Weirdvertising and Lo-Fi Content: How Nutter Butter is Redefining Its Brand for a Younger Audience

In social media, brands are constantly seeking innovative ways to connect with younger consumers. A standout example of this trend is Nutter Butter, a brand founded in 1969, which is redefining its iconic brand through the use of “weirdvertising” and lo-fi content on TikTok. This approach not only captures attention but also resonates with the “always online” younger generations and helps bring the “vintage” brand into the spotlight for consumers who may have only seen it on grocery shelves.

What is Weirdvertising?

Weirdvertising refers to ads that probably shouldn’t work but do, characterized by an intentionally lower quality feel. These campaigns often abandon basic design principles—such as contrast, balance, and unity—in favor of gaining attention through bizarre, relatable, and sometimes confusing content. Brands like MoonPie and Surreal have successfully adopted this strategy, and Nutter Butter is now following suit.

For Nutter Butter, weirdvertising effectively captures the essence of authenticity and humor. The brand has transformed its TikTok account into a realm of absurdity, featuring surreal content that pushes the boundaries of traditional food marketing. Key elements of Nutter Butter’s TikTok strategy include:

1. Anthropomorphized Characters: The Nutter Butter cookie takes center stage in absurd, often unsettling scenarios, fostering a sense of connection while embracing the weirdness.
2. Surrealism and Absurdity: The cookie is frequently placed in bizarre, dream-like settings—like creepy houses or surreal landscapes—adding to a strange, offbeat atmosphere that intrigues viewers.
3. Dark Humor: The content features a clear dark humor element, with unsettling visuals paired with phrases like “Help me papa” or ominous scenes of a cookie-man in shadow, creating a blend of humor and discomfort.
4. Pop Culture References: Many visuals evoke internet meme culture or horror-inspired designs, parodying familiar tropes from online humor that resonate with younger audiences.
5. Glitch Art and Distorted Visuals: The use of low-resolution and glitch effects enhances the chaotic aesthetic, aligning perfectly with the meme-driven culture that dominates TikTok.
6. Bold and Clashing Colors: Bright, high-contrast colors dominate the visuals, drawing viewers in with their garish appeal—a hallmark of internet meme culture.
7. Meme-Like Humor: Nonsensical text and absurd phrases resonate with TikTok users, making the content relatable and engaging.
8. Collage and Overlays: Many images feature a collage-like composition, where text, objects, and characters are overlaid in disjointed ways, adding to the surreal quality of the content.

By leaning into the unpredictability of weirdvertising, Nutter Butter has sparked strong reactions from viewers, encouraging fans to engage with the content in unexpected ways.

The Rise of Lo-Fi Content

Complementing its weirdvertising approach is the growing trend of lo-fi content. Characterized by authentic, DIY quality, lo-fi content is becoming a powerful tool for brands looking to connect genuinely with their audiences. This type of content typically involves minimal editing and is often created using smartphones, presenting a stark contrast to polished advertisements.

At its core, lo-fi content looks like anyone could have made it, which enhances its authenticity and relatability. Audiences, particularly Gen Z, crave this genuine feel. High-budget advertisements are losing their appeal as consumers seek content that feels real and relatable. Lo-fi content meets this demand perfectly, often generating higher engagement on platforms like TikTok and Instagram due to its perceived genuineness.

Why Weirdvertising and Lo-Fi Work for Nutter Butter

Both weirdvertising and lo-fi content thrive in the current social media landscape because they prioritize relatability and authenticity. While weirdvertising pushes the boundaries of traditional marketing through chaos and absurdity, lo-fi content embraces imperfections to foster genuine connections. For Nutter Butter, these strategies are not just about capturing attention; they’re about redefining the brand for a younger audience, making it relevant in today’s digital landscape.

Nutter Butter’s innovative use of weirdvertising and lo-fi content on TikTok exemplifies how brands can redefine their identity to resonate with younger consumers. By embracing the absurd and engaging with cultural trends, Nutter Butter is successfully transforming its iconic brand for a new generation.

As more brands look to connect meaningfully with consumers, unconventional strategies offer a refreshing alternative to traditional marketing techniques. In a world where attention spans are fleeting, it may be time for more brands to dive into the bizarre and explore the uncharted territories of creativity and engagement. After all, sometimes, the most unconventional approaches resonate the deepest.

—

Want more deep dives like this? Make sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, LF Pool Party, for everything social media professionals need to know to make their strategy 10/10.

Brand safe and red hot TikTok trends for September 2024

TikTok has quickly become a goldmine for brands looking to tap into viral trends. By leveraging the latest audios, memes, and formats, companies can create content that resonates with their audience in a fun and authentic way. Here are five TikTok trends brands can hop on right now to increase Engagement, foster relatability, and boost their visibility:

1. “I Feel Like You’re Just Here for the Zipline”

This trend takes its origin from a humorous line in the popular show I Think You Should Leave. Users are miming the phrase “I feel like you’re just here for the zipline” while overlaying text to illustrate the relatable moments when someone seems to be there for something other than the main purpose. For brands, this is a golden opportunity to showcase a playful side. For example, a coffee shop could use this trend by writing, “I feel like you’re just here for the Wi-Fi,” and then showcasing customers sheepishly sipping coffee. It’s a fun way to highlight quirks of consumer behavior while staying on trend.

Here is an example and a link to the main sound.

2. “Do You Know You Have 30 Minutes?”

This audio clip is everywhere, and it’s perfect for showing the sense of urgency we all feel when racing against the clock. Brands can use it to highlight time-sensitive offers, flash sales, or even a day in the life of their team. For example, a fashion brand could use it to showcase the mad dash of getting a new collection ready for launch. The sense of immediacy and energy makes this trend ideal for creating fast-paced, engaging content.

Here are some examples with links to sound.

3. “Double Life”

The “Double Life” trend is taking TikTok by storm as users reveal their hidden identities or alter egos behind the scenes. Brands can have fun with this one by showing off the person behind their social media accounts. Since this sound isn’t available for business accounts, your social media manager can join in on the trend by posting on their personal page and tagging the brand. This can help humanize your brand and build trust by giving followers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the people running the show.

Here is an example and a link to the main sound.

4. “That’s Not a Compliment”

This sarcastic audio lets creators poke fun at backhanded compliments or misunderstandings in their niche. Brands can use this audio to highlight misconceptions or stereotypes about their industry in a lighthearted way. For instance, a fitness brand could use it to showcase a common statement like “You’re so lucky, you never have to work out!” while the audio plays, “That’s not a compliment.” It’s a fun way to connect with your audience by turning industry frustrations into something everyone can laugh about.

Here is an example and a link to the main sound.

5. “Define Aura”

The “Define Aura” meme is all about confidence, coolness, and swagger. TikTokers are using it to show off what gives them their unique “aura,” whether it’s a fashion style, a hobby, or a particular attitude. Brands can hop on this trend by highlighting their own unique aura, whether it’s through their products, customer service, or company culture. A beauty brand could feature bold makeup looks, while a tech company might show off the cool features that make their gadgets stand out. It’s an easy way to tap into the cultural zeitgeist of what makes something “cool” right now.

Here is an example and a link to the main sound.

---

Jumping on these TikTok trends is a fast way for brands to stay relevant and engage with their audience in a meaningful way. Whether it’s showcasing behind-the-scenes moments or poking fun at common misconceptions, these trends provide ample opportunity for creativity. Just remember to keep it light, authentic, and aligned with your brand’s voice—your followers will appreciate the effort, and it just might land you on the “For You” page!

—

Want more deep dives like this? Make sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, LF Pool Party, for everything social media professionals need to know to make their strategy 10/10.

Bluesky: A New Frontier for Brands to Explore

Bluesky, a decentralized social networking platform, has garnered attention from individuals seeking alternatives to Elon Musk’s X and from brands eager to explore new marketing avenues. Founded by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey, Bluesky emerged as a spin-off from Twitter in 2022, with a focus on decentralization, giving users more control over their content. With a rapidly growing user base—2 million new users in just a few days—Bluesky offers a unique space for brands to build thought leadership and engage with niche communities. Here’s how brands can leverage Bluesky’s potential to stay ahead:

1. Reach Niche Communities

Bluesky excels at connecting users with smaller, highly engaged communities centered around specific interests. Brands can tap into these communities to foster deeper connections and stronger loyalty. Here’s how:

• Identify Key Interests: Research 3-5 key interests that align with your brand and create targeted content to engage users interested in those topics.
• Optimize Your Profile with Keywords: Use relevant keywords in your profile and posts to make it easier for interested users to find you.
• Engage with Similar Accounts: Interact with accounts and discussions that align with your target audience. This boosts visibility and builds your brand presence within those communities.

By focusing on these strategies, brands can cultivate a loyal and engaged following in niche markets.

2. Establish Thought Leadership Through Quality Content

As a relatively new platform, Bluesky is a fertile ground for brands to position themselves as thought leaders. By sharing valuable insights, your brand can drive industry conversations and build authority. To get started:

• Provide Value: Share informative posts, industry analysis, and thoughtful commentary that benefit your audience and establish your expertise.
• Engage in Meaningful Discussions: Participate in relevant conversations, ask questions, and share insights. Early adopters on Bluesky have the advantage of setting the tone within their industries.

Being an early adopter can give your brand a competitive edge as many businesses have yet to fully embrace Bluesky.

3. Create a Custom Domain for Your Handle

Bluesky allows users to customize their handles with domain names, offering brands a unique branding opportunity. Rather than using a generic handle like @brand.bsky.social, you can use your own domain name (e.g., @yourbrand.com). This provides several advantages:

• Professional Appearance: A custom domain handle makes your profile look more polished and recognizable.
• Brand Consistency: It ensures your handle is consistent across platforms, boosting your credibility.

4. Be Less Promotional and More Authentic

Bluesky’s user base values authenticity and conversational, value-driven interactions over constant promotional content. Brands that adopt this approach will resonate better with the platform’s culture. Here’s what to focus on:

• Engage Meaningfully: Initiate conversations, ask questions, and respond to user-generated content to build community rather than just pushing ads.
• Be Authentic: Share behind-the-scenes content, company updates, and thoughts on industry trends in a personal and relatable way. Bluesky users appreciate candid interactions, so authenticity will build stronger connections.

5. Join the Public Conversation

Bluesky, much like early Twitter, thrives on open, real-time discussions around trending topics. This provides a space for brands to participate in broader conversations and showcase their relevance. Here’s how:

• Monitor Trending Topics: Follow what’s trending on Bluesky and join relevant conversations that align with your brand or industry.
• Engage in Popular Threads: Comment on, repost, or share unique insights into ongoing discussions to demonstrate your brand’s expertise.

By participating in these public conversations, your brand can organically enhance visibility and show thought leadership without overtly promoting products or services.

The Future of Bluesky for Brands

Bluesky offers a decentralized, community-driven platform that is becoming increasingly attractive to both users and brands. As more people migrate away from centralized platforms like X, Bluesky presents a fresh opportunity for brands to engage with audiences in a more authentic way. Whether through connecting with niche communities, establishing thought leadership, or joining larger conversations, early adoption of Bluesky can yield significant rewards. Brands willing to experiment with Bluesky’s decentralized model can tap into new markets and grow their online presence as the platform continues its upward trajectory.

—

Want more deep dives like this? Make sure to subscribe to our weekly newsletter, LF Pool Party, for everything social media professionals need to know to make their strategy 10/10.

Elevating Social Media Insights in the Booming Gaming Industry

New York 12/11/2023 – ListenFirst, the premier enterprise social analytics solution, announces the launch of its latest product and data set, “Social Indexes for Video Games.” Staying ahead is paramount, with the global video game industry predicted to reach a staggering market cap of $473 billion by 2027.

ListenFirst’s CEO, Miranda Mcweeney, shares her perspective on the groundbreaking product:

“As the gaming industry propels towards unparalleled growth, ListenFirst is thrilled to present ‘Social Indexes for Video Games,’ a next-generation analysis tool designed to keep industry professionals at the forefront of trends, announcements, and developments.”

The Next Generation of Video Game Analysis

Video games, hailed as the world’s fastest-growing industry, demand a cutting-edge analysis tool. ListenFirst’s Video Game Index is precisely that – a platform designed for growth. With thousands of brands and weekly additions, users can stay updated on the latest gaming announcements, releases, and evolving narratives.

Social Indexes for Video Games is now available, featuring a set of integral key components that propel industry analysis into the next generation: 

• Thousands of Games and Franchises: Dive into a vast collection of video games and franchises, offering a comprehensive overview of the gaming landscape on social.

• Hundreds of Video Game Publishers: Explore the extensive network of video game publishers, gaining insights into industry dynamics and collaborations.

• Dimensions and Filters for Precision: Tailor your analysis with filters focusing on specific genres and platforms, ensuring a targeted approach to industry understanding.

• Analytical Depth: Whether analyzing at the industry level or conducting in-depth examinations of specific brands, channels, or content, Social Indexes for Video Games provide the tools for comprehensive analysis.

• Extra Help When Needed: ListenFirst will also provide their award-winning managed services add-on, providing expert guidance to maximize the value of translating insights to winning marketing strategies.

Example Insights – Top 2023 Franchises, Platforms & Publishers on Social 

	Franchise	Engagements*	Share	Movement
1	Minecraft	99,882,622	10.03%	+196.97%
2	PlayStation	83,019,092	8.34%	+12.81%
3	Rockstar Games	63,821,683	6.41%	+88.16%
4	Call of Duty	59,618,206	5.99%	+10.02%
5	Pokemon	52,562,657	5.28%	+5.77%

“In a market with boundless potential, ‘Social Indexes for Video Games’ equips professionals with the tools needed to navigate the dynamic gaming landscape, ensuring they stay informed, adaptable, and ahead of the curve,” said Jonathan Farb, COO & CPO of ListenFirst

Stay on the cutting edge with ListenFirst’s “Social Indexes for Video Games.” Uncover trends, track developments, and secure your position in the evolving world of video games.

Today marks the commencement of user onboarding for Social Indexes for Video Games at ListenFirst. Existing customers can seamlessly integrate by contacting their account manager, and new customers are encouraged to connect with ListenFirst to schedule a personalized demo and unlock instant access.

ListenFirst is the premier social analytics solution the world’s leading brands use. With a breadth of data and award-winning expertise unmatched in the market, we offer an easy, one-stop solution to optimize social media marketing and maximize ROI. ListenFirst has been honored with multiple accolades, including a 2020 SIIA CODiE Award for Best Emerging Technology, 2020 Cynopsis AdTech Award for Outstanding Data Solution, 2022 High Performer recognition from G2 Crowd, MarTech Breakthrough Award for Best Social Media Monitoring Software, and named one of Inc. 500’s fastest growing companies. Founded in 2012, ListenFirst is trusted by leading global brands, including AT&T, Amazon, NBCUniversal, and Spotify. For more information, visit www.listenfirstmedia.com

Empowering Social Media Managers to Create More Engaging Content with Advanced Insights

New York 11/28/2023 – ListenFirst, a leading provider of social media analytics and insights, is thrilled to announce the launch of their new app for the Hootsuite App Marketplace. This integration brings ListenFirst’s advanced content discovery and performance analysis capabilities to Hootsuite users, empowering them to optimize their social media strategies and drive better results.

The ListenFirst app seamlessly integrates with Hootsuite, allowing users to access powerful content insights directly within their Hootsuite dashboard. With this integration, social media managers can better understand their audience’s preferences and maximize the impact of their content.

Key features of the ListenFirst app include:

1. Content Discovery: Social media managers can uncover valuable insights on content performance, including historical data on when and where specific content resonated with their audience. By leveraging this information, users can create content that is more likely to engage their target audience and drive meaningful interactions.

2. Top Content Feed: Through the app, users can access a comprehensive view of their top-performing content over any desired period of time. This feature goes beyond basic engagement metrics, providing valuable insights and sentiment analysis into how the audience receives the content. With this knowledge, social media managers can refine their content strategies to ensure maximum impact.

3. Content Tag Sync: Seamlessly sync content grouping through tags created in Hootsuite to ListenFirst.  Marketers can align Content Calendar with in-depth analysis to enhance their content strategy and reach their marketing goals.

Jonathan Farb, ListenFirst’s Chief Product Officer, expressed his excitement about the integration with Hootsuite: “We are thrilled to bring our advanced content insights capabilities to Hootsuite users through this integration. By combining ListenFirst’s robust analytics with Hootsuite’s powerful social media management platform, we are equipping social media managers with the tools they need to make data-driven decisions and drive exceptional results.”

The ListenFirst app is now available in the Hootsuite App Marketplace, allowing Hootsuite users to harness the power of advanced content analytics and optimize their social media presence.

To learn more about ListenFirst and the new app integration, visit https://apps.hootsuite.com/apps/listenfirst-social-analytics

ListenFirst is the premier social analytics solution the world’s leading brands use. With a breadth of data and award-winning expertise unmatched in the market, we offer an easy, one-stop solution to optimize social media marketing and maximize ROI. ListenFirst has been honored with multiple accolades, including a 2020 SIIA CODiE Award for Best Emerging Technology, 2020 Cynopsis AdTech Award for Outstanding Data Solution, 2022 High Performer recognition from G2 Crowd, MarTech Breakthrough Award for Best Social Media Monitoring Software, and named one of Inc. 500’s fastest growing companies. Founded in 2012, ListenFirst is trusted by leading global brands, including AT&T, Amazon, NBCUniversal, and Spotify. For more information, visit www.listenfirstmedia.com

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses always look for tools and solutions to simplify their analytics operations. One such game-changing integration is ListenFirst’s presence now in Zapier, a renowned no-code automation platform. This exciting collaboration allows users to connect their ListenFirst account with over 5,000 apps, enabling them to simplify workflows with ease. 

What is Zapier?

Zapier is a platform that empowers users to connect various apps, including critical business tools like Slack, Google Docs, Asana, and Airtable. With over 5,000 apps supported and new additions continuously, Zapier allows you to build sophisticated workflows through a user-friendly drag-and-drop web editor. It serves as a bridge between different applications, facilitating the automation of tasks and processes.

Why ListenFirst’s Integration with Zapier is Powerful

The integration of ListenFirst with Zapier isn’t just a noteworthy development for us; it’s a significant step forward for our users. Here’s how this integration will benefit you: 

• Simplified Workflow Automation: Imagine automating repetitive maintenance tasks and processes that consume your valuable time. ListenFirst’s integration with Zapier empowers you to do just that. It lets you connect your ListenFirst account with other essential apps, so you can effortlessly create custom workflows tailored to your unique needs.
• No-Coding Required: You don’t need to be a coding wizard to benefit from this integration. Zapier’s user-friendly drag-and-drop editor makes it easy for anyone to set up automation, regardless of their technical expertise. You can now automate tasks without writing a single line of code.
• Unlimited Possibilities: With over 5,000 supported apps and the ability to build custom integrations, the possibilities are endless. Whether reacting quickly to brand authorization alerts or streamlining your content tagging processes, ListenFirst’s Zapier integration puts the power of automation in your hands.

ListenFirst’s integration with Zapier is all about empowering you, our valued users. It’s about making your work easier and more efficient and allowing you to create tailored automation solutions without the need for extensive technical knowledge. The benefits are substantial, and the possibilities are endless, and it’s all for your convenience and success.

What You Can Achieve with ListenFirst’s Integration

ListenFirst’s initial integration with Zapier offers a range of triggers and actions to automate your workflows:

• You can start using the below triggers, and we’ll continue to build out more Zapier triggers for additional use cases
  • Data Collection Status – notifies when there is a state change to an authorization (e.g., Lost Authentication) 
  • API Report Completed – notifies when a scheduled report/data feed has been completed and delivered, allowing to trigger downstream data & analytics pipelines.
• You can also begin to automate actions in ListenFirst.
  • Add Content Tags – provides the ability to automatically tag content in ListenFirst from a 3rd party platform (e.g. Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, AirTable), process, or file.

How to Get Started

Getting started with ListenFirst’s integration with Zapier is straightforward:

1. Create a Zapier account if you don’t already have one.
2. Connect your ListenFirst and Zapier accounts.
3. Start building Zaps to automate your workflows.

If you need help configuring a Zap, check out our Integrating Zapier with ListenFirst guide for a step-by-step walkthrough. We created some pre-filled Zaps below for inspiration on getting started.

• Receive a Slack message when a brand or profile loses authentication
• Deliver ListenFirst Reports to AWS S3
• Create Content Tags in ListenFirst from a spreadsheet or AirTable

Say goodbye to time-consuming manual processes and hello to a more efficient future. Feel free to contact contact@listenfirstmedia.com for all your automation needs.