Silence, Brand! 06.06.24
🦀 The internet reacts to Charli XCX's BRAT, brain rot quizzes, and new Instagram features
Hey there and... welcome back?
Buckle up, because we're shaking things up here at Silence, Brand!
We're the people behind those brands you've probably heard of (and maybe even love). Get ready for our new twice-weekly blast of everything you need to know about what’s happening on the internet to sound smart in front of your boss, all compiled by your favorite unhinged marketing professionals.
Because who doesn't need more chaos and cleverness in their inbox? :)
What the internet is talking about right now:
Wild Pigs / Feral Hogs
Wild pigs, also known as feral hogs, have now spread to all 67 counties in Florida and are rapidly conquering other states across the US. These invasive animals cause billions in annual damage to crops, property, and the environment. Wildlife officials warn that traditional hunting methods alone won't solve this growing pig problem.
TikTok Trend Causes Explosive Diarrhea Warning
A nurse has warned against a new TikTok trend where creators are using Castor Oil to "detox" their bodies due to the fact it can cause "explosive diarrhea."
MrBeast Overtakes T-Series as #1 YouTube Channel
YouTuber MrBeast has surpassed the Bollywood channel T-Series to become the platform's most subscribed channel, with over 125 million subscribers.
Joro Spiders
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware are seeing an increase in Joro spiders. These large, brightly colored spiders are native to East Asia but are not considered dangerous to humans. However, their size and webs can be a nuisance.
Trump Ally Nigel Farage Doused with Milkshake by OnlyFans Model
A British OnlyFans model threw a milkshake at Trump ally Nigel Farage, the new leader of the right-wing Reform UK party after his first public speech promoting his bid for parliament.
Disneyland Oklahoma Hoax
Screenshots of a fake Wikipedia post for Disneyland (Oklahoma), which stated that the park was founded in 1987 by Zachariah Richard and that it got the name after it was discovered that the patent for the real Disneyland park had the misspelled name of "Diisneyland" fooled Twitter.
Psychologist Slammed for Not Returning Carts
A psychologist on TikTok has faced backlash after admitting she never returns her shopping carts to designated areas. Many called the behavior rude and entitled. The video reignited debates around shopping cart etiquette and "shopping cart theory."
MEMES
Beef in the Reef
TikTokkers are choosing sides between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans while making fan edits of the two oceans fighting, usually set to trap music.
Brat (Charli XCX)
Ahead of the release of her sixth album, users have been creating referential memes based on the album's neon green artwork. Jokes hinge on the color green, the square shape of the artwork, or a single word like "brat" or "Julia."
FORMATS
Normalize naming your child after something you love
This TikTok slideshow shows an unhinged name on the second slide that describes something unconventional the parent loves, like "Chili's Tripple Dipper with Honey Chipotle Crispers, Fried Mozzarella & Big Mouth Bites."
"I bet your job is really easy"
TikTokkers share emotionally difficult or unexpectedly sentimental parts of their jobs that tend to go unnoticed.
Crush cringe
TikTokkers are reminiscing about cringe videos they posted of themselves online to impress their crushes.
Hair dancing
TikTokkers show off their dance moves by recording videos in reverse and putting emphasis on whipping their hair around to drum and bass.
Guess the Imposter
TikTokker @gwennnzi makes challenging "Guess the Imposter" slideshow games that users are parodying the trend with nonsense.
Brain Rot Quizzes
Tiktokkers are flexing their deep internet knowledge with quizzes hosted by AI versions of famous cartoons and celebs.
"How Many Likes?"
TikTokkers are asking their parents and partners "how many likes" they would need to receive for them to make a commitment or buy them something expensive.
#Biscoitocut
This stop-motion CapCut TikTok filter set to the song "Away From Me" by Billie Eilish feels effortlessly artistic.
Water makeup transition
In this transition, users reveal wearing makeup by pouring water on their face, usually with blue eyeshadow, set to a new Billie Eilish song.
SOUNDS
"Let's go gambling"
This TikTok audio lists less-than-ideal situations related to various hobbies, such as going to the movies or working on cars. Each scenario is presented with a humorous twist, making light of the challenges enthusiasts face.
"Not My Problem"
TikTokkers are using this song by Laila! to describe things that ... aren't their problem.
Love Somebody
TikTok truck owners are showing off their rides to this Morgan Wallen country audio.
"Rumors Going All Over Town" / #SearchQueries
TikTokkers share the search terms people use to find their content, indicating that their haters or stalkers are watching their videos.
'The Spark'
A group of Irish kids has gone viral with their energetic drum and bass rap song "The Spark," with some people calling it the song of the summer.
Now for a more granular look at moments across the web:
Poppi Lawsuit
A lawsuit has been filed against the makers of Poppi prebiotic soda. The suit alleges that the company made misleading claims about the drink's gut health benefits and that no scientific evidence supports Poppi's marketing.
Dr Pepper Becomes Second-Biggest Soda Brand
Dr Pepper surpassed Pepsi as the second-biggest soda brand in the United States in 2023, capturing 8.3% of the market share, just behind Coca-Cola's 19.2% share. The peppery soda's growth has been attributed to its unique flavor, marketing efforts targeting younger consumers, and broader trends favoring spicy and sweet flavors.
Tillamook Debuts Ice Cream Protection Tech
Tillamook has unveiled a new "Ice Cream Armor" technology to protect ice cream from prying eyes. This comes ahead of National Chocolate Ice Cream Day on June 7th.
Ikea Opens Virtual Store in Roblox
Ikea has announced the launch of its first-ever virtual store on Roblox. The virtual store will allow people to immerse themselves in IKEA's working world, with a limited number of paid, virtual co-worker roles in the game. Gamers and IKEA fans can work, explore, and experience the virtual world of IKEA on Roblox.
Fenty Hair
Rihanna officially launched her long-awaited haircare line, Fenty Hair. The line will be available to the public on June 13th.
Molly Baz x Kellogs
Best-selling cookbook author and chef Molly Baz will be the first pregnant woman to appear on a cereal box as part of Special K's "Special For a Reason" marketing campaign.
1987Label x Truly
The clothing brand 1987Label has partnered with Truly to debut a new limited-edition loungewear collection.
Tim Hortons x Adidas
Tim Hortons has collaborated with Adidas to release a limited-edition sneaker inspired by the brand's classic menu. This lineup features four donut-inspired Adidas Samba sneakers. Each has been designed based on iconic Tim Hortons donuts, including Boston Cream, Honey Cruller, Vanilla Dip, and Double Chocolate.
Spotify Hikes Pricing
Spotify raised the prices of its Premium streaming plans in the US for the second time in a year, with the Individual plan increasing to $11.99 per month and the Family plan rising to $19.99 per month.
Brat
Charli XCX's sixth album, Brat, is set for release tomorrow, June 7th. Early reviews describe the record as "abrasive," "hedonistic," and "irresistible."
Lady Gaga Addresses Pregnancy Rumors
In a recent TikTok video, Lady Gaga has denied pregnancy rumors while showing off her winged eyeliner at the gym.
Halsey Battles Illness, Teases New Music
Pop star Halsey has been open about battling a prolonged illness that forced them to cancel tour dates while also teasing new music is on the way.
RIP Larry Allen
The team announced Monday that Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame offensive lineman Larry Allen died Sunday while on vacation with his family in Mexico.
Charley Hull Smokes at the US Open
British golfer Charley Hull, one of the best female golfers in the world, played the prestigious US Women's Open tournament with cigarettes hanging out of her mouth.
Utah Jazz Reveals New Uniforms
The Utah Jazz are reverting to their iconic purple, white, and sky blue mountain color scheme after just two seasons with a yellow and black palette, reconnecting with their mountain heritage.
Tyler1 Launches AI Chatbot
Streamer Tyler "Tyler1" Steinkamp has launched an AI chatbot modeled after himself to provide coaching and guidance to League of Legends players.
Destiny 2 almost breaks player record
Destiny 2's latest expansion, The Final Shape, saw a massive surge in concurrent players, nearly breaking the game's all-time record.
Boeing Takes ISS
Boeing's Starliner spacecraft successfully launched its first crewed mission to the International Space Station on Wednesday, carrying NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams.
Butter Yellow
The vibrant shade of butter yellow has emerged as a prominent trend for the summer of 2024, with fashion brands like Jacquemus, Bottega Veneta, and Paloma Wool embracing the sunny hue in their collections.
Ditalini Pasta
Ditalini is the new viral pasta shape of the summer, with TikTokkers racking up views showcasing their simple butter and pesto recipes.
Summer Drink Leaks
Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts' summer drink menus were leaked online before the official launch.
#SpringOnionCoffee
The TikTok famous 'Scallion coffee' encourages drinkers to add a handful of spring onions to the beverage to help balance a sweet and bitter taste with the added crunch texture. According to Yahoo! Taiwan, Scallion Coffee is part of the revived 'dark cuisine' trend.
PBR 180 Pack
Pabst Blue Ribbon is releasing a limited-edition 180-pack of its iconic beer for the summer. The "PBR Big Game Pack" is available online and in select retailers. Each pack contains 180 16-ounce cans of PBR, enough for 90 beers.
Scratch-and-Sniff Baguette Stamps
France has released a unique set of scratch-and-sniff stamps featuring the aroma of freshly baked baguettes, celebrating the country's iconic bread and adding an olfactory experience to mail.
Nier Automata wine
A winery has produced a "Nier Automata" wine that was aged while being forced to listen to the game's soundtrack on loop, resulting in an unconventional merch tie-in.
AGT's Singing Janitor
Richard Goodall earned a Golden Buzzer from Heidi Klum on the season premiere of "America's Got Talent." Goodall earned his "AGT" audition after a TikTok video showing him singing Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" to students at West Vigo Middle School, where he works, was viewed by millions.
John Stamos Starring in Willy Wonka Experience Musical
A parody musical inspired by the Glasgow Willy Wonka Experience featuring John Stamos sparked controversy in Glasgow over its dark themes and offensive content.
Venom 3 Trailer
Sony has released the first trailer for Venom 3: The Last Dance, teasing Tom Hardy's final outing as the Marvel antihero. The trailer hints at an epic showdown between Venom and his archnemesis Carnage.
Baby Elvis
Social media personality Trisha Paytas announces the birth of her second child, a daughter named Elvis, with her husband Moses Hacmon. Paytas, known for her outspoken nature and large online following, welcomed her first child, a daughter named Malibu Barbie, in September 2022.
The Baldwins
Alec and Hilaria Baldwin will star in a new TLC series that offers an inside look into their lives as a family. The show, "The Baldwins," premieres in 2025 and follows their daily lives, personal challenges, and triumphs.
Instagram Testing Unskippable "Ad Breaks"
Instagram is testing a new ad format called "ad breaks" that forces users to watch an ad before continuing to browse the app. The unskippable ads appear during mid-browsing sessions, disrupting the user experience and flow. Early user reactions have been overwhelmingly negative, with many criticizing the intrusive nature of the ads.
Instagram Adds Broadcast Channel Features
Instagram announced on Tuesday that they're enhancing the suite of tools available within Broadcast Channels, which still need to be rolled out to all users. New tools include going live, custom themes, emoji moderation, and QR codes.
Instagram Tests Text Overlays and Image Formatting for Carousel Posts
The new feature allows users to add text overlays directly on images within a Carousel post. Users can also adjust the aspect ratio of images within the Carousel. Both features are being tested and are not yet available to all users.
X Allows Pornography
Over the weekend, X added clauses to its rules, formally allowing users to post adult and graphic content on the platform. Users can now post consensually produced NSFW content as long as it is prominently labeled as such. The new rules also cover AI-generated videos and images.Â
Employees Revolt: Diddy's Exit Leaves Company in Employee Control
Sean "Diddy" Combs has sold his stake in Revolt Media following controversies and allegations against him. Revolt's employees will become the new major shareholders and owners of the company over the coming months.
NYC Eyes Restrictions on Social Media for Kids
New York plans to investigate and regulate how social media giants like TikTok and Instagram present content to minors. The proposed legislation would require platforms to prioritize age-appropriate content, limit advertising, and increase transparency about their algorithms.
Twitch Sub Price Increases
Twitch is raising US subscription prices for the first time, and monthly Tier 1 memberships will increase by $1 starting in July.
Ex-Meta engineer's Palestine retaliation
Ferras Hamad alleges that he was retaliated against after raising concerns about anti-Palestinian bias in content moderation practices.
CARA App for Artists
A new social media and portfolio app called CARA emerged with a twofold goal of creating a space for artists to share their original work and closely monitoring for AI generation. Cara also incorporates a tool called Glaze, or The Glaze Project, developed by the SAND Lab at the University of Chicago "to protect human artists by disrupting style mimicry in the training of generative AI models."
YouTube Testing AI Background Generator
YouTube is experimenting with a new feature called "Dream Screen," which uses AI to generate custom background visuals during livestreams. The AI visualizer creates psychedelic patterns and imagery in real time based on the audio.
TikTok Hack Targets Celebrities
A new zero-day exploit allows hackers to take over high-profile TikTok accounts belonging to celebrities, brands, and influencers. The hack takes advantage of a vulnerability in TikTok's systems to bypass security measures and gain complete account control.
RIP, ICQ
ICQ, one of the pioneering instant messaging services that paved the way for modern communication platforms, is shutting down after 27 years of operation.
Crabs can’t read … But you can!
Here are some good reads we picked from around the web:
AP News: How 'Eruption,' the new Michael Crichton novel completed with James Patterson's help, was created
Vulture: Why Star Wars's The Acolyte Is Set an Even Longer Time Ago
Stereo Gum: We As A Society Have To Stop Throwing Things At Bebe Rexha
Silence, Brand! is an internet culture and marketing newsletter compiled by unhinged brand marketing professionals.
Thank you to this week’s contributors:
🦀 Dayna Castillo and Ryan Benson 🦀
"Over the weekend, X added clauses to its rules, formally allowing users to post adult and graphic content on the platform. Users can now post consensually produced NSFW content as long as it is prominently labeled as such. The new rules also cover AI-generated videos and images. "
This feels like it's going to cause a lotta problems...specifically meaning the last sentence.