FuturistU > Innovation & Change > Infectious Messaging > Module 2 / 4

Viral Creations

Instructor: Jeremy Gutsche
Trend Hunter was created in 2005, before YouTube and Facebook, nevertheless Twitter or Instagram. In the early days of social media and the blogosphere, those who were online felt like pioneers discovering how the Internet could take a message and amplify it to the world.

This module looks to early and recent examples of virality -- some awkwardly simple in today’s pace of change -- to glean lessons on how to ensure your brand truly connects with people.
Workshop Questions:
1. How can you better portray your product as best in class or apart from the pack?
2. What parts of your brand story most resonate with its customers and why?
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Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Frugal Flex
Dupe culture enables luxury style access while spending smart
Trend - Retailers and brands are embracing dupe culture as consumers seek affordable alternatives to luxury across beauty and fashion; driving demand for products that mirror high-end aesthetics, formulations, and design—from makeup to apparel—at more accessible price points.
Workshop Question - How could your brand support consumers in balancing aspiration with value-driven, intentional spending?
8.2
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Affordable Luxury Body Washes
Affordable Luxury Body Washes
Harry's Redacted Body Wash Dupes a Favorite Fragrance House Scent
Redacted Body Wash is a limited-edition launch from Harry's that promises a woody, complex scent with notes of santal and violet leaf. Beyond having a scent that customers have called a dupe of a... MORE
Luxury-Inspired Dupe Fragrances
Luxury-Inspired Dupe Fragrances
ALT. Fragrances Makes Cost-Conscious Interpretations of Scents
ALT. Fragrances specializes in creating designer scents without designer price tags, offering consumers the equivalent of a fragrance that costs hundreds for just $25 to $35. Consumers want dupe... MORE
Luxury Handbag Dupes
Luxury Handbag Dupes
The 'Wirkin' Bag is Redefining Affordable Luxury and Dupe Culture
The 'Wirkin', a viral dupe of the iconic Hermès 'Birkin' bag, is making waves for its affordable price and practical design, sparking conversations about the evolving meaning of luxury. Priced at... MORE
Designer Dupe Fragrance Expansions
Designer Dupe Fragrance Expansions
Dossier is Arriving into CVS Pharmacy Locations in the US
The Dossier perfume brand is making its way to CVS Pharmacy locations in the US to help consumers access its various designer dupe fragrances in a decidedly easy way. The brand will debut eight... MORE
Crime Comedy
Brands launch products with lighthearted spins on true crime stories
Trend - Brands across various industries, such as apparel, accessories, trinkets, and foodservice, are launching products inspired by popular true crime stories. These products offer comedic twists and messaging in order to lighten the mood and help consumers cope with the horror of the situations.
Workshop Question - How can we incorporate dark humor into our brand strategy to transform unsettling themes into lighthearted experiences that resonate with our audience?
6.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
True Crime Christmas Ornaments
True Crime Christmas Ornaments
Burke Decor Sells a Hilarious 'Tiger King' Tree Bauble
Ahead of the holiday season, Burke Decor, a home goods store that’s based in Ohio, added a number or Christmas ornaments to its catalog, including a tree bauble that spotlights the ‘... MORE
Crime-Themed Ice Cream Cases
Crime-Themed Ice Cream Cases
The Cold Case Ice Cream Break Free Case Has Six Flavors
The Cold Case Ice Cream Break Free Case has been announced by the direct-to-consumer ice cream brand as a series of treats perfect for avid fans of true crime to enjoy this summer. The... MORE
Viral Criminal Merchandise
Viral Criminal Merchandise
'I Can Fix Him' T-Shirt Design Goes Viral on Social Media
An unauthorized merchandise trend has emerged in response to the high-profile Luigi Mangione case, with a controversial t-shirt design gaining traction across social media platforms. The white... MORE
play_circle_filledHilarious Crime-Themed Halloween Ads
Hilarious Crime-Themed Halloween Ads
Butterfinger Debuted a Candy Criminal-Inspired Promotion
With Halloween swiftly approaching, iconic confectionary brand, Butterfingers, is launching a fun social media challenging with the possibility of winning a $25,000 “treat.” The campaign... MORE
AI Intimacy
Retail brands are using AI to create deeper emotional connections with customers
Trend - Retail companies are deploying AI systems that go beyond transactional interactions to build genuine emotional relationships with customers. These technologies learn individual preferences, remember personal details, and anticipate needs in ways that make customers feel truly understood. AI is being used so every interaction feels like a continuation of an ongoing relationship.
Workshop Question - How could your brand use AI to remember and celebrate the small details that make each customer feel uniquely valued?
7.7
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Interactive AI-Powered Retail Kiosks
Interactive AI-Powered Retail Kiosks
Skechers and We Are Social Singapore Launched the Luna Kiosk
Skechers and We Are Social Singapore have announced a new partnership that will see the performance footwear brand and the creative agency offering access to the Luna kiosk. The artificial... MORE
Optician-Focused AI Retail Solutions
Optician-Focused AI Retail Solutions
KITS Eyecare Ltd. Has Introduced OpticianAI™
KITS Eyecare presents an advanced artificial intelligence platform designed to modernize the eyewear shopping experience — OpticianAI™. This system combines facial recognition, prescription... MORE
AI-Powered Retail Advisors
AI-Powered Retail Advisors
Lowe's Mylow Companion Enhances Service & Associate Onboarding
Lowe's Mylow Companion is a new AI tool for associate sales floor devices and it's poised to enhance the in-store customer experience and the associate onboarding process. The app quickly provides... MORE
AI-Powered Loyalty Programs
AI-Powered Loyalty Programs
The Ubacart Loyalty Program is Targeted Towards Convenience Stores
The Ubacart loyalty program has been created by the brand as a new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered discount solution for shoppers to help them enjoy exclusive discounts and wards for their... MORE
Substack Couture
Fashion brands launch newsletters to build direct relationships with consumers
Trend - Major fashion brands like Tory Burch, The RealReal, and American Eagle are embracing Substack as a marketing channel, creating editorial newsletters that blend product promotion with lifestyle content. As newsletter platforms grow in popularity, more fashion retailers are experimenting with this direct-to-consumer content approach, seeing it as an opportunity to communicate with their audience outside the constraints of social media algorithms.
Workshop Question - How could your brand create newsletter content that provides genuine value to consumers beyond traditional product marketing?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Fashion-Focused Substack Publications
Fashion-Focused Substack Publications
Tory Burch Launches What Should I Wear? Newsletter
Luxury brand Tory Burch has entered the digital publishing space with its Substack newsletter 'What Should I Wear?', which has already garnered over 4,000 subscribers. The publication offers... MORE
Character-Driven Fashion Newsletters
Character-Driven Fashion Newsletters
The RealReal Creates The RealGirl Luxury Consignment Series
The RealReal has recently launched 'The RealGirl,' a character-based newsletter that has gained over 1,000 subscribers in just three months. This innovative marketing approach features an anonymous... MORE
Cultural Newsletter Subscriptions
Cultural Newsletter Subscriptions
American Eagle Launches Gen Z-Focused 'Off The Cuff' Publication
American Eagle recently debuted 'Off The Cuff,' a cultural and style digest newsletter exploring Gen Z through trend insights and expert curation. The inaugural issue, guest edited by youth culture... MORE
Interior Designer-Approved Newsletters
Interior Designer-Approved Newsletters
Kelly Wearstler Unveils New Newsletter 'Wearstlerworld'
Kelly Wearstler, the celebrated Los Angeles-based interior designer, is breaking new ground with her no-limits newsletter ‘Wearstlerworld’ on Substack. Titled Wearstlerworld, the weekly... MORE
Trend Campaign
Brands are encouraging consumers to post in campaigns to start widespread trends
Trend - Brands are taking to social media platforms to launch interactive campaigns that encourage users to post unique content to enter. These post-based campaigns are intended to start wider spread trends where consumers boost the reach of the campaign far beyond its original audience.
Workshop Question - How can we leverage interactive and participatory elements in our marketing campaigns to inspire user-generated content that catalyzes new trends on social media?
4.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Pumpkin-Inspired Community-Themed Campaigns
Pumpkin-Inspired Community-Themed Campaigns
Danone North America Debuts the Tri Pumpkin Campaign
Danone North America has introduced a unique promotional campaign named Tri Pumpkin. This marketing initiative sees the brand partnering with STōK Cold Brew, International Delight, and Dunkin’... MORE
Brand-Boosting Social Media Contests
Brand-Boosting Social Media Contests
Iconic Beverage Group Debuts the Iconic Agua Challenge
Iconic Beverage Group has introduced the Iconic Agua Social Media Challenge, a global competition aimed at boosting awareness of its beverage brands. Starting on June 4th, this monthly challenge... MORE
Interactive Family-Friendly Holiday Campaigns
Interactive Family-Friendly Holiday Campaigns
Bolthouse Fresh Foods™ Runs Are You Reindeer Ready?
Bolthouse Fresh Foods™ has introduced the ‘Are You Reindeer Ready?’ campaign to infuse holiday festivities with family-friendly fun and creativity. Running on Facebook and Instagram,... MORE
Authentic Ambassador Campaigns
Authentic Ambassador Campaigns
BeReal is Looking for "The Realest Person on Earth"
BeReal, the social media app that asks users to post unfiltered photos of themselves once a day, is on the hunt for “The Realest Person on Earth.” In its search for the face of its... MORE
Cheeky Father's Day Promotions
Cheeky Father's Day Promotions
Panera Celebrated Father's Day by Accepting Dad Jokes as Payment
Panera — a restaurant chain known for its unique and humorous marketing initiatives — marked this year’s Father’s Day in a unique way by accepting dad jokes as a form of payment.... MORE
Automated Description
Startups are launching AI tools that generate retail product descriptions
Trend - Startups are launching AI tools that generate product descriptions for online retailers. These tools take into account cost, highlight features, and detailed information to generate attention-grabbing copy quickly. These tools are designed to save time and money for online storefront operators.
Workshop Question - How could your brand leverage artificial intelligence tools to reduce operational costs in one or more areas?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Automated Product Description Generators
Automated Product Description Generators
H&M is Working with Cherry AI to Automate its Copywriting
H&M, a prominent fashion retailer, has integrated an AI system named “Cherry” to generate product descriptions for its online store. This implementation aims to streamline the content... MORE
AI-Generated Product Listings
AI-Generated Product Listings
Amazon Launched a Tool for Sellers to Generate Descriptions with AI
Amazon has introduced new generative AI features to assist selling partners in creating high-quality product listings. These capabilities allow sellers to transform existing product pages from other... MORE
play_circle_filledGenerative AI Product Descriptions
Generative AI Product Descriptions
Jasper Uses Complex Algorithms to Generate Crucial Descriptions
The Generative AI product description generator by Jasper AI is designed to assist e-commerce businesses in creating engaging and persuasive product descriptions. This tool leverages advanced... MORE
Product Description Generators
Product Description Generators
This Tool Helps Businesses Thrive in the eCommerce Space
The Product Description Generator emerges for businesses seeking to enhance their online presence effortlessly. With its promise of perfect descriptions in seconds, this tool aids in the way... MORE
Postcard Pop-Up
Brands are hosting personalized postcard-making events for consumers to gift
Trend - Postcard-making workshops are becoming a popular feature at pop-up events, offering guests a creative, hands-on way to connect with the brand. These interactive sessions allow participants to create a tangible, personalized product that delivers a message and introduces a new brand to the recipient.
Workshop Question - How can your brand effectively engage with its consumers while considering relevant individuals in their lives?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Parisian Airport Pop-Ups
Parisian Airport Pop-Ups
Moët Hennessy's Paris Concept Event Featured Travel Exclusives
To commemorate the opening of the new Moët Hennessy boutique, an animation was presented in the JCDecaux media space across the store from 28 June to 8 July, designed to attract visitors. The... MORE
Customized Valentine's Cards
Customized Valentine's Cards
Angel's Envy is Sharing Personalized Cards for Valentine's Day
In preparation for Valentine’s Day, Angel’s Envy is giving whiskey lovers a unique way to personalize their gifts by offering a complimentary custom image of a customer and their loved... MORE
Creative Play Pop-Ups
Creative Play Pop-Ups
The Sharpie Studio Offered Opportunities for Creativity at SXSW
At SXSW 2024, the Sharpie Studio shared interactive experiences to help attendees enjoy creative play using the newest products from Sharpie and Paper Mate. Before the event, the brands surveyed 2,... MORE
Immersive Digital Experiences
Immersive Digital Experiences
Kraft and Nexus Studios Join on the Immersive Mayoverse
Kraft works in collaboration with creative studio Nexus Studios to create the immersive Mayoverse experience. It is a digital space that honors the passion that fans have for the condiment. The... MORE
Ethical Meat
Animal protein brands are highlighting ethical farming practices on packaging
Trend - Animal protein brands with CPGs are more heavily emphasizing ethical farming practices on product packaging. In addition to organic or cruelty-free labels, the ethically sourced label denotes a higher level of care given to the farmed animals, ensuring consumers of the brand's priorities and values.
Workshop Question - How could your brand incorporate ethical or sustainable practices into its business model to better connect with consumers?
2.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Influencer-Led Livestock Campaigns
Influencer-Led Livestock Campaigns
Jaxon and Lachlan Fairbairn Partner with Australian Good Meat
Jaxon and Lachlan Fairbairn, two social media influencers with significant followings on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, have partnered with Australian Good Meat to head a new campaign about... MORE
Fully Cooked Organic Bacons
Fully Cooked Organic Bacons
Applegate Released Pre-Cooked Antiobiotic-Free QSR Bacon
Applegate Naturals Fully Cooked Sunday Bacon represents a new addition to the brand’s product line, offering consumers a convenient and clean option for enjoying bacon. This fully cooked bacon is... MORE
Free Range Chicken Fillets
Free Range Chicken Fillets
Trader Joe's Now Sells Free Range Thin Sliced Chicken Breast Fillets
Trader Joe’s is helping consumers make more ethical choices when shopping for meat with its new Organic Free Range Boneless Skinless Thin Sliced Chicken Breast Fillets. Just as the name... MORE
Artisan Charcuterie Sets
Artisan Charcuterie Sets
This Salami Charcuterie Set from Charlito's Cocina is Ethically Sourced
This 5 Piece Salami Charcuterie Set from Charlito’s Cocina is crafted with care and includes a Campo Seco, a spicy Salami Picante, a Cerveza Seca, a Chorizo Seco, and a Trufa Seca. Each 5oz... MORE
Ethically Sourced Beef Campaigns
Ethically Sourced Beef Campaigns
Verde Farms Announces the 'Beef From A Better Place' Campaign
Verde Farms, a leading brand of organic, 100% grass-fed, and pasture-raised beef, is thrilled to announce its brand relaunch and inaugural consumer-focused campaign, “Beef From A Better Place&#... MORE
Influencer Menu
Restaurants are collaborating with internet influencers to craft viral menus
Trend - Restaurants are partnering with social media-viral chefs and foodie influencers to create menus that resonate with younger audiences. These menus take inspiration from popular recipes and transform them in unique ways to differentiate themselves from competitors.
Workshop Question - How could your brand draw inspiration from viral social media trends to influence the direction of its products or services?
5.6
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Plant-Based Breakfast Menus
Plant-Based Breakfast Menus
Alpro and a Michelin-Trained Chef Collaborated on Inspiring Eats
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut of eating the same thing for breakfast every day, prioritizing comfort and convenience over variety, and Alpro collaborated with TikTok sensation and Michelin-... MORE
Viral Mocktail-Inspired Smoothies
Viral Mocktail-Inspired Smoothies
The Smoothie King Sleepy Girlzzz Smoothie Has Tart Cherry
The Smoothie King Sleepy Girlzzz Smoothie is a new item hitting the menu at participating locations that’s perfect for curious TikTok users to try out on their next visit. The smoothie is... MORE
Cookie Dough Croissants
Cookie Dough Croissants
Amorette’s Patisserie Serves a Creative Cookie Dough-Croissant Hybrid
Since the Cronut went viral in 2013, consumers’ cravings for croissant hybrids have only grown, inspiring the best features of the flaky pastry to be combined with everything from waffles and... MORE
Viral Grilled Cheese Burritos
Viral Grilled Cheese Burritos
Chipotle Teamed Up with a TikTok Creator to Share a Tasty Menu Hack
Chipotle teamed up with TikTok creator Yanotom to share a viral menu hack the internet has taken to calling “The Chipotle Grilled Cheese Burrito.” This menu hack involves ordering a... MORE
Social Media-Inspired Bakery Menus
Social Media-Inspired Bakery Menus
The Panera Roman Empire Menu Follows the Viral TikTok Hashtag
The Panera Roman Empire Menu has been quickly launched by the fast-casual bakery cafe brand in response to the viral TikTok hashtag. The menu includes eight options in the mix that are all... MORE
Kinetic Packaging
Brands are designing product packaging that is intended for practical usage
Trend - Product packaging is increasingly being adapted to serve a function in conjunction with or separately from the primary offering. These packaging methods are predominantly employed in food and body care advancements, offering consumers functionality comparable to the product.
Workshop Question - How can your brand surprise and delight its customers to enhance satisfaction and loyalty?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Ergonomic Instant Noodle Forks
Ergonomic Instant Noodle Forks
Nendo x Nissin The Fork Supports Easy Eating of Instant Noodles
Enjoying a cup of instant noodles can mean awkwardly trying to maneuver traditional utensils into the packaging to obtain bites, which is something the Nendo x Nissin The Fork is here to change.... MORE
Ready-to-Pour Tinned Spirits
Ready-to-Pour Tinned Spirits
Departed Spirits Disrupts the Category with Flask-Like Packaging
Departed Spirits brings something new to the spirits category with products that are packaged in colorful, flask-style metal tins that are as ready to pour as they are aesthetically pleasing to... MORE
Rolling Applicator Body Creams
Rolling Applicator Body Creams
Voesh Body Refining Roller Crème Comes in Two Formulas
The Voesh Body Refining Roller Crème is a potent skincare product developed with the body in mind to help consumers easily support the needs of their skin in a simply way. The product comes... MORE