A brief overview of what is currently trending in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Election Day: Today is Election Day, go vote
Gold’s Gym: Los Angeles rapper Tish Hyman banned from Gold’s Gym after locker room confrontation
PEOPLE: Jonathan Bailey has been named PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive 2025, becoming the first openly gay man to earn the title
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
NYC Marathon Core
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What It Is: Every November, the NYC Marathon transforms the city into a living, breathing celebration of resilience and creativity. Beyond the 26.2 miles, it’s become a cultural phenomenon where human stories take center stage, from witty spectator signs “You’re running better than the MTA!” to emotional finish-line moments that flood social feeds.
The conversation extends far beyond the racecourse, influencers documented their personal journeys, local businesses opened their doors for post-race gatherings, and brands used the moment to celebrate community, perseverance, and everyday humanity. It’s proof that live events still have unmatched storytelling power in a digital-first world.
Brand Takeaway: The NYC Marathon is more than a race, it’s a reminder that community and creativity drive connection. For brands, it’s a cue to show up and participate, not just advertise. The marathon is one of many cultural moments that invite people to come together, celebrate, and share. These events aren’t just platforms for visibility, they can become catalysts for participation, content creation, and storytelling. When brands take part authentically, they don’t just reach audiences, they build relationships. The real opportunity lies in creating experiences and communities instead of one-off campaigns, using social to amplify human stories rather than polished messages, and showing up in unexpected, human ways to meet audiences where they already are.
Examples: 1 | 2 | 3
Four must-click links that crossed our feeds today.
Coca-Cola uses AI to rekindle the magic of its holiday ads
Adobe and YouTube partner to empower creators to produce great content
Hating on AI is becomes a marketing trend
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