This episode explores how major institutions are adapting their content strategies for new audiences. We start with Robert Redford's passing, discussing how his work with Sundance created a blueprint for using cultural capital to build new communities. This ties into modern marketing innovations like "The Long Walk's" treadmill screenings—where the medium literally becomes the message.

Our guest Caitlin Rease (San Antonio Spurs' content creator) breaks down how sports teams are evolving their content game. She shares insights on their viral food art schedule release and the challenges of real-time social content creation—where you've got minutes, sometimes seconds, to capture and share moments.

We dig into how traditionally male-dominated spaces like the NBA are finding creative ways to engage female audiences (partially inspired by the Taylor Swift effect in the NFL). Nike's shift from "Just Do It" to "Why Do It?" shows how even iconic brands are rethinking their approach for Gen Z's more purpose-driven mindset.

The key theme throughout: Successful modern marketing requires both speed and cultural awareness—whether you're running social for the Spurs or rebranding Nike's 37-year-old slogan. It's about finding authentic ways to connect with new audiences while keeping your core base engaged.

Segments:

0:00-4:30: Sundance and Streaming: Redford's legacy meets modern movie marketing

4:30-7:00: Hot girl walks and treadmill screenings: Gen Z fitness trends

7:00-13:30: Emmys recap: timer drama & award show evolution

13:30-22:06: Scrubs to tuxedos: Figs' Emmy night innovation with Noah Wyle

22:06-30:00: Nike's gen z pivot: from 'just do it' to 'why do it?'

30:00-55:16: Behind the viral food art: Spurs' schedule release innovation

55:16: Takeaways

Guest: Caitlin Rease, Content Creator for the San Antonio Spurs

Key Insights:

• sports teams adapting content for female audiences post-taylor swift effect
• real-time social media challenges in sports coverage
• cross-demographic collaborations in sports marketing
• importance of storytelling in social media, especially with 3-second attention spans

Marketing Takeaways:

• calculated risks can unlock new audiences
• unexpected collaborations can refresh standard content
• know your base but don't be afraid to expand
• timing and cultural relevance matter

Comms pro Cristin Culver joins Meme Team to dissect Austin, TX's universally-dragged logo rollout, Reese Witherspoon’s shallow AI talking points (and how to master the PR art of bridging), and the Builder.ai collapse (aka why your ship-to-yap ratio matters). We also hit Instagram’s long-awaited iPad app, Threads’ watermarking, HBO’s latest rename spree, and Apple’s just-announced iPhone Air — with a through-line on hype vs. product and why social media is now entertainment first.

Chapters:

00:00: The new logo for Austin, TX; OpenAI's hiring platform; HBO

09:30: Reese Witherspoon's missed opportunity to discuss the future of AI and filmmaking

18:03: No seriously, THIS is why women should be using AI...

23:50: What went wrong at Builder.ai

35:30: Humane's outcome

38:39: Apple Vision Pro (and their content misses)

41:35: Instagram finally gets its own iPad app and here are the specs.

45:11: You can pin your own comments on your IG posts!

46:42: Threads' clever logo watermark on iPhone app screenshots

47:54: Apple's new iPhone Air announcement just dropped.

Follow Cristin Culver: https://x.com/CristinCulver

Follow Sonia: https://x.com/SoniaBaschez

Follow Amanda: https://x.com/amandanat

Learn more at memeteampodcast.com.

In this episode of Meme Team, we break down three major marketing moments: Sabrina Carpenter's masterclass in brand authenticity after her album cover controversy, YouTube's game-changing new "Hype" feature for small creators, and Lionsgate's wild treadmill theater experience for "The Long Walk." From handling haters to innovative marketing stunts, we explore how brands and creators are pushing boundaries in 2025.

Key moments:

00:00 Intro

00:10 Lego's Tom Holland campaign

04:20 Sabrina Carpenter vs Tommy from Arkansas

17:52 YouTube's new Hype feature

28:29 The Long Walk's treadmill theater experience