This Week in Tech / Digital / Social: March 22, 2024

In a week where we learned about the perils of liking a video without finishing it, people started a TikTok New York Rom Com, and foley artists ruined something new (rain sounds), here are some of the most innovative ways in which brands used social and digital.

Dunkin' "Short King" -> Fan Love

For the first week of spring, Dunkin' is renaming its smallest iced coffee as the "short king"?– and the response is pretty positive. For context, "short king" is a generally wholesome term that pushes back against the "real men need to be tall" narrative; Short King Spring is a more recent development basically about celebrating short kings... in the spring.

It's a great example of a brand leveraging a cultural conversation in a way that feels clever and ownable without being intrusive.

Dunkin' launched the campaign with creators include Morning Brew, and some simple-but-effective teasing on its Instagram. (Also looks like Dunkin' has been working on this campaign for at least two years.)

Samsung Creates 90s Sitcom with an AI Twist

Optimized for Geriatric Millennials, Best in the House stars 90s SNL alums Molly Shannon and Tim Meadows as twins.

The gag isn't that it's a fun piece of retro-flavored content (though I bet the "Weird Uncle" character feels a bit different given the Nickelodeon documentary revelations)?– the content demonstrates Samsung's AI-powered ability to upscale videos, including nostalgic 90s favorites.

Internet Thing of the Week: AI Generated Images on Facebook (Think: Shrimp Jesus)

AI generated images on Facebook (like Shrimp Jesus) have been around for a while – creator Helen Christie pokes fun at it here.

In a new twist, Stanford and Georgetown researchers found that Facebook algorithms promote these AI-generated images?– basically hacking Facebook's own viral growth strategies. Spammers use this insight for engagement, using the images to drive traffic to ad-laden or scam sites. 404 Media goes into more depth.

Internet Drama

"Some of y'all have no choice but to settle" said one male creator – and women's responses showed yet again that many would genuinely prefer being single over being in an unhappy relationship (it's a signal of a bigger shift – like in South Korea where women choosing to remain single has led to a drop in the birth rate and a slew of op eds).

Also, male creators are sharing content along the lines of "you do not have to accept her rejection" – women including self-defense coach Katie are pushing back.

HBO's Nickelodeon documentary (which I'm actively not linking to) led to extensive discussions around child safeguarding, also continuing the discussions around parent creators showcasing their kids online.

More lightly, a dog-owner semi-bragged about her dog micturating on Trader Joes fish sticks (how even? did the dog get into the freezer?), leading to a debate around "entitled dog owners."

And some teens are fretting about "brunch" prom dresses (a hangover of cottage core)?– but basically also showing that the cost of prom dresses has spiralled, deepening economic inequalities.

Tech (including platform) news

Neuralink made it possible for Noland Arbaugh, who is paralzyed below the shoulders, to play chess.

Starbucks is shutting down Odyssey, its Web3 loyalty program – but as Zoe Scaman and Marc Baumann explain, this shouldn't be seen as the latest in "Web3 will never take off" news (but does show that brands' Web3 approaches require thorough planning).

Follow (or take a look): Frankie Gaw

Frankie gives American classics (like poptarts) "Asian" makeovers – he sees it as a gateway to introducing people to new flavors and helping kids feel less self-conscious about bringing "weird" lunches to school.