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Product placements are getting louder, but Frankenstein just proved you can do it differently. Tiffany & Co. just set the blueprint for product placement with Netflix's new Frankenstein adaptation. Gen Z can spot an ad from a mile away and that's the issue with most recent placements. In Now You See Me: Now You Don't and Nobody Wants This, the branding was obvious, making it feel like the story stopped just to sell you something. The products didn't add to the plot or reveal anything about the characters. But Tiffany & Co did the opposite. This is their first-ever Netflix partnership, but it doesn't feel like a typical brand collab. Instead of dropping in jewelry unexpectedly, they integrated archival pieces directly into character design – like the iconic Beetle Necklace, chosen because Elizabeth's entire character is obsessed with insects. The jewelry then becomes characterization and storytelling extends beyond the film. To celebrate the premiere, Tiffany launched an immersive installation that recreates scenes from Frankenstein, showcasing the actual jewelry from the film. Fans can see pieces like the legendary Wade necklace up close, connecting the narrative back to Tiffany's own history and craft. This solves product placement's biggest problem: forced integration. When brands show up just to show up, audiences tune out immediately. But when the product actually serves the story and deepens character development, it stops feeling like an ad and starts feeling like world-building. And by creating physical experiences that mirror the film's narrative, they gave fans a reason to engage with the brand outside the content itself. What are your thoughts on the Frankenstein and Tiffany & Co. partnership? Let us know in the comments below! #tiffanyco #marketing #productplacement

Who else is mad about their Spotify Wrapped age? 🫢 #spotifywrapped #memes #officeculture

Spotify Wrapped flopped last year, so was today any better? Spotify Wrapped 2025 dropped today, marking the 5th year of Wrapped dropping on a Wednesday. Last year, Spotify received backlash for pushing their latest AI features onto Wrapped: the AI DJ, AI podcast, and AI-generated playlists. Many fans were disappointed in Spotify's choice, claiming it felt less personalized and more like a product launch. But Spotify Wrapped 2025 leaned into a completely different direction: gamification. One big difference in its UX was vertical scrolling. They ditched swiping through stories for a format users are already hooked on, which aligns with their efforts to become more like a social media app (aka their DM feature). But the gamification went beyond just scrolling. Spotify added interactive elements that turned your listening habits into a social experience: 🎵 Top Song Quiz: Users could guess their most listened-to song before the reveal, adding an element of surprise and engagement. 🎵 Wrapped Party: Friends can start a party or join one using a code to compare music habits side by side, turning listening to music into a competition. 🎵 Listening Age: Spotify guesses your age based on the era of your song choices this year, adding a playful twist to self-discovery. 🎵 Wrapped Clubs: Users are placed into clubs based on their listening style and assigned roles like Leader or Scout, creating a sense of community and identity around music taste. After last year's AI backlash, Spotify had a choice: double down or pivot. Instead of highlighting their features, they highlighted what you did and made it competitive, community-driven, and interactive while tapping into people’s reward systems. Spotify Wrapped is arguably one of the most popular cultural moments of the year (marketers and designers can attest to that), and risking their reputation wasn't an option. To protect that legacy, they needed to practice social listening, and deliver what their users actually wanted. And by doing that, Spotify Wrapped can stay on top against other "wrapped" players like Apple Music Replay. What are your thoughts on Spotify Wrapped 2025? Let us know in the comments below! #SpotifyWrapped #design #marketing

The Dr. Seuss Instagram account just got hacked. Except it was planned all along. The Grinch recently took over the Dr. Seuss account after the Cat in the Hat made his grand appearance. Over the past few years, from the end of October to mid-January, someone dresses up as the Grinch and acts fully in character. Except this year, the Grinch got a lot more attention than usual. The Grinch is a staple Christmas character, yet he's only relevant once a year. So for this year's batch of Grinch content, he collabed with multiple brands and tapped into this year's trends. One of their most viral videos was a skit of the Grinch entering the "Love Island Villa" – the most popular reality show this year. Other videos tapped into trends like The Summer I Turned Pretty, 67, and "Unfortunately I Do Love," which many people participated in this summer. He also collabed with brands like Crocs, American Eagle, McDonald's, and recently, Van Leeuwen. Tapping into trends solves this character's biggest challenge: seasonal relevance. When you only have a three-month window to make an impact, you can't just rely on nostalgia, especially when there are other Christmas characters fighting for first place. So by hijacking this year's biggest cultural moments and partnering with brands already in the conversation, the Grinch becomes hard to miss. And those brands bring their own massive audiences, amplifying reach well beyond Dr. Seuss's typical followers. This prevents him from fading into the background of holiday content and gives him a longer shelf life for the holidays. While the Grinch will be missed once the new year comes, he'll only generate more excitement and anticipation when Christmas 2026 comes along. What are your thoughts on Dr. Seuss's Instagram strategy? Let us know in the comments below! #thegrinch #holidaymarketing #contentstrategy

Office humor isn't dead yet and Yahoo just proved it. Yahoo launched the "Sssshhhhizzle" Keyboard Oil in collaboration with Graza. And no, it's not actually oil for your keyboard. They tapped into an everyday office ick: the aggressively loud typer. The solution? A satirical product that inverts expectations. Just like a biker oils their chain to prevent squeaking, Yahoo applied the same logic to keyboards, creating curiosity through absurdity. And Graza was the perfect oil partner to collab with. They’ve built a $240 million brand not only for their creator gifting program but for their engaging social media presence and fun email marketing campaigns. As one of the most notoriously beloved olive oil brands with a cult following, Graza amplified Yahoo's reach to an audience that appreciates playful branding. The Keyboard Oil sold out so clearly, it’s proof that the right collaboration can turn satire into conversion. But there's a bigger story here: Yahoo is staging a comeback through culture. Competitors like Gmail and Outlook remain largely invisible on social platforms. On the other hand, Yahoo is betting on bringing office pain points to life through physical products that feel like inside jokes. Stunts the Touch Grass Keyboard for April Fools and Attach-mints for forgotten attachments are just to name a few. Each campaign transforms a digital frustration into a tangible moment. As the third most used email service platform, Yahoo positions themselves where Gmail and Outlook refuse to go: on Instagram and TikTok. And from there, they meet users by turning shared workplace annoyances into moments worth talking about. What are your thoughts on Yahoo x Graza’s Keyboard Oil? Let us know in the comments below! #yahoo #graza #brandcollab

Ralph Lauren just turned a viral aesthetic into a physical destination. Ralph Lauren recently opened "The Ralph Lauren Holiday Experience" pop-up in Chelsea, London. From mountain-style barns to Ralph Lauren Coffee shops, this is their biggest brand activation yet. Not only is it a place for visitors to frolic and take pictures for their curated Instagram Christmas-themed feeds, they're also offering workshops like wreath-making. Having a "Ralph Lauren Christmas" is arguably the most popular trend for the holidays. TikTok data shows that #ralphlaurenchristmas has over 10k posts, and Instagram has over 5k posts. Thousands of videos have been made breaking down the aesthetic while showing users what products to buy. And most people are doing it with Amazon dupes. After years of beige minimalist Christmases, people are craving richness and tradition again. A Ralph Lauren Christmas provides exactly that, except people don't want to purchase the actual products. So they buy the $12 tartan ribbon on Amazon and call it a day. But Ralph Lauren brought the trend to life, bridging that gap. The pop-up gives people access to the brand universe, letting them step into that timeless, old-money feel for free (with the option to indulge in some purchases). Selling aspirational lifestyles doesn't always mean owning a product that symbolizes it. When brands bring those lifestyles to life, the feeling and experience is what leaves a lasting impression. By elevating their access point without compromising on price, anyone from Ralph Lauren regulars to those who just like the aesthetic, can experience it and post about it. And the more hype a Ralph Lauren Christmas gets, the longer the shelf life and the closer it gets to becoming a permanent yearly tradition. What are your thoughts on a Ralph Lauren Christmas? Let us know in the comments below! #ralphlaurenchristmas #brandstrategy #marketing

Universal just saved over $60 million dollars on Wicked: For Good. Wicked Part 1 was a global success in 2024 thanks to their 400+ brand collabs. Even their CMO stated that he wanted Wicked promotions to feel "just short of obnoxious." But with Part 2, the strategy shifts. The world of Wicked was already well known, so the campaign pivoted from "make them aware" to "keep them engaged." With a marketing budget of $150 million, the studio only spent $90 million. The promotional push was restrained due to the one year gap between both films. Why? Considering how many brand collabs there were in 2024, Wicked still felt relevant in 2025. So with fewer brand collabs and a later promo date, the excitement for Wicked: For Good felt fresh without feeling repetitive. When you go all out on brand collabs, merch, and events, you risk consumer fatigue. So not only did Wicked's team have fewer collabs and a later promo date, they focused on fan-centered events. Wicked: For Good appeared in places like Dancing with the Stars and in an NBC special where the cast performed songs from the movie. Airbnb even launched "Elphaba's Retreat," allowing guests to experience a themed stay inspired by the character's story. Themed Wicked events turn collabs into entertainment, making it more engaging than a random product drop. The creative storytelling feel is still present, they're just not reinventing the wheel. Strategic movie marketing means knowing how audiences perceive your film and where they're already talking about it. That way, teams can focus their efforts where attention naturally exists. What are your thoughts on Wicked: For Good's marketing strategy this year? Let us know in the comments below! #wicked #brandstrategy #marketing

Apple’s latest product drop completely divided the internet in half. They released the iPhone Pocket in two sizes, one for $150 and another for $230. People keep comparing this to their iPod Sock which was priced at $29 for a six-pack back in 2004. But twenty-one years later, Apple has completely transformed their brand positioning. Apple partnered with Issey Miyake, the legendary Japanese fashion designer known for merging technology with fashion. It’s clear that Apple’s aiming to do more than sell iPhones, MacBooks, and iPads. What they’re trying to do is sell an ecosystem, a design philosophy, and an aspirational identity. And the iPhone Pocket embodies their mission by blending premium craftsmanship with minimalist design and innovation. The people who bought the Pocket are Apple's core audience: 📱 The ones who upgrade to the newest iPhone every single year 📱 The attendees at Apple keynotes and store events who want to be first in line 📱 The design enthusiasts who understand the value of an Issey Miyake collaboration Apple isn’t targeting casual Apple users who buy an iPhone because theirs broke. Their core audience are the ones who are invested in Apple's brand world. The iPhone Pocket reinforces their brand identity but also tests loyalty thresholds while creating exclusivity. When you try to please everyone, you end up standing for nothing and Apple understands that what resonates with their core audience matters more than appeasing the masses. So whether you think this is innovative or absurd isn’t the point. The people who wanted it, bought it and the people who didn't, weren't supposed to. What are your thoughts on the iPhone Pocket? Let us know in the comments below! #iphone #productdrop #marketing

Apple just called out Coca-Cola with this one move. Apple recently dropped a rebrand for Apple TV (goodbye, plus sign) with a behind-the-scenes look. They commissioned London-based Optical Arts to sculpt a physical Apple TV logo from solid glass. Multiple versions were made, with each one shaped and finished uniquely to test different lighting effects and visual depth. From lighting setups to camera movements, Apple's production team was responsible for every single shot. And they made sure one thing was clear: they wanted to lead with analog. Where algorithms are drowning in AI slop, behind-the-scenes content isn't just a nice-to-have. What once felt like an insider, breaking-the-fourth-wall moment now becomes a trust signal. We're watching "human made" and "craftsmanship" become the new status symbols in content creation. It's a brand taking a public stance on how they approach AI: what they use it for, and more importantly, what they refuse to use it for. And that affects how customers perceive these brands and choose to shop with them. Could AI have generated something similar in minutes? Maybe. But Apple's betting that audiences can feel the difference. It tells them "we didn't take a shortcut," and as more brands blend AI with creativity, that kind of commitment stands out. What are your thoughts on the new Apple TV logo? Let us know in the comments below! #apple #brandstrategy #marketing

When was the last time you offered an influencer a full-time job? SoFi just hired Vivian Tu, aka, Your Rich BFF, to become their first Chief of Financial Empowerment. With over 10 million followers across platforms, she's built a strong community in the financial literacy space. But SoFi is doing what other brands are afraid to do. We often see influencing as the pathway to entrepreneurship (think clothing lines, podcasts, or artist brands). What if the smartest move isn't starting something new? Influencers who built communities in specific niches become cultural experts who understand consumer behavior better than most internal teams ever will. Instead of typical product drops, influencers like Vivian are exploring their options and going deeper into what they already know rather than starting from scratch. Now, they're betting on her to lead a Generational Wealth Fund and shape their entire financial literacy strategy. While other brands are still treating influencers as temporary partnerships, SoFi created an entirely new full-time role for her. With Vivian's brand, Your Rich BFF Media, SoFi can leverage her expertise in the space to understand how their community behaves on social media. From there, they can become more online savvy and meet customers where they are (potential and existing ones). Temporary partnerships can go viral, but only for a short period of time. Meanwhile, brands who are intentional with who they choose to represent their brand build an added layer of trust and authority. And with Gen Z treating social platforms like search engines, the people who know how to show up authentically on these platforms become strategic assets. The influencer-to-employee pipeline is real, and brands are starting to see the potential of influencers beyond their follower count. What are your thoughts on brands hiring influencers full-time? Let us know in the comments below! #SoFi #brandstrategy #marketing