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2 weeks ago | 
meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova
Mascots are nothing new in the advertising world, used by brands (particularly in the food and beverage sectors) to be more memorable with audiences. In today’s Internet age, however, mascot relatability is entering “unhinged” territory as brainrot aesthetics have taken over the digital realm. From the Duolingo owl to McDonald’s’ Grimace, modern mascots are helping brands develop youthful identities and engage new audiences by embracing irreverence and risk.
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3 weeks ago | 
meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova
How early do you get to the airport for a flight? Would you get there 15 minutes before takeoff or does the thought of doing so make you start to panic? The recently viral “airport theory” trend tests popular conventions, challenging people to show up just 15 minutes before their flight.
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3 weeks ago | 
meltwater.com | Ann-Derrick Gaillot |Elena Tarasova
These days, a couple meeting IRL feels a little bit retro. That’s because, over the past decade, online dating has evolved from a novelty to a mainstay of modern, digital culture. In the U.S., for example, about half of people looking for serious relationships are doing so on dating apps. Those numbers are lower elsewhere, like in the U.K., but even there, about a third of Gen Z and Millennials are swiping.
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1 month 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.
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1 month 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.
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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.
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2 months 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.
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2 months 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.
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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.
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Feb 9, 2025 | 
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.
