Taylor Swift’s Marketing Playbook: The Life of a Showgirl
How social strategy, storytelling, and merch made “The Life of a Showgirl” a masterclass in modern marketing When Taylor Swift announced her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, via a surprise appearance on the New Heights podcast, she didn’t just drop news—she set off a cross-platform ripple that lasted all week. With just […]
How Dexter: Resurrection Rewrote the Social Playbook for Legacy Franchises
Early investment, fan-first thinking, and real-time strategy turned a sequel into a streaming standout When Dexter: Resurrection premiered in 2025, it wasn’t just a revival. It was a reinvention, designed to reconnect longtime fans while onboarding a new generation of viewers in a completely different digital landscape. The stakes were high. Dexter’s original run helped […]
Starbucks’ Drop‑First Playbook
Guest post by John Langan, Solutions Consultant at ListenFirst Starbucks’ Marketing Strategy 2025: How to Turn Product Moments into an Always-On Social Engine Starbucks’ Marketing Strategy is a masterclass on brand growth and evolution, one that is not afraid to pivot as needed without fear. The cafe chain was founded in 1971 at Seattle’s Pike Place Market, […]
Krypto & The Dog Adoption Trend
Guest post by Molly Street, Account Manager at ListenFirst Krypto stole hearts in Superman (2025) — and triggered a national spike in dog adoptions. But history warns us: not every on-screen pup leads to a happy ending. When Superman (2025) hit theaters this July, audiences expected action, nostalgia, and cape-worthy heroics. What they didn’t expect was […]
Sinners: How the Film Became a Social Media Case Study
Guest post by Colleen Scott, Senior Social Media Strategist at ListenFirst High engagement, polarizing reactions, and a platform-shaping rollout define the cultural moment around Sinners. A breakout film doesn’t just live in theaters anymore; it lives in feeds. In the months following its release, Sinners emerges not only as a cinematic event but as a […]
Diving In: Chili’s
From unhinged tweets to nostalgic pop-ups, Chili’s is proving that brand legacy isn’t a liability—it’s a marketing advantage. Chili’s opened its doors in 1975 as a quirky burger joint in a converted postal station on Dallas’ Greenville Avenue. With a Southwestern flair and a laid-back, neighborhood vibe, the brand quickly expanded, becoming synonymous with casual […]