TRENDING: LIGHTLY PHOTOSHOPPING YOUR COWORKERS
MEME/REACTION EDIT
This trend features a fast-paced edit of memes or reaction clips timed perfectly to the beat of a sound, used as a punchline or exaggerated response to a simple statement, for example, saying “I’ll get this video edited quickly” followed by a chaotic meme montage. The humour comes from the over-the-top energy and quick transitions that contrast the original statement.
Brand opportunities
This format is perfect for brands looking to tap into meme culture and show a more self-aware, internet-native tone. Use it to react to common brand situations. like unrealistic deadlines, customer requests, or product hype, by pairing a simple setup line with a fast, funny edit. It’s a low-lift, high-impact way to show personality, keep up with trending audio, and connect with audiences through shared humour.
LIGHTLY PHOTOSHOPPING COWORKERS
This trend involves brands sending their employees seemingly normal team photos under the guise of “we’re posting these on social media,” only for the staff to discover the images have been lightly (and hilariously) photoshopped, often with exaggerated features or subtle, absurd edits. The humour lies in the team’s genuine reactions and the playful office dynamic it creates.
Brand opportunities
This is a great trend for brands to humanise their workplace and showcase company culture in a fun, lighthearted way. It works especially well for teams that already appear in content or want to show personality behind the brand. The key is to keep the edits subtle and comedic, capturing authentic reactions while reinforcing that your brand doesn’t take itself too seriously.
SELF MADE
This trend takes the overly motivational “self-made” content style and applies it to hilariously mundane moments, like buying a matcha or treating yourself to a $20 lunch, with captions such as “you can achieve your dreams,”“no handouts,” or “built this life from scratch.” It’s a tongue-in-cheek take on the hyper-grind culture and self-help content that floods TikTok, making it both relatable and satirical.
Brand opportunities
This trend is perfect for brands that want to show self-awareness and humour. Lean into the parody by treating everyday wins. like using your product or completing a simple task, as massive life achievements. It’s especially effective for lifestyle, food, or coffee brands poking fun at “main character” energy, or any brand that wants to playfully position itself against the over-the-top world of motivational content.
BRANDS KILLING IT
‘THE STAPLES BADDIE’ @BLIVXX
Creator Oblivion(also known as @blivxx) has unintentionally become the face of a modern Staples renaissance. By filming casual, personality-driven videos from inside the store, they’ve highlighted lesser-known Staples services like printing, distribution, making stamps, a guide to planners, rulers, stationary, in a way that feels authentic, funny, and effortlessly Gen Z. They’re passionate about it and that’s seeped through the screen. Their content has consistently hit millions of views, reintroducing the legacy brand to a younger audience and proving that personality-led storytelling can completely shift brand perception.
Brand opportunities
This is a great example of how authentic, creator-led content can revitalise legacy brands. Rather than polished campaigns, audiences are responding to genuine enthusiasm and humour. For brands, the takeaway is to empower creators who already love or use your products, allowing them to share their perspective in their own tone. It’s UGC that feels native to the platform and builds trust while driving awareness, all without the hard sell.
NEW FEATURES ON SOCIALS
BYTEDANCE’S NEW SEEDANCE 2.0
ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has launchedSeedance 2.0, an AI-powered video creation tool that can turn a simple text prompt or image into a fully edited, multi-scene video in minutes. While the tech sounds advanced, the real takeaway is how it’s reshaping the creative landscape, the platforms we post on are now becoming the platforms where content is made, not just shared.
Brand opportunities
The barrier to producing high-quality content is rapidly disappearing. This shift means brands will no longer compete on big production budgets, but on creative agility, cultural awareness, and how quickly they can react to trends. The future of social is about being always-on, responding to moments as they happen, and focusing on smart, timely ideas rather than polished perfection. In short, consistency and cultural fluency will now drive visibility, not expensive shoots.
