WP Builds 450 – What just happened? Episode 5. WordPress in transition, 6.9, trademark battles, and AI
Dec 18, 2025
Rae Morey, a seasoned journalist and publisher of The Repository, dives into the latest happenings in the WordPress ecosystem. She discusses the innovative features of WordPress 6.9, including collaboration capabilities and AI integration. Rae sheds light on the ongoing trademark disputes involving the WordPress Foundation and offers insights into the significance of the AI Experiments plugin. The conversation rounds off with a recap of WordCamp Canada’s success and the future direction of Jetpack. Tune in for a comprehensive overview!
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Episode notes
Ollie Theme Gained Noticeable Traction
- Ollie theme (by Mike McAlister) gained traction by shipping polished UX features and strong marketing.
- The Repository runs on Ollie, demonstrating real-world adoption and momentum for block-based themes.
Ship Theme Features To Influence Core
- Contributing useful theme features to core (like a menu designer) speeds broader adoption.
- Collaboration between theme authors and Automattic developers can shepherd popular UI into WordPress Core over time.
Global Partner Program Gets Tiered Pricing
- WordPress restructured its Global Partner tiers to widen participation amid tighter sponsorship budgets.
- New tiered pricing (from $60k to $180k) aims to attract more companies in a cautious sponsorship climate.