Brittany Broski's brand playbook: Authenticity sells
May 13, 2025 – [[read-time]] minute read
Brittany Broski. The name itself evokes laughter, relatability, and a unique brand of internet genius. From her early viral moments to becoming the beloved host of hit shows like "The Broski Report" and the regally hilarious "Royal Court," Broski has navigated the ever-changing digital landscape with remarkable savvy and an unwavering commitment to her authentic self. Beyond the screen, she's a businesswoman, a mentor, and a powerful voice in the creator economy.
We sat down with Brittany to delve into her incredible journey, the evolution of her content, her insights on building a sustainable career, and her advice for brands looking to connect meaningfully on YouTube.
Your journey from that initial viral fame with the "Kombucha Girl" meme to hosting multiple successful shows like "The Broski Report" and "Royal Court" has been incredible. Can you walk us through that evolution and the deliberate choices you made in shaping your content and career?
Well, first of all, it was all by accident. I think it's important to note that virality isn't something you can really plan; it just happens. I actually got fired from my job at a bank because of it! I was humiliated and had no plan B but my first brand deal changed everything. I was flown to LA, and it felt like a whirlwind. Then I got signed to UTA, and my lease was up in Texas, so I moved to LA in November 2019 and have been here ever since.
I immediately started doing impressions, skits, and comedy sketches with other creators. I wanted to solidify myself as a comedian first. I even paid a friend 50 bucks to edit my first YouTube video!
Icons like Rhett & Link and Jenna Marbles paved the road, showing how to do this job. I modeled my career after them but knew I had to do my own thing. I started a podcast, then "The Broski Report," then "Royal Court," hosting red carpets, and it just spiraled. I run a business now, and I never thought that would be the case.
Did you always dream of a career in entertainment, or were you always the "funny friend"? How did you discover your comedic talent?
I’ve got a funny dad and a witty family, so I always gravitated towards quick people. I loved to entertain from a young age, but it was never a plan to move to LA and chase a dream. I graduated high school, went to college, got a corporate job for the health insurance and 401k. I was never going to throw my future out on a limb. I was just going to be the funny friend or the personality hire. I'm very fortunate that this is my reality now – I actually get to do the dream job.
“ YouTube has a staying power that’s unique; it’s never been irrelevant. There's no paywall, yet you get high-quality, polished shows.”
"Royal Court" has such a distinct and entertaining medieval theme, and you've had some incredible guests. What was the initial spark or inspiration behind creating this unique talk show format?
Well, late night TV is kind of dying, and none of my friends pay for cable. So where are we getting our entertainment? Online. And "Hot Ones" is my number one inspiration; what they've managed to do is game-changing. The quality of the interviewer and making the guest feel comfortable is key – people like Fallon and Kimmel are the best because they're chummy with their guests. It’s painful to watch an interview where the host clearly didn't do their research, and I never want to put a guest in that predicament.
The medieval theme came from my love for "Game of Thrones," and "House of the Dragon" was about to premiere. I wanted something authentic to me and different. Originally, the show was going to be an advice column, like a Dear Abby, but it was a horrible idea! So, it evolved into a format where it feels like, "I know you, you're comfortable with me, let's just girl out." I want it to be a necessary press stop for studios, labels, and individuals. First and foremost, I'm a fan, so I want to talk about things guests actually want to talk about.
The whimsy of the set – the Party City hats, the fake dragon head – allows us to have serious, abstract, or even solemn conversations because everything else is so silly. It all just works.
You're a true multi-hyphenate: comedian, host, podcaster, and now venturing into music. How important is it for you to be seen as a multifaceted creative, especially given how perceptions of YouTube creators have evolved?
YouTubers were ahead of their time in terms of reachability, creative freedom, self-financing, self-production, and self-promo. YouTube has a staying power that’s unique; it’s never been irrelevant. There's no paywall, yet you get high-quality, polished shows. I’m proud to be a part of that and to have the freedom that comes from being paid fairly by a platform I willingly post on. I could sell my IP to a streaming service, get a big check, and then no one watches the show. Or I could upload on YouTube, they pay me well, and my fans are fed.
It's been interesting to watch the evolution of how a creator is now taken seriously. You have to love this job because it’s a 24/7, 365 job when you're working for yourself. If I stop working, my employees don't get paid; my business runs into the ground. I'm running a business, and that's scary, but also, what a privilege.
“ None of my friends pay for cable. So where are we getting our entertainment? Online.”
You're presenting at YouTube Brandcast, which focuses on helping advertisers leverage the platform. From your perspective as a top creator, what's a common misstep brands make when trying to engage with the YouTube community, and what advice would you offer for more effective collaborations?
If you're going to hire a personality to promote your product, let them cook. So often, I've been sent briefs where a brand says, "We want you to incorporate your sense of humor and authenticity," and then they send me a script. How am I supposed to fit myself in? I wish they'd understand the absurdity of the internet and lean into it.
I understand brands have specific messaging, like legal language but if you want me to promote your product to my fanbase, let me do that in a way I know how. Trust me to do this right. That’s the biggest thing – the constraints put on creators.
Also, trying to capitalize on trends can date your campaigns. If it's out of touch or a trend that was viral a year and a half ago, it’s just… no. Make sure that when you're going out to a creator, you understand their audience, their brand, and that it’s a match. It has to come across as authentic. I did a brand deal with International Delight Coffee Creamer. They just said, "Promote the coffee creamer and that it's Halloween." I dressed up like a coffee creamer, scared my friends – it was silly, stupid, funny, and got like 500,000 likes. Trust me to do that, versus giving me a restrictive concept.
What unique advantages do you think YouTube offers brands for connecting with audiences, especially now that it’s truly a main stage for entertainment?
Understand who you're marketing to. YouTube has features where creators can filter ad categories, which is important. What's unique about YouTube ads is that if you miss the "Skip Ad" button, you're often taken to the website. On other platforms, you can just scroll by. YouTube forces you to sit there and watch, at least for a bit. So, make sure it's something people want to watch or that it’s on-brand for the audience. If you're paying to put an ad on someone's video, make it a good ad.
And another thing: if you have Gen Z hires in your ad agencies who are telling you they have an idea for an ad campaign, especially for reaching Gen Z on YouTube, listen to them!
“ If you're going to hire a personality to promote your product, let them cook.”
You've mentioned looking up to creators like Rhett & Link and Jenna Marbles. Now, new creators will undoubtedly see you as one of their icons. What advice do you have for those looking to build long, sustainable careers like yours, moving from viral fame to an established media presence?
My biggest advice is: don't be stupid. This industry is so volatile. It's not guaranteed that if you make $100,000 this month, you won't make zero for the rest of the year. Don't act entitled because you have a certain number of followers. You have to earn the opportunities you're given. Weigh the pros and cons, ensure decisions are right for your brand, and understand that privacy is a privilege. You're running a business, and you need to act like it.
Always have a plan B. I do college talks and always tell students to stay in school. A college degree today is the bare minimum. This job is fun, trust me, and if you want to do it, chase your dreams but have a backup plan and be realistic. The money you're making should be going right back into your business. It takes a village, so pay people fairly and give them a comfortable way of living. It's important to me that my employees have a sense of accomplishment and freedom to work on their own stuff too.
This job is becoming more common, which is beautiful. When I was watching YouTube in middle or high school, there were maybe 10 or 15 really famous people. The landscape is so different now. They were doing it for the love of the game, often not getting paid much. I am very lucky and fortunate to be able to make a living doing what I love.