CoComelon, Deepfakes, and the Fight for Public Trust in the Digital Age

by Brian Chidester, Head of Global Strategy & Innovation, Public Sector at Adobe

In the AI era, IP is oil, distribution is pipeline, and brand is the refinery. And in the public sector, that brand is synonymous with public trust — the most valuable currency you have.

In the ever-growing landscape of children's digital content, CoComelon has emerged as one of the most popular — and sometimes controversial — names in the genre. With its bright animations, catchy songs, and simple narratives, the YouTube-born series has become a staple in many households with toddlers and preschoolers, including my own. 

This week, a major shift in the streaming landscape made headlines: CoComelon, the global toddler phenomenon, is leaving Netflix after a successful four-year run. Disney+ Hotstar outbid Netflix for the rights to stream the franchise starting in 2027, placing it alongside other trusted children’s brands like Bluey, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and Spidey and His Amazing Friends.

On the surface, this might look like a simple licensing transaction. But underneath, it signals something much bigger — a preview of the next great battle in media and technology: the fight for trusted, branded IP in a world flooded with AI-generated content.

And the implications extend far beyond the entertainment industry. For government agencies — especially those where public trust is non-negotiable — this shift offers a vital strategic lesson.

Because as AI tools make video creation faster, cheaper, and more accessible, the world is heading toward an era of content abundance and commoditization. In this environment, the value no longer lies in the content itself, but in the trust behind it.

CoComelon isn’t just a show — it’s a signal to parents that the content is safe, educational, and reliable. Bluey isn’t just a character — it’s shorthand for quality family entertainment. And Disney isn’t just a platform — it’s a curator in a chaotic, AI-generated content landscape.

The Lesson for Government Agencies: Trust Is the Ultimate IP

For government entities, especially agencies involved in public health and safety, the parallels are clear. In a world where AI can generate official-looking content, misinformation, and deepfakes in minutes, trust becomes your most valuable asset.

We’re living in an era where artificial intelligence can generate photorealistic deepfakes, realistic news articles, and convincing social media posts in a matter of minutes. The line between what’s authentic and what’s artificially manufactured grows thinner every day — and in this rapidly shifting landscape, trust has become the most valuable currency any person, brand, or institution can hold.

And in this environment of endless information — and disinformation — trust acts as a compass. It guides consumer decisions, political opinions, financial investments, and personal relationships. When algorithms can produce a convincing fake, people will rely on relationships and proven track records to separate fact from fiction.

A trusted source isn’t just a preferred choice; it becomes a lifeline to clarity in a noisy, confusing digital world. And in this reality two things become clear:

• Your brand — your agency’s name, reputation, and history of reliability — is your moat.

• The public won’t engage with or act on information just because it exists. They’ll act because they believe the source behind it.

  
  

In other words: when information is infinite, trust is scarce — and therefore priceless.

So, like Disney outbidding Netflix to safeguard valuable IP, government agencies need to think proactively about how they maintain and reinforce public trust in an AI-saturated information environment.

What Can Agencies Takeaway?

In an increasingly AI-driven, hyperconnected world, trust is no longer a given — it’s a deliberate strategy. As digital content floods every channel and generative AI blurs the line between fact and fabrication, public agencies, brands, and institutions face a critical challenge: how to preserve credibility and authority in an environment where misinformation travels faster than truth.

To navigate this evolving landscape, it’s time to refocus on four essential pillars:

1️⃣ Prioritize Trusted Digital Identities and Official Verification Mechanisms

Your digital identity is your first — and sometimes only — point of contact with the public. In a world where AI can convincingly mimic voices, faces, and written content, the risk of impersonation or misinformation is real.

What to do:

• Invest in verified social media accounts, secure domains, and official profiles across platforms.

• Implement digital watermarking, content provenance tools, and verification badges wherever possible.

• Educate your audience about your official digital touchpoints and how to spot imposters.

  
  

Why it matters: People need to know what’s real and what’s not. Making your official digital identity easily recognizable and consistently verified helps protect both your reputation and your audience.

2️⃣ Invest in Clear, Consistent, and High-Quality Public Communication

In a crisis — or even a moment of viral misinformation — your ability to communicate swiftly, clearly, and consistently is vital. Public trust erodes quickly in silence or confusion.

What to do:

• Develop a proactive, multi-channel communication strategy that prioritizes clarity over jargon.

• Maintain consistent messaging and visual identity across every digital platform.

• Use trusted, authoritative voices within your organization to deliver important messages.

Why it matters: Reliable, transparent communication builds a track record of dependability — one of the strongest defenses against misinformation and digital chaos.

3️⃣ Own Your Agency’s IP: Reputation, History of Service, and Values

Your intellectual property isn’t just trademarks and logos. It’s your institutional reputation, your record of public service, and the values you uphold. In a world where AI-generated narratives can rewrite perception, protecting and promoting these intangible assets is critical.

What to do:

• Regularly document and highlight your milestones, achievements, and community impact stories.

• Clearly articulate your mission, values, and ethical commitments in public communications.

• Actively monitor your digital reputation and swiftly address inaccuracies.

Why it matters: When people know your history, values, and track record, they’re less likely to be swayed by misinformation. A well-established reputation is difficult to counterfeit.

4️⃣ Partner with Platforms and Technologies That Uphold — Not Dilute — Your Brand Integrity

Not every digital tool or AI platform aligns with your mission and standards. Partner selectively with platforms that prioritize data privacy, ethical AI use, and brand safety.

What to do:

• Vet platforms for security practices, misinformation safeguards, and ethical standards.

• Avoid tools that compromise your control over message integrity or audience data.

• Collaborate with technology providers committed to content authenticity and brand protection.

Why it matters: Your credibility is only as strong as the platforms you appear on. Associating with reputable, responsible digital partners protects your integrity and signals your commitment to public trust.

Trust Is a Long Game

As AI reshapes how information is created, shared, and believed, building and protecting trust demands foresight, vigilance, and principled action. Public agencies, brands, and institutions that prioritize digital identity security, invest in quality communication, uphold their reputational capital, and choose ethical technology partners will be best positioned to thrive in this new era.

In a future where content can be convincingly faked, your identity, voice, history, and values will be your most unshakeable assets.

Because much like Disney recognized: in the AI era, IP is oil, distribution is pipeline, and brand is the refinery. And in the public sector, that brand is synonymous with public trust — the most valuable currency you have.

Brian Chidester is the Head of Global Strategy & Innovation for Public Sector at Adobe and the host of "The Government Huddle with Brian Chidester" podcast from GovExec. Mr. Chidester holds a B.S. in Communications Studies from Liberty University, is an Advisory Board Member for Digital Government Central, an advisor to the G20 Global Smart Cities Alliance at the World Economic Forum, and a member of the Forbes Technology Council.