A brief overview of what is currently trending on X in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Venezuela: Venezuela is experiencing the effects of a highly contentious presidential election on Sunday with rallies for freedom & democracy.
#WeirdAF: This hashtag has gained popularity on X amongst those criticizing Trump/Vance & their supporters.
Green Day: A concert that took place in Washington DC had fans buzzing, especially the political elements at play.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
Glen Powell Summer
What it is: It's true, this summer is peak Glen Powell. Maybe you've seen him in Set It Up, Top Gun: Maverick, or Anyone But You, but it hasn't been until now with his debut in Twisters that he's suddenly reached Hollywood star quality. The Glen Powell appeal for some has been amiss, many comparing him to a capybara, while others see him as magnetically handsome. But, there's something more here (beyond his looks of course). The internet's obsession with him speaks to the kind of person who serves as the epitome of rizz; the ideal man that Gen Z has been hinting at all along. What is it about him? Well his ineffable, impossible charm seems to stem from his amalgamation of roles and “real life” public performance. It's his willingness to be silly, the realness around his parents' trolling, & the wholesomeness that emits from his perosnal life. To fans, he feels like a real stand-up guy with uncocky confidence.
What brands can learn: Brands, why does this matter to you? Especially when a celebrity is insular to themselves? Well, there's something to be said here about character development that applies to your mascots and brand reps. The early days of Glen Powell track back to Spy Kids 3: Game Over, The Dark Knight Rises, & Fox comedy-horror series Scream Queens. Known mainly for his small roles, he wasn't top-of-mind, especially when those like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Leonardo Di Caprio, George Clooney, & Bradley Cooper were dominating cultural conversations. It's Glen's quiet, yet humble rise to fame that's made him such a beloved figure who always feels in on the joke yet gracefully navigates shenanigans. He majored in Radio-Television-Film at UT Austin meaning he knows Hollywood history & how movies work. While the internet may feel Powell-saturated right now, know his fame has learning implications. For those of you trying to break through the noise on social with a public-facing figure, play the thoughtful, self-aware, mindful long game like Glen. It's worth it.
Examples: 1, 2, 3
Four must-click links that crossed our feeds today.
A new Olympic sport? Swiping through the Olympic village to boo up an athlete.
The invention we didn't know we needed: Motorized Pants.
Friend, a $99 AI wearable that listens in on your life and texts you based on what it hears, will
ship in early 2025.ICYMI:The Senate passed 2 bills yesterday that would change how minors interact with the internet.
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