Ann-Derrick Gaillot, Freelance Journalist Profile

Articles

How Are Brands Using Substack?

2 weeks ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova

Are we at the beginning of a branded Substack boom? Some strong signs point to yes. Not only does the newsletter platform boast five million paid subscribers, but Google searches for “Substack” recently outnumbered those for “newsletter” for the first time ever since it launched in 2017. Everyone from discerning fashion enthusiasts to broadcast TV news anchors are flocking to the platform in search of some fresh air, and a growing number of brands are following suit.
Are Dumbphones Making a Comeback?

3 weeks ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova

Reevaluating your relationship with your devices? Looking to cut down on screen time? You’re not alone. According to ConsumerAffairs, 57% of people in the United States consider themselves addicted to their mobile phones. Concerns about smartphone use are especially acute when it comes to young people. According to Pew Research, about two-thirds of parents who think it’s harder to be a teenager today than 20 years ago attribute that to social media and other technology that has risen in that time.
The White Lotus, Lisa, and the TV Tourism Phenomenon

1 month ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova

Does the new season of Max’s The White Lotus have you dreaming of a luxury vacation to Thailand? That’s what some in Thailand’s tourism industry are hoping, including the nation’s Tourism Authority, which offered direct support to the show’s production. The Four Seasons hotels in Maui and Taormina saw increased business after being featured in seasons one and two of the show respectively, and the same growth is likely for the Four Seasons Koh Samui currently featured in season three.
Three Crucial Luxury Fashion Resale Insights for Marketers

1 month ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Anna Amarotti

For the secondhand luxury fashion sector, business is booming with the market projected to surpass $95 billion in value over the next decade. To stay ahead of shifting consumer preferences, marketers need to get strategic about how they analyze this growing audience. Our new consumer insights report dives into what consumer conversations reveal about the luxury resale sector, complete with data-driven insights and takeaways aimed at helping marketers shape winning strategies.
The Most Talked About 2025 Oscar Nominees: A Deep Dive into Digital Buzz

1 month ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova

Though it wasn’t the most surprising telecast of recent years, the 2025 Oscars had its fair share of unexpected moments and wins. From triumphs to controversies, there was much for audiences to discuss in the lead-up and night of this year’s ceremony. We used our social listening and analytics solution to see what news, broadcast, and social media discussions worldwide looked like for the 2025 Academy Awards.
The Social Media Insights on Why People Go to the Movies

1 month ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova

It’s no exaggeration to say that streaming and the COVID-19 pandemic both changed the entertainment industry forever. This is uniquely true for movie theaters, whose attendance rates have yet to rebound to pre-2020 levels, let alone the peak from way back in 2002. Still, moviegoing is steadily coming back, and not just among those who can remember renting VHS tapes. Gen-Zers are more likely to go to the movies in person at least once a month compared to older generations.
Duo Is Dead: The Data on Duolingo’s Viral Campaign

2 months ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova

When marketers take chances on big ideas, the payoff can be huge. For proof, look no further than Duolingo’s recent campaign in which the brand did something that would be unthinkable for most — it killed off its mascot, Duo. Over the past several years, Duo has become a beloved internet presence, known for his “unhinged” antics and sometimes menacing presence playing off of the language learning app’s daily notifications reminding users to do their lessons.
The Top Topics and Brands of Football’s Big Game 2025

2 months ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova |Anna Amarotti

February 9, 2025 was a great day to be an Eagles fan — the Philadelphia NFL team claimed an easy victory 40-22 over the Kansas City Chiefs in this year’s Super Bowl, generating plenty of buzz along the way. We used our social listening solution to analyze how conversation shaped up on the big day, across 21 channels and sources including X, Reddit, news, broadcast, Pinterest, comments, and more. Let’s make like an eagle and soar majestically into the data to learn more.
Social Media Users on the Top EV Purchase Drivers

2 months ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova

As the auto industry shifts gears, marketers need customer-centric strategies to keep up. That’s why we look at the biggest topics and concerns swirling around EV shoppers today in our new electric vehicles consumer insights report. Our analysis found that battery range and environmental impact are core topics in social media discussions about EVs, but what considerations make long-time and new car owners decide to go electric?
What Social Media Users Think about AI-Made Content

2 months ago | meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova

In our 2025 Marketing Trends Guide, we explore how generative AI is reshaping the content marketing industry — both in how content is created and how it is received. And while authenticity has always been an essential element for connecting with audiences, it has only become more crucial as people increasingly ask themselves how “real” what they consume is.