Friday Fives, Vol. 223
This week we’re figuring out why Instagram is starting to feel Instabad, putting on a suit and tie to see the new Minions movie, and having an emotional meal at Philadelphia Cream Cheese’s pop-up restaurant.
Video Killed the Instagram Star
Remember when Instagram was for photos? You’d upload a sweet pic of a sunset, absolutely drenched in the Valencia photo filter, and rack up some well-deserved likes and comments. The Instagram experience is different these days. First, feed changes prioritized what an AI thought you’d want to see and made you encounter fewer posts from your actual followers. Then they borrowed from Snapchat, TikTok, and other platforms to incorporate more video. Today, Instagram feels like an unholy hodgepodge of a platform. Even social media acolytes like the Kardashians are throwing shade. This messy new user experience, paired with the fact that Gen Z is using tried and true social media less and less, makes you wonder if Instagram can return to its glory days. But maybe their best times are a #throwbackthursday that will never come back again.
Does your brand have a podcast strategy? If not, listen up. In 2022, people are all ears for audio-only mediums. Podcasts are successful at influencing consumers because they have the intimate human element often missing from other content, especially influencer content. At their best, podcasts feel like a natural conversation that we as listeners have the privilege to listen in on. As we noted earlier, the reach of Instagram and other social platforms is waning, but the podcast audience continues to rise. So log onto Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts, and find the one that works for your brand.
The artful design of street food stalls in Mexico City is as inviting as the tortas, tacos, and tamales they sell. Designed to attract attention in a hectic cityscape, the stalls feature vibrant hues, whimsical characters, and enticing food illustrations. Yet, in the opinion of one mayor in a central borough of Mexico City, these iconic stalls mar the city’s cleanliness. The mayor, one Sandra Cuevas, ordered them to be scrubbed bare, leaving some stalls stark white or an unadorned metallic frame. The loss of these hand-painted signs is an unfortunate example of how great design can be stifled by bureaucracy, and how well-intentioned change can ultimately lead to a dull visual landscape.
Whether you’re a Despicable Me stan or a Facebook mom chortling at the weirdest memes, everyone is familiar with Minions. One might think, because of their cringe-worthy past and childlike appeal, Minions wouldn’t entice the likes of Gen Z. Yet, Minions: Rise of Gru is a box office smash largely due to Gen Z’s obsession with the little yellow creatures. How did marketers turn Minions into a youth culture mainstay? They leaned into Minions’ mischievous nature and used that as leverage to take part in every popular TikTok trend. Their efforts were so successful that they spawned the absurdly hilarious #gentleminions trend where people put on their Sunday best and go see the movie. Looks like we have our weekend plans.
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is spreading their marketing efforts to include a pop-up restaurant called Feeladelphia. It’s not just an A+ pun. It builds on consumer insight that cream cheese is more than just a food or a flavor, it’s also an emotional, sensory experience. Diners can order cream cheese-infused dishes crafted to evoke a certain feeling with every bite. We’ll start with an order of happiness, a side of gratitude, and if we ordered a plate of satisfaction for the table, would everyone eat it? Whatever feeling you order, just be sure to show your 20% gratitude to the wait staff when the bill comes.
The Working Assembly is an award-winning branding and creative agency.
Established in 2017, we collaborate with emerging and evolving companies for end-to-end brand building, including strategy and visual identity, print and digital design, content, and creative campaigns.
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The Working Assembly
NYC branding agency exploring the intersection of art, design, technology and culture. Partnering with emerging and evolving brands.
