Latest news with #fitnessinfluencer
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who Is Huda Mustafa's Ex-Boyfriend, Noah Sheline & How Many Kids Do They Have?
Huda Mustafa and her ex-boyfriend Noah Sheline's past relationship has recently garnered considerable public interest. Mustafa, a fitness influencer and reality TV personality, is best known for her appearance on Love Island USA Season 7. While her on-screen moments on the dating show often make headlines, many are now curious about her past relationship, too. So, here's all you need to know about Mustufa's ex-boyfriend, his job, and their children. Who is Huda Mustafa's ex-boyfriend? Huda Mustufa was dating Noah Sheline. It remains unclear where Mustufa and Sheline met and how they connected. However, they reportedly began dating in the late 2010s. The exact date and the reason for their split publicly remain undisclosed. Last month, Sheline came to his ex's support when she was facing online abuse amid her relationship with Jeremiah Brown. He took to TikTok, where he reminded everyone to be kind and to stop spreading negativity. 'At the end of the day I hope everyone remembers we're human. Her going on that show to find love, or whatever you think it was she's doing, remember she's still human, she has a daughter, and a life,' he wrote. (via PEOPLE) While he acknowledged that his ex-partner might have made questionable choices on the show, he urged fans to stop their 'unhealthy' hatred. 'She's maybe not doing a great job idk I don't watch the show but I don't like that I'm seeing so much negative s— on my page or even clips of it about her,' he added. What does Noah Sheline do for a living? Sheline serves in the U.S. Army. He often takes to his social media handle to share his images in military attire. Before beginning his career, he studied at Berrien Springs High School in Michigan. Here's how many kids Huda Mustaga and Noah Sheline have Mustufa and Sheline share a kid. In 2020, the former couple welcomed their first child, a daughter, whom they named Arleigh. It seems Sheline cherishes fatherhood, as he frequently shares glimpses of his daughter along with heartfelt messages. Most recently, he took to Instagram to wish her daughter a happy birthday. He shared a series of pictures from her birthday celebration and captioned it, 'It's late but we were too busy having a BLAST and a birthday party! Happy 5th to my PRINCESSA.' Originally reported by Shazmeen Navrange on ComingSoon. The post Who Is Huda Mustafa's Ex-Boyfriend, Noah Sheline & How Many Kids Do They Have? appeared first on Mandatory. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Furious locals call for Molly-Mae Hague's influencer sister to be BANNED from ever returning to Indonesia after she told followers she scrapped Bali holiday after two days because she didn't like it
Furious Bali locals have demanded Molly-Mae Hague 's 'disrespectful' sister Zoe Rae be blacklisted from ever returning following her public attack on the paradise island. The 28-year-old fitness influencer faced a backlash after spending just 48 hours on the Indonesian island before jetting off to Dubai, telling her 144,000 YouTube subscribers Bali looked better on social media than in real life. But the comments went down badly with many residents on the island - where 80% of the GDP comes from tourism - with some suggesting she has broken immigration laws by working as an influencer without a visa. In the video, Zoe told the camera: 'Since landing in Bali, something for us wasn't quite right. 'We came here with high expectations because we had seen on social media that everyone was having such a lovely time. Lovely places to eat and beaches, and lovely gyms and coffee shops. 'But I don't think the reality of Bali is shown much at all, and I do think it is down to a lot of influencers posting the more luxury side of things.' She added: 'Before joining the army, I spent five months travelling South East Asia. I did Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, I did a lot and spent time in these countries. But there is something very different about Bali. 'We got told Uluwatu where we are now is one of the best places to go, so if this is one of the better places, I'm not sure where the other places are like. 'I wasn't going to sit down and say anything, but people want to know.' Indonesia is still considered a developing country where the average monthly wage is less than £140 but Bali is the most popular tourist destination with a host of luxurious hotels and upmarket activities. Zoe had been staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel in Uluwatu to celebrate her and husband Danny's first wedding anniversary. Following the video, locals mocked the YouTuber for fleeing to 'fake' Dubai and demanded the government ban her from ever returning to Indonesia. Yuli Budi Santoso, a travel agent, told MailOnline: 'I think in the future, they have to be blacklisted from entering Indonesia. They have already made Bali look bad. 'They were disrespectful for posting a vlog that portrays Bali negatively, even though they don't know where Bali really is, how Bali is, what Bali is like. 'I think we should all report the video and get her account suspended.' I Made Somya Putra (CORR), a Balinese activist and lawyer, accused the couple of trying to bring Bali down for their own agenda and urged government authorities to put them on an immigration watchlist. He said: 'In my opinion, this YouTuber is trying to bring Bali down and appears to be making sponsored or agenda-driven content. 'Why does it seem like paid content? Because their point of views are different from other influencers, which most influencers spoke positively and recommended Uluwatu. 'Aside from coming across as a sponsored YouTuber, this person seems to just be chasing views by stirring controversy, simply riding on Bali's fame, but doing so in a very negative way. It seems like they haven't really explored other parts of Bali. 'It's like tasting a scoop of water and thinking you can judge the whole ocean. 'Of course, freedom of speech is important. However, what immigration should do is put them on a watch list. When they re-enter Bali or Indonesia immigration should question them deeply, asking the true purpose of their visit. 'It seems they're not coming to Bali for vacation, but rather to earn income by creating YouTube content that ends up portraying Bali in a negative light.' Foreigners caught working without a visa in Indonesia - even if they are self-employed or working for a foreign company - can be hit with substantial fines, deportation and banned from returning. Entrepreneur Nayaka Pidada added: 'Bali chooses who comes and who stays. If someone is not satisfied with their visit, it means Bali has rejected them. The 28-year-old fitness influencer faced backlash after spending just 48 hours on the Indonesian island before jetting off to Dubai , telling her 144,000 YouTube subscribers Bali looked better on social media than in real life 'If the government want to blacklist them, then go ahead. That's up to the authorities who have the power to do so. 'But we Balinese people, in general, are always welcoming to anyone who comes. Whether they enjoy it or feel satisfied, that depends on them.' The couple later flew to the Middle East where Zoe shared photos on her Instagram, of their lavish trip. The couple stayed at Atlantis The Royal, with rooms starting from around £290 per night during July, which is considered low season. In peak season, rooms can cost £1,570 a night. Zoe shared on Instagram: 'Danny surprised me with a stat at @atlantistheroyal which I couldn't believe!!! 'Going at this time of year definitely helped as everything was a lot cheaper!! For a very special occasion it's perfect.' Defending their decision to leave Bali after justy two nights, Danny said: 'You either go on holiday to travel and experience culture or you want to go away and relax.' Zoe added: 'We missed the mark, maybe we didn't do our own research, maybe it is our own fault. I did a lot of research though. 'I think it is just personal preference, and our preference was that this isn't for us, and we are making the executive decision to go enjoy our anniversary somewhere we know that we love and can relax and can drink the water.'
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Furious locals call for Molly-Mae Hague's influencer sister to be BANNED from ever returning to Indonesia after she told followers she scrapped Bali holiday after two days because she didn't like it
Furious Bali locals have demanded Molly-Mae Hague 's 'disrespectful' sister Zoe Rae be blacklisted from ever returning following her public attack on the paradise island. The 28-year-old fitness influencer faced a backlash after spending just 48 hours on the Indonesian island before jetting off to Dubai, telling her 144,000 YouTube subscribers Bali looked better on social media than in real life. But the comments went down badly with many residents on the island - where 80% of the GDP comes from tourism - with some suggesting she has broken immigration laws by working as an influencer without a visa. In the video, Zoe told the camera: 'Since landing in Bali, something for us wasn't quite right. 'We came here with high expectations because we had seen on social media that everyone was having such a lovely time. Lovely places to eat and beaches, and lovely gyms and coffee shops. 'But I don't think the reality of Bali is shown much at all, and I do think it is down to a lot of influencers posting the more luxury side of things.' She added: 'Before joining the army, I spent five months travelling South East Asia. I did Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, I did a lot and spent time in these countries. But there is something very different about Bali. 'We got told Uluwatu where we are now is one of the best places to go, so if this is one of the better places, I'm not sure where the other places are like. 'I wasn't going to sit down and say anything, but people want to know.' Indonesia is still considered a developing country where the average monthly wage is less than £140 but Bali is the most popular tourist destination with a host of luxurious hotels and upmarket activities. Zoe had been staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel in Uluwatu to celebrate her and husband Danny's first wedding anniversary. Following the video, locals mocked the YouTuber for fleeing to 'fake' Dubai and demanded the government ban her from ever returning to Indonesia. Yuli Budi Santoso, a travel agent, told MailOnline: 'I think in the future, they have to be blacklisted from entering Indonesia. They have already made Bali look bad. 'They were disrespectful for posting a vlog that portrays Bali negatively, even though they don't know where Bali really is, how Bali is, what Bali is like. 'I think we should all report the video and get her account suspended.' I Made Somya Putra (CORR), a Balinese activist and lawyer, accused the couple of trying to bring Bali down for their own agenda and urged government authorities to put them on an immigration watchlist. He said: 'In my opinion, this YouTuber is trying to bring Bali down and appears to be making sponsored or agenda-driven content. 'Why does it seem like paid content? Because their point of views are different from other influencers, which most influencers spoke positively and recommended Uluwatu. 'Aside from coming across as a sponsored YouTuber, this person seems to just be chasing views by stirring controversy, simply riding on Bali's fame, but doing so in a very negative way. It seems like they haven't really explored other parts of Bali. 'It's like tasting a scoop of water and thinking you can judge the whole ocean. 'Of course, freedom of speech is important. However, what immigration should do is put them on a watch list. When they re-enter Bali or Indonesia immigration should question them deeply, asking the true purpose of their visit. 'It seems they're not coming to Bali for vacation, but rather to earn income by creating YouTube content that ends up portraying Bali in a negative light.' Foreigners caught working without a visa in Indonesia - even if they are self-employed or working for a foreign company - can be hit with substantial fines, deportation and banned from returning. Entrepreneur Nayaka Pidada added: 'Bali chooses who comes and who stays. If someone is not satisfied with their visit, it means Bali has rejected them. The 28-year-old fitness influencer faced backlash after spending just 48 hours on the Indonesian island before jetting off to Dubai , telling her 144,000 YouTube subscribers Bali looked better on social media than in real life 'If the government want to blacklist them, then go ahead. That's up to the authorities who have the power to do so. 'But we Balinese people, in general, are always welcoming to anyone who comes. Whether they enjoy it or feel satisfied, that depends on them.' The couple later flew to the Middle East where Zoe shared photos on her Instagram, of their lavish trip. The couple stayed at Atlantis The Royal, with rooms starting from around £290 per night during July, which is considered low season. In peak season, rooms can cost £1,570 a night. Zoe shared on Instagram: 'Danny surprised me with a stat at @atlantistheroyal which I couldn't believe!!! 'Going at this time of year definitely helped as everything was a lot cheaper!! For a very special occasion it's perfect.' Defending their decision to leave Bali after justy two nights, Danny said: 'You either go on holiday to travel and experience culture or you want to go away and relax.' Zoe added: 'We missed the mark, maybe we didn't do our own research, maybe it is our own fault. I did a lot of research though. 'I think it is just personal preference, and our preference was that this isn't for us, and we are making the executive decision to go enjoy our anniversary somewhere we know that we love and can relax and can drink the water.'
Daily Mail
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Wild throwback photos highlight Tammy Hembrow's MAJOR body transformation after spit from husband Matt Zukowski
has taken to social media to show off her major weight loss following her split from Matt Zukowski. The fitness influencer, who recently announced that she was parting ways with the Love Island star after just seven months of marriage, shared a post to Instagram on Tuesday flaunting her body transformation. In the images, the 31-year-old showed her fans how much her physique had changed, particularly her pert derrière. The social media star lifted up her top to reveal just how her toned abs and shrunken waist were, while wearing tiny booty shorts to emphasise her behind. 'Okay, so, in honour of my fave @tammyfitapp challenge ever starting soon, I thought we'd take a bit of a trip down memory lane,' she captioned the post, name-dropping her eponymous fitness platform. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The fitness influencer shared a post to Instagram on Tuesday flaunting her body transformation, with dramatic before and after images. The 31-year-old showed her fans how much her physique had changed, particularly her pert derrière 'I've been the girl who didn't know where to start. I've been the girl who felt uncomfortable in her own skin,' she penned. 'I've been the girl who stopped and started a million times. And I've also been the girl who stuck it out… and saw her strength come to life.' She went on to say that no matter what stage you are at in your fitness journey, 'it's never too late to show up for yourself.' Tammy added: 'This newest challenge was created for women just like you (and me). To feel strong. To feel proud. To feel like you again.' The 'fave challenge' includes a full body workout, with an emphasis on glute exercises, Tammy informed her fans. It comes after Tammy revealed she 'didn't recognise herself' during her marriage to Matt, 29. The influencer revealed on Sunday that she has toned up her body and lost weight since leaving the marriage. She shared a video on Instagram that featured her look during and after her time with Matt, with Tammy having visibly trimmed down and gained muscle in recent weeks. In her caption, Tammy said she was feeling like herself again amid the painful and very public split. 'Guys I'm starting to feel like myself again. I don't even recognise myself in those first videos, to be honest,' Tammy wrote in her caption. 'You won't always feel motivated, but you will never regret starting and investing in YOU,' she added, while also promoting her fitness app. Tammy and Matt confirmed they had split on social media last month. Matt announced the couple's separation in a sombre Instagram Story, telling fans the decision was not taken lightly. 'It's with a heavy heart I share that Tammy and I have decided to separate,' Matt began. 'Both of us have struggled with making this decision, however we need to do what is right for ourselves and her three children. 'This wasn't a decision we took lightly. Our time together will always be cherished and never forgotten,' he added, before thanking fans for their support and asking for privacy. Despite their short-lived marriage, both parties have asked for privacy as they adjust to life post-break-up. 'We appreciate everyone's support and space at this time as we navigate the split,' Matt concluded in his emotional post. Tammy later addressed the split in an emotional TikTok video where she announced announced she was filing for divorce. 'I don't want to get into the details and I want to be sensitive to everyone involved,' she told fans. 'Obviously, when you marry someone, you do it thinking that it is going to be forever, and I blame no one but myself,' Tammy continued while breaking down in tears. 'I've made not the best choices when it comes to relationships. I'm good at putting on rose-coloured glasses. 'Obviously, the worst part for me is that I have kids. I don't care about me, I know I will be okay, but I feel awful.' Tammy and Matt tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay on November 23. They became engaged in December 2023 after dating for just three months.
Forbes
10-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Is Your Small Brand Tired Of Expensive Ads? Try Meme Marketing Instead
Using memes in your marketing can really move the needle for your small brand. getty How'd you like to create a single meme that generates millions in value without spending a dime on ads? That's what happened to Saratoga Spring Water, and it wasn't even responsible for the meme. A few ago, a fitness influencer shared a video of his morning routine, which includes dunking his face into ice water that just happened to come from Saratoga's distinctive glass bottles. Saratoga didn't pay the guy; there wasn't a partnership agreement. Yet that single video became meme marketing gold, creating $1.8 million in earned media value for Saratoga. Primo Brands, Saratoga's parent company, saw its stock rise 16%. And Google searches maxed out at 100, the platform's highest possible index, representing a 1,379% spike. Unbelievable! One meme. Millions in value. Zero ad spend. Welcome to 2025, where a well-timed meme can generate more value than a Super Bowl ad. And honestly? That's good news when we're stretching every marketing dollar, competing against brands with massive ad budgets, and trying to cut through this ridiculously dense digital noise. But memes are jokes, right? They're not professional. Surely you can't use them for marketing. Look, I get it. I used to think the same thing. But here's what you're missing: Memes can be way more than entertainment. When you approach meme marketing with actual strategy, an understanding of meme psychology, and a genuine desire to build community, you might discover that it's one of the most cost-effective ways to build brand loyalty and drive growth you've ever seen. What are some of your favorite memes? Maybe you can use them as part of your meme marketing ... More strategy. getty Traditional advertising talks at customers. Memes invite them into an inside joke. Duolingo is a great example. When people started creating memes about Duo the Owl's aggressive reminder notifications (like 'Your streak is in danger!' and 'The owl is disappointed in you,') the language learning app could have ignored it. Stayed buttoned up. Kept on being educational. But the Duo team didn't do that. They leaned into the joke, hard, turning Duo's "menacing" persona into a character that defined the brand. Then they watched as the internet exploded. TikTok and YouTube started sending droves of new signups. Even today, Duolingo's posts still beat other category influencers in its space. Those results aren't due to coincidence. They're because of psychology. Research backs it up. People who see a brand's meme content feel way more connected to the brand than those who see typical brand promotional content. That's because memes create what researchers call "shared understanding and identity.' Meme marketing is a short cut to building that all important buyer trust. getty Basically, memes are a psychological shortcut to trust. And we desperately need that shortcut. So much corporate messaging sounds completely hollow. No wonder brands using meme marketing see engagement rates as high as 60%, which is way more than the measly 5% you'd get with traditional marketing imagery. Miguel Heinonen, who co-founded Whitefriar and studies the psychology behind memes, knows exactly why people (and brands) love them so much. "Memes work by using familiar visual patterns alongside emotional resonance," he says. "When the audience sees a meme that reflects how they feel or what they experience, it creates a sense of belonging and community." But here's what I found interesting: Heinonen also warns against trying too hard. "Brands often prioritize the ability to go viral over authenticity," he says. "A meme that feels like an over-polished ad will defeat the purpose." So there's the balance. Do it right? Memes can turn customers into insiders who "get it." They create tribal bonds that competitors can't buy with bigger ad budgets. They turn one-time buyers into word-of-mouth evangelists. Do it wrong? You've wasted your time. But there's a difference between knowing and doing. And that's where meme marketing strategy comes in. How the pros use meme marketing to create viral moments Tanner Kesel and Daniel Pessin, co-founders of the meme marketing agency, Aroma Media. Tanner Kesel and Daniel Pessin I'll admit that I've been a little obsessed with memes and viral marketing for years. But I'd never met anyone who actually had a system for it until Tanner Kesel and Daniel Pessin from the viral marketing agency, Aroma Media. These guys tell me they've generated billions of views for their clients. Not through some lucky accident or because they threw spaghetti at the wall until something stuck. The views rolled in because they figured out how to treat memes like cultural currency. And how to spend it. The meme marketing philosophy: Native community-building Kesel views cultural currency as the foundation of everything Aroma Media does. "We don't force brands to go viral," he says. "Instead, we create moments that allow them to slip into the feed like locals, not tourists." I love that analogy. The local-versus-tourist approach means understanding platform culture so well that your content feels like it was created by someone who lives there, not someone just passing through. "When you show up as a local, people don't feel like they're being marketed to," Kesel says. "They feel like they're seeing content from someone who gets their world." But according to Kesel's co-founder, Dan Pessin, the approach is meaningless without the second pillar: community building. And he says most brands miss this entirely. "Lots of brands try to go viral, but very few try to build a community," he says. "Trust and community are the most important things to establish on digital channels because they lead to views, likes, shares, and—most importantly for business—follows." This dual philosophy of showing up as locals while building genuine community is meme marketing's secret sauce. It's about real connection every time. The process: 3 steps to meme marketing 3 steps to building trust with meme marketing getty How does the Aroma Media team make meme marketing work? Here's where we get practical. The philosophy is a nice-sounding theory, but let's break it down into three concrete steps any brand can follow, whether you're a solo entrepreneur or running a bigger team. Step 1: Forensic analysis Before team Aroma creates anything new, they go into full detective mode to explore what already exists. Think CSI, but for content. "First thing, we look at the brand and its niche, competitors, and existing content," Kesel says. "We want to identify what's worked before to use as our building blocks." This step often reveals that a brand is sitting on viral gold without even knowing it. "We've seen it so many times where a brand has content that could totally convert if edited properly or given a real shot," Kesel says. And no, a real shot doesn't mean posting once on TikTok, getting 12 views, and declaring that social media "doesn't work for my industry." So where's this hidden gold? It could be something you posted six months ago that surprised you by getting lots of engagement, yet you never thought to follow up on it. It could also be that hilarious, totally meme-worth content is hiding within your Google reviews—which you haven't looked at in months. Or maybe the gold lies in that genuinely entertaining behind-the-scenes content you posted once to crickets because nobody saw it. You don't always have to create new content. You might be sitting on gems that deserve an audience. Step 2: Platform dialect translation Let's talk dialects for a minute. It's where many brands posting on social completely screw up. The thing is, you can't just take your content gold and copy-paste it everywhere. Each platform has its own vibe, its own language, and its own unwritten rules about what's cool. If you don't know that language, you might sound like your dad when he's trying to use slang. "That's pretty yeet, huh son?" Bottom line is that what TikTok users find hilarious may get you politely ignored on LinkedIn. And what excites people on LinkedIn may make TikTokers cringe so hard that they get kinks in their necks from physically recoiling. Step 3: Creative freedom requirements Although Kesel says that many promising campaigns die here, the final step is to let creativity fly. If you're a solo operator, no worries. You're both creator and approver. But if you're with a larger brand, you may need to do some internal politicking so corporate committees and approval chains won't strangle or kill your creative. When it comes to memes, creative freedom is a requirement. "Maybe a brand has no content, no social presence, or they haven't identified what works," Kesel says. "In that case, we focus instead on parameters—how creative we can get with the content. In other words, are we allowed to cook?" Creative freedom is non-negotiable. Kesel says it separates brands that succeed with meme marketing from those that don't. "That's why we're so selective about who we work with. If the answer to the cook question is 'no'—if a brand gives us zero creative control—chances are high that we aren't a good fit." The Stereo app: A meme marketing case study Aroma Media's work with the Stereo app is proof that meme marketing, done thoughtfully and ... More strategically, works. Kesel and Pessin walked me through their work with Stereo, an audio-first social app. And honestly? It's brilliant. "Stereo is one of my favorite case studies," Kesel says. "We ran multiple meme-focused campaigns across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. The videos, watermarked with Stereo's branding, highlighted user-generated content." The strategy was genius because it showed how platform dialects work in practice while growing Stereo's community around the app's core value—authentic voice-based connection. Using meme marketing to tap into TikTok's absurdity dialect First, Kesel's team partnered with 250 of the biggest theme pages—massive accounts that curate and share content around specific topics. Their forensic analysis led them to an already successful format: People reading Reddit stories aloud while Minecraft or Subway Surfers gameplay run in the background. But here's the twist. Instead of someone reading aloud random Reddit posts, the team created what looked like voice messages within Stereo's app interface. "We knew this format was getting millions of views consistently," Kesel says. "But instead of just copying it, we made it feel native to Stereo's voice-first experience." So TikTokers still saw the popular gameplay footage they were used to watching. But instead of hearing someone read text-based Reddit stories, they listened to audio that appeared to come from Stereo users sharing wild, entertaining stories. The content held to TikTok's beloved absurdist format while subtly promoting Stereo's voice-based social interaction. Every video included Stereo's watermark, branding the entire experience. "For TikTok's brain-rot loving audience, we applied the familiar absurdity but made it feel native to Stereo," Kesel says. "Stereo's community grew because the videos made viewers feel like they were discovering a cool app where people share entertaining stories." Mimicking Instagram's aesthetic dialect for meme marketing Aroma Media leans on what it calls "the WTF factor" as a key element of meme marketing. getty Next, the team targeted Instagram using what Kesel cheekily calls the WTF factor. "We teamed up with influential theme pages on Instagram to promote screen recordings of real conversations happening inside the Stereo app," he says. "Captions like 'The people on Stereo say the wildest things!' really appealed to users. And for Instagram's aesthetics-focused users, we delivered shock value but kept the visual appeal clean." Kesel says the conversations they featured were incredibly outrageous. Lots of WTF factor, as promised. "The whole goal was to make people feel like they were missing out if they weren't on Stereo," he says. "We built community by creating FOMO around the interesting conversations happening on the platform." Thanks to meme marketing, celebrating billions of views, and counting Within two months, the TikTok approach garnered more than a billion views, a number that'd make traditional advertisers weep with envy. And the Instagram WTF factor campaign? It brought in the best cost-per-install results of any campaign Aroma Media ran for Stereo, proving that shock value—when executed thoughtfully—translates directly to business metrics. Notice I said business metrics , not vanity metrics. Each piece of content felt native to its platform, borrowed from successful formats, and led with Stereo's value prop. "We achieved billions of views by applying creative twists to existing trends," Kesel says. "We didn't create new meme formats. We hijacked existing ones and made them feel native to each platform." Speaking of results, Pessin says he's tired of hearing that meme marketing doesn't drive them. "Lots of people assume meme marketing doesn't lead to sales," he says. "And while results are hard to attribute directly, the assumption is entirely untrue. Successful meme campaigns have some of the highest ROIs I've ever seen." Just remember that viral moments and community building are two sides of the same coin. "Almost anyone can go viral," Pessin says. "But you can't forget that the goal is to capitalize by converting a viral moment into a loyal following. That following will, in turn, create a sustainable moat between you and your competitors." Aroma's systematic approach covers strategy and execution. But there's one more element that can make or break even the best-planned meme campaign: timing. The speed factor (and why timing beats perfection for meme marketing) Speed is important in meme marketing, so keep your trendspotting glasses on! getty Emily Reynolds gets it. She's the founder and CEO of R Public Relations, and about a year ago, she started throwing memes out onto social. The results? She says they were immediate and pretty impressive: 68% higher engagement and 90% follower growth. But she also discovered something that'll save you from looking like a complete tourist trying to fit in. "It's speed," she says. "Speed is the most important factor. If your posts arrive even one day late to a trend, they can do more harm than good." Her advice? Start with what she calls "timeless classics"—meme formats and content themes that don't expire overnight. Think universal workplace humor, Monday motivation posts, or evergreen formats like before-and-after comparisons and expectation-versus-reality content. "Build your confidence with content that has staying power," she says. "Once you're comfortable creating and posting quickly, you can dive into real-time trend-jacking where timing is everything." Your meme marketing action plan Here's your meme marketing action plan getty We've covered a lot of ground here: Memes are brain hacks that build trust. To use them, you have to slip into feeds like a local. Localize content and formats that've already worked—or that could work. work. Jump in fast when you spot a trend to capitalize on. Use your newfound status as a meme-worthy brand to build community. Now comes the fun part. Now, you get to do something with all your new knowledge. Whether you're running on a shoestring budget or just fed up with expensive ads, these steps will help you use memes to build a real community. And, hopefully, to grow like crazy while you're at it. 1. Be a content archaeologist Before creating your first meme, play detective with your existing content. Chances are, you're sitting on meme gold somewhere. Dig through old posts that surprised you by getting way more engagement than usual. Find that old customer testimonial that literally made you laugh out loud. Scroll through your phone looking for behind-the-scenes moments that could present your brand as genuinely human instead of as a corporate-speaking robot. Sometimes you'll find your best viral material hiding in plain sight. 2. Learn platform dialects Homework for meme marketing: Spend some time lurking on your social channels. getty Here's more homework. Spend a week lurking on each platform (but don't be a creep). Just observe. What makes TikTok users lose their minds laughing versus what gets LinkedIn people nodding thoughtfully? What makes YouTube commenters roast someone in the replies? Pay attention to everything—the comment styles, what humor lands, how things look visually. It's like learning the local slang before you move to a new city. Another pointer: Don't simply copy-paste the same content to every social channel. That's tourist behavior. Localize your content so it matches each platform's vibe. 3. Be human (or give your team permission to be) Set clear guidelines so you or your team can quickly hijack trends without waiting for approval from five different departments. Speed beats perfection in meme marketing. Every single time. If you're a solo act, great. You already have permission covered. But it might be your biggest challenge if you're part of a bigger organization. Then again, it might also be your biggest opportunity. 4. Go after community, not just metrics, with meme marketing Even more than metrics, you want to grow community through meme marketing getty Creating a meme doesn't mean you have to play the class clown. Yes, you do have to be entertaining. But what matters more is making your audience feel like you get them. Before posting, ask yourself: Does this meme touch on something people are experiencing right now? Will it make them feel seen? Or is it just me chasing whatever's trending because I think it might go viral? The brutal truth is that viral moments disappear fast. But community sticks around and helps you pay the bills. 5. Start small and niche Don't try to appeal to all of your audiences right away. Start by creating memes that touch on a single persona's pains, pleasures, and experiences. Master a small corner of the net before reaching for the world. Better to be beloved by 1,000 than ignored by 100,000, right? 6. Embrace the strategic cringe Embrace the cringe factor—meme marketing comes with lots of it! getty Sometimes, a good meme makes you slightly uncomfortable, especially when it's your logo in the watermark. If you've never hesitated before posting, or if your legal team has never sent you a "Hey, are we sure about this?" Slack message, you're probably playing it way too safe. You need to find the sweet spot between edgy and authentic, between clever and stupid, and between making people laugh and making them unfollow you. Yes, push some boundaries. But make sure whatever you post matches your brand's personality and not just some random idea of what you think is cool. Nobody wants to see an accounting firm posting multiple dozens of screaming goat memes come tax time. Final thoughts on meme marketing Look, you and I both know that meme marketing is more than a tad risky. Your brand might occasionally look ridiculous. Your legal team (or your mom) might have minor heart attacks. You may have to give up some control and trust that being human is better than playing pretty. But as the meme masters have figured out, when everyone's screaming for attention and trust is hard to come by, the brands that make people laugh, feel seen, and want to hit the share button will be the ones that win. Meme marketing is a great way to get there.
