The Swift Lift: How Taylor Swift Boosts Brands’ Social Media
Taylor Swift, the reigning queen of pop, has taken the world by storm in the last year with her record-breaking world tour, her movie lighting up theaters, and her constant attention from the media.
She's not just famous; she's at that untouchable level of fame that very few celebrities will ever reach.
But what does that mean for your brand? Well, if you're not already in on the action, it's time to hop on the Taylor Swift train.
Leveraging the pop culture phenomenon that is Taylor Swift can turn your social media campaigns into hits that resonate with the young, passionate audience your brand craves.
(Disclaimer: We aren’t liable for any eye-rolling that occurs from the excessive Taylor Swift puns that lie ahead.)
Sparks Flew with These Brand Posts
Let's dive into some real-world examples of how brands have expertly harnessed the Taylor Swift phenomenon to amplify their digital presence.
These posts demonstrate the art of blending Swift's fame with brand identity, resulting in social media content that not only entertained audiences but also contributed to business success.
It’s a “Seemingly Ranch” Story
Perhaps the biggest and most hilarious example is the "Seemingly Ranch" phenomenon.
Back in October, while Taylor Swift was attending a Kansas City Chiefs football game, a popular fan account on X posted that Taylor was “eating a piece of chicken with ketchup and seemingly ranch!”
Multiple brands jumped on this, with Hidden Valley Ranch changing their username to “Seemingly Ranch,” and Heinz creating limited edition bottles of Ketchup and Seemingly Ranch.
This post went viral, generating nearly double the engagement they receive on an average Instagram post.
Is It Over Now? More “Seemingly Ranch”
Food brands really went hard on this one.
Lay’s also leaned forward into the “seemingly ranch” meme by creating a fake mockup of a new flavor of their chips.
This post currently has 1.2 million views, with their usual post views only being in the thousands.
Arby’s jumped in as well, recreating Swift’s plate from the viral photo with their own chicken wings.
This post currently has over 5 million views, with their usual post views being less than 50k.
Gold Rush: The NFL Cashes In
The whole world, it seems, has been watching Taylor Swift’s attendance at the Chiefs games.
The NFL social media accounts have cashed in on this opportunity, of course. One Taylor Swift GIF they shared on X garnered more than 11 million views.
Her appearances have also led to a reported increase in NFL ratings and viewership. The game she attended on Sunday, October 1 of last year drew in 27 million viewers, the most-watched Sunday show since the 2023 Super Bowl.
Now that the Chiefs will be in the Super Bowl this year, we’re sure millions of eyes will be watching to see if Swift attends to support her boyfriend Travis Kelce.
We’re curious to see what marketing opportunities brands will jump on to take advantage of Swift’s appearance at the most-watched sporting event of the year.
Never Go Out of Style
One brand that quickly jumped on the Swift marketing train was KidSuper Studios, who designed an outfit that Travis Kelce was wearing in one viral video of him and Swift leaving a Chiefs game last year.
The matching jacket and jeans set were originally named “The Bedroom Painting,” but the brand renamed it to “1989 Bedroom Painting” after this video went viral. The set has since sold out.
We’re in Our Engagement Boost Era
Random has even joined in the Taylor fun, with our rendition on one viral meme back in September.
This was a top post on our channels that month, and it even received 18% more engagement on our Facebook compared to previous months.
Question…? How Can You Apply This to Your Content?
In the world of Taylor Swift-themed marketing, speed is your ally.
Taylor's cultural moments can come and go in the blink of an eye, so you should have a process in place for expedited approval of reactive posts.
While we're not suggesting hiring a whole team dedicated to your Taylor-themed endeavors, we wouldn't mind having one ourselves.
Dear Reader: Authenticity is Key
Before you sprinkle your content with Taylor Swift references, remember this: authenticity is key.
Ensure that her presence in your brand's social posts is genuine and resonates with your audience. If you're not well-versed in Taylor Swift's lore, it's best to tread carefully.
Using the power of Taylor Swift comes with great responsibility – make sure you're handling it delicately.
Long Story Short: Be Swift and Genuine
When it comes to leveraging the power of Taylor Swift in your brand's social media content, the key is to be swift, genuine, and mindful of your audience.
Just like Taylor herself, who has mastered the art of reinvention and staying relevant, your brand can find its place in the digital spotlight by embracing the Taylor Swift phenomenon.
We’ve got a blank space, baby, and we’ll write your name. Our social media experts at Random are ready to turn your next social campaign into a wonderland of success. We’d be enchanted to work with you. Reach out below!
