Cue dramatic sigh. Everything was going SO well. But, what’s that they say? All good things come to an end, right? In case you’ve been living under a rock (or just didn’t check), we might’ve accidentally missed our last update in the weekly social media and marketing series.

BUT we’re back!  And we’re only looking forward now, no glancing in the rear view. So, are you ready? Let’s get stuck in

Social Media Updates

TikTok’s desktop app has had a glow-up!

Hold onto your hats, TikTok’s desktop app just got a makeover. So what’s new?

The navigation bar’s been repositioned to reduce distractions, giving you a more immersive viewing experience.

Game streamers can now go live in portrait or landscape mode, offering a full-screen horizontal view for desktop users.

They’ve introduced a floating mini view, exclusive to Chrome users. This nifty feature lets you keep TikTok videos playing above other windows, so you can multitask without missing a beat.

Organise your favourite videos into custom categories, making it easier to find and revisit saved content.

These updates bring TikTok’s handheld magic to your desktop, providing an engaging experience with greater flexibility so you can enjoy TikTok anytime, anywhere.

TikTok One is in motion

TikTok’s shaking up influencer marketing with TikTok One, a new platform that replaces the Creator Marketplace.

Brands, say goodbye to the hassle of searching through a sea of creators. Now, it’s easier, faster, and more direct to connect with the right creators for your campaigns.

Get ready for smoother collaborations and fewer headaches. The first phase of TikTok One comes March 1st, and then on April 1st, Creator Marketplace will no longer be functional, and will redirect to TikTok One. So get on board or risk getting left behind!

Marketing moments that stopped us mid-scroll

Mummy Pig’s unexpected media moment

Mummy Pig’s pregnancy announcement on Good Morning Britain is brilliant marketing. It taps into nostalgia, creates buzz, and subtly lets parents know that more Peppa Pig episodes are on the way- because, hey, who wouldn’t want to see more animated family drama? 🐷

This surreal moment blurs the lines between kids’ TV and mainstream media, keeping Peppa relevant while leaving us all slightly confused yet entertained.

What you can take from it

Small brands can take a page from this by embracing the power of surprise. Just like Mummy Pig’s unexpected media moment, smaller brands can create buzz through quirky, attention-grabbing content that plays with the surreal or nostalgic.

It’s about aligning with pop culture or current events in unexpected ways. Whether it’s through playful campaigns, partnerships, or news-worthy stunts. If you can make people talk (and maybe scratch their heads a bit), you’ve already won.

Duo’s back from the dead👀

While we’re on the topic of leaving people scratching their heads… Duo’s back.

Duolingo’s stunt of ‘killing off’ their owl mascot, only to resurrect it, got people talking, but let’s be honest- did they really need to kill it off in the first place?

While the stunt definitely sparked conversation and got eyes back on the brand, it does feel a bit unnecessary. Still, the hype is undeniable, proving that sometimes the weirdest, most confusing moves get you noticed.

What you can learn

Once again, the stunt proves that smaller brands can learn the value of controversy to grab attention. Sometimes, a bit of unpredictability and drama can reignite interest and boost brand visibility- if and when executed with purpose.

UK newspapers unite!

In a ground breaking move, UK newspapers joined forces for the first time to publish the same front page highlighting the “Make It Fair” campaign. The unity of competition-driven media for a social cause is a genius play while highlighting the fact that generative AI models are increasingly scraping creative content from the internet without permission, proper acknowledgment, or compensation to the original creators.

This raises ethical concerns about intellectual property rights and fair compensation, with many creatives being left out of the equation while AI continues to benefit from their work.

The “Make It Fair” campaign seeks to address this issue, advocating for fair pay and recognition for creators. It’s a powerful reminder that bold, collective action can shake things up and make waves beyond traditional advertising.

Wow what a week it’s been! See you same time next week