Marketing Mania

Lime green. Plain text. One word. That is the essence of Charli XCX’s recent album, BRAT . Cover of BRAT You might be wondering how such a simple cover can be successful. After all, it seems like an unusual design choice for an upbeat, mainstream pop album. Yet, since the album’s release on June 7, its uniqueness has immediately drawn the attention of influencers and fans alike. The term “brat summer” was quickly coined and became a Gen Z summer anthem, with references to the album appearing all over social media. The cover’s bright green hue was instantly named “brat green.” It began to influence the social media posts of fans, companies, and even government organizations, from aesthetic posts to clothing styles and outfit inspiration to news updates. It even became a central part of Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, likely as an effort to connect with younger generations. Post about heat wave on NJ Gov’s Twitter/X account Kamala HQ’s Twitter/X account, the officia...

One of the best ways for someone to become instantly recognizable is to have a distinct appearance or personality—a signature something that sets them apart from the rest. Just the utterance of their name should spark an image in someone’s head. Who’s the latest celebrity to follow this famous formula? Chappell Roan, of course! This singer’s iconic style of curly red hair, colorful makeup, and creative costumes can be seen on the cover of her debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess , and on the cover of her hit single, Good Luck, Babe! Cover of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess Cover of Good Luck, Babe! Her fun, artistic style perfectly matches her powerful vocals and unique lyricism. Her persona is the embodiment of her music, and it’s made a lasting impression on many. While not every one of her performances includes this exact look, she always makes sure to surprise the audience. From her Barbie of Swan Lake outfits for Jimmy Fallon to her take on the Statue of L...

When you think of an ad campaign for a skincare product, what do you picture? Bare-faced women smiling at the camera as they smooth products over their skin? Intermittent clips of the packaged product in front of a plain background? Soothing music behind a voiceover telling you just how effective the product is? Well, even if you said something different, I can almost guarantee it didn’t include a “little weirdo”— Allure ’s words, not mine—whispering to “ let [his] cream hydrate you .” Yet that’s precisely what CeraVe’s marketing team pictured for the company’s 2024 Super Bowl commercial.  Actor Michael Cera is known for playing awkwardly funny characters in projects like Arrested Development , Superbad , and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World , and his comically offbeat demeanor made another appearance for the skincare brand in their advertisement. But that wasn’t the extent of the campaign. While the commercial first aired on February 6 and again during the Super Bowl on February 11, Mi...