The Scoop

This week in digital and social 

Welcome to The Scoop, your weekly lowdown on the best social and digital moments. We’re chronically online so you don’t have to be! Every Friday, tune in for trending content, internet drama, and tech updates.

This week, we give you the final Scoop of 2024! We cover all things festive and Christmassy from the past week...

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Our Favourite Brand Social Moment Of The Week

Pepsi’s Reactive Christmas Content

While Coca-Cola’s AI-generated Christmas ads left many feeling cold, disappointed and quite frankly spooked, Pepsi stepped in with a clever and reactive campaign that brought the holiday cheer back. Their social assets showed Santa caught red-handed buying Pepsi Zero, cheekily revealing why he made the big switch. 

This light-hearted jab at Coca-Cola’s unsettling AI Santa was brilliantly executed and showcased Pepsi’s challenger mindset perfectly.

Tech Triumphs

Father Christmas Spotted Early? Not Quite...

There’s something strange in the skies over the U.S., and no—it’s not Father Christmas. While most UFO sightings circulating on social media are dismissed as AI-generated hoaxes or deepfakes, this one’s stirring up genuine curiosity.

Over the past month, mysterious “drones” have been appearing across the country, spotted everywhere from quiet residential streets to high-security military sites. The sightings have gained so much attention that even Donald Trump has weighed in to fuel the conspiracy theories, claiming, “The government knows what’s happening.”

While Trump’s statements are rarely reliable, the mystery remains: who’s behind these drones and what’s their purpose? Until we have answers, social media is buzzing with speculation, from extra-terrestrial theories to secret government experiments.

Platform Updates 

WhatsApp - WhatsApp is enhancing its calling features for the holidays. You can now select participants for group audio calls, just in time for keeping your loved ones connected during the festive season.

They've also added new Snapchat-style effects to add a touch of festive fun and make video calls even more interactive.

Snapchat - Snapchat+ subscribers can access festive app themes, including Christmas-inspired backgrounds, buttons, and colour palettes.

Our Fave Social Trend 

The Google Earth Trend: Capturing Memories

This trend has been tugging at the heartstrings on TikTok. People are sharing Google Earth images that have unintentionally memorialised their deceased loved ones—whether it’s a late grandmother sitting in her garden or a childhood dog running down the street.

While it’s not the most festive trend, it’s about family and the moments we hold closest to our hearts. Isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

Drama, Discussions, Debates

Djerf Avenue: A Sudden Fall from The Top

Last week, we celebrated the Rhode x Matilda Djerf Christmas collaboration. This week, the narrative has flipped with Matilda Djerf in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, showing yet again how quickly social media can turn.

The reason behind this switch? A Swiss news outlet recently aired a documentary featuring allegations from 11 former employees of Djerf Avenue, detailing experiences of body shaming, poor working conditions, and bullying, all of which point back to the founder, Matilda Djerf. As the story spread, social media erupted and Matilda issued a public apology in response. For many, this has been a shocking revelation, as Matilda's personal brand has always been rooted in respect, kindness, and a positive online presence. Consumers are now grappling with a sense of betrayal as these allegations contradict the image she’s built over the years.

Thank You for Reading the Final Scoop of 2024!

Social media is an ever-changing landscape where what’s relevant today could be outdated tomorrow. That’s why we set out to create a newsletter that captures these shifts, week by week, helping brands navigate the fast-paced world of culture and social media.

In just 6 months, we’ve hit nearly 1,000 subscribers, supported brands and clients in staying ahead of the curve, and built a resource that makes keeping up with trends a little easier for everyone.

Thank you to every reader, sharer, and supporter for tuning in. See you in 2025!