The short version

Rachel Brandt predicted on December 1, 2025: “The rigid agency model is crumbling. By 2026, success will not be measured by roster size or retainer value, but by speed and adaptability. Expect the rise of fluid all-star team structures, curated specialists assembled per project rather than permanent departments. AI will accelerate this shift, enabling leaner operations. The winners will be…

Prediction by

Rachel Brandt

On December 1, 2025

“The rigid agency model is crumbling. By 2026, success will not be measured by roster size or retainer value, but by speed and adaptability. Expect the rise of fluid all-star team structures, curated specialists assembled per project rather than permanent departments. AI will accelerate this shift, enabling leaner operations. The winners will be agencies that treat flexibility as a strategy, not a compromise. Those clinging to bloated teams and inflexible contracts will struggle as clients prioritize partners who can pivot with market changes, scale talent as needed and deliver specialized expertise exactly when required.”

Follow-up

Filed for tracking. Outcome to be evaluated as the timeline plays out.

From the High Caliber AI network — see the AI for PR module in the course.