Show Notes
Mike Michelini and Lisa Yuson welcome Jane Santichaivekin, affiliate creator incubation expert at TikTok Shop, to discuss how e-commerce brands can scale sustainably through creator partnerships in 2026. With her background spanning P&G FMCG and venture capital, Jane breaks down the practical strategies for building authentic affiliate programs, leveraging live commerce, and moving beyond expensive paid ads in an era of rising tariffs and platform disruptions.
Topics Covered in this Episode
From Traditional FMCG to Creator Economy Pioneer
Jane's journey from P&G brand management through raising millions in VC to now incubating affiliate creator programs at TikTok Shop offers unique insights into bridging old and new commerce models.
Live Commerce Is Hitting Critical Mass in 2026
Projected to reach 5%+ of North American sales, live commerce represents a major shift from traditional e-commerce, with real-time engagement driving authentic purchasing decisions.
Micro and Nano-Creators Deliver Better ROI Than Celebrity Partnerships
Brands are shifting focus to smaller creators with highly engaged niche audiences who deliver authentic endorsements rather than expensive influencer campaigns with questionable results.
The Death of Cookie Tracking Accelerates First-Party Data Strategies
As third-party cookies disappear, successful brands are building owned affiliate programs and leveraging AI-powered tracking to maintain visibility into creator performance and customer behavior.
Tariffs and Ad Costs Force Strategic Pivot to Creator Partnerships
Mid-sized sellers facing margin compression from tariffs and rising Facebook/Google ad costs need sustainable alternatives—affiliate creator networks provide scalable growth without hemorrhaging capital.
Mobile-First Short-Form Video Is Non-Negotiable
Optimizing for vertical video, TikTok-style formats, and mobile shopping experiences separates winners from losers in 2026's creator economy landscape.
Brand-Specific Affiliate Programs Beat Generic Platforms
Rather than relying on Amazon Associates or general affiliate networks, successful brands build proprietary programs offering better commissions and deeper creator relationships.
AI Integration Transforms Creator Discovery and Personalization
Artificial intelligence now helps brands identify ideal creator matches, personalize content at scale, and optimize earnings per view metrics previously impossible to track.
Building Your Creator Incubation System: Recruitment to Retention
Jane shares hands-on tactics for finding creators, onboarding them effectively, providing training and resources, and maintaining long-term partnerships that compound over time.
The Future Is AI Agents, Regulations, and Global Social Commerce
Looking ahead, expect AI shopping assistants, increased platform regulations around creator disclosures, and continued expansion of social commerce beyond US and Chinese markets.
People / Companies / Resources Mentioned in this Episode
- Jane's VIP Profile: vip.globalfromasia.com/network/jane-santichaivekin – Connect with Jane and access exclusive content
- GFA VIP Club: club.gfavip.com – Exclusive resources, networking, and Jane's February workshop
- Jane's February Workshop
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