Marketing Mania

For the last blog of the season, I thought it would be fitting to write about a certain end-of-year summary that many look forward to: Spotify Wrapped!  Spotify ’ s logo Every year, on an unannounced date, Spotify releases a summary of each user’s listening habits over the course of that year. The report provides users with information about the top albums, artists, songs, and genres they streamed over the previous months. This includes unique information like the percentage of listeners each user falls into for their most streamed artists. Last year’s Wrapped also provided fun, personalized touches like messages from each user’s top-streamed artists, a “Me in 2023” section that revealed 1 out of 12 total listening characters based on each user’s specific tastes and habits, a “Sound Town” section that matched each listener to a town based on their listening preferences, and more. Each section of information is displayed in creative, aesthetically pleasing designs. The numerous grap...

 One of the greatest mistakes a brand can make is confusing its audience. Brands forge strong connections with consumers by becoming something they can trust. People like reliability and reassurance. They want to grab the same product and know they’re receiving the same thing every time. It’s one less decision to make, one less stress for them to worry about. People become repeat customers because they get comfortable with that product and know their expectations will always be met. But what happens when you break that consistency? Well, you also break that trust.  Coca-Cola's recent holiday logo created by AI When the holiday season rolls around, there are some commercials you can usually expect to see. From a group of Hershey’s Kisses ringing like bells to kids playing with Hess trucks as the company’s jingle plays, they’ve become somewhat of a tradition, and Coca-Cola’s ads are no different. The brand’s iconic red and trademark logo often blends with wintery backdrops and f...

One key lesson in marketing is that rebranding can be risky. Changing too much about a brand—whether it’s the logo, color scheme, or overall aesthetic—can confuse consumers. They may not recognize the brand after and could feel like their loyalty or trust has been betrayed because of the change. However, when it’s done right, rebranding can be a perfect way to refresh and reinvent something. What’s one of the most successful rebranding efforts as of late? Sabrina Carpenter!   The trending pop star first made a name for herself in 2014 by starring as Maya in Disney Channel's Girl Meets World . Her lovable character helped her gain recognition for her acting skills and increased her reputation in the public eye. At the same time, she released her albums Eyes Wide Open and EVOLution . Her debut album matched her acting on Disney, discussing teenage life and relationships over upbeat instrumentals. Her second album attempted to evolve away from that persona with more complex, electron...

What’s something that makes a film a fan favorite? Is it a unique plot? Quirky characters? A nostalgic aesthetic? Well, whatever the reason, the original 1988 Beetlejuice has long been considered a cult classic, and this year’s sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice , is shaping up to be the same. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice movie poster The movie’s cast included a mix of returning and new actors. Winona Ryder and Michael Keaton both reprised their lead roles of Lydia Deetz and Beetlejuice from the original movie, giving viewers a sense of nostalgia from seeing the iconic characters return to the big screen. New additions to the series include notable names like Jenna Ortega, who plays the lead character Astrid Deetz, the daughter of Ryder’s character. Ortega has made quite a name for herself in recent years, especially in the horror and thriller genres, starring in projects like Wednesday , X , You , and multiple installments in the Scream franchise. With other fun names like Willem Dafoe and D...

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...