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| Meta Title | 10 Social Media Memes We Loved in 2024 â And 5 We Want to Forget |
| Meta Description | Let's look at the memes and trends that defined social media in 2024, and unpack what they mean for brand marketing. |
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| Boilerpipe Text | The memes and trends that go viral on social media shape our lives both on and off screen. For a hot minute, we embraced chaos in a shade of green, and then demureness took its place. We did the apple dance, then the maps dance, then an interpretive dance. We fell in love with a woman who married a pathological liar, and a baby pygmy hippo captured our hears.
We also watched brands capitalize on these
memes
 â some expertly, some not so much. Now that the year is over, we can safely name the trends we loved, and the ones weâre ready to leave in 2024.
Letâs take a walk down memory lane.
10 social media memes and trends we loved in 2024
While itâs impossible to predict what songs, sounds, dances, or challenges will trend, itâs easy to see what they have in common in retrospect. 2024âs greatest memes were adaptable and easily accessible â meaning everyone had a chance to participate.
1. The apple dance
The Apple dance was inspired by the song "Apple" from Charli XCXâs Brat album, and it's the standout viral trend from 2024.Â
Created by TikToker
Kelley Heyer
, the simple but playful choreography to Charli XCXâs lyrics "I think the appleâs rotten right to the core" was copied by thousands of people.
The singer
herself joined the trend on TikTok, helping the dance spread and garnering over 51 million views in the process.
Image source
The trending sound has inspired 1.7 million TikTok videos with celebrities like the
Twisters cast
 and
Joey King
posting their versions. It hit another wave of popularity on Instagram, where accounts like the USAâs
Olympic Women's Rugby Team
joined in.
Takeaway:
This trend took off because of its low barrier to entry â no amazing dance skills were needed to join the craze. Trends like this are perfect for plugging your brand into internet culture.
2. The hilarious fallout of Universal Music Group removing their music from TikTok
When
Universal Music Group (UMG) pulled their music from TikTok
due to a licensing change at the beginning of 2024, people worried the app would change forever. But TikTokers â always the resourceful bunch â turned this upset on its head by pivoting to unlikely creative sources.
They created dances and fan-edits to royalty-free music. Others sang DIY covers to mainstream songs. Some made lists of their favorite songs â without sound.
Image source
Just Dance embraced the situation and shared videos replacing the music in their game with royalty-free music songs. Their
TikTok
got over one million views.
Takeaway:
This could have been a disaster for the platform, its users, and brands. But in typical Gen Z fashion, creators turned a challenge into a comedic opportunity, showcasing how adaptable the platform and its users truly are.
3. đŹ I just wanna be part of your symphony đŹ
This trend involves images of rainbows, waterfalls, and flying dolphins ĂĄ la Lisa Frank set against the song âSymphonyâ by Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson. These images are paired with an irreverent, self-deprecating, or unhinged caption, like "I have social anxiety."
Image source
Gen Z and Gen Alpha love bright and flashy 90s and Y2K aesthetics, but this trend serves them up with a side of irony and cynicism. It's the juxtaposition that makes it work!
The artists of the song obviously jumped on the trend. Clean Banditâs
TikTok
, "I love popcorn and Cher," has over 3.5 million views. Zara Larsson took it a step further by
posting
"What the f*** is going on." She also added a blow-up dolphin at her concerts as a nod to the trend.
And it wouldnât be a trend without
Duolingo
hopping on it. Their interpretation featured green dolphins and the caption "end your streak and Iâll end you."
Takeaway:
Dark humor and meme culture do numbers, especially on TikTok.
4. How many aura points did I lose?
Another self-deprecating Gen Z social media trend this year is where the creator posts about an embarrassing moment, asking "how many aura points did I lose?" "Aura points" can be loosely translated to "cool factor."
Weâre not 100% sure about the origin, but it can most likely be traced back to the basketball and football communities on X where people comment on the "aura" of athletes.
Image source
Calm, the wellness app, blended the trend with their self-care focus on this
TikTok
with the caption, "how many aura points do I lose if I donât drink any water today?"
Netflix
also referenced it in a "Bridgerton" promo.
Takeaway:
This trend worked well for various niches, brands, and industries because it was highly adaptable and relatable.
5. Moo Deng
Moo Deng
is a baby pygmy hippo at Thailandâs Khao Kheow Open Zoo who stole the collective heart of social media this year.
Sheâs cute, sassy, and her name means "bouncy pork." Whatâs not to love?
Image source
The zoo where she lives has trademarked her image and sells Moo Deng merch. But they're not the only ones. She also nabbed a collaboration with Sephora Thailand and a food delivery and ride-hailing company called Grab Thailand.
Takeaway:
Moo Dengâs cuteness makes her a powerful symbol with the potential for cross-industry impact from tourism to beauty, to merch, to service-based industries. Whether your marketing is in or out of the box, hopping on a trend that makes everyone happy is a safe bet.
6. Subtle foreshadowing
A late entry in the 2024 meme race, subtle foreshadowing videos are an ironic twist on classic internet fail videos. A quick clip of the fail is teased intermittently as the video plays out, leaving the watcher aware of the chaos that ensues and curious about how and why it happens.
Image source
Singer
Olivia Rodrigo
, known for her raw and open lyrics, joined the viral trend and got 2 millions views of her slipping during her concert. British children's cartoon
Peppa Pig
made a TikTok using this trend with their character Daddy Pig and got 4.7 million views.
Takeaway:
The internet loves a good fail video, but this trend breaks the traditional narrative and delivers classic slapstick humor in an unexpected format. If you can laugh at yourself, social media will laugh with you.
7. Wait! They don't love you like I love you
This social media trend features the Yeah Yeah Yeahâs lyrics âWait! They don't love you like I love youâ and a sped-up, two-step dance routine. The serious lyrics are contrasted with the silly dance and unserious caption.
Image source
It dropped in September 2024 by TikToker Cranny
@southernbellesuzie
as a remix to a previous dance of hers. TikTokers loved it and the viral organic trend began.
Content creator
Amelia Dimoldenberg
, host of "Chicken Shop Date," got just over one million views with her take.
Duolingo
also posted its mascot doing the dance and gained just under 9 million views.Â
Takeaway:
This trend demonstrates the power of simplicity, nostalgia, and cross-generational appeal.
8. Hello, Sharks
Inspired by the investor pitch format from "Shark Tank," Hello, Sharks sees creators on TikTok "pitch" exaggerated personal requests to the audience (the imaginary sharks). Pitches included everything from a midnight Taco Bell run to financial stability.
Image source
TikToker Madi (
@maaaddsssssss
) popularized it with their
video
asking the sharks to let her quit her job, go on trips with her friends, and in return, give them a full run down of the gossip. It got nearly 11 million views.
Skincare brand
Sol de Janerio
joined the trend and gained over 500,000 views. The authentic trend resonated with the internetâs obsession with skincare, allowing Sol de Janeiro to connect authentically with viewers.
Takeaway:
The Hello Sharks trend embodies relatability and humor. It gave brands and creators a way to connect on everyday human struggles and desires in a fun, engaging format.
9. Hopecore
Social media favors dark humor and chaos, but the viral Hopecore trend offers a refreshing alternative. Itâs not about dwelling on life's problems (or laughing at them) â itâs about optimism.
Image source
The trend is simple, featuring wholesome videos and pictures with an uplifting affirmation. For example, a
video
posted by @hopecore.o of a child hearing clearly for the first time with the caption "life is beautiful" received over 22 million views on TikTok.
SoulCycle
embraced the trend, posting a video of an instructor in class with the caption "Be inspired by the strength of your SOUL" that matches the brand's positivity.
Takeaway:
Youâve heard of doomscrolling. Let's replace it with hopescrolling. This trend offers audiences a dose of positivity and uplifting stories to improve their scrolling experience.
10. Your parents' '80s dance moves
Young millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha TikTokers asked their parents to recreate dance moves from the 1980s and 1990s. The result? Club classics, retro dance moves, and family bonding.
The trend was inspired by Dennis Appel (
@dadsgotmoves
) who danced like his dad on TikTok, with the video collecting over 48 million views.
Image source
Actress and businesswoman
Jennifer Garner
posted her take, and given her family-oriented food brand Once Upon a Farm, this trend was the perfect fit for her.Â
Actress
Courtney Cox
also hopped on the trend, doing a perfect throwback to her role in the "Dancing In The Dark" music video by Bruce Springsteen.
Takeaway:
Lots of social media content is about dividing the generations, but this one united us. By crossing generational lines, it brought people together and connected people â something we love to see on social media.
5 social media memes and trends we want to leave in 2024
They say if you love something, let it go. While these trends all charmed us, they also revealed something flawed about the nature of trends. Some have reached peak saturation. Some have hit the end of their lifecycle. Some remind us of the risks of jumping on the latest viral bandwagon.
Weâre letting go of these trends in 2025, but weâll carry the lessons they taught us forever.
1. Brat
Brat green. Brat summer. Brat and itâs completely different but also still brat. 2024 is brat.
When British singer
Charli XCX
released her album "Brat," it took on a life of its own. The albumâs marketing was genius, and it infiltrated culture with a now iconic green hue and unapologetic lyrics that won the internet.
Image source
This trend took the world by storm for a number of reasons. Aesthetically, it was the anti-clean girl aesthetic. It was honest, authentic, care-free, rough around the edges. It inspired an attitude that can only be defined as... brat.
Who
didnât
jump on the bratwagon? One of our favorites uses of this social media trend was Field Roastâs
post
on Instagram, which got nearly 4000 likes. Blending their plant-based product with the albumâs care-free attitude is a match made in heaven.
Brat was also famously used by presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Her social media team rebranded Harrisâ X account as "Brat," and went so far as to distribute yard signs in
that
neon green. This rebranding brought her
$15.9 Million
in media exposure.
Takeaway:
Itâs not that Brat wasnât a great album. And itâs not that the marketing wasnât genius. And it wasnât even that shade of green. We loved it all.
Itâs simply that brat is a cultural movement. It transcends marketing, and the likes of this list. In short, brat is not a trend. Itâs a way of life.
2. Demure
Creator
Jools Lebron
 posted a video about her âvery demure, very mindfulâ job interview look, garnering 53.5 million views on TikTok. That phrase started echoing across social media as people reused the sound over their own videos.
Image source
Brat and demure are complete opposites. Brat was loud, chaotic, and carefree. Demure was cautious and toned down. Some even say this trend marked the end of brat summer and the start of demure fall.
Lyft, Netflix, and Zillow all collaborated with Lebron to create their own demure content. For Lyft, it was hailing a ride demurely. For Netflix, it was curating a list of demure shows. And for Zillow, it was a showcase of demure houses.
Takeaway:
This uber-viral social media trend almost immediately went from fun and fresh to overused by brands. While we love to see
brands going to the source and collaborating with the originators of these trends
, too many brands glommed onto this one and it died a quick death. While getting in on
memes
quickly is important, they can be a double edged sword of sameness that prevent your brand from standing out.
3. Give me my money prank
The "Give me my money" trend emerged early in the year but gained traction around August. It's a prank that involves a group of friends or family taking turns saying "just give me my money" in an exaggerated voice while everyone cheers and claps. When itâs the last person's turn, the phrase is met with silence, leaving that person dumbfounded. Celebrities like
Will Smith
,
Usher
, and
Idris Elba
had this prank played on them.
Image source
Kai Centat originally started the trend when he used the phrase in a
live stream
with rapper DreamDoll. Some think it was influenced by the film Paid in Full. The hashtag #givememymoney has 134,000 videos on TikTok.
Takeaway:
Call us soft, but his prank trend was hard to watch, especially as many of the videos involved children. Itâs more fun to laugh with people than at them!
4. Gen Z edits of marketing videos
Loud breathing. Lots of "ums," "ahs," and "oks." Awkward pauses and strange body language. These are all elements of one of the most popular social media memes of 2024. Yes, really.
It started when realtor Mike Hedge asked his social media editor, Teresa, a Gen Z-er, to edit a video of him showing a property. What Teresa made was this
video
, which got almost six million likes on Instagram.
Playing into the apparent differences between Gen Z and millennials, itâs easy to see why this took off.
Image source
Since this meme targeted marketing videos specifically, it was a field day for businesses and organizations on social media. Everyone from
movie theaters
 to
airlines
to
higher education
got in on the action.
Takeaway:
This trend was fun because it subverted expectations. However, once your expectations are subverted, they canât be subverted again. Thatâs why this trend felt old quickly. Plus, generational humor can feel forced or even mean-spirited if it's not aligned with a brandâs audience and authentic tone.
5. Willy Wonka experience disaster
When a Willy Wonka reboot premiered this year, it inspired a Willy Wonka "immersive experience" in Scotland. And this inspired a world of memes.
The "immersive experience" was
so poorly executed
that people compared it to the
Fyre Festival
disaster
.
Bad sets, creepy costumes, and AI-generated scripts and marketing materials all contributed to a very public fiasco. Attendees filmed the event and that footage quickly went viral.
Image source
Players of games like The Sims, Fortnite, and Animal Crossing hopped on the social media trend and showed their in-game creations inspired by the event.
Takeaway:
The disaster of the Glasgow Willy Wonka experience reminds brands of the dangers of overhyped events. While marketing, especially assisted by AI, can promise a dazzling experience, you donât want your actual event to fall short in an age when everyone can document it.
Incorporating memes and trends in your brand's social presence
Reflecting on 2024âs social media memes, one thing is clear: navigating trend-driven content creation requires balance and critical thinking. Joining popular
memes
can connect with audiences and boost visibility, but staying true to your brand voice is key to being authentic.
Here are a few takeaways from the successful 2024 social media trends:
Community:
Successful social media trends brought people together and created a sense of community, especially across generations.
Adaptability and accessibility:
They were accessible (like easy dances) and adaptable (like loose formats) so different people and brands could partake.
Creativity:
Successful trends sparked an outpouring of creativity. Whether in reaction to an unexpected event, editing style, or subject matter, many trends showed us new ways to tell stories and show the world who we are.
Blending spontaneity with strategy is key to jumping on social media trends. Like all social media success, knowing your audience is the foundation for identifying the right trends to invest in. |
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# 10 Social Media Memes We Loved in 2024 â And 5 We Want to Forget
Social Trends & Updates
13 Nov 2024 ⢠9 min read â˘
[The Loomly Team](https://www.loomly.com/blog/author/the-loomly-team)
The memes and trends that go viral on social media shape our lives both on and off screen. For a hot minute, we embraced chaos in a shade of green, and then demureness took its place. We did the apple dance, then the maps dance, then an interpretive dance. We fell in love with a woman who married a pathological liar, and a baby pygmy hippo captured our hears.
We also watched brands capitalize on these memes â some expertly, some not so much. Now that the year is over, we can safely name the trends we loved, and the ones weâre ready to leave in 2024.
Letâs take a walk down memory lane.
## 10 social media memes and trends we loved in 2024
While itâs impossible to predict what songs, sounds, dances, or challenges will trend, itâs easy to see what they have in common in retrospect. 2024âs greatest memes were adaptable and easily accessible â meaning everyone had a chance to participate.
### 1\. The apple dance
The Apple dance was inspired by the song "Apple" from Charli XCXâs Brat album, and it's the standout viral trend from 2024. Created by TikToker [Kelley Heyer](https://www.tiktok.com/@kelley.heyer), the simple but playful choreography to Charli XCXâs lyrics "I think the appleâs rotten right to the core" was copied by thousands of people. [The singer](https://www.tiktok.com/@charlixcx/video/7385506074176081185?q=appl%20orignal%20dance&t=1730048794082) herself joined the trend on TikTok, helping the dance spread and garnering over 51 million views in the process.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@kelley.heyer)
The trending sound has inspired 1.7 million TikTok videos with celebrities like the [Twisters cast](https://www.tiktok.com/@indiewire/video/7391676797676440862?q=apple%20dance&t=1731355900098) and [Joey King](https://www.tiktok.com/@joeyking/video/7411205669899996459) posting their versions. It hit another wave of popularity on Instagram, where accounts like the USAâs [Olympic Women's Rugby Team](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-F7OJkJhg3/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f2686cd5-09c9-4bb1-8ff0-d2c24d75d70a) joined in.
**Takeaway:** This trend took off because of its low barrier to entry â no amazing dance skills were needed to join the craze. Trends like this are perfect for plugging your brand into internet culture.
### 2\. The hilarious fallout of Universal Music Group removing their music from TikTok
When [Universal Music Group (UMG) pulled their music from TikTok](https://www.emarketer.com/content/universal-music-group-pulling-its-catalog-tiktok) due to a licensing change at the beginning of 2024, people worried the app would change forever. But TikTokers â always the resourceful bunch â turned this upset on its head by pivoting to unlikely creative sources. They created dances and fan-edits to royalty-free music. Others sang DIY covers to mainstream songs. Some made lists of their favorite songs â without sound.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@jarredjermaine/video/7331509168890760479)
Just Dance embraced the situation and shared videos replacing the music in their game with royalty-free music songs. Their [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@justdance/video/7331053139375770922?lang=en) got over one million views.
**Takeaway:** This could have been a disaster for the platform, its users, and brands. But in typical Gen Z fashion, creators turned a challenge into a comedic opportunity, showcasing how adaptable the platform and its users truly are.
### 3\. đŹ I just wanna be part of your symphony đŹ
This trend involves images of rainbows, waterfalls, and flying dolphins ĂĄ la Lisa Frank set against the song âSymphonyâ by Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson. These images are paired with an irreverent, self-deprecating, or unhinged caption, like "I have social anxiety."
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@cleanbandit/photo/7405362443716807968)
Gen Z and Gen Alpha love bright and flashy 90s and Y2K aesthetics, but this trend serves them up with a side of irony and cynicism. It's the juxtaposition that makes it work\!
The artists of the song obviously jumped on the trend. Clean Banditâs [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@cleanbandit/photo/7405362443716807968), "I love popcorn and Cher," has over 3.5 million views. Zara Larsson took it a step further by [posting](https://www.tiktok.com/@zaralarsson/photo/7405570295815343393?lang=en) "What the f\*\*\* is going on." She also added a blow-up dolphin at her concerts as a nod to the trend.
And it wouldnât be a trend without [Duolingo](https://www.tiktok.com/@duolingo/photo/7408280741471341870?lang=en) hopping on it. Their interpretation featured green dolphins and the caption "end your streak and Iâll end you."
**Takeaway:** Dark humor and meme culture do numbers, especially on TikTok.
### 4\. How many aura points did I lose?
Another self-deprecating Gen Z social media trend this year is where the creator posts about an embarrassing moment, asking "how many aura points did I lose?" "Aura points" can be loosely translated to "cool factor." Weâre not 100% sure about the origin, but it can most likely be traced back to the basketball and football communities on X where people comment on the "aura" of athletes.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@calm/video/7379680067229715717)
Calm, the wellness app, blended the trend with their self-care focus on this [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@calm/video/7379680067229715717) with the caption, "how many aura points do I lose if I donât drink any water today?" [Netflix](https://www.tiktok.com/@netflix/video/7384134213689314606) also referenced it in a "Bridgerton" promo.
**Takeaway:** This trend worked well for various niches, brands, and industries because it was highly adaptable and relatable.
### 5\. Moo Deng
[Moo Deng](https://www.tiktok.com/@khamoo.andthegang) is a baby pygmy hippo at Thailandâs Khao Kheow Open Zoo who stole the collective heart of social media this year. Sheâs cute, sassy, and her name means "bouncy pork." Whatâs not to love?
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@khamoo.andthegang)
The zoo where she lives has trademarked her image and sells Moo Deng merch. But they're not the only ones. She also nabbed a collaboration with Sephora Thailand and a food delivery and ride-hailing company called Grab Thailand.
**Takeaway:** Moo Dengâs cuteness makes her a powerful symbol with the potential for cross-industry impact from tourism to beauty, to merch, to service-based industries. Whether your marketing is in or out of the box, hopping on a trend that makes everyone happy is a safe bet.
### 6\. Subtle foreshadowing
A late entry in the 2024 meme race, subtle foreshadowing videos are an ironic twist on classic internet fail videos. A quick clip of the fail is teased intermittently as the video plays out, leaving the watcher aware of the chaos that ensues and curious about how and why it happens.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@livbedumb)
Singer [Olivia Rodrigo](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhHQfJpn/), known for her raw and open lyrics, joined the viral trend and got 2 millions views of her slipping during her concert. British children's cartoon [Peppa Pig](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhHxTvjR/) made a TikTok using this trend with their character Daddy Pig and got 4.7 million views.
**Takeaway:** The internet loves a good fail video, but this trend breaks the traditional narrative and delivers classic slapstick humor in an unexpected format. If you can laugh at yourself, social media will laugh with you.
### 7\. Wait! They don't love you like I love you
This social media trend features the Yeah Yeah Yeahâs lyrics âWait! They don't love you like I love youâ and a sped-up, two-step dance routine. The serious lyrics are contrasted with the silly dance and unserious caption.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@jessie_the_cocker/video/7423288344043408673?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7425990998067709482)
It dropped in September 2024 by TikToker Cranny [@southernbellesuzie](https://www.tiktok.com/@southernbellesuzie/video/7414708840198950175?lang=en) as a remix to a previous dance of hers. TikTokers loved it and the viral organic trend began. Content creator [Amelia Dimoldenberg](https://www.tiktok.com/@ameliadimz/video/7423808438767062304), host of "Chicken Shop Date," got just over one million views with her take. [Duolingo](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMh9Sjtxp/) also posted its mascot doing the dance and gained just under 9 million views.
**Takeaway:** This trend demonstrates the power of simplicity, nostalgia, and cross-generational appeal.
### 8\. Hello, Sharks
Inspired by the investor pitch format from "Shark Tank," Hello, Sharks sees creators on TikTok "pitch" exaggerated personal requests to the audience (the imaginary sharks). Pitches included everything from a midnight Taco Bell run to financial stability.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@maaaddsssssss/video/7348189171065949486)
TikToker Madi ([@maaaddsssssss](https://www.tiktok.com/@maaaddsssssss)) popularized it with their [video](https://www.tiktok.com/@maaaddsssssss/video/7348189171065949486) asking the sharks to let her quit her job, go on trips with her friends, and in return, give them a full run down of the gossip. It got nearly 11 million views. Skincare brand [Sol de Janerio](https://www.tiktok.com/@soldejaneiro/video/7354121082648923434) joined the trend and gained over 500,000 views. The authentic trend resonated with the internetâs obsession with skincare, allowing Sol de Janeiro to connect authentically with viewers.
**Takeaway:** The Hello Sharks trend embodies relatability and humor. It gave brands and creators a way to connect on everyday human struggles and desires in a fun, engaging format.
### 9\. Hopecore
Social media favors dark humor and chaos, but the viral Hopecore trend offers a refreshing alternative. Itâs not about dwelling on life's problems (or laughing at them) â itâs about optimism.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@hopecoreproject/video/7395277331419385130)
The trend is simple, featuring wholesome videos and pictures with an uplifting affirmation. For example, a [video](https://tiktok.com/@hopecore.o/video/7399481368687775009) posted by @hopecore.o of a child hearing clearly for the first time with the caption "life is beautiful" received over 22 million views on TikTok. [SoulCycle](https://www.tiktok.com/@soulcycle/video/7321785300445842730) embraced the trend, posting a video of an instructor in class with the caption "Be inspired by the strength of your SOUL" that matches the brand's positivity.
**Takeaway:** Youâve heard of doomscrolling. Let's replace it with hopescrolling. This trend offers audiences a dose of positivity and uplifting stories to improve their scrolling experience.
### 10\. Your parents' '80s dance moves
Young millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha TikTokers asked their parents to recreate dance moves from the 1980s and 1990s. The result? Club classics, retro dance moves, and family bonding. The trend was inspired by Dennis Appel ([@dadsgotmoves](https://www.tiktok.com/@dadsgotmoves)) who danced like his dad on TikTok, with the video collecting over 48 million views.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@dadsgotmoves)
Actress and businesswoman [Jennifer Garner](https://www.tiktok.com/@jennifergarner/video/7369055741589687594?lang=en) posted her take, and given her family-oriented food brand Once Upon a Farm, this trend was the perfect fit for her. Actress [Courtney Cox](https://www.tiktok.com/@courteneycoxofficial/video/7378629787088080171?lang=en) also hopped on the trend, doing a perfect throwback to her role in the "Dancing In The Dark" music video by Bruce Springsteen.
**Takeaway:** Lots of social media content is about dividing the generations, but this one united us. By crossing generational lines, it brought people together and connected people â something we love to see on social media.
## 5 social media memes and trends we want to leave in 2024
They say if you love something, let it go. While these trends all charmed us, they also revealed something flawed about the nature of trends. Some have reached peak saturation. Some have hit the end of their lifecycle. Some remind us of the risks of jumping on the latest viral bandwagon.
Weâre letting go of these trends in 2025, but weâll carry the lessons they taught us forever.
### 1\. Brat
Brat green. Brat summer. Brat and itâs completely different but also still brat. 2024 is brat.
When British singer [Charli XCX](https://www.tiktok.com/@charlixcx) released her album "Brat," it took on a life of its own. The albumâs marketing was genius, and it infiltrated culture with a now iconic green hue and unapologetic lyrics that won the internet.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@charlixcx)
This trend took the world by storm for a number of reasons. Aesthetically, it was the anti-clean girl aesthetic. It was honest, authentic, care-free, rough around the edges. It inspired an attitude that can only be defined as... brat.
Who *didnât* jump on the bratwagon? One of our favorites uses of this social media trend was Field Roastâs [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8uaeVHJwiA/?hl=en) on Instagram, which got nearly 4000 likes. Blending their plant-based product with the albumâs care-free attitude is a match made in heaven.
Brat was also famously used by presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Her social media team rebranded Harrisâ X account as "Brat," and went so far as to distribute yard signs in that neon green. This rebranding brought her [\$15.9 Million](https://wwd.com/pop-culture/culture-news/kamala-harris-brat-campaign-viral-hat-1236539876/) in media exposure.
**Takeaway:** Itâs not that Brat wasnât a great album. And itâs not that the marketing wasnât genius. And it wasnât even that shade of green. We loved it all.
Itâs simply that brat is a cultural movement. It transcends marketing, and the likes of this list. In short, brat is not a trend. Itâs a way of life.
### 2\. Demure
Creator [Jools Lebron](https://www.tiktok.com/@joolieannie/video/7399736793119247662) posted a video about her âvery demure, very mindfulâ job interview look, garnering 53.5 million views on TikTok. That phrase started echoing across social media as people reused the sound over their own videos.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@joolieannie/video/7399736793119247662)
Brat and demure are complete opposites. Brat was loud, chaotic, and carefree. Demure was cautious and toned down. Some even say this trend marked the end of brat summer and the start of demure fall.
Lyft, Netflix, and Zillow all collaborated with Lebron to create their own demure content. For Lyft, it was hailing a ride demurely. For Netflix, it was curating a list of demure shows. And for Zillow, it was a showcase of demure houses.
**Takeaway:** This uber-viral social media trend almost immediately went from fun and fresh to overused by brands. While we love to see [brands going to the source and collaborating with the originators of these trends](https://digiday.com/marketing/demure-trend-sparks-brands-acknowledgment-of-creators-contributions-to-viral-trends/), too many brands glommed onto this one and it died a quick death. While getting in on memes quickly is important, they can be a double edged sword of sameness that prevent your brand from standing out.
### 3\. Give me my money prank
The "Give me my money" trend emerged early in the year but gained traction around August. It's a prank that involves a group of friends or family taking turns saying "just give me my money" in an exaggerated voice while everyone cheers and claps. When itâs the last person's turn, the phrase is met with silence, leaving that person dumbfounded. Celebrities like [Will Smith](https://www.tiktok.com/@.worldofy/video/7398541445700799777?embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121351166%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_name&refer=embed&referer_url=&referer_video_id=7398541445700799777), [Usher](https://www.tiktok.com/@cincoye/video/7401995647131421983?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7425990998067709482), and [Idris Elba](https://www.tiktok.com/@isanelba/video/7399373957578657054) had this prank played on them.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@isanelba/video/7399373957578657054)
Kai Centat originally started the trend when he used the phrase in a [live stream](https://www.tiktok.com/@vrewls/video/7323056026528353578?q=kai%20cenat%20give%20me%20money&t=1722698719020) with rapper DreamDoll. Some think it was influenced by the film Paid in Full. The hashtag \#givememymoney has 134,000 videos on TikTok.
**Takeaway:** Call us soft, but his prank trend was hard to watch, especially as many of the videos involved children. Itâs more fun to laugh with people than at them\!
### 4\. Gen Z edits of marketing videos
Loud breathing. Lots of "ums," "ahs," and "oks." Awkward pauses and strange body language. These are all elements of one of the most popular social media memes of 2024. Yes, really.
It started when realtor Mike Hedge asked his social media editor, Teresa, a Gen Z-er, to edit a video of him showing a property. What Teresa made was this [video](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9KjT6IJHia/), which got almost six million likes on Instagram. Playing into the apparent differences between Gen Z and millennials, itâs easy to see why this took off.
[Image source](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9KjT6IJHia/)
Since this meme targeted marketing videos specifically, it was a field day for businesses and organizations on social media. Everyone from [movie theaters](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9XcU_wuIJO/) to [airlines](https://www.instagram.com/p/C_57iFjMCsx/) to [higher education](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-dHEAuRlGJ/) got in on the action.
**Takeaway:** This trend was fun because it subverted expectations. However, once your expectations are subverted, they canât be subverted again. Thatâs why this trend felt old quickly. Plus, generational humor can feel forced or even mean-spirited if it's not aligned with a brandâs audience and authentic tone.
### 5\. Willy Wonka experience disaster
When a Willy Wonka reboot premiered this year, it inspired a Willy Wonka "immersive experience" in Scotland. And this inspired a world of memes.
The "immersive experience" was [so poorly executed](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/27/glasgow-willy-wonka-experience-slammed-as-farce-as-tickets-refunded) that people compared it to the [Fyre Festival](https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-46904445) disaster*.* Bad sets, creepy costumes, and AI-generated scripts and marketing materials all contributed to a very public fiasco. Attendees filmed the event and that footage quickly went viral.
[Image source](https://x.com/f0X_j3n/status/1762851003588583680)
Players of games like The Sims, Fortnite, and Animal Crossing hopped on the social media trend and showed their in-game creations inspired by the event.
**Takeaway:** The disaster of the Glasgow Willy Wonka experience reminds brands of the dangers of overhyped events. While marketing, especially assisted by AI, can promise a dazzling experience, you donât want your actual event to fall short in an age when everyone can document it.
## Incorporating memes and trends in your brand's social presence
Reflecting on 2024âs social media memes, one thing is clear: navigating trend-driven content creation requires balance and critical thinking. Joining popular memes can connect with audiences and boost visibility, but staying true to your brand voice is key to being authentic.
Here are a few takeaways from the successful 2024 social media trends:
- **Community:** Successful social media trends brought people together and created a sense of community, especially across generations.
- **Adaptability and accessibility:** They were accessible (like easy dances) and adaptable (like loose formats) so different people and brands could partake.
- **Creativity:** Successful trends sparked an outpouring of creativity. Whether in reaction to an unexpected event, editing style, or subject matter, many trends showed us new ways to tell stories and show the world who we are.
Blending spontaneity with strategy is key to jumping on social media trends. Like all social media success, knowing your audience is the foundation for identifying the right trends to invest in.
[Social Trends & Updates](https://www.loomly.com/blog/tag/social-trends-updates), [Memes](https://www.loomly.com/blog/tag/memes)
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## Related posts
More social media gems await\!
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| Readable Markdown | The memes and trends that go viral on social media shape our lives both on and off screen. For a hot minute, we embraced chaos in a shade of green, and then demureness took its place. We did the apple dance, then the maps dance, then an interpretive dance. We fell in love with a woman who married a pathological liar, and a baby pygmy hippo captured our hears.
We also watched brands capitalize on these memes â some expertly, some not so much. Now that the year is over, we can safely name the trends we loved, and the ones weâre ready to leave in 2024.
Letâs take a walk down memory lane.
## 10 social media memes and trends we loved in 2024
While itâs impossible to predict what songs, sounds, dances, or challenges will trend, itâs easy to see what they have in common in retrospect. 2024âs greatest memes were adaptable and easily accessible â meaning everyone had a chance to participate.
### 1\. The apple dance
The Apple dance was inspired by the song "Apple" from Charli XCXâs Brat album, and it's the standout viral trend from 2024. Created by TikToker [Kelley Heyer](https://www.tiktok.com/@kelley.heyer), the simple but playful choreography to Charli XCXâs lyrics "I think the appleâs rotten right to the core" was copied by thousands of people. [The singer](https://www.tiktok.com/@charlixcx/video/7385506074176081185?q=appl%20orignal%20dance&t=1730048794082) herself joined the trend on TikTok, helping the dance spread and garnering over 51 million views in the process.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@kelley.heyer)
The trending sound has inspired 1.7 million TikTok videos with celebrities like the [Twisters cast](https://www.tiktok.com/@indiewire/video/7391676797676440862?q=apple%20dance&t=1731355900098) and [Joey King](https://www.tiktok.com/@joeyking/video/7411205669899996459) posting their versions. It hit another wave of popularity on Instagram, where accounts like the USAâs [Olympic Women's Rugby Team](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-F7OJkJhg3/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=f2686cd5-09c9-4bb1-8ff0-d2c24d75d70a) joined in.
**Takeaway:** This trend took off because of its low barrier to entry â no amazing dance skills were needed to join the craze. Trends like this are perfect for plugging your brand into internet culture.
### 2\. The hilarious fallout of Universal Music Group removing their music from TikTok
When [Universal Music Group (UMG) pulled their music from TikTok](https://www.emarketer.com/content/universal-music-group-pulling-its-catalog-tiktok) due to a licensing change at the beginning of 2024, people worried the app would change forever. But TikTokers â always the resourceful bunch â turned this upset on its head by pivoting to unlikely creative sources. They created dances and fan-edits to royalty-free music. Others sang DIY covers to mainstream songs. Some made lists of their favorite songs â without sound.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@jarredjermaine/video/7331509168890760479)
Just Dance embraced the situation and shared videos replacing the music in their game with royalty-free music songs. Their [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@justdance/video/7331053139375770922?lang=en) got over one million views.
**Takeaway:** This could have been a disaster for the platform, its users, and brands. But in typical Gen Z fashion, creators turned a challenge into a comedic opportunity, showcasing how adaptable the platform and its users truly are.
### 3\. đŹ I just wanna be part of your symphony đŹ
This trend involves images of rainbows, waterfalls, and flying dolphins ĂĄ la Lisa Frank set against the song âSymphonyâ by Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson. These images are paired with an irreverent, self-deprecating, or unhinged caption, like "I have social anxiety."
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@cleanbandit/photo/7405362443716807968)
Gen Z and Gen Alpha love bright and flashy 90s and Y2K aesthetics, but this trend serves them up with a side of irony and cynicism. It's the juxtaposition that makes it work\!
The artists of the song obviously jumped on the trend. Clean Banditâs [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@cleanbandit/photo/7405362443716807968), "I love popcorn and Cher," has over 3.5 million views. Zara Larsson took it a step further by [posting](https://www.tiktok.com/@zaralarsson/photo/7405570295815343393?lang=en) "What the f\*\*\* is going on." She also added a blow-up dolphin at her concerts as a nod to the trend.
And it wouldnât be a trend without [Duolingo](https://www.tiktok.com/@duolingo/photo/7408280741471341870?lang=en) hopping on it. Their interpretation featured green dolphins and the caption "end your streak and Iâll end you."
**Takeaway:** Dark humor and meme culture do numbers, especially on TikTok.
### 4\. How many aura points did I lose?
Another self-deprecating Gen Z social media trend this year is where the creator posts about an embarrassing moment, asking "how many aura points did I lose?" "Aura points" can be loosely translated to "cool factor." Weâre not 100% sure about the origin, but it can most likely be traced back to the basketball and football communities on X where people comment on the "aura" of athletes.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@calm/video/7379680067229715717)
Calm, the wellness app, blended the trend with their self-care focus on this [TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@calm/video/7379680067229715717) with the caption, "how many aura points do I lose if I donât drink any water today?" [Netflix](https://www.tiktok.com/@netflix/video/7384134213689314606) also referenced it in a "Bridgerton" promo.
**Takeaway:** This trend worked well for various niches, brands, and industries because it was highly adaptable and relatable.
### 5\. Moo Deng
[Moo Deng](https://www.tiktok.com/@khamoo.andthegang) is a baby pygmy hippo at Thailandâs Khao Kheow Open Zoo who stole the collective heart of social media this year. Sheâs cute, sassy, and her name means "bouncy pork." Whatâs not to love?
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@khamoo.andthegang)
The zoo where she lives has trademarked her image and sells Moo Deng merch. But they're not the only ones. She also nabbed a collaboration with Sephora Thailand and a food delivery and ride-hailing company called Grab Thailand.
**Takeaway:** Moo Dengâs cuteness makes her a powerful symbol with the potential for cross-industry impact from tourism to beauty, to merch, to service-based industries. Whether your marketing is in or out of the box, hopping on a trend that makes everyone happy is a safe bet.
### 6\. Subtle foreshadowing
A late entry in the 2024 meme race, subtle foreshadowing videos are an ironic twist on classic internet fail videos. A quick clip of the fail is teased intermittently as the video plays out, leaving the watcher aware of the chaos that ensues and curious about how and why it happens.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@livbedumb)
Singer [Olivia Rodrigo](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhHQfJpn/), known for her raw and open lyrics, joined the viral trend and got 2 millions views of her slipping during her concert. British children's cartoon [Peppa Pig](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMhHxTvjR/) made a TikTok using this trend with their character Daddy Pig and got 4.7 million views.
**Takeaway:** The internet loves a good fail video, but this trend breaks the traditional narrative and delivers classic slapstick humor in an unexpected format. If you can laugh at yourself, social media will laugh with you.
### 7\. Wait! They don't love you like I love you
This social media trend features the Yeah Yeah Yeahâs lyrics âWait! They don't love you like I love youâ and a sped-up, two-step dance routine. The serious lyrics are contrasted with the silly dance and unserious caption.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@jessie_the_cocker/video/7423288344043408673?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7425990998067709482)
It dropped in September 2024 by TikToker Cranny [@southernbellesuzie](https://www.tiktok.com/@southernbellesuzie/video/7414708840198950175?lang=en) as a remix to a previous dance of hers. TikTokers loved it and the viral organic trend began. Content creator [Amelia Dimoldenberg](https://www.tiktok.com/@ameliadimz/video/7423808438767062304), host of "Chicken Shop Date," got just over one million views with her take. [Duolingo](https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMh9Sjtxp/) also posted its mascot doing the dance and gained just under 9 million views.
**Takeaway:** This trend demonstrates the power of simplicity, nostalgia, and cross-generational appeal.
### 8\. Hello, Sharks
Inspired by the investor pitch format from "Shark Tank," Hello, Sharks sees creators on TikTok "pitch" exaggerated personal requests to the audience (the imaginary sharks). Pitches included everything from a midnight Taco Bell run to financial stability.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@maaaddsssssss/video/7348189171065949486)
TikToker Madi ([@maaaddsssssss](https://www.tiktok.com/@maaaddsssssss)) popularized it with their [video](https://www.tiktok.com/@maaaddsssssss/video/7348189171065949486) asking the sharks to let her quit her job, go on trips with her friends, and in return, give them a full run down of the gossip. It got nearly 11 million views. Skincare brand [Sol de Janerio](https://www.tiktok.com/@soldejaneiro/video/7354121082648923434) joined the trend and gained over 500,000 views. The authentic trend resonated with the internetâs obsession with skincare, allowing Sol de Janeiro to connect authentically with viewers.
**Takeaway:** The Hello Sharks trend embodies relatability and humor. It gave brands and creators a way to connect on everyday human struggles and desires in a fun, engaging format.
### 9\. Hopecore
Social media favors dark humor and chaos, but the viral Hopecore trend offers a refreshing alternative. Itâs not about dwelling on life's problems (or laughing at them) â itâs about optimism.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@hopecoreproject/video/7395277331419385130)
The trend is simple, featuring wholesome videos and pictures with an uplifting affirmation. For example, a [video](https://tiktok.com/@hopecore.o/video/7399481368687775009) posted by @hopecore.o of a child hearing clearly for the first time with the caption "life is beautiful" received over 22 million views on TikTok. [SoulCycle](https://www.tiktok.com/@soulcycle/video/7321785300445842730) embraced the trend, posting a video of an instructor in class with the caption "Be inspired by the strength of your SOUL" that matches the brand's positivity.
**Takeaway:** Youâve heard of doomscrolling. Let's replace it with hopescrolling. This trend offers audiences a dose of positivity and uplifting stories to improve their scrolling experience.
### 10\. Your parents' '80s dance moves
Young millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha TikTokers asked their parents to recreate dance moves from the 1980s and 1990s. The result? Club classics, retro dance moves, and family bonding. The trend was inspired by Dennis Appel ([@dadsgotmoves](https://www.tiktok.com/@dadsgotmoves)) who danced like his dad on TikTok, with the video collecting over 48 million views.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@dadsgotmoves)
Actress and businesswoman [Jennifer Garner](https://www.tiktok.com/@jennifergarner/video/7369055741589687594?lang=en) posted her take, and given her family-oriented food brand Once Upon a Farm, this trend was the perfect fit for her. Actress [Courtney Cox](https://www.tiktok.com/@courteneycoxofficial/video/7378629787088080171?lang=en) also hopped on the trend, doing a perfect throwback to her role in the "Dancing In The Dark" music video by Bruce Springsteen.
**Takeaway:** Lots of social media content is about dividing the generations, but this one united us. By crossing generational lines, it brought people together and connected people â something we love to see on social media.
## 5 social media memes and trends we want to leave in 2024
They say if you love something, let it go. While these trends all charmed us, they also revealed something flawed about the nature of trends. Some have reached peak saturation. Some have hit the end of their lifecycle. Some remind us of the risks of jumping on the latest viral bandwagon.
Weâre letting go of these trends in 2025, but weâll carry the lessons they taught us forever.
### 1\. Brat
Brat green. Brat summer. Brat and itâs completely different but also still brat. 2024 is brat.
When British singer [Charli XCX](https://www.tiktok.com/@charlixcx) released her album "Brat," it took on a life of its own. The albumâs marketing was genius, and it infiltrated culture with a now iconic green hue and unapologetic lyrics that won the internet.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@charlixcx)
This trend took the world by storm for a number of reasons. Aesthetically, it was the anti-clean girl aesthetic. It was honest, authentic, care-free, rough around the edges. It inspired an attitude that can only be defined as... brat.
Who *didnât* jump on the bratwagon? One of our favorites uses of this social media trend was Field Roastâs [post](https://www.instagram.com/p/C8uaeVHJwiA/?hl=en) on Instagram, which got nearly 4000 likes. Blending their plant-based product with the albumâs care-free attitude is a match made in heaven.
Brat was also famously used by presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Her social media team rebranded Harrisâ X account as "Brat," and went so far as to distribute yard signs in that neon green. This rebranding brought her [\$15.9 Million](https://wwd.com/pop-culture/culture-news/kamala-harris-brat-campaign-viral-hat-1236539876/) in media exposure.
**Takeaway:** Itâs not that Brat wasnât a great album. And itâs not that the marketing wasnât genius. And it wasnât even that shade of green. We loved it all.
Itâs simply that brat is a cultural movement. It transcends marketing, and the likes of this list. In short, brat is not a trend. Itâs a way of life.
### 2\. Demure
Creator [Jools Lebron](https://www.tiktok.com/@joolieannie/video/7399736793119247662) posted a video about her âvery demure, very mindfulâ job interview look, garnering 53.5 million views on TikTok. That phrase started echoing across social media as people reused the sound over their own videos.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@joolieannie/video/7399736793119247662)
Brat and demure are complete opposites. Brat was loud, chaotic, and carefree. Demure was cautious and toned down. Some even say this trend marked the end of brat summer and the start of demure fall.
Lyft, Netflix, and Zillow all collaborated with Lebron to create their own demure content. For Lyft, it was hailing a ride demurely. For Netflix, it was curating a list of demure shows. And for Zillow, it was a showcase of demure houses.
**Takeaway:** This uber-viral social media trend almost immediately went from fun and fresh to overused by brands. While we love to see [brands going to the source and collaborating with the originators of these trends](https://digiday.com/marketing/demure-trend-sparks-brands-acknowledgment-of-creators-contributions-to-viral-trends/), too many brands glommed onto this one and it died a quick death. While getting in on memes quickly is important, they can be a double edged sword of sameness that prevent your brand from standing out.
### 3\. Give me my money prank
The "Give me my money" trend emerged early in the year but gained traction around August. It's a prank that involves a group of friends or family taking turns saying "just give me my money" in an exaggerated voice while everyone cheers and claps. When itâs the last person's turn, the phrase is met with silence, leaving that person dumbfounded. Celebrities like [Will Smith](https://www.tiktok.com/@.worldofy/video/7398541445700799777?embed_source=121374463%2C121468991%2C121439635%2C121433650%2C121404359%2C121351166%2C121331973%2C120811592%2C120810756%3Bnull%3Bembed_name&refer=embed&referer_url=&referer_video_id=7398541445700799777), [Usher](https://www.tiktok.com/@cincoye/video/7401995647131421983?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id=7425990998067709482), and [Idris Elba](https://www.tiktok.com/@isanelba/video/7399373957578657054) had this prank played on them.
[Image source](https://www.tiktok.com/@isanelba/video/7399373957578657054)
Kai Centat originally started the trend when he used the phrase in a [live stream](https://www.tiktok.com/@vrewls/video/7323056026528353578?q=kai%20cenat%20give%20me%20money&t=1722698719020) with rapper DreamDoll. Some think it was influenced by the film Paid in Full. The hashtag \#givememymoney has 134,000 videos on TikTok.
**Takeaway:** Call us soft, but his prank trend was hard to watch, especially as many of the videos involved children. Itâs more fun to laugh with people than at them\!
### 4\. Gen Z edits of marketing videos
Loud breathing. Lots of "ums," "ahs," and "oks." Awkward pauses and strange body language. These are all elements of one of the most popular social media memes of 2024. Yes, really.
It started when realtor Mike Hedge asked his social media editor, Teresa, a Gen Z-er, to edit a video of him showing a property. What Teresa made was this [video](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9KjT6IJHia/), which got almost six million likes on Instagram. Playing into the apparent differences between Gen Z and millennials, itâs easy to see why this took off.
[Image source](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9KjT6IJHia/)
Since this meme targeted marketing videos specifically, it was a field day for businesses and organizations on social media. Everyone from [movie theaters](https://www.instagram.com/p/C9XcU_wuIJO/) to [airlines](https://www.instagram.com/p/C_57iFjMCsx/) to [higher education](https://www.instagram.com/p/C-dHEAuRlGJ/) got in on the action.
**Takeaway:** This trend was fun because it subverted expectations. However, once your expectations are subverted, they canât be subverted again. Thatâs why this trend felt old quickly. Plus, generational humor can feel forced or even mean-spirited if it's not aligned with a brandâs audience and authentic tone.
### 5\. Willy Wonka experience disaster
When a Willy Wonka reboot premiered this year, it inspired a Willy Wonka "immersive experience" in Scotland. And this inspired a world of memes.
The "immersive experience" was [so poorly executed](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/feb/27/glasgow-willy-wonka-experience-slammed-as-farce-as-tickets-refunded) that people compared it to the [Fyre Festival](https://www.bbc.com/news/newsbeat-46904445) disaster*.* Bad sets, creepy costumes, and AI-generated scripts and marketing materials all contributed to a very public fiasco. Attendees filmed the event and that footage quickly went viral.
[Image source](https://x.com/f0X_j3n/status/1762851003588583680)
Players of games like The Sims, Fortnite, and Animal Crossing hopped on the social media trend and showed their in-game creations inspired by the event.
**Takeaway:** The disaster of the Glasgow Willy Wonka experience reminds brands of the dangers of overhyped events. While marketing, especially assisted by AI, can promise a dazzling experience, you donât want your actual event to fall short in an age when everyone can document it.
## Incorporating memes and trends in your brand's social presence
Reflecting on 2024âs social media memes, one thing is clear: navigating trend-driven content creation requires balance and critical thinking. Joining popular memes can connect with audiences and boost visibility, but staying true to your brand voice is key to being authentic.
Here are a few takeaways from the successful 2024 social media trends:
- **Community:** Successful social media trends brought people together and created a sense of community, especially across generations.
- **Adaptability and accessibility:** They were accessible (like easy dances) and adaptable (like loose formats) so different people and brands could partake.
- **Creativity:** Successful trends sparked an outpouring of creativity. Whether in reaction to an unexpected event, editing style, or subject matter, many trends showed us new ways to tell stories and show the world who we are.
Blending spontaneity with strategy is key to jumping on social media trends. Like all social media success, knowing your audience is the foundation for identifying the right trends to invest in. |
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