A brief overview of what is currently trending in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Epstein: Jamie Raskin calls for Trump to release the Epstein files to prove he is not implicated.
Grok 4: The xAI chatbot was updated amid ongoing concerns about offensive behavior.
Superman: The new Superman movie is now in theaters and people are LOVING it.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
How Viral Branded Sounds Evolve
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What It Is: When British budget airline Jet2 launched a commercial in early 2024 to spotlight its stress-free holiday packages and seasonal offers, it featured an audio track that paired the upbeat song “Hold My Hand” by Jess Glynne with a voiceover narrating the line, “Nothing beats a Jet2 holiday.” All pretty straightforward, until the branded sound went viral on TikTok in the spring 2025 as users applied it to travel-related fails like missed flights, packing disasters, and bad hotel experiences. The upbeat and cheerful tone of the audio created a humorous contrast with the fails being shown, making the content relatable and ironic. While this twist maybe wasn’t what the brand intended, the juxtaposition went viral and still enforced the brand’s core message of stress-free holidays. But that’s not where the sound'‘s journey ends — as summer began, the trend evolved instead of dying off. Creators started using it in totally new contexts, from everyday inconveniences, to random fails, and general funny moments. While the content shifted away from travel, the sound continued to grow on the platform, keeping Jet2 culturally present in new contexts.
The Brand Takeaway: This viral trend’s evolution is an interesting example of how branded sounds can extend far beyond their original campaign moment and intent. When content is humorous and strong enough to apply to a wide audience, it can stick around long enough for people to find new ways to use and reframe it. For brands, it highlights the value of monitoring the growth of assets on social, leaning into creating versatile and meme-able content, and revisiting older assets to explore how they can be recycled or adapted for new contexts. Trying old sounds in unexpected ways or reintroducing familiar formats with a twist can keep content both fresh and culturally relevant. Rather than seeking to control how sounds are being used by your audience, you can leverage the fact that sounds take on a life of their own and aim to create branded sounds that have momentum.
Four must-click links that crossed our feeds today.
After 20 years at Red Bull Racing, Christian Horner has been dismissed from his role as CEO and Team Principal.
Mattel has introduced the first Barbie with Type 1 Diabetes, equipped with a continuous glucose monitor and an insulin pump.
Thrill-seekers raced alongside charging bulls through the streets of Pamplona, Spain, on day 3 of the San Fermín festival.
Paris Saint-Germain defeated Real Madrid 4-0 to confirm their spot in the Club World Cup final against Chelsea.
Superman - Theaters, 7/11
Abraham's Boys: A Dracula Story - Theaters, 7/11
Amongst the Wolves - Theaters, 7/11
Before We Forget - Theaters, 7/11
This is For - TWICE
No Sign of Weakness - Burna Boy
Let God Sort Em Out - Clipse
Moisturizer - Wet Leg
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