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Your ATTN Please || Thursday, 27 February

Your ATTN Please || Thursday, 27 February

February 27, 2025

With the tumultous year it’s been for social platforms so far (looking at you X and TikTok), several new players are vying for attention.

Platforms like Bluesky, RedNote, Lemon8, and Whatnot. No, like, there’s actually a shopping app called “Whatnot” that’s trying to steal TikTok’s audience. And they’re not afraid to be petty, either. The day before the potential U.S. ban, Whatnot ran full-page ads in 8 major news publications, saying “No matter what happens, we’re here for you.” 🤣

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MARKETING TODAY?

WhatNot sneaks onto the scene, Patrón is now healthy & Duo has been resurrected

Snip, snop, snip, snippy to the snippy snip snop you don’t stop.

Sorry. Ehem.

Whatnot wants to be TikTok.

No, I’m not having an aneurysm. While the courts and TikTok play cat and mouse, a lesser-known shopping app has made a quiet appearance. Whatnot is an app that hosts live sellers who conduct auctions/ flash sales across various categories. Sales range from collectibles like Pokémon cards to fashion items like sneakers.

On the week of January 19th, you know the week TikTok went dark momentarily (I know it’s triggering for you youth’s, I’m sorry) Whatnot ran a full-page print ad in the Sunday editions of the New York Times, Washington Post, LA Times, Boston Globe, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Miami Herald, and Dallas Morning News.

During that week, Whatnot saw its largest seller application rate. The app's best described as eBay meets Twitch. And it seems to have made itself (cleverly) known to a cohort of anxious TikTok users stressing about the potential loss of their beloved platform. We love a petty b***h with some sneaky opportunistic marketing. Go you, Whatnot. And see what you're missing on Whatnot right here.

Patrón launches 100% Additive-Free Tequila.

It’s tequila, but better-for-you! Allegedly. The product arrives surrounding a growing industry conversation. Consumers are concerned with transparency in tequila production, where additives – like glycerin, wood extract and caramel colouring (ew) are permitted in small amounts without disclosure (double ew.)

With this product offering, Patrón shows it is committed to its traditional, handcrafted production process. And they're also committed to giving consumers the additive free, better-for-you options they so often reach for in all beverage categories. (Because Jessica is really conscious of what she puts in her body on a night out. Just don’t count the multiple bathroom trips.) Check out how they make their additive-free tequila right here.

I’m fkn sick of this damn owl and all his damn drama.

Yes, I’m talking about Duo the Owl and his recent marketing escapade. You know, the one where he got hit by a Tesla Cybertruck and DIED. You’re probably thinking “omg Sophie you can’t be so judgy, the poor dude literally passed away.” Well, THINK AGAIN because this pesky green lil’ shite is not dead after all.

He was resurrected (bro thinks he’s Jesus) on the company’s social channels Monday, with a video of Duo busting out of a coffin. The text read “legends never die.” Yeah, apparently neither do nuisances. This entire marketing stunt has been nothing short of viral, with articles coming out the wazoo reporting on the drama. But am I the only one that’s like, over it? I don’t know, something about it just feels a little too much to me. But hey, what do I know.

Anyway, that’s all folks!

-Sophie, Writer

DEEP DIVE

5 reasons your business needs SMS marketing (yes, in 2025)

I don’t need to tell you that we live in the era of overloaded inboxes and all-consuming social media algorithms that decide who sees what.

But what if I told you there was a solution? Except, this solution is kind of like one your parents would give you when you’re complaining about being bored or tired – you’re not going to like it. And this is going to be a colossal hear me out, so stay with me:

SMS marketing remains one of the most direct and effective ways to reach your audience.

It’s fast, personal, and has an open rate that email marketers would kill for. But there’s a fine line between engaging customers and annoying them into opting out. And when I say fine line, I mean the finest, thinnest, almost microscopic line you could ever possibly think of. That being said, I truly believe the risk is worth the potential reward.

So, here’s why your business should be using SMS marketing in 2025 (and how to do it without being annoying as hell):

1. Sky-high open rates

Let’s talk numbers. SMS messages have an open rate of 98%, while emails often struggle to hit 20%. People check their texts almost immediately—on average, within three minutes of receiving them. If you want your message seen (and fast), SMS is the way to go.

How not to annoy customers: DO NOT – and I repeat – DO NOT SPAM. Send messages with real value, like order updates, exclusive deals, or time-sensitive offers. If it feels unnecessary, it probably is.

2. Unbeatable engagement and response rates

Text messages don’t just get opened—they get acted on. SMS has a 45% response rate, compared to email’s 6%. Whether you’re running a flash sale or a customer feedback survey, SMS is genuinely your best bet for actual engagement.

How not to annoy customers: Keep it SIMPLE, STUPID. Whether it’s your customers or your situationship, nobody wants to read a novel via text. Stick to one clear message and a strong CTA.

3. People prefer it (when done right)

Contrary to what you might think, customers like getting texts from brands they trust. Studies show that 75% of consumers are comfortable receiving SMS messages from businesses—as long as they opt in.

How not to annoy customers: Consent is everything. Make opting in easy and opting out even easier. No shady tactics, please.

4. It cuts through the noise

With email, you’re battling spam filters and overflowing inboxes. With social media, you’re at the mercy of algorithms. But with SMS? Your message lands directly in front of your customer, no middleman involved.

How not to annoy customers: Timing is key. Nobody wants a promo text at 3 AM. Respect time zones and daily habits.

5. Perfect for personalised, real-time marketing

AI-powered SMS marketing allows for hyper-personalisation—think abandoned cart reminders, birthday discounts, and geo-targeted offers. It’s the closest thing to tapping your customer on the shoulder and saying, “Hey, this is for you.”

How not to annoy customers: Don’t overdo it. Personalisation is great, but being too familiar can feel creepy. Use data wisely.

SMS isn’t dead. It's just evolved.

SMS marketing is no longer about bombarding people with generic messages. We have matured since then. Nowadays, it’s about smart, strategic communication that adds value. If you can respect your customers’ time, preferences, and boundaries, SMS can be one of the most powerful tools in your marketing arsenal.

-Sophie, Writer

TREND PLUG

But you know they LOVE to sue

Ahhh, Kendrick’s Super Bowl performance — the gift that keeps on giving.

During his halftime set, Kendrick Lamar threw shade at Drake mid-performance, hitting the mic with, “I wanna perform they fav song, but you know they like to sue.” Instantly iconic. And, of course, TikTok snatched it up. Now, creators are using the audio to call out moments where they want to do something, but a particular someone/thing is holding them back.

This trend’s become the go-to for exposing those “I could, but I probably shouldn’t” moments. It’s all about the internal monologue when professionalism barely wins out.

How you can jump on this trend

The whole idea is simple: Film yourself lipsyncing to the sound. Then, use OST to talk about something you want to do, but can’t, for a specific reason. First, set the scene with on-screen text (“I wanna…”). Then, drop the reason you can’t when Kendrick’s line hits (“…but you know they like to sue”).

A few ideas to get you started

“I wanna push back the deadline… but you know the client ‘needs it yesterday.’”
“I wanna suggest a better trend… but you know they’re ‘set on this idea.’”
“I wanna log off early… but you know Slack/Teams has that yellow dot.”

-Abdel, Social Media Coordinator

FOR THE GROUP CHAT

😲WTF: my eyes feel dirty 💀
✨Daily inspo: i miss louise hay
😊Soooo satisfying: hot tools
🍝What you should make for dinner tonight: Sundried Tomatoes & Spinach Pasta

TODAY ON THE YAP PODCAST

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ASK THE EDITOR

Q - How do I get people to engage more in the comments of my Reels? -Calum

Hey Calum!

Ok, there are lots of strategies you can try, but here's an idea: Ask your audience to take a specific action. Let's say you make food content. So in each video, you can ask the people watching what you should make next. Let them know the top comment will be the one you choose. We've used a similar strategy for our content in the past, and it can be a great way to encourage people to engage with a video.

Another way you could do this is to ask people to tag someone specific in the comments. So, for example, if you post relatable office content, make your caption say something like, "tag your work bestie" (or whatever fits that video). This can be a great way to encourage commentary and get people to share your Reels.