A brief overview of what is currently trending in news, culture, and/or trending hashtags and formats.
Sherrone Moore: Michigan’s head football coach was fired for an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, then later detained by police for an assault allegation.
Mets: Power hitter Pete Alonso re-entered free agency and has signed a deal with the Baltimore Orioles.
A deeper dive into a subject that is impacting culture on a macro level, beyond just the social space.
What the McDonald’s AI Backlash is Really About
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What It Is: McDonald’s may have pulled their AI-generated Christmas ad after sparking backlash on social, but the poor reaction can’t be entirely blamed on the use of AI. The ad, titled, “The Most Terrible Time of the Year,” made the suggestion that the holidays are pretty much miserable, so why not visit McDonald’s for cheer? After pulling the ad, the production company claimed its employees spent seven weeks prompting AI tools to hone every scene, insisting, “AI didn’t make this film – we did.” This defense only fueled criticism, as the work failed to resonate and lacked clear storytelling. Conversations on social pivoted to questioning why so much effort went into perfecting sub-par AI output instead of hiring more human creatives to deliver higher quality creative work.
The Brand Takeaway: AI in advertising isn’t going anywhere, but the wrong execution can damage your brand. Consumers aren’t automatically rejecting AI, they’re rejecting ads that feel lazy or fail to connect emotionally with them. When using AI, the fundamentals still matter. Ask yourself—does the spot tell a story? Does it evoke emotion? Is the message clear and relevant to your audience? AI can speed up production, but it can’t replace strategy or creativity. When brands ignore this, they risk producing heartless ads that spark backlash instead of engagement. Consumers are quick to call out work that feels soulless, so make sure your AI-driven content pushes the needle on your objectives and resonates with real human insight.
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