The internet’s aghast at the new SKIMS ads.

Many are saying the campaign, which features WNBA players in undies, objectifies these women.

But, for others, it’s a step toward empowerment. Today, you’ll find out why this campaign’s so polarising.

In today's newsletter:

• Are the new SKIMS ads empowerment or objectification? (find out why Kim K.’s brand’s new campaign is ruffling feathers)

• The rise & fall (& rise) of HiSmile (they grossly exaggerated what their product can do and still managed to bounce back)

• Trend plug - We can go BAND4BAND (this one’s perfect for a lip-sync off with your coworkers)

• How do I get my LinkedIn audience to sign up for my emails? (here are 2 ways…)

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

You can’t have the Kardashians without a little controversy.

And the new SKIMS x WNBA campaign is no exception.

It’s the first campaign launched since SKIMS became the official partner of the WNBA last year. And it's already earned the brand 3.6 million in media exposure.

But many are asking whether it’s objectifying to have these players in their underwear. Or is this a campaign featuring strong athletes, empowered in their bodies?

After all, it is an underwear brand.

Led by the legendary Candace Parker, the star-studded campaign features a line-up of iconic players of the WNBA. Other athletes include Cameron Brink, Dijonai Carrington, Kelsey Plum, and Skylar Diggins Smith. And they all look incredible.

So, what’s the issue?

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Copywriter

The Rise & Fall (& Rise) of HiSmile

If you’re on TikTok, you’ve seen the ads.

An enthusiastic Australian dude running around with purple toothpaste, smearing it onto poor strangers’ teeth, bananas, lemons, and rubber ducks. Then he wipes it off and reveals a newly gleaming white surface.

And if you have half a brain, you know that sh*t is fake.

HiSmile’s a small Australian business that started off strong. 

They converted their initial $20,000 investment into a $40 million business in their first 3 years. Founders Alex Tomic and Nik Mirkovic had no background in business.

What they did have was a product that filled a gap in the market. And they had a strategy that would propel their business to rapid success.

Cue the TikTok takeover.

When I say takeover, I mean it. You could not open TikTok without one of their creators yelling at you about how you 'NEED TO TRY their V34 Colour Correcting Serum.' Not only were these ads annoying (sorry, you know it’s true) they were super misleading.

Why? Because neither the paint, nor the serum, can actually achieve those results.

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Copywriter

Trend Plug - We Can Go BAND4BAND

TikTokers are eating up Central Cee and Lil Baby's new duet 'BAND4BAND.'

The duo's latest collaboration is a much anticipated UKxUS crossover.

And now creators are poking fun at the way both artists sound (like this & this). Cench is serious and uptight, and Lil Baby is little more silly and unserious.

How you can use this trend

Lip-sync the lyrics, 'We can go band for band' seriously. Then get real silly for the next line, 'F*ck that, we can go M for M.'

Bonus points for using the audio to showcase two different personalities in your office.

Some ideas to get you started:

• Have a sing-off with your intern or manager

• Use the onscreen text, 'The videographer using Premiere Pro vs. me using capcut'

• Use the onscreen text, 'How I hear the British/American person in my office'

-Abdel, Social Media Coordinator

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Ask the Editor

Q - I've just started a newsletter for my coaching clients. How do I get my LinkedIn audience to sign up for my emails? -Tania

Hey Tania!

There are a few ways you can go about this. First, you can create a LinkedIn newsletter and put your content in there, at least at first. When you do this, LinkedIn will let you invite all your followers to follow your newsletter as well.

Then, once you've got a lot of your audience reading your newsletter on LinkedIn, you can start asking them to sign up for your email. Over time, gradually reduce the amount they can read on LinkedIn so they have a reason to move over.

Another option is to create more content that will drive people to your newsletter. I'm not talking about annoying, salesy content. I'm talking about content you know your audience is interested in (that also relates to your newsletter). Add a CTA letting people know you talk more about these topics in your newsletter. Then put your subscribe button in the comments.

Hope that helps xx

- Charlotte, Editor ♡