Things may have seemed quiet around here lately, but don’t be fooled. We’re still recovering from post-4th of July festivities, especially the many of us with firework-fearing dogs. But that’s not to say that behind the scenes, the usual chaos and excitement weren’t brewing. So, grab your favorite morning beverage (we don’t judge), and let’s catch up.
LINK OF THE WEEK
If you haven’t caught wind of Threads, don’t worry, you’re like me three days ago. But while I’ll admit I was behind on this buzz, it’s been pretty hard to ignore.
Developed by the Instagram team, Threads is all about sharing text updates and engaging in public conversations. With the ability to log in using your pre-existing Instagram account, you can express yourself through 500-character posts, including links, photos, and videos up to five minutes long. Now, I know what you’re thinking — do we really need another social networking platform?
What sets Threads apart, at least in our opinion, is its refreshing approach for brands and agencies to connect with their audience. “There’s a lot of personality on Threads,” our insightful social media intern, Jade, raises a good point. “It presents an opportunity to showcase authenticity and form genuine connections with followers.” Here’s more about it from him and our other resident Gen Z PR intern, Madalyn:
It seems many agencies are recognizing the same, that Threads is not just another sales-driven platform. Just think about it: your Instagram followers have likely already been exposed to your scripted educational or sales-focused content. Now, they’re craving something more personal and unique on Threads. And the craving for this new experience may just be the reason behind its rapid and tremendous success. In just five days, the platform garnered a staggering 100 million signups, solidifying its position as the fastest-growing tech platform to ever reach 100 million users in history. To say we're astounded is an understatement.
But what are your thoughts? Have you joined the conversation?
SLACK THREAD OF THE WEEK
This week’s hot topic comes with a pint of controversy. San Francisco’s iconic Anchor Brewing has recently announced its upcoming closure after an impressive 127 years in business. While the global pandemic dealt a devastating blow, serving as the ultimate stake through the heart, this declaration comes shortly after the company’s controversial rebrand in 2021 and the stir it caused. We’ll share that HERE to bring you up to speed.
The controversial slack thread in question...
*Noted. Do not give Gerry subpar beer if you want to remain his friend.
*Disclaimer: For legal and safety purposes, we love all beer equally.
SHAMELESS CLIENT PLUG OF THE WEEK
We’re thrilled to shout out our amazing new client, Makiaj Beauty! This week, we had the pleasure of meeting with them to kick off an exciting social media and PR plan and let us tell you, we’re excited.
Established in 2010 by Pooja Mehta, Makiaj is far from your ordinary beauty company. They offer a range of lifestyle and bridal services, from hair and makeup to commercial and fashion, and even offer makeup lessons for those eager to learn.
With an expert team of passionate Master Artists, Makiaj is able to create personalized looks for a more diverse range of clients, ensuring a truly unforgettable and unmatched experience for all.
In a world where every season has become wedding season, there’s no better time to check them out!
SONG OF THE WEEK
If you type your full birthday along with “#1 billboard song” into Google, the track that pops up is considered to be your anthem. However, after listening to mine, I’m not sure I believe it. Here it is:
Editor’s note: Boyz II Men slander will not be tolerated, and we apologize.
GOLDSTARS OF THE WEEK
⭐️ Andrew Leger & Becky Johann, recognized for doing the work to win.
⭐️ Culture Committee, recognized for doing cool stuff with cool people.
A SWING & A MISS
As we passionately discussed in our Slack thread of the week, it’s clear that a rebrand isn’t always a golden ticket to success. But it’s not just our opinion that matters. The following examples showcase rebrands that stirred up a storm of backlash, with some companies swiftly backtracking and others facing disastrous consequences. It goes to show that the grass isn’t always greener on the rebranding side.
Back in 2008, Tropicana, global beverage company known for its iconic orange juice, attempted a comprehensive rebranding effort aimed at simpler packaging, a new logo design, and fresh marketing campaigns. However, the result was a branding bust. Consumers couldn’t recognize the product on the shelves, leading to a significant loss in sales. Eventually, they returned to their original design, but not before experiencing a sales drop of approximately 20%.
The lesson? Seek customer feedback, understand their expectations, and avoid drastic changes that can alienate your loyal customers.
In 2010, international clothing retailer GAP made a surprising decision to change its iconic logo, which was widely recognized and beloved by customers worldwide. The new logo, featuring only the brand name and a fun little blue box, sparked outrage among loyal customers. All but six days later, GAP decided to backtrack and revert to the old logo due to the backlash.
The lesson? Stay true to your brand identity and design a new logo that resects the positive history and emotional connection customers have with the brand.
In 2018, Animal Planet, the popular TV network, faced significant backlash when it changed its logo to feature simplified black letters with an upside-down green “M,” deviating from the beloved original logo. This rebranding misstep causes a loss of connection with the company’s themes and values. Due to the lack of clarity surrounding the logo’s representation, Animal Planet ultimately returned to its roots with a modernized touch.
The lesson? Logos should establish a clear connection to the industry and incorporate relatable elements that align with the brand’s identity.
In an attempt to overcome its negative reputation as one of the most disliked customer service providers in the country, Comcast, the American cable operator company, decided to change its name and rebrand in 2010. However, the logo swap alone couldn’t erase the history of poor practices and customer dissatisfaction.
The lesson? Restoring a reputation requires more than just a brand design overhaul. Instead, focus on actively listening to your consumers and addressing underlying issues to truly improve their experience. Simply making aesthetic changes is not a practical solution.
In 2008, RadioShack, facing the challenges of the recession and struggling to attract younger customers, made a puzzling rebranding move by changing its name to “The Shack.” However, they made the mistake of still incorporating both names in the logo, causing confusion and a lack of coherence, reading more as “RadioShack The Shack.” This ultimately backfired, and after some time, the company decided to revert back to its original name.
The lesson? Avoid forcefully adopting an image that doesn’t align with your company and may come across as desperate. Prioritize existing customers and their perceptions of your brand rather than solely chasing new ones.
LINGO EXPLAINED
Helping our older readers decode the language of the younger generation.
- Sus: Stands for “suspicious.” Used to describe something you find questionable or suspect. (i.e., “That guy was looking at me so sus.” “Not everyone is obsessed with you, Katie.”)
- IRL: Stands for “in real life.” Typically used to differentiate between online and offline experiences. (i.e., “Hey, I know we just met on myspace a couple of days ago, but do you think you’d ever want to meet up IRL?” “Sure, that sounds like a very safe and fun thing for us total strangers to do!”)
- Tea: Hot, juicy gossip. (i.e., “I heard Brad got fired. Spill all the tea!” “No, that tea was shared with me in confidence, and it would be unethical to tell you. Sorry.” )
- Yeet: Most commonly used as a verb, meaning to throw something very hard or very fast. (i.e., "how’s the new puppy life treating you, Lisa?” “I’m going to yeet him off the balcony.”) *Disclaimer: Both Ollie and Lisa are safe; they’re just working through some things.
Editor’s note: 4/4 this week, I’m young again. It’s like my birthday this week didn’t even count.
Writer's note: Yes, it's like Andr—I mean, our editor, definitely did not turn 33 this week.
JOIN OUR TEAM
We’re still on the hunt for some exceptional individuals to fill the roles of Social Media Coordinator and PR Account Executive. If you’re ready to dive into this energetic, fun-filled, sometimes chaotic environment, apply HERE.
And with that, we’ve reached the grand finale. Be sure to check back every Friday for more exciting updates. For now, go check out Threads! Just keep in mind there’s nothing more cringe-worthy than looking back at your first post on a social media app, so our top-notch advice would be to think it through, friends. Maybe take a lesson from the rebrands we explored earlier — once your content is out there, it’s already leaving a mark.
