Silence, Brand! 09.20.24
🦀 SCRAM! + Pesto (an absolute unit of a penguin) + Freaky Sonic + subliminal messages from the Las Vegas Sphere + Nike Elite snatchers
we told you there would be penguins post-moo deng! 🐧
keep an eye out for those #PLEDGETOK boys 👀
—- they havent done anything yet, but we suspect that nothing good can come from frat guys doing tiktok dances
if you think mercury in retrograde is bad, earth is gonna have another moon
(just for a sec) but can someone PLEASE send an astrology girly to explain what that’s gonna do to us
new thought: is it happening during the election?
**cries in uncertainty **
A smelly penguin wins New Zealand's hard-fought bird election (AP News)
The hoiho, or yellow-eyed penguin, has been crowned New Zealand's bird of the year, offering hope for the endangered species. The campaign for the annual Bird of the Year vote was free from foreign interference scandals and cheating controversies, with more than 50,000 people voting in the poll.
Thailand's adorable pygmy hippo Moo Deng has the kind of face that launches a thousand memes (AP News)
Two-month-old baby hippo Moo Deng has become an internet sensation after her adorable moments at the Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand went viral. Fans from near and far are flocking to see the pudgy, expressive hippo in person, and her image has been featured in memes, cartoons, and even on merchandise to support the zoo's conservation efforts. The zoo is capitalizing on Moo Deng's fame by trademarking her name and creating merchandise, with plans to use the proceeds to support breeding programs for endangered species like the pygmy hippopotamus.
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Earth will get another moon this month — but not for long! (Space)
This month, Earth will briefly acquire a second moon in the form of the tiny asteroid 2024 PT5. Unlike the moon, which has been with us for around 4 billion years, this "new mini-moon" will only stick around for two months before returning to its home in an asteroid belt. The asteroid will not be visible to most skywatchers, but professional astronomers with the right equipment will be able to observe it.
Chinese Zoo Admits Pandas Are Painted Dogs After Outrage (TMZ)
Chinese zoo-goers were in for a surprise when they discovered that the "pandas" at Shanwei Zoo were actually dogs cleverly painted to resemble the beloved bears. The zoo initially tried to pass off the dogs as a breed of "panda dogs," but eventually confessed to using dyed Chow Chows to deceive visitors. This isn't the first time a Chinese zoo has pulled off this ruse, so next time you visit a zoo, keep an eye out for any impostors in the paddocks!
Meet Pesto the penguin, an absolute unit, massive King Penguin chick in Australia (Mashable)
Pesto the penguin, a massive King Penguin chick in Australia, has captured the internet's attention due to his extraordinary size, weighing nearly 50 pounds at just nine months old. The internet has fallen in love with Pesto, who is already towering over adult penguins in his enclosure and is an outlier in size for his species.
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“Calm down it's a U2 concert”- Internet reacts as video alleging subliminal messages from the Las Vegas sphere goes viral online (Soap Central)
Instagram influencer Mark Hanalla, aka @youwontbelievemeofficial, shared a video of a Las Vegas sphere flashing what he called "subliminal messages," which went viral. However, it was later revealed that the video was from a U2 concert, leading to a mix of theories and humor on social media about the Las Vegas sphere.
Cj Hendry’s ‘Flower Market’ Shut Down After One Day (Hypebeast)
Cj Hendry’s “Flower Market” exhibit at FDR Four Freedoms State Park on Roosevelt Island was shut down due to overcrowding just an hour after opening on September 14. The exhibit was relocated to a warehouse in Industry City, Sunset Park, Brooklyn for its final day, drawing large crowds eager to experience the soft floral designs and allowing visitors to take a flower home for free.
A Game Designer Hid a Gold Trophy in the Woods. Let the Treasure Hunt Begin (WIRED)
On Sep 19, 2024, Jason Rohrer launched Project Skydrop, a real-world treasure hunt with a golden trophy worth $25,000 and potentially life-changing bitcoin. The hunt, set in the northeastern United States, involves a special map and daily drone photos, and is designed to be a grand-scale, real-world adventure.
Carly Gregg sentenced to life in prison for killing her mother, shooting her stepfather (WAPT)
Carly Gregg, a 15-year-old from Rankin County, Mississippi, has been sentenced to life in prison for killing her mother and shooting her stepfather. The jury found her guilty on all counts, including murder, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence.
Nike Elite Snatchers
High school students are taking the zipper pulls from each other's Nike Elite backpacks.
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#Pledgetok
Move over #RushTok.
Its the boys turn now.
Brace yourselves for #PledgeTok, where frat guys do TikTok dances (that’s kind of it for now, but who knows what they’ll get up to in the future).
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Orange Pink vs. Blue Pink / Green Black vs. Purple Black
TikTokkers have discovered the difference between warm tones and cool tones.
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Friended So Hard
This TikTok slang refers to when a friend becomes so closely integrated into their friend's life that their family includes them in everyday activities, such as going to the grocery store or spending time with the friend's mom even when the friend isn't around.
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Just vote
TikTokkers are using this audio from “7 High Schoolers Decide Who Wins $1000” to show how they feel defeated when their preference isn't considered when making a group decision.
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90th Talking Stage
TikTok users are creating skits about the different stages of dating, depicting stereotypical responses from specific types of people.
NFL Innuendos
TikTokkers are reacting to NFL announcer's sports innuendos.
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Trump Gossip
Women are imitating Trump's "Run, Spot, run" catchphrase with gossipy high school girl vibes.
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SCRAM
This trending CapCut filter featuring @reallygoodimpressions is a message for all the guys trying to talk to their girl.
Demonio Fleur Meme Mashup
TikTokkers are using this popular audio to accompany their reenactments of memes or brainrot visuals in real life, like pointing Jerry or Freaky Sonic.
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[In case you were wondering — - this is what freaky sonic looks like plus a lore dump but the next time your nearest middle schooler starts making this weird ass face and rubbing their hands together, THIS is what they’re referencing. If you say they look like they’re gooning, they will probably stop immediately. 😈 ]
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Guilty Counts
TikTokkers list all of the things their children or partners are guilty of.
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Doritos ‘Crash the Super Bowl’ Commercial Contest Is Back (Today)
Grimace is back! And Mets are bestowing a special purple seat (MLB)
Expedia offers influencers a new way to monetize recommendations with Travel Shops (The Drum)
@jaimecamil#ExpediaPartner Very happy to announce that my @expedia #TravelShop is now available! In it you’ll find my personally curated collections for family fun, heritage travel, hidden gems, etc! I really hope it helps and inspire your travel plans 🙌🏽🤩✈️🏨 / Muy feliz de avisarles que mi TRAVEL SHOP de #Expedia ya está disponible! En ella encontrarán mi selección personal de hoteles para la familia, “joyas ocultas” y para otras ocasiones especiales. Espero que los ayude e inspire a planear sus viajes 🙌🏽🤩✈️🏨 *earn commissions https://expedia.com/shop/jaimecamil/shareTiktok failed to load.
Enable 3rd party cookies or use another browserHellmann's Hits Runways With a Stylish Mayo Handbag (AdWeek)
FTC Study Finds ‘Vast Surveillance’ of Social Media Users (AdWeek)
Reddit Launches Top Ads Library to Assist Marketers (Social Media Today)
YouTube tests a new way for creators to avoid takedowns (Tech Crunch)
Peloton and Domino’s join Amazon’s Twitch for Fortnite game ‘The Glitch’ (AdAge)
Previously Unknown Mozart Music Unearthed In German Library (Stereogum)
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Did Shohei Ohtani just play the single greatest baseball game ever? (New York Times)
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Apple brings California driver’s licenses and state IDs to Apple Wallet - Apple (Apple)
California laws cracking down on election deepfakes by AI face legal challenges (AP News)
Nike appoints new CEO as sportswear giant’s sales come under pressure (The Guardian)
There’s a real hunger for baked goods fashion collabs right now (The Drum)
Kacey Musgraves Launches New Reformation Collection That's 'Made for Frolicking' (Rolling Stone)
All About Sabrina Carpenter's ‘Nonsense Christmas’ Netflix Special (Cosmopolitan)
Movie Theater Chains Will Invest $2.2 Billion to Bring You Ziplines and Pickleball (Gizmodo)
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F-Shape Pattern And How Users Read (Smashing Magazine) [not a new article, but this explanation of how people (don’t read) is handy]
TikTok Trending: Unpacking this Autumn's biggest trends (TikTok Newsroom)
Meta’s First Responsible Business Practices Report (Facebook)
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, Janine Davis, and Benton Williams 🦀
I remember getting friended so hard I went to orchard supply hardware with my friend’s mom to get cedar planks for the salmon we were grilling (!!!!) from Costco.
Regarding this half ass asteroid moon: astrologically it isn’t worth its salt or whatever the saying is. The eclipse in Pisces with Neptune that just happened is more important. Neptune governs illusions and, you might say, delusions. What illusions need to collapse for you? Or for us (gulp) collectively?? also Pluto will station direct in Capricorn on Oct 11 which feels…significant. I’d expect an October surprise then-ish. Probably an annoying one. The outer planets are *up to thangs*
Scram was my fave trend this week. Lol 🥳