LF Pool Party Archives

Diving In: Sports Video Games

The Dominance and Evolution of Sports Video Games: A Data-Driven Look

Sports video games have long been a cornerstone of the gaming industry, driving massive revenue, engagement, and social conversation across platforms. As the genre continues to evolve, recent data paints a clear picture of its unmatched impact on gamers, brands, and digital spaces worldwide. From record-breaking revenue numbers to surging social talkability, sports video games are not just a niche—they are a global cultural phenomenon.

Revenue Powerhouses: Sports Games Lead the Charts

According to Circana’s all-time best-selling sports video games list, franchises like NBA 2K and Madden NFL dominate the market. Titles such as NBA 2K21, NBA 2K23, and EA Sports College Football 25 consistently appear among the top sellers. Notably:

NBA 2K21 stands as the best-selling sports game of all time, showcasing the enduring popularity of basketball games.
EA Sports College Football 25 marks a triumphant return for college football games, solidifying its position at #2.
Wii Sports Resort, a cultural phenomenon from Nintendo, remains a unique outlier, proving the lasting impact of motion-controlled sports gaming.

These rankings underscore the financial success and staying power of sports franchises, which often release annual titles that draw millions of players year after year.

Market Growth Trends

The global Sports Games market is expected to grow at a robust CAGR (Compound annual growth rate) of 10.46% (2022-2027), reaching a projected revenue of US$13.8 billion by 2027. Key contributors to this growth include:

In-App Purchases (IAP): US$2.07 billion (2022).
Advertising Revenue: US$5.42 billion (2022).
Paid Game Sales: A smaller but still relevant US$0.03 billion.

With downloads projected to reach 5.17 billion in 2022 alone and an average revenue per download of US$1.45, the market shows no signs of slowing down.

Engagement and Social Talkability: A Modern Playing Field

Revenue alone doesn’t tell the full story. Engagement metrics and social talkability reveal how players interact with these games, sparking conversations, content creation, and community building.

Top Games Driving Engagement

From the ListenFirst data tracking engagements and social talkability (Jan-Dec 2024), sports franchises show impressive performance:

Title/Franchise	Total Engagements	Social Talkability
League of Legends	76.9M	7M
EA Sports FC 24	57.7M	2.4M
NBA 2K Franchise	28.8M	1.7M

While League of Legends isn’t technically a sports video game, we are counting it due to its sprawling esports ecosystem. It leads above the rest even though EA Sports FC 24 and NBA 2K franchises hold their own, demonstrating a consistent interest in sports simulations.

Platform-Specific Trends

Instagram: EA Sports FC 24 drives the highest engagements here, with over 39M engagements.
TikTok: Surging in influence, League of Legends tallies 2.5M mentions, highlighting TikTok’s role in driving viral content.
YouTube & Twitter: While engagement fluctuates, both platforms remain vital for sports game communities, particularly for trailers, esports events, and influencer content.

The Correlation Between Engagement and Talkability

Interestingly, high-performing titles on the engagement charts also tend to dominate social talkability metrics. For instance:

EA Sports FC 24 combines 57.7M engagements with significant talkability, proving its role as a cultural conversation driver.
NBA 2K generates impressive platform-specific numbers but struggles with proportional talkability on TikTok and YouTube compared to competitors.

What Drives the Popularity of Sports Video Games?

1. Annual Releases and Fan Loyalty

Sports games thrive on loyal fan bases and consistent updates. Annual releases like Madden NFL and NBA 2K deliver updated rosters, improved mechanics, and fresh visuals, ensuring players return year after year.

2. Competitive Gameplay and Esports

The rise of esports has amplified the appeal of sports games. Titles like FIFA (now EA Sports FC) and NBA 2K have dedicated esports leagues, attracting both casual players and competitive gamers.

3. Realism and Immersion

Advancements in graphics and gameplay physics have elevated sports games to near-realistic experiences. From lifelike animations to strategic depth, these games offer a faithful replication of real-world sports.

4. Social Media and User-Generated Content

Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram allow players to share highlights, tutorials, and funny moments. Social talkability fuels the growth of sports games, turning memorable in-game moments into viral content.

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

Opportunities

Emerging Platforms: TikTok’s explosive growth in engagement and talkability offers new opportunities for sports game publishers to connect with younger audiences.
Mobile Gaming: With downloads projected to hit 5.17 billion, mobile sports games present a massive growth area, particularly in emerging markets.
Esports Expansion: Building more accessible and engaging esports ecosystems can drive further engagement and revenue.

Challenges

Market Saturation: Annual releases must continue innovating to avoid franchise fatigue.
Rising Development Costs: Delivering hyper-realistic experiences demands significant investment in technology and talent.
Balancing Monetization: While in-app purchases and ads drive revenue, publishers must balance profitability with player satisfaction.

Conclusion: The Future is Bright for Sports Video Games

Sports video games have proven their dominance in both revenue and engagement, with franchises like NBA 2K, Madden NFL, and EA Sports FC leading the charge. Coupled with rising social talkability on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the genre’s growth shows no signs of slowing down.

As technology advances and new platforms emerge, sports games will continue to redefine the gaming experience, blending realism, competition, and community into one seamless package. Whether you’re a casual player or an esports champion, the world of sports gaming offers something for everyone—and its best days are still ahead.

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Diving In: Wicked

**Defying Gravity: How Wicked Mastered Social Media Marketing**

The film adaptation of Wicked has captivated audiences far beyond the silver screen. Through an innovative and meticulously crafted social media campaign, Universal Pictures created more than just a movie premiere—it launched a cultural phenomenon. The campaign saw Universal partnering with over 400 brands, including Starbucks, Lego, H&M, and Beis, surpassing Mattel’s Barbie, which featured 100+ collaborations. Universal’s marketing chief, Michael Moses, summed up the approach as aiming to be “just short of obnoxious,” reflecting the need to adapt to the death of “monoculture.” As Moses explained, “We live in an environment where monoculture doesn’t happen as it used to. So, you have to be everywhere. If you’re chronically online, you probably saw everything. But there are so many people who aren’t, and we needed to be wherever they were in their consumer journeys.” Combining strategic partnerships, engaging storytelling, and data-driven insights, Wicked set a new benchmark for how films can leverage social media to connect with audiences. We dug into the campaign, explored what brands can learn from it, and spoke with Miranda McWeeney, CEO of ListenFirst, to get her thoughts on the magic it created.

Building Anticipation Across Platforms

To generate excitement, Universal Pictures activated a multi-platform strategy spanning Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and YouTube. Each channel delivered unique content tailored to fan engagement:

Countdowns and Q&As: Interactive posts on Instagram and TikTok encouraged fans to feel part of the journey to the premiere.
Teasers and Trailers: YouTube and Twitter hosted exclusive previews and behind-the-scenes clips, fueling intrigue.
Unified Visual Identity: Across all platforms, the campaign featured Wicked’s signature green-and-pink aesthetic and iconic music, making its content instantly recognizable.

This approach not only broadened the campaign’s reach but also deepened audience engagement, fostering excitement months before the release.

By the Numbers: The campaign attracted over 1 million new followers (+970%) in six months, boosting the total social audience to 1.63 million.

“Universal’s ability to tailor content to each platform while maintaining a cohesive brand identity highlights a fundamental truth: audiences engage differently across channels. Brands that invest in platform-specific strategies see higher engagement and better ROI.” – Miranda McWeeney

Short-Form Video: Capturing Hearts in Seconds

Short-form video was central to Wicked’s social media strategy, with platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts delivering bite-sized glimpses into the film’s world. From character moments to sneak peeks of musical performances, these videos captivated fans and kept them coming back for more.

Video Highlights:
- “You can’t bring her down 💚🧹”: 15 million views and 2.8 million engagements.
- “Becoming Elphaba 💚”: 12.7 million views, offering fans a behind-the-scenes look at the iconic transformation.

“Short-form video isn’t just about attention-grabbing content—it’s about creating an emotional connection in seconds. Wicked’s strategy of blending character moments and behind-the-scenes glimpses demonstrates how to captivate audiences and keep them coming back for more.” – Miranda McWeeney

Overall Impact: The campaign amassed an extraordinary 227 million public video views (+999%), demonstrating the immense power of visually engaging short-form content.

Strategic Brand Partnerships: Expanding the Universe

Wicked’s marketing went beyond traditional promotions by embedding itself into fans’ everyday lives through strategic partnerships:

R.E.M. Beauty: Ariana Grande’s cosmetics line launched a Wicked-themed collection, inspiring viral unboxing videos and tutorials.
Spotify: Fans enjoyed curated playlists, blending nostalgia with anticipation for the movie’s soundtrack.
Starbucks: Limited-edition Wicked-inspired drinks turned coffee shops into photo opportunities shared widely on social media.

These partnerships not only amplified the film’s reach but also created organic user-generated content that further spread Wicked’s magic.

What Worked: By aligning with culturally relevant brands, Wicked seamlessly integrated into lifestyle moments, keeping the film top-of-mind for its audience.

“Partnerships like those between Wicked and culturally relevant brands don’t just amplify reach—they embed the story into everyday life. This strategy creates moments of discovery for audiences, making the campaign feel personal and omnipresent.” – Miranda McWeeney

Cohesive Branding: A Magical Identity

One of the campaign’s greatest strengths was its consistent visual and thematic identity. From social media posts to merchandise packaging, Wicked maintained a cohesive aesthetic featuring its green-and-pink palette, whimsical bubbles, and beloved characters.

Key Metrics:

Engagements: 42.3 million (+529%) across platforms.
Top Post: “You can’t bring her down 💚🧹” with 2.8 million engagements and 115,700 shares, underscoring the power of visually stunning and emotionally resonant content.

Lesson for Brands: A strong, recognizable identity not only builds trust but also deepens emotional connections with your audience.

Top-Performing Social Media Posts

The campaign’s top five posts highlight key elements of its success:

“You can’t bring her down 💚🧹”: Empowering tagline paired with iconic visuals; 15 million views, 2.8 million engagements.
“The magical event of the year arrives November 22!”: Nostalgic messaging drove 1.8 million engagements and 14.6 million views.
“What is this feeling so sudden and new?”: Leveraged beloved music to engage fans emotionally; 12.1 million views.
“We know about popular. 🎵”: Humor and charm inspired 1.4 million engagements and 16.7 million views.
“Becoming Elphaba 💚”: Behind-the-scenes content showcasing the transformation process captivated fans; 12.7 million views.

Key Insights: These posts combined nostalgia, empowerment, and creativity to spark widespread engagement and shares.

Viral Moments: Amplifying Reach Organically

A pivotal moment in the campaign occurred during a press tour interview when journalist Tracey E. Gilchrist told stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande that fans were “holding space” for the empowering lyrics of “Defying Gravity.” The emotional and somewhat perplexed reactions from the stars led to a viral meme, with social media users humorously applying the phrase to various contexts.

This organic viral moment extended the campaign’s reach, engaging audiences beyond traditional marketing channels and showcasing the power of authentic, unscripted interactions.

Lesson for Brands: Embrace and leverage unexpected viral moments to humanize your brand and connect with audiences on a deeper level.

“Brands often overlook the power of organic moments, but these unscripted interactions can humanize a campaign and extend its reach exponentially. Wicked’s success here is a reminder to stay agile and lean into the unexpected.” – Miranda McWeeney

Data-Driven Success

The campaign’s impressive metrics within 6 months of the premiere underscore the effectiveness of its strategy:

Follower Growth: Over 1 million new followers across platforms (+970%).
Engagements: 42.3 million total interactions (+529%).
Public Impressions: 30.9 million impressions on Twitter alone (+230%).
Public Video Views: 227 million total views (+999%).

Despite a slight dip in response rate (45.18%, -29%), these numbers highlight the campaign’s ability to drive buzz and build community on an unprecedented scale.

Key Takeaways for Brands

The Wicked campaign provides a roadmap for creating impactful social media strategies:

Be Multi-Platform Savvy: Tailor content to different platforms while maintaining a cohesive identity.
Leverage Short-Form Video: Capture attention quickly with visually dynamic and emotionally resonant content.
Collaborate Strategically: Partner with brands to expand your audience and create cultural relevance.
Stay Consistent: A cohesive visual and thematic identity builds trust and recognition.
Embrace Viral Moments: Leverage unexpected viral content to humanize your brand and extend reach.
Track and Optimize: Use data to refine your approach and measure success in real time.

Final Thoughts

The Wicked social media campaign redefined what movie marketing can achieve, blending creativity, strategy, and data to create an immersive, unforgettable experience for fans. By embracing multi-platform engagement, leveraging short-form video, partnering with culturally relevant brands, and capitalizing on organic viral moments, Universal Pictures didn’t just promote a film—it built a movement.

The campaign’s success lies in its ability to make fans feel like active participants in the story. From nostalgic nods to the original musical to behind-the-scenes insights and interactive content, Wicked turned its audience into co-creators of its magic. And with staggering metrics like 227 million video views, 42.3 million engagements, and 30.9 million impressions, it’s clear the campaign resonated far and wide.

For brands, Wicked offers invaluable lessons: focus on emotional storytelling, maintain a cohesive brand identity, and embrace the unexpected. Whether you’re launching a product, building a campaign, or promoting an event, these strategies provide a roadmap for connecting with audiences and creating moments that truly resonate.

The Wicked campaign didn’t just defy gravity—it set a new standard for capturing and inspiring audiences in the digital age.

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Diving In: Sports Marketing

Redefining Fan Engagement: How Social Media is Transforming Sports Marketing

Social media has redefined the way we experience sports. For fans, it’s not just about scores and highlights anymore—it’s about connection. They want more than a recap; they want behind-the-scenes moments, real-time updates, and a personal look at their favorite teams and players.

This shift in expectations has put social media at the heart of sports marketing. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) have become the go-to channels for fan engagement. But succeeding in this space requires more than just showing up—it demands strategy, storytelling, and insights. That’s where ListenFirst’s Social Indexes for Sports comes in, offering the tools teams and leagues need to understand their fans and outpace the competition.

The Rise of the Modern Sports Fan

It wasn’t so long ago that being a sports fan meant reading game recaps in the paper or catching highlights on TV. Now, fans are part of the action as it unfolds. They’re following live commentary on X, watching behind-the-scenes moments on Instagram Stories, and connecting with athletes on TikTok.

This evolution has created a new kind of fan experience—one centered on real-time access and personal connection. Athletes, in particular, have become central to this dynamic. Players like Lionel Messi, Marcus Rashford, and Steph Curry have built massive social followings that often eclipse their teams. Messi’s transfer to Inter Miami CF alone brought the MLS nearly 12 million new followers in a single month.

For teams, this trend is a game-changer. It’s no longer just about brand loyalty to the team; it’s about building relationships through the personalities and stories of individual players.

Social Media: Where the Game is Played

Each social platform brings something unique to the table, and knowing how to leverage them is key to reaching today’s fans:

Instagram: Perfect for showcasing player personalities and team culture through Reels, Stories, and high-quality visuals.
TikTok: A playground for creativity, trends, and fan challenges, TikTok’s algorithm makes it ideal for reaching younger audiences.
X (formerly Twitter): The hub for real-time updates and fan conversations, especially during live events.

When used strategically, these platforms don’t just drive engagement—they build loyalty. For example, NBA fans are most active on Sundays, with engagement peaking in the early hours between 12-3 AM PT. Knowing these patterns allows teams to connect when it matters most.

Winning with Insights: ListenFirst’s Social Indexes for Sports

With fan expectations rising, teams can’t rely on guesswork. ListenFirst’s Social Indexes for Sports gives teams access to industry-wide data that takes the mystery out of social media strategy. Here’s how it’s helping redefine the game:

Fan Engagement Analysis: Find out what content resonates with fans, from game-day highlights to player stories.
Brand Rankings: Compare your team’s social presence to others across the league and globally.
Content Insights: Discover the types of posts driving the most engagement, like the Kansas City Chiefs’ 141% increase in engagement per post this year.
Competitor Deep Dives: Learn what’s working for rival teams, leagues, and even emerging disruptors like Formula 1.
Reputation Management: Stay ahead of trending conversations and protect your narrative, like the Oakland A’s did when announcing their move to Vegas.

These insights give teams a complete picture of the social landscape, ensuring they’re not just keeping up—they’re setting the pace.

Beyond the Competition: Why a Broader View Matters

Focusing solely on direct competitors can leave teams blind to industry trends. Emerging leagues like Formula 1 prove that a sport can rapidly capture global attention by embracing innovative engagement strategies. ListenFirst’s Social Indexes allows teams to look beyond their immediate rivals and spot these disruptors early.

The platform covers over 500 teams, leagues, and organizations, from top U.S. leagues like the NFL and NBA to international staples like La Liga and emerging sports like motorsports and combat sports. This breadth of coverage gives teams a competitive edge, whether they’re refining their own strategies or identifying potential opportunities.

Athletes as the Face of the Brand

Athletes are more than players—they’re influencers with immense reach. Collaborating with them to create authentic content can amplify a team’s message and build stronger fan connections. A player’s Instagram post about a community event or a TikTok showcasing their daily routine often resonates more with fans than traditional team updates.

For teams, this collaboration is an opportunity to show the human side of the sport. By embracing the personalities of their players, they’re not just growing their audience—they’re deepening their impact.

The Future of Fan Engagement

Social media isn’t just a tool for engagement—it’s the future of sports marketing. Fans want more than highlights; they want to feel like they’re part of the story. Meeting these expectations means combining authentic storytelling with data-driven strategy.

With tools like ListenFirst’s Social Indexes for Sports, teams and leagues have everything they need to stay ahead. From uncovering trends to measuring ROI, these tools ensure that every social post, campaign, and partnership delivers maximum impact.

It’s About More Than the Game

The way fans connect with sports has changed, and teams must evolve with it. It’s no longer just about winning games—it’s about building relationships through stories, personalities, and shared experiences. By using tools like ListenFirst’s Social Indexes, sports marketers can meet the moment and create fan engagement strategies that truly resonate.

The future belongs to those who go beyond the surface, embracing both innovation and the timeless power of connection. Ready to take your strategy to the next level?

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Diving In: TikTok Trends for November 2024

TikTok Trends to Watch: Insights for Social Media Professionals

For social media professionals, staying on top of TikTok trends is crucial for creating content that resonates with the platform’s dynamic audience. TikTok isn’t just about entertaining videos—it’s a space where creativity thrives, and brands can connect with users in authentic and engaging ways. To help you tap into TikTok’s fast-moving trends, here’s a roundup of the latest viral sounds and how you can adapt them for your brand.

Maximizing Your Cyber 5 Sales with a Data-Driven Social Media Strategy

As we gear up for Cyber 5—the five-day shopping frenzy from Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday—making the most of your social media strategy is crucial. Each platform offers unique ways to connect with shoppers, so tailoring your content to where and how audiences are most engaged can make a big difference in driving sales. Recent insights from the ListenFirst CPG brandset, paired with data from our webinar with PriceSpider on Cyber 5 social strategy, offer some powerful takeaways on how to optimize reach and engagement across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube during this peak shopping period.

Platform Prioritization: Where to Focus

When it comes to engagement, Instagram is performing exceptionally well on Cyber 5 itself, capturing about 52% of total engagement across platforms. For Cyber 5, I’d suggest putting a strong focus here, especially for posts that encourage feedback or engagement, like polls, questions, or limited-time offers. Facebook is another important platform, especially if you’re aiming for shareable content—70% of all shares are happening there. This makes it ideal for broad-reaching promotions and viral content, particularly if you’re looking to spread the word about time-sensitive deals.

TikTok and YouTube both shine for video views, with TikTok taking the lead. If you have video content that’s high-energy or entertaining, this is where you’ll likely see the best results. With TikTok’s audience being highly engaged with short-form content, it’s a perfect fit for capturing attention during a busy shopping weekend.

Content Strategy: Video and Visuals are Key

The data confirms that video content is king for engagement across channels. TikTok and YouTube, of course, are strong video platforms, but video is also driving solid engagement on Instagram and Facebook. For Cyber 5, think short, impactful videos that emphasize urgency—countdowns, last-chance deals, or product highlights. Our webinar with PriceSpider also revealed that video posts show a 3.5x higher purchase intent compared to static images, making video essential for brands focused on converting views into sales.

For image content, Instagram leads in engagement. High-quality visuals—especially those showcasing products or gift ideas—tend to resonate well here. It’s worth considering a mix of both videos and images to capture attention and build anticipation across your channels.

Omnichannel and Unified Commerce: Creating a Seamless Experience

In a world where social media is a core part of the online shopping journey, especially for younger consumers, it’s vital to offer a seamless, multichannel shopping experience. On average, people take up to six actions before purchasing. This underscores the importance of omnichannel strategies that connect your social media presence with other digital touchpoints, creating a unified experience that makes it easy for shoppers to discover, consider, and buy.

About the Webinar

These insights are drawn from our recent webinar with PriceSpider, titled Using Q4 for Audience Insights, Social Commerce, Learnings for Cyber Five and Beyond. This session featured Jordan Mitchell, Client Strategist at ListenFirst, and Rae Guimond, Director of GTM Strategy Enablement. Together, they explored how brands can leverage Q4 to drive audience insights, refine social commerce strategies, and capitalize on learnings for Cyber Five and beyond. The discussion covered emerging trends in platform engagement, consumer behavior, and content types to maximize sales potential across key social platforms.

Type of Tags that Drive Engagement

Interestingly, posts with product-related tags perform very well, indicating that audiences are actively interested in content directly related to products. For Cyber 5, make sure to include tags that relate to the specific items you’re promoting or the type of deals being offered. Tags like “funny,” “instruction,” and “recipe” also rank high in engagement, so consider content that adds value or entertainment to your sales message—like a quick “how-to” for a product or a lighthearted holiday-themed post.

Platform-Specific Strategy for Cyber 5 Success

Based on these insights:

Instagram is where you should focus on user engagement. Contests, comment-driven posts, and real-time interactions will do well here. It’s a great place to encourage people to tag friends or participate in giveaways.
Facebook is ideal for reach. If you have promotions that need to go far and wide, Facebook’s shareability can amplify your message.
TikTok is perfect for entertaining, fast-paced content. Consider quick product demos, countdowns, or humorous posts that align with the platform’s style.

Jordan Mitchell, strategist at ListenFirst, also highlighted the importance of pacing during Cyber 5: “Cyber Monday was the most active time for brands, while the weekend was the least active. Popular days are a crowded landscape… leverage lead-up time to prevent consumer fatigue.” This is a valuable reminder to build momentum in the days leading up to Cyber Monday and engage audiences early to avoid the clutter of peak shopping days.

Post-Cyber 5 Engagement: Extending the Momentum

Don’t stop once Cyber 5 is over. The week following Cyber 5 tends to have high audience engagement, as shared in our webinar with PriceSpider. This is an ideal time to share holiday content, gift guides, and even some humorous, self-aware posts about the shopping season. Keeping up the momentum post-Cyber 5 can help keep your brand top-of-mind as shoppers continue their holiday buying.

Understanding Shifting Categories and Consumer Sentiment

Cyber 5 shopping is seeing shifts toward everyday essentials like household items and personal care rather than high-ticket items. Unexpected categories like hardware are even gaining traction on TikTok. Meanwhile, sustainability and mindful consumption are priorities for younger generations. For brands not participating heavily in Cyber 5, aligning with these values can still build loyalty by positioning your brand around mindful consumption.

Trust Challenges with TikTok Shop

While TikTok has incredible reach, our webinar highlighted that many Gen Z and Millennials are cautious about shopping directly through TikTok. Credibility can be improved by leveraging influencers and user-generated content (UGC), which helps build trust and reduces skepticism around the authenticity of offers.

By aligning your Cyber 5 strategy with platform-specific strengths and these key insights, you can optimize your reach and engagement during this critical time. From focusing on Instagram for engagement-heavy posts to leveraging TikTok’s power for video content before and after Cyber 5, each platform can play a distinct role in helping you achieve your goals. With the right mix of content types, targeted tags, and strategic posting, you’re setting yourself up to capture attention and drive action. Here’s to a successful Cyber 5—may your posts engage, your shares multiply, and your sales soar!

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Diving In: Niche Platforms

Should Your Brand Be on BeReal, Mastodon, Lemon8, or BlueSky?

New platforms come and go, but there are a few, like BeReal, Mastodon, and Lemon8, that are holding users’ attention and bringing something different to the table. You’ve probably heard of them, but the question is—are they worth the time for brands, or should we stick with the big guys? Each has a unique angle, so we broke down what they’re about, who’s on them, and how they might fit (or not) into a social strategy.

1. BeReal: Authenticity Over Curation

What It Is: BeReal emphasizes unfiltered, spontaneous sharing. Users receive a daily prompt at random times to post a photo using both front and back cameras, capturing real-time moments.
Audience: As of January 2024, BeReal has approximately 23 million daily active users, primarily among Gen Z and younger Millennials.
Regional Popularity: The platform is most popular in the United States, which accounts for nearly half of its downloads.
Brand Fit: Brands that prioritize transparency and authenticity can leverage BeReal to share behind-the-scenes content, live event updates, or candid moments, fostering a closer connection with followers.
Challenge: With limited advertising options and a smaller, niche user base, reaching a broad audience may be challenging.

2. Mastodon: Decentralized and Community-Driven

What It Is: Mastodon is a decentralized social network comprising independently operated servers, or “instances,” each catering to specific interests, fostering a community-oriented environment.
Audience: As of November 2024, Mastodon has over 10 million users, attracting tech-savvy, privacy-conscious individuals seeking alternatives to mainstream platforms.
Regional Popularity: Mastodon has a significant user base in Europe, particularly in Germany, where concerns over data privacy are prominent.
Brand Fit: Brands with a strong community focus or those targeting tech-savvy, privacy-aware audiences may find Mastodon suitable for engagement.
Challenge: The decentralized structure can complicate account management, and the absence of centralized advertising necessitates organic engagement strategies.

3. Lemon8: Visual Content with a Lifestyle Focus

What It Is: Launched by ByteDance, Lemon8 is a visual platform that blends elements of Instagram and Pinterest. It focuses on lifestyle topics such as wellness, fashion, and food.
Audience: Since its debut in May 2020, Lemon8 has amassed a global download count of 17.3 million, appealing to a creative and aesthetically inclined audience.
Regional Popularity: The app has gained significant traction in Asian markets, including Japan and Thailand, and is expanding its presence in the United States.
Brand Fit: Brands in beauty, travel, food, or fitness can utilize Lemon8 for creative storytelling and product showcasing through visually rich content.
Challenge: As an emerging platform, Lemon8’s user base is still growing, which may result in a more limited reach compared to established platforms.

4. Bluesky: Decentralized Microblogging

What It Is: Bluesky is a decentralized microblogging platform developed as a proof of concept for the AT Protocol, aiming to create an open foundation for social media.
Audience: As of November 2024, Bluesky has approximately 13.8 million registered users, with 6.6 million monthly active users.
Regional Popularity: Bluesky has seen significant growth in the United States and Brazil, particularly following changes and controversies on other social media platforms.
Brand Fit: Brands aiming to engage with tech-savvy users interested in decentralized platforms may find Bluesky appealing. Its focus on user control and open protocols aligns with brands that value transparency and innovation.
Challenge: As a relatively new platform, Bluesky is still developing its features and user base, which may limit immediate reach and engagement opportunities.

Key Takeaways for Your Brand

Each platform offers unique opportunities to connect with specific audiences:

BeReal is ideal for brands valuing spontaneity and transparency.
Mastodon suits brands focusing on community engagement and privacy-conscious users.
Lemon8 benefits brands with visually rich content in lifestyle niches.

So, if you’re looking to branch out from the usual platforms, these could be worth exploring. BeReal is all about transparency, Mastodon’s a hit with the privacy-focused crowd, and Lemon8 is great for those visually rich, lifestyle-oriented brands. Each platform has a specific vibe, and they’re definitely more niche, but they could be a fun way to engage new audiences in a different space. Give it a try if it aligns with your brand—who knows, it might just be your next favorite tool!

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Game	Top Platform	Key Metric
EA Sports FC 24	TikTok	Viral User-Generated Content
NBA 2K Franchise	Instagram	Engagement Growth
Madden NFL 24	YouTube	Influencer Content Views
WWE 2K24	Twitter	Trending Discussions
MLB The Show 24	Facebook	Community Engagement

Rank	Game	Engagements	Platform
1	EA Sports FC 24	3,420,717	Instagram
2	EA Sports FC 24	3,160,316	Instagram
3	League of Legends	2,813,900	TikTok
4	League of Legends	1,983,949	YouTube
5	EA Sports FC 24	1,737,001	TikTok

The Dominance and Evolution of Sports Video Games: A Data-Driven Look

Revenue Powerhouses: Sports Games Lead the Charts

Market Growth Trends

Engagement and Social Talkability: A Modern Playing Field

Top Games Driving Engagement

Top Sports Video Game Content of 2024

Platform-Specific Trends

The Correlation Between Engagement and Talkability

What Drives the Popularity of Sports Video Games?

1. Annual Releases and Fan Loyalty

2. Competitive Gameplay and Esports

3. Realism and Immersion

4. Social Media and User-Generated Content

Looking Ahead: Opportunities and Challenges

Opportunities

Challenges

Conclusion: The Future is Bright for Sports Video Games

Defying Gravity: How Wicked Mastered Social Media Marketing

Building Anticipation Across Platforms

Short-Form Video: Capturing Hearts in Seconds

Strategic Brand Partnerships: Expanding the Universe

Cohesive Branding: A Magical Identity

Top-Performing Social Media Posts

Viral Moments: Amplifying Reach Organically

Data-Driven Success

Key Takeaways for Brands

Final Thoughts

Redefining Fan Engagement: How Social Media is Transforming Sports Marketing

The Rise of the Modern Sports Fan

Social Media: Where the Game is Played

Winning with Insights: ListenFirst’s Social Indexes for Sports

Beyond the Competition: Why a Broader View Matters

Athletes as the Face of the Brand

The Future of Fan Engagement

It’s About More Than the Game

TikTok Trends to Watch: Insights for Social Media Professionals

Trending TikTok Content

Why These TikTok Trends Matter for Social Media Professionals

Maximizing Your Cyber 5 Sales with a Data-Driven Social Media Strategy

Platform Prioritization: Where to Focus

Content Strategy: Video and Visuals are Key

Omnichannel and Unified Commerce: Creating a Seamless Experience

About the Webinar

Type of Tags that Drive Engagement

Platform-Specific Strategy for Cyber 5 Success

Post-Cyber 5 Engagement: Extending the Momentum

Understanding Shifting Categories and Consumer Sentiment

Trust Challenges with TikTok Shop

Should Your Brand Be on BeReal, Mastodon, Lemon8, or BlueSky?

1. BeReal: Authenticity Over Curation

2. Mastodon: Decentralized and Community-Driven

3. Lemon8: Visual Content with a Lifestyle Focus

4. Bluesky: Decentralized Microblogging

Key Takeaways for Your Brand

**Defying Gravity: How Wicked Mastered Social Media Marketing**