BrainrotTok and AI Shrimp Jesus

Hi!!! Welcome!! This is a newsletter that has taken the IRL weekly trends briefing, and transformed into the written word. All this information is a weekly digest of current news, trendy soundbites and sharp insights so that you can quit reading and still sound smart. Gathered from articles, newsletters, reports, and TikTok: It's like Blinkist for culture.

Algorithm References

Lots of algorithm references that I KNOW will interest you (promise)

• BrainrotTok is the new mulchgang and I am conflicted. If this isn’t on your FYP, just you wait. Here are a few examples - one, two and three. I want so many brands to jump on this train on TikTok, and take it too far.

• TikTok stalking turned romance - two internet favourites are having a back and forth that is keeping their audiences happy and on the edge of their seat as to what will happen next.

• Bye Bambi recently took creators to Coachella and failed to invite Yasmin - someone who has seemingly made the brand who they are today online. This TikTok is a GREAT summary and explanation of how people’s community and loyalty often lie with the individual(s) attached to a brand, rather than just the brand itself. (thank you Val for sharing)

• I love seeing small businesses engage in really obscure, TikTok-esk content and this dumpling business has taken it that step further

• NYT have completely stolen Kareem’s TikTok series and have given him no credit - proving that the only good thing NYT gives us is games. Also, I’d be shocked if people didn’t recognise at least one of his great series e.g. him on the subway asking for hot takes and of course the series that NYT stole where he asks Taxi drivers to take him to their fave place.

• I must unleash my hate somewhere but Venroy’s new brand vibes are an example of co-opting a culture as a way to be edgy and cool is gross. This brand was the whitest thing I’ve ever seen a year ago (e.g. this event from 2022), and now they went to Japan once and they’re acting like a Japanese brand.

• These cute fish eye lens videos of dogs aww (thanks Dion)

Articles

Lots of fun articles this week. If you ever have any paywall block let me know and I can give you some tips and hacks to get around them! Enjoy <3

• How “industry plants” became the internet’s hottest conspiracy — Industries plants both intrigue and scare me, because they feel similar to cops in plain clothing - if it’s not obvious to you, you feel like a bit of a fool.

• Why brands are taking a less-is-more approach to marketing - great reference for anyone who wants to prove to clients that marketing is changing and much like a pendulum swinging with trends, it’s happening with how people want to be sold to.

• Sorry if you missed the Shrimp Jesus train, because AI Religious Art Of Flight Attendants has replaced it. It’s very creepy, seems to only have women in the images and just feels like it’s everything AI/technology shouldn’t be. Nonetheless, it’s interesting! (thanks for the link Nicole)

• Trader Joe’s will always be too good to be true, and my disappointment started when I learnt in 2020 about their suspicious locations in mainly white, gentrified areas. This new article (sent by Val ty), talks about how they’re pretty much the fast fashion equivalent of a grocery store and they knock off lots of small businesses :(

• I came across this 47th Semi-Annual Taking Stock With Teens® Survey, Spring 2024 through the After School newsletter, and it is super American but worth a skim just to see maybe some brands you might not have heard of before or stats!

• How Gen Z took over incel slang - this is an ok read, but worth a peek if you don’t know much about the ‘Incel’ (ew) world and want to get a couple more internet references.

• Skincare and beauty is a fascinating industry and the brand Prose has unveiled the tech behind their personalised beauty brand.

And just a few articles about brands and creativity:

• Could Creativity Be The Perfect Antidote To ‘Internet Brain’?  

• Where Brands Meet Print 

• Creativity’s bottom line: How winning companies turn creativity into business value and growth 

This might be too much content for a newsletter now, but I wanted to share some of my favourite newsletters with 0 context and hope you trust me:

• Webcurios 

• CPGD 

• Burn After Reading

• Garbage Day

• The Social Juice

• ZINE

Got a fave newsletter? Please send my way and I can include in next weeks newsletter

Weekly Question

Thank you for getting this far. I look forward to hanging out with you all next week!

I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. The history, culture, diversity and values of all Indigenous people are recognised and respected. I pay my respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders past and present.

Always was, always will be