On Kulfi's Radar - Issue 4
Kulfi Collective
Making the world (wide web) a brighter place, one meaningful story at a time
Buckle up, in a quick recap of the last few weeks- we’re diving into viral campaigns, new trends, algorithm updates and the latest from our creative playground.?
?Pop Culture & Trends
Memes are no longer just digital—artists like Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish are weaving internet humor into their shows, creating viral concert moments that engage fans in unique ways. Dua Lipa’s Levitating x Wo Ladki Jo mashup during her Mumbai concert resonated with over a million viewers, while Billie’s “meow meow” meme integration hit 43M views and 5.76M engagements. From TikTok choreos to meme shoutouts, artists are turning live performances into meme-fueled celebrations of digital culture.
Gen Z humor is rewriting stereotypes through parody, as seen in the rise of Gopi Bahu 2.0 and #WomenInMaleFields. Once a symbol of submission, Gopi Bahu's savage transformation into a confident icon, especially through her FRND app collab ?(3M views, 47.8K shares), has fans cheering her witty one-liners. Meanwhile, #WomenInMaleFields uses humor to call out toxic masculinity, amassing 50K mentions and 25.6K posts, with spin-offs like #NieceInAuntieFields and #HumanInChatGPTFields. Even brands like QuillBot are hopping on, with viral content showing women hilariously outshining men. These parody-driven trends are turning laughs into conversations about reclaiming and reshaping traditional narratives.
Celebrity lookalike competitions are the internet’s newest guilty pleasure, with fandoms obsessing over doppelg?ngers of stars like Timothée Chalamet, Paul Mescal, Zendaya, Glen Powell, Dev Patel, Harry Styles and many more.? From Chalamet crashing his own lookalike contest to brands like MCoBeauty jumping in, this trend is a quirky blend of fandom, fun, and clever marketing. TikTok debates and Reddit fan wars show this isn’t just a fad, and the numbers speak for themselves: 33.1M views and 4.5M engagements on TikTok prove it’s here to stay!
Three wildly different memes have captured the internet’s attention by tapping into universal emotions, turning stress, calm, and chaos into viral sensations.?
?Chill Guy: A zen Shiba Inu raking in 25M engagements.
?Blue Grinch: Hilarious presurgery anxiety turned into 6.6M views.
?Osaka Dancing Meme: Chaotic yet carefree vibes that modded their way into GTA V.
Brands like Sprite and Duolingo are smartly riding this wave, making stress relief memes their marketing MVPs.
The “brainrot” era is here—academic PDFs are now animated, TikTok style, with meme voices and gaming-inspired visuals.? Even Oxford crowned “brainrot” Word of the Year, highlighting how fast media and pop culture are reshaping learning. Education has never been this entertaining.
Gen Z's impact on language shines as Oxford crowned "brainrot" its word of the year, Collins highlighted "brat," Dictionary.com chose "demure," and Macquarie spotlighted "enshittification." ?These picks, rooted in meme culture and social media, reflect Gen Z's values, from pop culture obsession to digital dissatisfaction. It also underscores how younger generations are reshaping communication and cultural identity today.
Moo Deng, Thailand's pygmy hippo, redefined conservation marketing by becoming a global meme star, boosting merchandise sales, and partnering with Lifebuoy. Following suit, Edinburgh Zoo's Haggis sparked playful rivalry with Moo Deng, gaining social media buzz (even SNL coverage) and fueling fundraising with unique "pygmy hippo experiences." This viral baby animal strategy blends humor with advocacy, turning endangered species into relatable, entertaining content that drives both awareness and revenue.
The Dramamine audio trend, featured in over 74.5K reels, pairs absurd dialogues with serene visuals (like Pookie Baba’s eyebrow-raising advice, Rakhi Sawant’s unforgettable lines, or Kamalini’s NSFW snippets—with tranquil visuals of lush greenery or serene landscapes) creating oddly uplifting content that resonates with audiences seeking calm amidst chaos. T The trend masterfully taps into the human desire for calm amidst chaos, proving that even the most random content can resonate when paired with the right vibe.
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?Brand Buzz
H&M made history with a surprise Charli XCX concert in Times Square to relaunch their flagship store and holiday collection. This unexpected mix of fashion and music drew massive crowds and became a viral sensation.
Jaguar’s futuristic “Copy Nothing” campaign, sans cars, has sparked buzz—and criticism. Elon Musk’s cheeky “Do you sell cars?” tweet and Nothing’s parody “Copy Jaguar” campaign have everyone talking. Love it or roast it, Jaguar’s rebrand is hard to ignore (216K mentions across channels) In a surprising twist, tech brand Nothing decided to poke fun at Jaguar's new logo and slogan by parodying it, with a playful "Copy Jaguar" tagline.?
Airbnb’s collaboration with Paramount Pictures, to celebrate the release of Gladiator's highly anticipated sequel,? lets fans live their gladiator dreams at the Colosseum. Similarly, Airbnb has unveiled another unique offering for fans of Netflix’s Stranger Things. Guests can now book an overnight stay in a retro-themed space modeled after the Byers’ home, complete with Christmas lights and eerie Upside Down vibes. This nostalgic experience transports fans straight into the heart of Hawkins, Indiana, making it a must-visit for lovers of the hit show and immersive storytelling.
Spotlight Creator ????
From meme fame to entrepreneurship, Hailey Welch’s AIpowered dating app, Pookie Tools, combines quirky personal branding with Gen Z’s needs. While her Hawk Tuah Coin faced a rocky fall, Welch proves that meme stars can make serious moves in the business world.
Creative Tech?
The Weeknd's collaboration with Apple Vision Pro leverages AR and VR to create an immersive 360-degree music experience, redefining how fans engage with music. Available both in streaming and in-store demos, it highlights the transformative potential of technology in deepening audience connections with artists.?
Coca-Cola embraced AI for a futuristic twist on its 1995 Christmas ad, sparking debates (and parodies) about AI’s emotional authenticity despite 1.6M views. Meanwhile, Cadbury 5 Star’s humorous #MakeAIMediocreAgain campaign, with 80M views, playfully mocked AI by encouraging "wrong answers," celebrating imperfection in a tech-driven world.
Platform Updates?
Bluesky has surged past 1 million users, fueled by dissatisfaction with X and its role in streaming events like the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight. Celebrities and journalists are flocking to the platform, bolstering its reputation as a positive alternative to X and Threads. Meanwhile, Threads is upping its game with enhanced features, setting the stage for intense competition in the social media space.?
Third-party apps like Receiptify and Instafest are redefining music interaction by turning listening data into shareable, personalized experiences, from quirky receipts to festival lineups. Garnering massive traffic and social buzz, these apps gamify music preferences, blending self-expression with playlists, and making sharing your music taste a trend that’s only growing.
That’s it. That’s the Drip from Kulfi Collective! Stay tuned for more culture insights, trends and moments. ??
Creating Stories that Shape Culture | Co-Founder & CCO at Kulfi Collective
3 个月Hawk tuah can make it then so can we
Creating Stories That Shape Culture l Chief Financial Officer at Kulfi Collective | IMPACT Top 30 under 30
3 个月Super!
Helping you make your data sing | Eli Lilly | Perplexity AI Business Fellow | ex-Amazon | INSEAD | NUS
3 个月Love reading these ??