A fake movie goes viral

Welcome to the second half of August. But don’t let the back-to-school sales fool you—summer isn’t quite over yet.

TikTok Musician Goes Viral for a Non-Existent Horror Film

TikTok user and independent musician Jeffri has spurred other social media users to create rumors for a non-existent horror movie from the ’80s with a huge cult following. This in and of itself isn’t that out of the norm for the internet, except it’s taken off and many suspect Jeffri is using it as free advertising.

Some of Jeffri’s followers concluded the Zepotha trend was likely a marketing ploy for the artist's upcoming album SOUNDTRACK FOR AN 80’S HORROR MOVIE, debuting on Aug. 25. Many of the TikTok clips about the fake movie, including Jeffri’s original post offering one of her songs as the main theme, use sounds from Jeffri’s album.

7-Eleven Brings the ‘Parking Lot Hang’ to Fortnite

Car enthusiasts have long met up in 7-Eleven parking lots to “hang,” and 7-Eleven has been embracing this relationship for years. After ingratiating itself to the car community on Instagram, 7-Eleven has decided to host the ultimate virtual car meet up via a scavenger hunt across three Fortnite maps.

Walmart Leans into Y2K Nostalgia

Walmart’s Summer Rewind is nurturing your inner child on a whole new level. The cross-country installation will let customers “experience [Walmart] stores like a kid again” and sink into the “peak Walmart Y2K nostalgia.”

The Ritz-Carlton Digitally Rebrands

Famous hotel brand The Ritz-Carlton has unveiled a new collection of websites, introducing an “elevated digital experience.” This comes as The Ritz-Carlton has recently debuted new hotels and resorts with a more “contemporary aesthetic.”

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Around the Web

• Sweetgreen is launching potato chips flavored like its exclusive Green Goddess Ranch dressing.

• X no longer allows advertisers to promote their accounts within the platform's timeline—essentially shutting down a $100M promoted accounts ad business.

• For the first time in 9 years, Chick-fil-A is releasing a new chicken sandwich.

• TikTok is investing in e-commerce with TikTok Shop.

• Brands have suspended advertising on X after appearing next to pro-Nazi content.

Just Can’t Get Enough

Independent pizzerias. And the app that lets you order from them—Slice.

• More specifically, we love that Slice wants to hire a pizza influencer and pay them $110k.

• Yes, go apply—we’ll wait.

Has Jeffri given you inspiration for your own DIY viral marketing campaign? Do you have a product or launch that lends itself to this tactic? Or do you just want to relive Y2K at Walmart? Reply and let us know!

Thanks for joining us, and we’ll see you Tuesday!