Brands and marketers sure were busy during the holiday season and first weeks of the new year. Catch up on the stories you may have missed in our Weekly Must Reads – Holiday Season Recap.

Netflix’s Viral Dirty Joke

Netflix and chill has been taken to a new level. Shortly before the holidays, Twitter users created a meme by asking for things you can say both during sex and another event. Netflix’s account quickly jumped on the trend, asking “What’s something you can say during sex but also when you manage a brand twitter account?” Social media managers proceeded to have a field day in their responses, adding their own hilariously risqué and on-brand answers.

This tweet could be used as a case study in how brands can successfully use a laid-back, conversational approach with social media to earn consumers’ attention. More companies are clearly jumping on board, as dozens of brands responded to Netflix’s original tweet, from Audi to Jimmy John’s to Yelp. Learn more about this trend and read some of the best responses here: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/netflix-jumps-sex-meme-creates-path-other-companies-follow-suit-n1097151

Baby Yoda Boosts Brands

Was there a character more beloved by the Internet in 2019 than The Mandalorian’s Baby Yoda? Disney+ scored a viral hit with the tiny creature, as gifs and memes instantly spread across social media platforms. It’s even generated new Baby Yoda toys from brands like Hasbro and Build-a-Bear.

According to creative experts, “meme culture” has changed how producers and television executives think about their shows and characters. Hi5 Agency President Matt Sample says, “It’s not uncommon to sit with show runners or production team members and overhear, ‘That is going to be a meme.’” The Baby Yoda phenomenon highlights the influence digital media can have not only on brands, but also our favorite forms of entertainment. Do you think some companies are trying too hard to create the next big meme? Check out the fully story here: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/baby-yoda-meme-frenzy-marks-new-marketing-frontier-1264559

WW’s World War Disaster

Weight Watchers, now known as WW, just learned to closely monitor their digital ads the hard way. Earlier this month, the brand promoted a new hashtag, #thisismyWW, on Twitter to familiarize audiences with their new name and encourage people to focus on their health in the new year. Unfortunately, the hashtag was placed on Twitter’s Explore page directly beneath a trending news topic – World War III, or WW3. Users were quick to notice the coincidence, calling it “the world’s worst-timed promoted trending topic.”

WW’s campaign was simply ill-timed, but the promoted hashtag was up for a full day before it was removed. Although this happened about three weeks ago, the company has yet to issue a response. How do you think WW should have handled the situation? Find out more here: https://www.prweek.com/article/1669870/weight-watchers-social-media-campaign-unfortunately-timed

The Future of the Sussex Royal Brand

Unless you haven’t been on the Internet in 2020, you’ve likely heard about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s controversial decision to step back from official royal duties and become financially independent from the Queen. When the change takes affect later this year, the couple’s brand, Sussex Royal, will become independent right along with them.

Members of the royal family are incredibly famous public figures, and they’re money-making machines. Harry and Meghan’s wedding along generated more than  £1.05 billion for Britain’s economy. Although they will likely donate future profits from their brand to charitable causes, there’s a huge opportunity for other companies to partner with the newly independent royals. We’re calling it now: Harry and Meghan will be the brand to watch in 2020. Read up on more details here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/pamdanziger/2020/01/14/prospects-for-harry-and-meghans-sussex-royal-brand/#7a4553d91ac6