gen z edits - 2024 social media memeImage source
Since this meme targeted marketing videos specifically, it was a field day for businesses and organizations on social media. Everyone from movie theaters to airlines to higher education got in on the action.
Takeaway: This trend was fun because it subverted expectations. However, once your expectations are subverted, they can’t be subverted again. That’s why this trend felt old quickly. Plus, generational humor can feel forced or even mean-spirited if it's not aligned with a brand’s audience and authentic tone.
When a Willy Wonka reboot premiered this year, it inspired a Willy Wonka "immersive experience" in Scotland. And this inspired a world of memes.
The "immersive experience" was so poorly executed that people compared it to the Fyre Festival disaster. Bad sets, creepy costumes, and AI-generated scripts and marketing materials all contributed to a very public fiasco. Attendees filmed the event and that footage quickly went viral.
Willy Wonka experience disaster - 2024 social media memeImage source
Players of games like The Sims, Fortnite, and Animal Crossing hopped on the social media trend and showed their in-game creations inspired by the event.
Takeaway: The disaster of the Glasgow Willy Wonka experience reminds brands of the dangers of overhyped events. While marketing, especially assisted by AI, can promise a dazzling experience, you don’t want your actual event to fall short in an age when everyone can document it.
Incorporating memes and trends in your brand's social presence
Reflecting on 2024’s social media memes, one thing is clear: navigating trend-driven content creation requires balance and critical thinking. Joining popular memes can connect with audiences and boost visibility, but staying true to your brand voice is key to being authentic.
Here are a few takeaways from the successful 2024 social media trends:
