The Viral Nation Blog

Run Clubs Are the New Brand Playground: Movement is Becoming Marketing's Most Powerful Community Channel

Laura Leiva — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 18:30:00 GMT

Run clubs aren’t just a wellness trend anymore. In a time when people are craving IRL connections or meeting people after moving to a new city, run clubs are thriving. They’re even becoming the new place to meet your next BFF or date.

TV-Style Content on Youtube—and the Opportunity for Brands

Ashley R. Cummings — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 01:16:50 GMT

At this year’s VidCon, YouTube went off-book. No, they didn’t host a typical panel like you might expect. Instead, they staged a full-blown 20-minute game show.

Decoded-Monthly-Gaming

Hannah Farquhar — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 20:59:24 GMT

Welcome to the third edition of Decoded!

This month, we’re breaking down the numbers, trends, and culture around one of the biggest question marks in our marketing world: Gaming.

With North America commanding about 40% of the global gaming creator economy (roughly a $11.5 billion market in 2024) and a massive audience (approximately 65% of Americans play games at least an hour per week), the industry is now the dominant entertainment medium.

So, what does this explosion mean for digital marketing?

Spoiler: gaming is massive, mainstream, and deeply intertwined with the creator economy.

So, let’s dive in.

AI market leans into influencer marketing and experiential pop-ups

Kaleigh Moore — Sat, 13 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMT

On an unseasonably warm October Saturday in New York's West Village, hundreds of people lined up down the block for free coffee and a baseball cap that said “thinking.”

The host was Anthropic, the AI company behind Claude.

Holiday Gift Guide 2025: The Best Gifts For Creatives, From Creator-Led And Indie Brands

Ashley R. Cummings — Thu, 11 Dec 2025 16:00:01 GMT

Queue Mariah Carey, because it’s time!

It’s the time of year we start pulling out the tinsel, putting wassail on the stove, and putting stockings over the fireplace. Best of all? It’s time to start putting gifts together for family, friends, clients, and colleagues.

Beyond The #Ad: 5 New Ways You Can Work With The Modern Creator To Grow Your Brand

Ashley R. Cummings — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 15:30:00 GMT

Remember the old days of simple cash-for-content exchanges and the inevitable #ad tag? That creator-brand relationship now feels as outdated as a fax machine (my kids literally just asked me what this was yesterday).

Today’s creators are more capable than ever to weigh in on creative decisions, and they wear dozens of hats.

How Texas A&M Is Using Creator-Led Influence to Become America’s University

Ashley R. Cummings — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:53:17 GMT

Texas A&M has always been synonymous with tradition, pride, and service, but today, it’s aiming for something bigger.

Under a bold new vision, the university is working to become the national university for America, defined not just by its academic excellence but by its purpose-driven storytelling and cultural presence.

Latest Social Media Platform Updates & What They Mean For Brands

Ashley R. Cummings — Thu, 04 Dec 2025 17:00:00 GMT

Here’s your most recent social platform roundup. We're covering 20 key updates, including what changed, why it matters, and exactly what it means for brands.

Influencer Marketing Trends 2025: What Marketers Need to Know

Hannah Cameron — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:30:00 GMT

We unpack the must-know influencer marketing trends for 2025 and actionable strategies for marketers.

BookTok’s Romantasy Era: How Fictional Worlds Are Reshaping Seasonal Shopping Behavior

Tina Donati — Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:28:52 GMT

BookTok didn’t just make people read again. It made them shop differently.