The Scoop
This week in digital and social?
Welcome to The Scoop, your weekly lowdown on the best social and digital moments. Tune in for trending content, internet drama, and tech updates every Friday.
This week, Ben & Jerry's are in the spotlight, everyone's trauma dumping on TikTok, and the latest Instagram update is ruining everyone's feeds…
Need help getting your brand at the forefront of social culture? Let’s chat.
Our Favourite Brand Social Moment Of The Week
Ben & Jerry's Stand for More Than Just Ice Cream
With the current political climate in the US, ongoing debates around Trump’s influence and everything in between, it’s hard for brands to strike the right tone when consciously showing awareness by talking about their consumers' issues. But Ben & Jerry’s continues to lead by example. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, coinciding with Trump’s inauguration, the brand sparked conversation with a bold and thought-provoking post. Titled “This MLK Day, Should We Choose Chaos or Community?”, the post featured a selection of MLK quotes, serving as a powerful call for unity and justice during turbulent times.
Their social media is never afraid to take a stand, especially on human rights issues. It’s bold, values-driven, and unapologetic, showing brands can use their platforms for good while maintaining authenticity. This week, consumers have made ‘intentional choices’ to choose B&J as their ice cream of choice, in solidarity with the political debates happening at the moment.?
Tech News
LinkedIn is under scrutiny in the US after a lawsuit claimed private messages from Premium users were used to develop AI tools without their consent. It’s alleged that LinkedIn updated its privacy settings last year, opting users into data-sharing by default and later adjusting its policy to justify the change.?
Although LinkedIn denies the accusations, the backlash is never great for a brand's reputation. Being upfront about how you use customer data isn’t optional. In today’s world, trust is hard-earned and easily lost.
领英推荐
Platform Updates?
Instagram’s New 4:5 Format, Love It Or Hate It?
Instagram has officially swapped its classic 1:1 ratio for a 4:5 format, and let’s be honest, people aren’t thrilled. Multi-posts are getting cropped, grids are out of sync, and this is causing unnecessary chaos. Instagram insists the change is for the better, saying that while it might be "a bit of a pain" at first, it’s a “necessary transition” to help users show “more of their content as intended.”
If you’re not a fan, brace yourself as it sounds like this update is here to stay. And with Adam Mosseri outlining more changes on the horizon, we could be in for some equally divisive updates.?
Our Fave Social Trend
This week, creators are embracing the ‘You’re so funny’ trend, and if TikTok does one thing well, it’s turning heavy topics into silly viral trends. Users are trauma dumping left, right, and centre, using their niche life experiences as the backdrop for their fantastic sense of humour.
For brands, this trend offers a unique opportunity to connect with audiences on a more personal level. Sharing light-hearted, self-aware content that aligns with the tone of the trend can help brands feel approachable and relatable.
Drama, Discussions, Debates
In the final days before the TikTok ban last weekend, US influencers were busy dropping jaw-dropping confessions. Fake endorsements, fabricated backstories, and cringe-worthy reveals were posted all over the platform, raising quite a few eyebrows in the process. Once the ban u-turn came into play a mere 12 hours later, these influencers were then left red-faced and facing criticism from the communities who had once trusted them.
This trend shines a spotlight on the cracks in influencer marketing. While partnering with big names might seem like the way to go, it’s not just about clout, but trust and authenticity. It's important to work with influencers who are genuinely aligned with your brand. In a world where every post can go viral, it’s those who truly believe in your product who will safeguard your reputation when the trends shift.
Thanks for reading this week's Scoop, tune in next week for all of the best-trending content, culture and digital news. Want your brand to immerse within culture? Let's have a chat.?
Head of Content & Social at Southpaw
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