A brief overview of what is currently trending on on X in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Storm at Fever: Caitlin Clark breaks the WNBA rookie assist record with 232 assists so far this season.
Phil Donahuse: Legendary TV host Phil Donahue dies at age 88
DNC2024: The 2024 Democratic National Convention starts today, and users on X are sharing how Chicago is preparing for the event.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
Values in the Spotlight: The High Stakes of Aligning with Celebrities and Creators
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What It Is: In today’s social media landscape, users are becoming increasingly discerning about the celebrities and creators they choose to follow. There’s a growing demand for authenticity, with people gravitating toward individuals and brands that align with their values and use their platforms to amplify meaningful and responsible messages. The repercussions of taking a stance—especially when tied to misinformation or controversial issues—are more significant than ever.
Recent examples include Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling, who have both faced severe backlash for wrongfully accusing Olympic fighter Imane Khelif of being a male competing in the women’s league. Both were notably mentioned in a cyberbullying lawsuit filed by Khelif following her Olympic win, highlighting the real-world consequences of their actions.
Similarly, influencer Brooke Schofield has come under fire as old tweets resurfaced, with many users finding them offensive for being racist, fatphobic, and homophobic. The backlash intensified due to her delayed response, which many perceived as prioritizing her professional obligations—such as her work with Amazon Prime Video, over addressing the controversy directly.
In response to the controversy, the brand "Boys Lie," which had been working with Brooke Schofield and had announced a collaboration merch line weeks before the scandal, quickly updated users on their decision to withdraw from the collaboration.
Brand Takeaway: Taking a public stance on controversial issues can expose your brand to significant risks and long-term consequences. To safeguard your brand’s reputation, it’s crucial to be selective about the stances you take and the names your brand chooses to associate with, ensuring they align with your core values while fostering a perception of inclusivity and acceptance.
When collaborating with creators, conduct thorough vetting to ensure their values and history align with your brand’s principles. Additionally, maintain the flexibility to distance your brand from creators if controversies arise, as demonstrated by "Boys Lie," to protect your brand from potential fallout.
Examples: 1, 2, 3
A recap of what you might have missed while not online
Friday afternoon: Cucumbers peak moment might come to an end due to a recall after hundreds get salmonella.
Saturday: Mpox has become a global emergency after ongoing outbreaks were reported in Congo and other parts of Africa.
Sunday: X closes operations in Brazil, blames judge’s ‘censorship’ orders.
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