August Marketing Trends: Key Highlights and Insights

This month's marketing campaigns and trends are all summarized in a quick read. 

Twisters - Glen Powell 😍

The movie Twisters saw an unexpected surge in popularity on social media, thanks in large part to its lead actor, Glen Powell. Fans flooded TikTok and Instagram with posts humorously claiming they were watching the movie for the “plot,” only to reveal video compilations of Powell’s most attractive moments. This organic, user-generated content went viral, with Powell’s appeal driving a massive wave of buzz for the film.

A particularly funny trend emerged around the film’s featured song, "Ain’t No Love in Oklahoma" by Luke Combs. Users started creating hilarious videos where they pretended to be tornadoes, hoping Glen Powell’s character would come and chase after them. This playful, creative take on the movie gave the song a life of its own on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok.

This viral moment highlights the power of earned media and user-generated content, which can often eclipse the reach and impact of paid advertising. The authenticity and humor in these posts connected with audiences, driving engagement and encouraging more people to watch Twisters and participate in the viral trend. When people feel personally connected to a brand or story, they naturally want to share it, amplifying its reach far beyond what any ad campaign could accomplish.

Keeping Things Short N’ Sweet

Sabrina Carpenter's new album Short N’ Sweet, which dropped on August 23rd, skyrocketed to the top of the charts thanks to its irresistible mix of catchy beats and relatable lyrics. With standout tracks like "Taste," "Please Please Please," and "Espresso," it didn’t take long for the album to dominate social media.

Even before the official release, "Please Please Please" was already making waves on TikTok and Instagram, with fans creating viral dance challenges and trendy videos set to its infectious beat. This early buzz ignited a wildfire of excitement, driving attention to the full album the moment it hit streaming platforms.

Sabrina's success with Short N’ Sweet is a masterclass in how social media can amplify an artist’s reach. When fans genuinely connect with music, they don’t just listen—they share, creating organic waves of enthusiasm that no paid campaign can replicate. This same principle applies to brands: when people feel a personal connection with your brand—whether through relatable messaging, authentic content, or being part of a shared experience—they are far more likely to engage, share, and ultimately convert into loyal customers.

Sabrina’s ability to inspire creativity and foster a sense of community around her music translated into album sales and chart success. Similarly, when your audience forms an emotional connection with your brand, they trust you more, spread the word, and directly drive sales People buy from brands they feel connected to, and Sabrina's Short N’ Sweet is proof that this connection can drive major success.

Dancing with the generations

The Dancing with the Stars marketing team made some incredibly smart casting choices this season, ensuring they appeal to a broad range of generations by including personalities who have already captured the internet’s attention. Their strategy taps into the power of internet virality to bring a fresh and relevant energy to the show.

For Gen Z, they picked standout names like Stephan Nordoroscik, also known as the "horse pommel guy," who gained popularity for his incredible gymnastic skills and viral moments. Adding to that, they've also cast Ilona Maher, the Olympic rugby player whose TikToks became a staple on the For You Page during the Olympics, thanks to her hilarious commentary and authentic personality.

For Millennials, DWTS selected Jenn Tran, a recent Bachelor star, tapping into the loyal fanbase of one of TV’s most beloved reality franchises. These casting decisions ensure the show’s relevance across multiple demographics, broadening its appeal and boosting engagement online. 

By incorporating these internet-famous personalities, Dancing with the Stars smartly bridges generations and capitalizes on the organic fanbase each performer brings. It’s a textbook example of how brands can use influencer marketing to connect with both younger audiences and their more established viewer base, ensuring the show stays at the center of pop culture conversations.

Social Media Updates

Instagram

• Tests live map sharing with friends 

X (Twitter) 

• Getting in trouble for their platforms AI giving misinformation

TikTok

• Establishing new deals with Amazon in-app purchases making TikTok shop easier and faster
• Enables users to create their own AI voiceover voice (kinda scary)

Youtube

• Tests merging shorts and long videos in the feed

LinkedIn 

• Adds in feed carousels

August Trending Audio 

In the world of social media, staying relevant means tapping into the trends that are already captivating your audience. One of the most effective ways to do this is creating content by leveraging trending audio, which can boost your brand’s visibility and help you connect with people in an authentic and engaging way.

August 2024 saw some exciting trending audio across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, with catchy sounds ranging from humorous snippets to nostalgic throwbacks. These audios create a powerful opportunity to convey your message—whether you're promoting a product, sharing behind-the-scenes content, or simply adding a fun twist to your brand’s personality.

Strategically leveraging trending audio boosts your content’s chances of being shared, reaching more feeds, potential customers,  and going viral Integrating these audios into your brand’s posts aligns you with current conversations and makes your content feel more in tune with what your audience is already engaging with.

Here’s some trending audio to use on your brand's socials:

• Chappell Roans' trending moments have not stopped yet! You can use any of these Chappell Roan songs to showcase your brand’s products or services in a unique way
  • “Pink Pony Club”
  • “Femininemenon”
  • “Good Luck Babe”
  • “HOT TO GO” 

• “Ain’t No Love In Oklahoma” 
• Very Demure, Very Mindful - you can use this audio to show off your brand products or services

Top Trending Summer Songs

Now that the season is wrapping up, here are the top songs used on TikTok this summer 

1. 1. Million Dollar Baby - Tommy Richman
   2. Nasty - Tinashe
   3. Champagne Coast - Blood Orange
   4. Magic Johnson - ian
   5. BIRDS OF A FEATHER - Billie Eilish 
   6. Please, Please, Please - Sabrina Carpenter
   7. Tell Ur Girlfriend - Lay Banks
   8. Wanna Be - GloRilla & Megan Thee Stallion
   9. Not Like Us - Kendrick Lamar
   10. KEHLANI - Jordan Adetunji 

Bye bye bye! 

That wraps up our look at the top marketing trends from August! Be sure to join us again next month as we bring you the latest and greatest in marketing campaigns and trending audio. Looking for ideas on posts to add to your social media marketing campaign? We’ve got you. 

To stay ahead of the curve and always be in the know, don’t forget to sign up for updates and follow us on social media. Stay tuned—exciting trends are just around the corner!