Trump’s been in office just over a week...

…and I think it’s safe to say he’s already shaking things up.

And (I hate to state the obvious, but) our brands don’t exist in a vacuum. The political climate (and policies around things like content moderation) will affect us in one way or another. So today, we’re sharing 4 ways brands should be adapting right now.

In today's newsletter:

• 4 Ways Trump's presidency will change marketing

• David Lynch's enduring impact on advertising

• Trend plug - I was cooking and I burned the bacon

• Ask the Editor - What’s the fastest way to grow my network on LinkedIn? 

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

Trump's presidency will reshape the marketing landscape.

Whether you like it or not.

What do you expect with a man whose political shifts are more like cultural earthquakes?

Love him or hate him, Trump's policies, media presence, and the sheer polarisation surrounding him have already reshaped how brands operate.

And if you think marketing exists in some apolitical vacuum, well, it’s time to wake up and smell the consumer sentiment.

Trump's presidency has already set off major shake ups. Just look at the Section 230 debate, platform bans (and un-bans) and the rise of alternative networks like Truth Social.

His second term could very well upend the marketing and social media landscape we know and (kind of) love.

So, let’s get prepared, shall we?

1. It’s become clear that the major tech players (who need not be named) are pivoting to accommodate the new president.

Whether it’s reinstating banned accounts, loosening content moderation, or turning a blind eye to controversial political advertising, these tech giants seem to be aligning themselves with the new administration.

The implications?

The president effectively has free rein over the largest platforms in the world. This gives him the ability to shape the media narrative to an unprecedented degree.

So we can expect increased visibility for Trump-aligned content. We could well see a digital landscape where opposing voices may struggle to gain traction.

What to do…

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Writer

David Lynch's Enduring Impact on Advertising

When people ask me what my Big Three are, I am no longer going to give them my star signs.

I will give them my list of fallen fathers.

My icons.

My ultimate trio of inspiration.

Bowie. Bourdain. And, as of last Thursday, Lynch.

The unexpected death of the iconic filmmaker has left the art girlies heartbroken.

The Lynchian effect had a profound impact on all areas of the creative world, his dreamlike style venturing far beyond the silver screen.

Even, unsurprisingly, advertising, where his mark was both subtle and transformative.

So, in light of his passing, let's take a look at the mark David Lynch left on our industry.

Lynch was best known for crafting worlds that feel both familiar and unsettling. He knew how to balance dreamlike beauty with eerie discomfort.

Whether in his directorial work in commercials or the broader embrace of surrealism in modern campaigns, Lynch’s brand of uncanny storytelling has fundamentally altered how brands engage audiences.

Most filmmakers dabble in advertising at some point. But Lynch’s approach to commercial work stands out.

[Keep reading]

-Sophie, Writer

Trend Plug - I Was Cooking And I Burned the Bacon

Line up any embarrassing moment you've had, or when something went wrong.

Because this TikTok trend is letting you share these cringy moments with ease. The audio is a snippet of Post Malone's song "F@*k" and goes, "I was cooking and I burned the bacon." (Random, I know.)

For situations like laughing so hard your chewing gum falls out of your mouth, to having so much fun playing in the waves that you flash the beach, this trend is here for you to laugh at yourself and share the experience.

How you can jump on this trend:

Simply film yourself and overlay text outlining your embarrassing debacle. Then, use the viral sound to accompany it.

Here are some text ideas to get you started:

• I was laughing with my roommate during my Teams meeting, but I wasn't on mute

• I posted a meme on the company LinkedIn but was told it was inappropriate

• I was feeling so confident, but then the client hit me with, "And what happens if this strategy doesn’t work?"

-Maggie, Copywriter

Today on the YAP podcast…

Want even more ‘YAP’ing? Check out the full podcast here.

Ask the Editor

Q - I've just started on LinkedIn. What's the best way to build my network? - Payton

Hey Payton!

If I were you, I'd start by connecting with people in your industry. Try to send 10 connection requests every day to begin building up your network.

The next thing I'd do is comment on other people's posts. Look for posts that already have other people having conversations about your industry in the comments. When you comment, your response will show up in your network's feeds, so it's a good way to start getting your name out there.

Another advantage of commenting on other people's posts is you get to see what conversations are happening around your industry right now. You can use that information as inspiration for your own posts, which will mean you'll know what you're writing about is relevant right now.

The more time you spend interacting with people on the platform, the faster you'll grow your network.

- Charlotte, Editor ♡

For the group chat

😂Yap’s funniest home videos: How to NOT play a VR game
❤How wholesome: I. NEED. ONE. NOW.
😊Soooo satisfying: Henna ASMR
🍝What you should make for dinner tonight: Katsu chicken

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