A brief overview of what is currently trending on on X in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Katt: An interview on Club Shay Shay featuring the comedian Katt Williams has been circulating the internet and has social users quoting the interview as well as highlighting Katt's previous roles.
Jeremy Allen: The actor Jeremy Allen White posed for Calvin Klein as an underwear mode. Social users are talking about the photoshoot that was released this morning.
Clinton: Social users are discussing the former-president's involvement with the Jeffrey Epstein list that was released last night.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
"Steamboat Willie" Enters the Public Domain
What it is: On January 1, 2024, "Steamboat Willie", one of Disney's earliest and most iconic characters, entered the public domain. US law allows copyright to be held for 95 years and once that expires, the IP is fairgame for anyone to use. This means that anyone in the U.S. can use the Steamboat Willie version of the Mickey Mouse character without fear of copyright infringement, opening the door for more Mickey-themed content. Since the copyright expiration, there have been countless memes that have surfaced online involving the character as well as the announcement of two horror films the character will star in.
What brands can learn: While many are taking advantage of the character entering the public domain, some are not phased by this news as the majority of content seen online riffs on pop culture in one way or another. That being said, brands should be cognizant of how pop culture references are utilized and think about when and how to subversify these pop culture references to rise above the noise. A successful example of a brand utilizing the public domain to the fullest extent is this holiday video from Nutter Butter where the brand subverts expectations by playing a recording of "Silent Night" (a song that is now in the public domain) over what seems to be a traditional gift opening video that turns into a liquified peanut butter unveiling topped with a singular Nutter Butter. The beauty here is the song does not feel out of place, and the audience gets the unexpected twist on a traditional scenario. Being purposeful with the media utilized in content goes a long way,
Examples: 1, 2
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The Prison Confessions of Gypsy Blanchard - Lifetime, 1.5
RuPaul's Drag Race S16 - MTV, 1.5
Night Swim - In Theaters, 1.5
Self Reliance - In Limited Theaters, Now Playing
Race for Glory - In Limited Theaters, 1.5
23 - Corey Kent
Saliendo del Planeta - Saiko
DISTORSIÓN - Oscar Maydon
S2 - WizKid
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