TikTok’s New Deal: What It Really Means for Marketers
The future of TikTok in the U.S. has been in limbo for years. A new joint venture led by Oracle, Silverlake, and other U.S. investors is now bringing that uncertainty to an end. The government will not own a stake or hold a board seat. Instead, Oracle will oversee data security and the recommendation algorithm, […]
Luxury Diapers & the Rise of Influencer Parenting
The New Status Symbol: Clean, Soft, and Instagram-Worthy Diapers have always been a necessity. Yet in recent years, they have begun to take on a new role in parenting culture. What was once a utilitarian purchase is now becoming a lifestyle choice that signals values like sustainability, softness, safety, and even design sensibility. Luxury diaper […]
AI Slop: When the Internet Drowns in Synthetic Junk
Shrimp Jesus, Cat Soap Operas, and “Great Photography”. The internet has always had a spam problem, but 2024–2025 introduced a new flavor: AI Slop. Critics and users alike are using this term to describe the tidal wave of low-effort, mass-produced AI content now clogging feeds across Facebook, YouTube, and beyond. The problem isn’t just quantity. It’s […]
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, […]