10 Takeaways from America’s 20 Hottest Brands: Lessons For Your Next Big Bet

From tech to influencers and australian cartoons, AdAge recently published this piece, featuring 20 brands that are ‘hot’ right now. While reading about these breakthrough brands, we reflected on what tied their storytelling perspectives together and identified 10 Key Takeaways that every marketer can model from their example.

1. Authentic Brand Evolution‍

Brands like Abercrombie and Dr Pepper show how reinventing a brand story while staying true to core values can lead to a resurgence in popularity.

Magnet’s POV: To successfully reinvent your brand story, start by turning to your core values and build your narrative around them, ensuring consistency across all touchpoints.

2. Celebrity Partnerships‍

Brands like Wingstop and those working with Sabrina Carpenter demonstrate the power of strategic celebrity collaborations in storytelling.

Magnet’s POV: When choosing a celebrity collaborator, look beyond mere popularity and seek alignment with both your target audience and your brand values for a more impactful, relevant and relatable partnership.

3. Cultural Relevance‍

Adidas Sambas and Bluey showcase how tapping into current cultural trends or nostalgia can create powerful brand narratives.

Magnet’s POV: Stay attuned to cultural trends and nostalgic elements that resonate with your audience, then weave these into your brand narrative to create deeper emotional connections.

4. Innovative Product Stories‍

Cirkul and BeatBox illustrate how unique product offerings can become the centerpiece of a brand's story.

Magnet’s POV:  Don't just sell a product; craft a compelling narrative around its unique features or origin story to differentiate yourself in the market.

5. Influencer Integration

‍Erewhon's popularity among influencers shows how brands can leverage social media personalities to amplify their story.

Magnet’s POV:  Cultivate relationships with influencers who genuinely align with your brand ethos, allowing for more natural and credible storytelling opportunities.

6. Tech-Driven Narratives‍

Nvidia and Lincoln Nautilus demonstrate how cutting-edge technology can become a key part of a brand's storytelling.

Magnet’s POV: Incorporate cutting-edge technology into your brand story not just as a feature, but as a means to solve real customer problems or enhance their lives.

7. Cross-Platform Storytelling‍

Dude Perfect and Kai Cenat show the power of multi-platform content creation in building a brand narrative.

Magnet’s POV: Develop a cohesive narrative that adapts to different platforms, ensuring your brand story remains consistent yet tailored to each medium's strengths.

8. Wellness and Self-Care Focus‍

Hims & Hers and Rhode tap into the growing wellness trend, crafting stories around self-care and personal improvement.

Magnet’s POV: Tap into the growing wellness trend by positioning your brand as a partner in your customers' personal growth and self-care journeys.

9. Experiential Marketing‍

Cheez-It's expansion into pop-ups shows how brands can create immersive storytelling experiences.

Magnet’s POV:  Create immersive, shareable experiences that allow customers to interact with your brand story in tangible ways, fostering deeper connections and memories.

10. Niche to Mainstream

‍Sol de Janeiro's success illustrates how a brand can tell a specific cultural story (Brazilian beauty) and make it globally appealing.

Magnet’s POV: When expanding a niche brand globally, identify universal themes within your specific cultural story that can resonate with a broader audience.

While not every trend applies to every brand, these creative strategies showcase how trending brands are crafting compelling narratives that resonate with their target audiences, particularly Gen Z consumers. The next time you’re drafting a brief, or building out where you’re going to place your “big bets,” think about how to highlight the importance of authenticity, innovation, cultural relevance, and multi-platform engagement to modernize your brand storytelling.

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