Playful POVs, Bold Moves, and Comments That Count

Get ready to explore our latest insights, here to help you show up confidently, playfully, and with a clear point of view. From formats that reject social norms with a wink, to surprise reveals that spark viral moments, the latest trends prove that a sprinkle of personality goes a long way. 

On the strategy side, brands are making noise in the comments, utilizing a new feature to curate their grids for better storytelling, and capitalizing on Instagram’s growing search power. And of course, we’re loving case studies like Aritzia’s off-brand diner merch drop and Brooklyn Coffee Shop’s consistent content game—proof that bold moves (and a steady story) pay off. Let’s dive in.

Serving Up Fresh Trends 

🚫 “ Propaganda I’m Not Falling For”   
It's all about playful rejections—creators film quick, selfie-style videos listing trends or habits they’re skipping.

Why it works:   
🔥 It’s bold, self-aware, and super shareable   
🗣️ Invites creators and audiences to join the conversation   
📱 Easy, lo-fi content that feels culturally on point   
Ideal for brands that want to showcase personality and aren’t scared to tease the hype. Examples include: @Katherine Garbarino, @dzaslavsky, @laureise.

🏀 “Holy Airball”   
Turns underestimation into a mic-drop moment. It begins casually—someone assumes you’re basic—then BOOM: a surprise reveal (the human calculator? major brand owner? no big deal) paired with “holy airball” and Soul Survivor playing.

Why it works:           
🎉 Fun, surprising, and scroll-stopping   
💥 A playful way to say “we’re bigger than you think.”   
Perfect for brands to flex product wins or brand power without seeming too braggy.

☕️ “Coffee Essentials”   
Turns a simple coffee run into a moment of aesthetic beauty. Creators share their go-to drinks alongside must-have products—think beauty, lifestyle accessories, and stylish extras.

Why it works:          
📱 Effortless, aspirational, and super relatable   
🥤 Everyday moments meet curated vibes = instant lifestyle content   
A clever way to position your brand as part of a daily routine.

Channel Strategies That Work (And Why)

Platforms are creating innovative ways for brands to get noticed by showing up at the right moments. On TikTok, comment sections often influence viewers before they watch the video. When BAM’s team responded with a well-timed Durex comment, it gained over 50K engagements, earning industry praise and proving that smart comments can build brand personality and reach.

On Instagram, brands can now rearrange grid posts without deleting them—making it easier to refresh your feed, spotlight key campaigns, and control first impressions without losing past engagement. Plus, Instagram content will appear in Google search. To maximize this, focus on strong captions, keywords, and tutorial-style videos to boost discoverability beyond social feeds.

Case Studies We’re Loving 

Aritzia shook things up with a playful, diner-inspired merch drop—think retro fonts, cheeky graphics, and full “waitress-core” vibes. Fans loved the off-brand twist, sparking major UGC, high shareability, and comments like “This is so random… I need it.” It’s proof that stepping outside your usual aesthetic (even temporarily) can drive big buzz and connection.

Meanwhile, a Brooklyn coffee shop brewed up success with episodic content—a strategy we’ve been championing for over a year. Since June 2023, their short-form series has been nearly the only content on their feed, yet it has earned them 112,000 new followers from just 40 posts. Consistency + storytelling = content that entertains on repeat.

BAM’s Last Word 

This month’s trends and strategies are all about showing up with personality and purpose. Whether it’s bold creative twists, smart grid updates, or making noise in the comments, brands that lean into playful, strategic moves are the ones sparking conversation—and staying top of mind. See you next month for more trends worth talking about.