Silence, Brand! 02.07.25

🦀 Montoya por favor + DOGE team has "Big Balls" + welcome back Dandelion + Jacquemus x L'Oréal + Latinos boycott Coke + new Starbucks cup policy + TikTok trends to beauty pipeline 🦀

freaks, geeks, and digital cryptids—assemble!

yes, it’s Super Bowl weekend,
and our official prediction?
Trump brings his sharpies to the game
to sign as many things as he can
to set a Guinness World Record

whatever happens,
chaos is imminent.

🦀 🏈 let’s see what the algo tossed our way:

fresh catch:

• This Spanish reality tv show is delivering Love Island USA Season 6 vibes

• Crayola is healing our inner child, bringing back 8 retired crayon colors

• Starbucks doodles and messages have been…interesting (and funny!)

trends:

• The “I Say A Little Prayer” dance trend has everyone back in their Glee era

• The “don’t get caught in the photo” challenge—it’s hide-and-seek, but make it unhinged

• The #imetmyyoungerselfforcoffeetoday hashtag is TikTok’s latest excuse to trauma-dump in the most aesthetic way possible

and don’t even get us started on…

• the Freeze Latino Movement has us boycotting Coc(a-Cola)

• who is ‘Big Balls’ apart of DOGE and why does he own ‘Tesla.Sexy LLC’???

• JFK’s grandson quitting social media after cryptic apology 👀

plus if you missed our Deep Dive earlier this week, check out

we’re not charging a vibe tax today,
and the only thing moving faster than a kickoff return
is the algorithm
TO THE LINKSSSSSSS ⬇️⬇️⬇️

‘Montoya, por favor!’: the viral Spanish clip that could change reality TV forever (The Guardian)
A clip from the Spanish reality show La Isla de las Tentaciones has gone viral, featuring contestant José Carlos Montoya's dramatic reaction to seeing his girlfriend cheat on him. The intense footage has sparked widespread memes and discussions, setting a new standard for reality TV drama.

@popculture2000s via X/Twitter

Crayola bringing back 8 retired crayon colors, including Dandelion (USA Today)
Crayola is bringing back 8 'fan-favorite' retired crayon colors, including Dandelion, in limited-edition packs, as well as in colored pencil and marker formats. The colors will be available soon at most national retailers, and Crayola is partnering with other brands for custom programs and products inspired by the limited-edition colors.

@todayshow🚀 Blast from the past! 🚀 Crayola is bringing back eight retired colors for the first time in its history, including dandelion, blizzard blue, and magic mint 🖍️! #TODAYShow

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L’Oréal Invests in Jacquemus, Inks Beauty Deal (Business of Fashion)
French brand Jacquemus is venturing into the beauty industry with support from L’Oréal, a major player in the cosmetics world. The partnership, announced on Thursday, marks an exciting new chapter for the fashion brand as it expands into the world of beauty.

jacquemus

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Brands that don't support Latinos? This is how the Coca Cola boycott began on social media (Merca 20)
A viral boycott, dubbed the Freeze Latino Movement, is urging consumers to ditch major U.S. brands like Coca-Cola after President Trump’s proposed tariffs on Mexican imports. The movement gained momentum not only due to Trump’s well-known love for Diet Coke but also after a rumor surfaced that Coca-Cola allegedly fired Latino employees in Texas and reported them to ICE. With Coca-Cola’s deep ties to Latin American markets, could this controversy pose a real threat?

@thewestsidesstory#greenscreen #latino #Mexican #cocacola #latinos #latinostiktok #mexican #cr7 #water #immigrant #deportation #fyp

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Starbucks’ New Cup Doodles Leave Customers Entertained, Confused (Bloomberg)
Starbucks' new cup doodles and handwritten messages are stirring mixed reactions among customers. As part of a recent policy shift, baristas are now adding personalized notes to to-go cups. While some find the gesture heartwarming, others see it as awkward or unhinged. Social media is buzzing with reactions—are these notes a charming touch, or just another corporate attempt at forced friendliness?

@yuhitssophbrian niccol add the fitness gram pacer test to the music app please🙏🙏 @Starbucks Partners @Starbucks #starbucks

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Noted Rap Fan Timothée Chalamet Hypes Up Kendrick Lamar Ahead Of Super Bowl Halftime Show (Stereogum)
Kendrick Lamar, fresh off his Grammy wins, is set to perform at the Super Bowl halftime show. In a black-and-white promo, he's seen driving around with actor Timothée Chalamet, discussing embracing the creative process.

@nflKendrick. Timothée. Two artists at the top of their game connect ahead of Super Bowl LIX #AppleMusicHalftime.   Full interview drops February 7th on GMFB #SBLIX

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JFK’s grandson Jack Schlossberg quits social media after cryptic apology (Independent)
Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, has deleted his social media accounts after posting an apology and announcing his departure from the online world. The 32-year-old, known for his political commentary and satirical posts, made headlines for speaking out against his cousin Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination and sparking social media controversies.

@hopeyoufindyourdadJack Schlossberg has gone missing @Andra #jackschlossberg

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“I Say A Little Prayer” Dance Trend
This song is a beloved classic–originally sung by Dionne Warwick and re-recorded by Aretha Franklin–featured on Glee has TikTokers doing the choreo from this scene in Season 1 Episode 2: Showmance.

@serenapageenow how did i convince them to do this😂😂

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Don’t get caught in the photo
TikTokers are playing a chaotic new game where they cover their eyes and try to hide from the person recording—leading to hilariously unplanned, candid moments. The results? People crouching behind chairs, blending into walls, or just standing in plain sight thinking they’ve disappeared. It’s giving hide-and-seek, but make it unhinged.

@skinnydiplondonWe thought we smashed this 😂 #skinnydiplondon

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#imetmyyoungerselfforcoffeetoday
TikTokers are using this hashtag to create emotional, reflective, and sometimes humorous narratives about personal growth.

@brittonraeI met my younger self for coffee (ib: @Jennae Cecelia Poetry) #myyoungerself #fy

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• UnitedHealthcare Is Mad About ‘In Luigi We Trust’ Comments Under a Doctor’s Viral Post (Gizmodo)

• Luigi Mangione trailer previews ID's one-hour documentary (USA Today)

• The DunKings™ Are Back with a New Meal Deal and Juicy Couture® Collab, Plus More Big Game Surprises Ahead (Dunkin')

@cmorr0wIced coffee in 17° weather too 🫡🫡 #boston #dunkin #mbta @Dunkin'

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• Burger King denies terminating Dentsu contract as Instagram post indicated (AdAge)

  

  @mosheisaacian via X/Twitter

• Snapchat Adds New Snapchat+ Features, Including Gen AI Elements (Social Media Today)

• Olivier Leone Launches Creative Agency, Pragma (WWD)

• Bluesky will soon let you limit replies to 'followers only' (Tech Crunch)

• YouTube Partners with Repurpose.io to Enable Reposting from TikTok (Social Media Today)

• Flashes, a photo-sharing app for Bluesky, opens beta (Tech Crunch)

• Pinterest announces Q4 and full year 2024 results, first billion-dollar revenue quarter and global monthly active users reached an all-time high of 553 million, an increase of 11% (Pinterest Business)

• Meta Shares New Stats on VR Engagement the Future of the Metaverse (Social Media Today)

Resource: 2025 Social Media Benchmarks (Social Insider)

• DOGE staffer who accessed Treasury Department payment systems resigns after racist posts exposed (The Hill)

• DOGE Teen Owns ‘Tesla.Sexy LLC’ and Worked at Startup That Has Hired Convicted Hackers (WIRED)

• Bill banning social media for youngsters advances (Politico)

• Trump signs order that seeks to ban transgender athletes from women's sports (NPR)

• Government agency removes spoon emoji from work platform amid protests (Tech Crunch)

• Trump signs executive orders targeting ICC and ‘anti-Christian bias’ (CNN)

@mentallydivineThe story of the international criminal court. #history #icc #internationalcriminalcourt #gitmo #guantanamobay

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• White House says it will cancel $8 million in Politico subscriptions after a false right-wing conspiracy theory spreads (CNN)

• Senate Democrats Hold the Floor in Overnight Protest of Trump Nominee (New York Times)

@mindballadsall nighter #senators #congress #murphy #schatz #democrats #vought #project2025

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• Apple TV+ announces new K-pop song battle series “KPOPPED” (Apple)

• Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter VI' Release Date Announced (Complex)

• The Members Of NewJeans Announce Their New Band Name, NJZ (Uproxx)

• SZA to release additional songs to "Lana" album on February 9 (Hip Hop Vibe)

• True Food Kitchen Partners with Grammy-Winning Artist SZA to Launch the SZA CZA Salad (PRNewsWire)

  livetruefood

  

  A post shared by @livetruefood

• Kendrick Lamar Previews “Storytelling” at Super Bowl Halftime Show as “Not Like Us” Speculation Swirls (Hollywood Reporter)

• Chappell Roan hits back Hollywood Reporter op-ed – calling for $25k donation match and spotlighting rising artists (NME)

@allynastonReplying to @polly pessimism🪩🔮 Chappell Roan has responded to the hit piece by The Hollywood Reporter and she’s putting her money where her mouth is. #chappellroan #grammy #grammys #hollywood #music #greenscreen

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• Drake Wears Bullet Hole-Filled Hoodie Releasing Smoke From His Back During Tour Opener (Vibe)

@buzzfeedukThe 2025 Grammys were a great event for most, but not for Drake. Despite not attending, he became a major topic online after Kendrick Lamar's diss track, Not Like Us, won multiple awards at the Grammys, including two major ones. Drake made an entrance at his first show in Perth last night wearing a black hoodie covered in bullet holes, which seems like a pretty clear nod to all the metaphorical shots he’s been taking in the public eye. To make things all the more dramatic, he also had smoke streaming from his back #Drake #kendricklamar #NotLikeUs

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• Is Venus Williams Engaged to Actor Andrea Preti? Tennis Star Spotted with Diamond Ring on That Finger (People)

• Warriors and Heat Finalize Jimmy Butler Trade (Complex)

• NCAA updates its policy after Trump's ban on transgender athletes competing in female sports (CBS News)

• NFL MVP: Bills QB Josh Allen wins award for 1st time, beating out Lamar Jackson (Yahoo Sports)

• LIV Golf 2025: Seven New Things to Watch As the Season Begins (SI)

• 'Fly Eagles Fly': Billboard in Kansas City trolls Chiefs fans (NBC Philly)

  

  @nbcphiladelphiaAhead of the Super Bowl, a Philly-based ad agency is trolling Kansas City Chiefs fans with a deceptive billboard and a “Fly Eagles Fly” message. But it’s all for a good cause. #superbowl #flyeaglesfly #eagles #chiefs #nbc10philly

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• GTA 6: Leaks, trailer, release window & rumors (Dexerto)

  

  @grandtheftautoleak56‼️Latest leaked gameplay scenes ‼️ 😱from the upcomming blockbuster from Rockstar Games ! Enjoy!!!!! #grandtheftauto #gaming #vicecity #gta6 #gameplay #leaks #miami #videogame #scenes #gtatrailer #fyp #viral

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• Why was FC Manager 25 canceled? Everything we know about scrapped game (Dexerto)

• Twitch bans Katchii a day after streamer was accused of doing the "Nazi salute" (Sports Keeda)

• Fortnite Confirms Jujutsu Kaisen Crossover (Game Rant)

• Tesla Dojo: Elon Musk's big plan to build an AI supercomputer, explained (Tech Crunch)

• This Pixar-style dancing lamp hints at Apple’s future home robot (The Verge)

• Tinder adds new Explore categories to help you find likeminded dates (The Verge)

• Sabato De Sarno Exits Gucci (WWD)

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• How Hotels Became Fashion’s Most In-Demand Partner (Business of Fashion)

• Leather is back, and not just for jackets – just look at Prada and Saint Laurent (South China Morning Post)

gq

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• Finally, Justin Bieber's Mysterious Clothing Brand Quietly Emerges (HighSnobiety)

• Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga Don't Actually Have a Jellyfish Haircut — an Expert Explains the Actual Style (People)

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• Lila Moss & Apple Martin Bring the Sheer Dress Trend Back to NYFW (W Mag)

• Reneé Rapp Is the Newest L'Oréal Paris Ambassador (People)

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• 'Monsters, Inc.' x Crocs Collaboration Release Date (Complex)

@crocsmay the best monster win 2.18

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• Bill Nye hits the runway at New York Fashion Week (ABC News)

@enewsBill Nye is teaching us the science of a perfect catwalk. 🔥😭 (🎥 : Getty) #NYFW

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• All Quiksilver, Billabong and Volcom stores to close amid Chapter 11 bankruptcy (LA Times)

@abc7la#Quiksilver, #Billabong and #Volcom, once a magnet for Millennials looking for surfer and skateboard-inspired clothing, are permanently closing all of their stores. #abc7la

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Good Read:

• We just launched my favorite collab ever (with iconic fashion house – Pucci)

  (

  Working out in heels.
  )

• From Editors to Influencers: The Past, Present & Uncertain Future of the Fashion Show (HighSnobiety)

• How TikTok Trends Feed the Beauty Product Pipeline (Business of Fashion)

• ‘Victorious’ Trina Vega Spinoff ‘Hollywood Arts’ Starring Daniella Monet in Development at Nickelodeon (Variety)

• Rihanna Saves the Day as Smurfette and Teases New Original Music in 'Smurfs' Trailer (People)

badgalriri

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• Lara Trump joins Fox News to host new weekend primetime program ‘My View with Lara Trump’ (FOX News)

• With 'Clean Slate,' Laverne Cox adds a new title to her résumé: Star and co-creator of her own show (NBC News)

• Judge Grants CBS Temporary Restraining Order Against Sony in ‘Jeopardy!’-‘Wheel of Fortune’ Suit (Hollywood Reporter)

• Hawk Tuah Girl Posts, Then Deletes Podcast With Crypto Influencers—What’s Going On? (Decrypt)

• ‘English Teacher’ Renewed For Season 2 By FX (Deadline)

• newbottega

  

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• 

  @carterssay hello to our tiny bosses 💼🤏 #fyp #kidbosses #baby #toddler @Tia Stefanie @Stehfuhnee @Katelynn Ordone

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@.edmclipMan sometimes humans can be so cute 😭 (via: @Emmalina.D) #edm #electronicdancemusic #sf #crabrave #rave

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Silence, Brand! is an internet culture and marketing newsletter compiled by unhinged brand marketing professionals—an elite army of internet idiots.

Thank you to this installment’s contributors: Ryan Benson, Dayna Castillo, Lenny Leithauser, Dejaih Smith, Benton Williams, and Janine Davis

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