Silence, Brand! 06.18.24
🦀 Curious George "Upside Down" Dance, The Return of Knee-High Converse, and Sabrina Carpenter Ice Cream
Don't get caught looking out of place. Here's everything you need to know about what’s happening on the internet to sound smart in front of your boss, compiled by unhinged marketing professionals:
What the internet is talking about right now:
RIP, Bradley Uppercrust III [jk]
TikTokker Bradley Uppercrust III, aka @judyhoppsl0vr69, known for being a rabid Zootopia fan, faked his death over the weekend when his sister claimed he passed away in a car accident. Fans were suspicious of this announcement based on her tone. He later reappeared, apologized, and dropped a merch line to celebrate the hoax.
Leafblowers vs. Mayflies
Ohio residents are battling a mayfly invasion using leaf blowers and snowplows to clear the trillions of bugs from away from their homes.
The Monoliths have returned
Over the weekend, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department's Search and Rescue team discovered a mysterious monolith near Gass Peak. Previous monoliths appeared in Utah, Romania, California, and New Mexico in 2020.
Chetter72
Twitch streamer and former "Turtle Talk with Crush" voice actor chetter72 found a new audience after a "kindness account" spotted him streaming to no one, gifted him $450, and amplified the good deed on their TikTok.
George Washington's lost cherries
Archaeologists have unearthed a batch of cherries believed to belong to George Washington at his Mount Vernon estate. The fruity discovery was uncovered from the cellar of his mansion on the banks of the Potomac River during an archaeological dig connected to a restoration project.
Military thirst traps/edits
American military personnel are posting romanticized POVs of being enlisted. These videos are sometimes framed with thirst trap-style editing and set to a sped-up version of "Take Me Out" by Franz Ferdinand, a song about assassination. Some TikTokkers believe that these videos are disingenuous and could be a form of propaganda from the US government. Others are using the same audio to share stories about the negative impact military service had on their friends and family."
Marble Racing
Marble racing is an unhinged computer-generated race between competing AI-generated audios represented by marbles falling down a pinball-style obstacle course. Frequent race participants include a marble representing Taylor Swift's AI cover of Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" or a toothbrush covering "Not My Problem" by Laila!
Yeah!
Twitter users lament X's decision to remove public likes, making their own version of likes by posting an image of the "Miiverse Yeah" button. The trend has even evolved to include variations and fandom-focused buttons. Opera GX is working on a plugin that will support Yeah-ing.
Blue sweatpants girl
A TikTokker dubbed "Blue Sweatpants Girl" is trending for her rendition of Tyla's dance to "Pop Like This Pt. 2," with some users saying her moves are better than the singer's.
Made from scratch
TikTok influencer Nara Smith, known for her trad wife and unconventional recipes made from scratch, is being parodied by TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram users who pretend she is making unhinged and unhealthy items (like menthol cigarettes) from scratch.
“Hi, I’m Saul Goodman”
TikTokkers are using this audio of Saul Goodman from Breaking Bad to suggest concepts that are allowed but typically frowned upon – like not standing for the Pledge of Allegiance or ignoring your parents after turning 18.
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“The Old Me is Still Me”
TikTok users are embracing self-love and defending their previous (sometimes embrassing) looks. This trend is set to the empowering lyrics of Billie Eilish's song 'Skinny'.
Rizzin Pauly Shore
Gen x TikTokkers are comparing Gen Z slang to the ridiculous Pauly Shore-isms of the '90s featuring dialogue from the movie Encino Man.
"Ohhhh I wasn't sad, I just needed a …"
TikTokkers use this audio to describe things that would cure their sadness, like a trip to Disney World, an everything shower, or a sunset swim.
"Thank God, finally"
TikTokkers are using audio from Adult Swim's Smiling Friends to express appreciation for receiving something they asked for, followed by disappointment when it turned out differently than expected.
"Why are you crying? Because I woke up at 7 am"
TikTokkers are using this audio to share silly things that make them cry or to explain why they need to wake up early.
Curious George "Upside Down" dance
TikTokkers are dancing with their children, animals, and stuffed toys by securing them to the top of their feet while they dance in tandem. This trend is paired with audio of Jack Johnson singing "Upside Down" from the 2006 Curious George movie.
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Panini pressed
This sassy Gypsy Rose audio clip showcases her confronting a jealous hater for being overly concerned about her man, calling them "panini pressed."
Jump in the pool fully clothed or…
TikTokkers are jumping in pools (or other bodies of water) when posed with the ultimatum of "jump in the pool fully clothed or [insert thing they don't want to do."
10 Things I Hate About You [fit check]
TikTokkers are showing off their fit checks and quoting the iconic Bianca Stratford line from 10 Things I Hate About You, "You're asking me out? That's so cute. What's your name again?”
”It Feels Like I’m Falling in Love”
TikTokkers are posting roundups of good times they've had to the song "We All Fall In Love Sometimes" by Coldplay.
Meme erasure
Users are testing the capabilities of Luma Labs Dream Machine AI by generating additional video sequences around well-known memes and vines. Twitter users began poking fun at its lack of ability to create cohesive videos. At the same time, TikTokkers crafted a narrative about time travelers going back in time to stop viral meme moments and Vines from happening.
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Now for a more granular look at moments across the web:
Sabrina Carpenter x Van Leeuwen
Pop star Sabrina Carpenter has partnered with Van Leeuwen to create an appropriately named espresso ice cream flavor collab.
End of an 'Eras'
Taylor Swift has officially announced that her highly successful 'Eras' tour will end in December. The announcement was made during her 100th stop on the tour in Liverpool.
No Wu for you
Following a court order, Martin Shkreli, the pharmaceutical executive who most recently owned the iconic hip-hop album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin, has been legally prohibited from streaming his rare Wu-Tang Clan album. Known as the most expensive work of music ever sold, only one copy of the album was ever created.
Scooter Braun retirement
Famed music manager Scooter Braun has announced his retirement, shocking the industry. Known for managing stars like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, Braun's exit marks the end of an era. He has stated that his focus is shifting to Hybe, the South Korean multinational entertainment company.
100-meter butterfly world record
University of Virginia star swimmer Gretchen Walsh broke the world record for the 100-meter butterfly and qualified for her first Olympic team the next day.
RIP, Jerry West
NBA icon and former Lakers General Manager Jerry West died at 86, leaving behind a remarkable legacy. West's contributions to basketball as a player and executive have left an indelible mark on the sport.
HBO announces 'Hard Knocks' featuring the AFC North
HBO's acclaimed 'Hard Knocks' series will feature the AFC North in its upcoming season. The show promises an inside look at the teams' preparations and will document the battle for the AFC North crown during the final six weeks of the NFL season.
TikTok star's engagement drama with Bengals player
TikTok star Tianna Robillard and Bengals player Cody Ford have very publically ended their engagement, causing a stir on social media.
Pentax announces new half-frame film camera
Pentax has unveiled a new 17-35mm half-frame film camera, capable of shooting 72 vertical pictures per roll. The camera combines retro charm with modern specs, making it a unique addition to the market.
Congress taps ScarJo to discuss AI regulation
A House committee overseeing technology and privacy is seeking testimony from actress Scarlett Johansson about her allegations that ChatGPT 4.0's voice sounds "eerily similar" to hers.
The return of knee-high Converse
Converse is reintroducing its iconic XXHi knee-high sneakers, much to the delight of former emo kids and 00s fashion enthusiasts.
Adidas Beach Gazelle
Adidas has revealed the latest version of the Beach Gazelle Slide. The design resembles the classic Gazelle shoe but with the toe box and heels removed, leaving the tongue and laces visible and featuring a cushiony foam-like sole instead of the traditional gum sole.
Brooke Shields rocks Crocs at the Tony Awards
Actress Brooke Shields turned heads at the Tony Awards by pairing her elegant yellow outfit with Crocs, citing that she's recovering from "double foot toe surgery."
Angelina Jolie in Versace
Angelina Jolie wowed the crowd at the Tony Awards in a breathtaking teal Versace gown. Her appearance with her youngest daughter, Vivienne, on the red carpet was one of the evening's most talked-about highlights.
Alessandro Michele's first Valentino collection
Alessandro Michele, Valentino's new Creative Director, wasted no time making his mark. He unveiled a surprise collection at Milan Fashion Week just two months into his role.
#SundayReset
TikTokkers are showing off how they aesthetically start their weeks by doing a "Sunday Reset," which typically includes sleeping in and tidying up around the house to prepare for the coming week.
RIP, McDonald's drive-thru AI
McDonald's has paused its AI voice ordering tests at drive-thrus, citing mixed results and incorrect orders.
White Castle claims AI is more accurate than humans
White Castle boasts that its AI drive-thru system is more accurate than human order-takers. The fast-food chain is leveraging AI to improve efficiency and customer satisfaction.
Spotify launches Creative Lab
Spotify has officially launched “Creative Lab,” an in-house marketing agency designed to drive revenue by developing custom audio, video, and interactive campaigns for brands.
TikTok AI-generated creator ads
TikTok is introducing some new generative AI tools that aim to help organizations and content creators grow their global audiences using customizable digital avatars and language dubbing features.
LinkedIn introduces more AI tools
LinkedIn is rolling out AI-powered tools to assist users with career coaching. The platform is partnering with LinkedIn Learning instructors, such as Alicia Reece, Anil Gupta, Dr Gemma Leigh Roberts, and Lisa Gates, and individuals can ask questions and have conversations powered by AI.
Adobe sued over subscription cancellations
Adobe has been served by the FTC and DOJ over issues related to subscription cancellations. The legal action addresses customer complaints about the difficulty of ending their subscriptions, unclear fine print, and hidden TOS fees.
TikTok quietly rolls out image search
TikTok is testing a new image search feature, positioning itself as a competitor to Google. This move could transform how users shop and search for products on the platform.
Crabs can’t read … But you can!
Here are some good reads we picked from around the web:
Vogue Business: Did micro-trends kill the trend cycle?
Betches: TikTok Is Mad At Nara Smith Again. This Time For 'Stealing Ideas' From A South African Creator
Washington Post | Perspective: You don’t have to look for a ‘man in finance.’ He’s everywhere.
The Guardian: Taylor Swift may have captured the charts, but Charli XCX captured the zeitgeist
BBC: AI took their jobs. Now they get paid to make it sound human
Futurism: In Video, Godfather of AI Said He Was in Favor of AI Replacing Humankind
Silence, Brand! is an internet culture and marketing newsletter compiled by unhinged brand marketing professionals.
Thank you to this installment’s contributors: Dayna Castillo, Ryan Benson, and Todd Needle, Dejaih Smith