Comms Snapshot: September 23

The Real Reason Concerts Are Worse Now

There was a time when concerts were cheap, but nowadays seeing big names on stage can cost thousands of dollars in a sold-out arena. Learn how the Ticketmaster monopoly impacted the concert-going experience and how the rich history of live music might have been ruined.

Watch now here.

Spotify Taps Creators to Expand into Video Content

Spotify is making a big push into video content by offering huge payments to YouTubers and other video creators, with some earning up to $10 million over two years. The company wants to diversify its offerings beyond music and podcasts by getting into lifestyle content like cooking shows and vlogs.

With Spotify courting top creators, there may be new opportunities for brand collaborations and sponsorships within this ecosystem, further establishing Spotify as direct competition with platforms like YouTube and TikTok for both creators' and audience's attention.

Read the full article here.

Pinterest Plans for Next Year with 2025 US Cultural Moments Planner

From major holidays to personal milestones, Pinterest's 2025 US Moments Annual Planner shows how the platform inspires users. It details major cultural moments that will play a big role in consumers' lives in the upcoming year. Also, it highlights key searches and data brands can use to boost their content calendar and connect authentically and meaningfully with diverse audiences.

Read the full report here.

Snapchat Plans Major Revamp of App In Bid to Rival TikTok

What’s New? Snapchat is creating a simplified, more integrated feed will make it easier for users to find new content and engage with other users. Alongside new AI features, Snapchat is merging its main video feed with the Spotlight feed, creating a TikTok-like experience where user-generated and branded content are intermixed and ranked by a single algorithm.

So what? With TikTok's ban pending, Snapchat (and other social platforms) are seeking new value-adds to gain more audience engagement and attention.

Read the full article here.

Top Trends of the Week

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TikTok: Pesto the Penguin?

X: Moodeng?

Reddit: New AI Laws?

Youtube: Anna Delvey?

Pinterest: Serving Telenovela

Unilever Tests Whether Unsold Flowers Can Replace Chemicals In Its Fragrances

Unilever is partnering with Bridge Farm Group and the University of Nottingham to repurpose unsold flowers into product fragrances. The initiative comes in response to the growing issue of flower waste, which can amount to 990 million tonnes per year in the UK. It shows how brands can innovate to solve sustainability challenges while creating new products and improving their market position at the same time.

Read the full article here.

Frito-Lay’s Burner Phones Encourage Fans To Cheat On Flamin’ Hot Cheetos

The campaign, featuring Gabby Windey from "The Bachelor," introduces the Flamin’ Hot Burner Phone—a nostalgic flip phone with a year of free service and Chester Cheetah on speed dial. The campaign encourages fans to "Cheat on Flamin' Hot Cheetos," which is a bold approach that plays with the idea of brand loyalty.

Read the full article here.

Steve From ‘Blues Clues’ Is Listening to His TikTok Followers

Steve Burns, the former host of "Blue's Clues," has captured the attention of over 2 million TikTok followers by embracing his nostalgic appeal and authenticity, resonating with both old and new fans. His viral success shows how past cultural icons can have new life on modern platforms, thanks to nostalgia and genuine audience engagement.

Read the full article here.