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It’s a Thursday that feels like Friday.

Good afternoon and welcome to the third edition of Marketing Trends!

Here’s what I got for you today:

• The Social Media Fashion Cycle

• 3 Marketing Trends

• Post-Mortem: The Crusher Ad

• Hot Links & 5 Remote Marketing Jobs

Saddle Up. 🌵 

Stitch Incoming

Mom Jeans & Short-Form Video

It was inevitable.

You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain.

Every social media app starts to lose its cool factor the moment it becomes widely adopted. This is now happening to TikTok.

TikTok, once the go-to app for Gen Z, is experiencing a demographic shift. Boomers are now the fastest-growing segment on TikTok, with a projected 10.5% increase next year.

What’s fueling Boomers' move to TikTok?

• Entertainment value: TikTok’s short, engaging videos offer Boomers a fresh and easily consumable form of entertainment, making it more appealing than other platforms.

• Social connection: Boomers are using TikTok to stay connected with younger generations, tapping into current trends and feeling more in touch with today’s culture.

Meanwhile, Gen Z is starting to gravitate toward Facebook—a platform many had previously abandoned.

Despite Facebook’s overall decline, Gen Z’s U.S. user base is projected to grow from 49.0% (33.9M) in 2024 to 56.9% (40.5M) by 2028.

What’s driving this Gen Z migration to Facebook?

• Practical use cases: Facebook's features like event planning, niche groups, and Marketplace are becoming more attractive to younger users.

• New users: A significant portion of Gen Z is just starting to engage with social media as they reach adulthood.

• E-commerce influence: Three-quarters of Gen Z Facebook users (ages 15-26) made purchases on Marketplace last year.

What’s the big picture?

Facebook has gone through the full brand lifecycle we often see in fashion:

• Underground

• Niche

• Trendy

• Normalized

• Dated

• Dead

• Ironically Cool

• Dead

• Trendy Again

While these stages don’t align perfectly with tech, the broad utility Meta has built over the last decade is finally paying off. Younger users, who have fewer negative associations with Facebook than their millennial counterparts, are coming on board.

Many millennials moved to Instagram (also owned by Meta) when Facebook became crowded with older generations.

If this trend continues, could Gen Z and Gen Alpha completely move away from TikTok to Facebook or another platform?

It's possible.

It will be interesting to see if platforms like Instagram and Pinterest maintain their strong millennial base, or if everyone ends up on TikTok, endlessly scrolling.

What should marketers do?

The social media landscape is always changing. The hot platform for a demographic today might be stale tomorrow. Don’t hesitate to experiment with creative approaches and test ad spend on emerging platforms.

Staying flexible and responsive to these shifts is key to keeping your brand relevant in a world where trends can change overnight.

TRENDING

Here’s the latest on marketing trends, from Google's AI search updates to the FTC's crackdown on fake reviews.

.Google Updates Sources in AI Overviews:.

Google is expanding the rollout of AI overviews in search, including more citations and links to original sources. Read more.

. 5 Food & Beverage Trends.

From Oreo's latest innovation to the resurgence of Coca-Cola, these are the top food and beverage trends shaping the market. Read more.

.Fake Reviews Targeted by FTC .

The FTC is cracking down on fake reviews with a new proposal that could ban deceptive practices in online ratings and reviews. App developers just gave a collective *gulp *. Read more.

🔥 HOT MARKETING TACTIC 🔥

Add Youtube Videos To Blog Posts For An SEO Boost

Adding YouTube videos to your blog posts is a smart move if you want to boost your SEO game. Videos naturally grab attention and keep visitors on your page longer, which is exactly what Google likes to see. The longer people stay on your site, the better your content looks to search engines, giving you a bump in rankings.

Videos also help break up long text, making your posts easier to read and more engaging. Plus, Google often features video content right in the search results, so adding a video to your blog can get you into that prime real estate—like the video carousel.

And let’s not forget YouTube itself. It’s the second-largest search engine, and by optimizing your video with the right keywords, you can drive traffic from both Google and YouTube.

If you haven’t tried this tactic yet, it’s an easy way to improve your blog’s SEO and keep readers hooked. Learn more here.

5 Things We Love

1. Google vs. Bing: A detailed comparison of the strengths and weaknesses of Google and Bing as search engines.

2. Newest Commercials from Major Brands: Catch the latest commercials from major brands like Google and McDonald's.

3. 59% of Creative Employees Have Had It: A recent survey shows that 59% of creative professionals are considering leaving their jobs.

4. Independent Journalists Flock to Substack: More and more independent journalists are turning to Substack for a direct-to-reader approach.

5. 8 Copywriting Hacks Backed by Science: Elevate your copywriting with these eight science-backed tips.

The Crusher Ad Post Mortem - 3 Months Later

What Apple's Misstep Says About The State of Advertising

"I'm a Mac, I'm a PC."

Apple has come a long way from its iconic ads with Justin Long and the dweeby PC guy. Unfortunately, it seems to be heading in the wrong direction.

Three months ago, Apple launched its “Crusher” ad. The reception was lukewarm, raising questions about what’s going wrong.

Today’s consumers crave authenticity. User-generated content is king. Apple’s highly polished “Crusher” ad, though visually stunning, feels out of touch in an era where realness matters most. It’s a stark contrast to the brand’s earlier, relatable campaigns.

What happened between “I’m a Mac & I’m a PC” and “The Crusher”? The former was funny, relatable, and hit the cultural zeitgeist. The “Crusher” ad, by comparison, feels detached, lacking the humor and authenticity that once set Apple apart. Watch the ad here.

Even Warren Buffett has taken notice, divesting from Apple. While his reasons are financial, they also point to Apple’s struggle to keep up with a rapidly changing market.

Apple’s best ads have always reflected its innovative spirit. The “Crusher” ad, however, failed to tie into Apple’s current offerings, weakening its impact.

The biggest miss? Apple forgot that feelings come first. The brand’s most memorable ads weren’t just about products—they evoked emotions. The “Crusher” ad, despite its technical polish, lacked that emotional punch.

In the end, Apple’s “Crusher” ad shows the challenges even iconic brands face in today’s fast-changing advertising world. Brands must adapt or risk losing their connection with audiences.

HIRING NOW!

Great remote marketing jobs.

• The Farmer's Dog: Revolutionizing pet health and seeking a Brand Marketing Director.

• Restaurant365: This SaaS platform is disrupting the restaurant industry and needs a Director of Product Marketing.

• StubGroup: A Google Partner ad agency is looking for a Google Ads Account Manager.

• BrightWheel: Leading early education company searching for a Field Marketing Manager.

• Xero: Online accounting software leader needs an SEO Manager.

SUGGESTION BOX

That’s all for this edition.

Cheers,

Michael