Pop Culture

  • Moo Deng Makeup Madness: Social media is glowing up with #MooDengMakeup! Inspired by the beloved baby hippo who has stolen the hearts of millions across the world, this trend is all about glossy skin and flushed cheeks, with brands like Sephora riding the wave in Thailand.
  • Bollywood Throwbacks, Big Screen Comebacks: Old Bollywood flicks (Tumbaad, Laila Majnu, Rockstar) are making a major comeback in theatres, giving cinephiles a chance to relive the magic, and introducing Gen Z to some classic cinema gold. PVR INOX has recognized this shift and is making movie re-releases a key part of its business model!
  • Brat Autumn is Here, Baby!

Charli XCX says Brat Summer is over, but Brat Autumn is keeping the rebellious vibes alive for fall fashionistas. The trend’s already racked up 30M views on TikTok!

  • Ganji Chudail: From Meme Queen to Marketing Machine:  Ganji Chudail started as a quirky animated character on the YouTube channel Majedar Kahani, and has since exploded into a viral cultural phenomenon! With her raw 2D animation style and bizarre, yet hilarious antics, she’s attracted big brands like Netflix, Swiggy and Nykaa. The character has amassed 930 million views on YouTube, 1,511 pieces of user-generated content, and significant brand engagement with 46 branded content pieces, making her a standout in the digital world of meme marketing.
  • India’s Got Latent Is a HIT: Samay Raina’s hit talent show India’s Got Latent has the internet buzzing. With viral stars like Puneet Superstar and Deepak Kalal joining the fray, the show has exploded with 130 million views across 3,635 videos. Raina’s innovative format is reshaping comedy in India, and the numbers prove it’s not slowing down anytime soon.
  • Linkin Park Rocking Branding Like a Pro? Linkin Park introduced new vocalist Emily Armstrong through a live-stream concert reveal. Their “show, don’t tell” strategy, viral short-form videos, and seamless fan engagement are redefining how bands function as brands. The event included a countdown timer, a mix of classic hits, a new song, and announcements of an album and tour, creating quite a comprehensive and exciting fan experience.
  • Coldplay’s Golden Ticket-Date Bait of the Year? Unless you've been living under a rock, you know Coldplay is coming to India in January 2025. And the frenzy to get tickets was INSANE. So much so that, Coldplay tickets are now more than just concert passes—they’ve become the ultimate flex on dating apps! With 11 lakh people vying for tickets, lucky concert-goers are now using their golden tickets as irresistible date invitations, creating a buzz on Tinder, Instagram, and YouTube.

Brand Work: From AI to IRL

  • Coca-Cola’s Cool Festive Flex: From AR Coke bottles with personalised messages inside to chilled mist fans during Ganesh Utsav, Coca-Cola knows how to keep it cool—blending festive vibes with cutting-edge tech!
  • Flipkart’s 3D Fail: Did They Go Too Far? Flipkart tried hopping onto the quirky 3D design trend with an animated video for its Big Billion Days Sale but ended up in hot water. Their portrayal of husbands as "lazy" and "stupid" triggered backlash, sparking accusations of misandry. After facing criticism from men’s rights groups, Flipkart pulled the ad and apologised.
  • Qatar Airways' AI Adventure: Starring… You! Qatar Airways revolutionised advertising with the world’s first AI-powered airline ad, where viewers could star in their own adventure by inserting themselves into the film's scenes, making it a fun, personalised experience.
  • LEGO’s Paris Playland: LEGO’s "Superpowers Studios", part of their "Play is Your Superpower" campaign, transformed Paris’s La Gaîté Lyrique into a playful wonderland, combining art and play. This immersive exhibition featured digital art and mythical LEGO sculptures, inviting families to unleash their creativity.

Creative Tech

  • Google’s AI Podcasters? Yup, That’s a Thing! Google NotebookLM can now turn meeting notes into fake podcasts, making even your most boring work docs sound like an insightful podcast episode. As corporate teams leverage NotebookLM's organisational capabilities for enhanced collaboration, creative applications are emerging, from summarising global AI regulations to managing Dungeons and Dragons campaigns. Google plans to expand this functionality further, hinting at customizable features in the future!

That’s it. That’s the drip from Kulfi Collective! Stay tuned for more culture insights, trends and moments. 💥

Written by

Nikita Dsouza

Nikita crafts engaging, relatable content at Kulfi Collective, helping brands understand their audiences through impactful storytelling and cultural insights. View all posts by Nikita Dsouza