predictions for 2026

We asked the Slide Nine team what they expect to see in the upcoming year. Will these predictions come true? Only time (and the Magic 9-Ball) will tell. 

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Belief in your brand won’t come from being everywhere — it will come from being credible. As audiences tune out polished campaigns and AI-generated noise, the brands that win will earn trust through consistency, relevance and proof.

‍—Gillian Janicki, Senior Account Executive

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Enter the ‘Cloud Dancer’ era (thank you Pantone). We’re prioritizing process over product and ignoring AI trends to create what we actually like. 2026 is the collective exhale and mental reset we all deserve.

‍— Cris Valle, Creative Director

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Many algorithm-weary consumers will grow tired of the digital content tsunami and instead reward brands that show up in person, whether through pop-ups or appearances at community events. These activations may still translate into viral moments or earned media wins, but the old-fashioned act of showing up and connecting will be foundational to their success.

‍— Nigel Becker, Account Executive

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