This week, viral memes and social media trends were the focus for the marketing and advertising world. Catch up the most recent can’t-miss stories in our Weekly Must Reads.

Ocean Spray, Fleetwood Mac & A Viral TikTok

A couple weeks ago, a TikTok from user Nathan Apodaca took over the Internet. In the self-filmed video, Apodaca peacefully skateboards along a highway, drinking from a bottle of Ocean Spray Cran-Raspberry juice and singing along to Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams.” The viral video has earned nearly 25 million views so far, with countless remakes from the likes of Mick Fleetwood himself. Last week, Ocean Spray’s CEO Tom Hayes got in on the trend, posting his own remake and surprising Apodaca with a new “cranberry red” pickup truck filled with bottles of Ocean Spray juice.

In addition to praising the original TikTok for bringing joy to 2020, social media users appreciated that the Ocean Spray brand let the meme spread organically, rather than immediately turning it into a larger marketing opportunity. What do you think of the brand’s response to the viral video? Check it out here: https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/ocean-spray-joins-the-viral-dreams-meme-and-surprises-tiktoker-with-a-cranberry-red-truck/?itm_source=parsely-api

Home Depot’s Celebrity Skeleton

In recent weeks, social media users have discovered the Internet’s new favorite Halloween decoration: a 12-foot $300 skeleton from The Home Depot. The product, which is now sold out, quickly became a social media meme. Now, brands are joining in on the fun with their own depictions of the larger-than-life skeleton. Natural Light added a case of their beer to a real-life photo of the skeleton with the caption “mood all October,” while Impossible Foods compared it to a 12-foot stack of their burgers.

Branded posts with the skeletons are further driving the craze for consumers to own one for themselves. The skeletons are now re-selling on eBay and Amazon for more than $1,500. Scroll through a rundown of brands’ clever skeleton memes here: https://adage.com/article/digital/home-depots-sold-out-giant-halloween-skeletons-creep-brands-social-feeds/2286356

Facebook Finally Bans QAnon

After years of controversy, Facebook announced a full ban on QAnon-related content last week. According to the social media platform, until recently, accounts associated with the QAnon conspiracy did not violate their community guidelines. However, when groups of supporters began having armed stand-offs and potentially violent events organized on the platform, Facebook ultimately decided to take action. Some have commented that the recent Facebook ad boycott may have played a role in the ban, which will include all posts and groups related to QAnon.

Facebook’s decision will likely play a major role in stopping the spread of misinformation from the alt-right group, which uses Facebook as its primary means of communication. Will this open the door to banning other forms of misinformation on the platform as well? Find out more details here: https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/facebook-strengthens-its-stance-against-qanon-banning-all-pages-groups-an/586536/

A Pandemic Premiere for “The Bachelorette”

The new season of “The Bachelorette,” which premieres Oct. 13, is one of the first TV shows to arrive back onscreen since the pandemic started. In celebration, ABC, YouTube TV and PopSugar are sponsoring a drive-in viewing experience in Los Angeles. In addition to streaming the premiere, the socially distanced event will feature a trivia game, live DJ and food delivery to attendants’ cars. The event will mark one of the first returns to experiential marketing, which exploded in popularity before COVID-19.

For fans of the reality show, who are known for enthusiastically live-tweeting each episode, the event provides a chance to re-engage with the “Bachelor Nation” brand in a pandemic-friendly way. Though the drive-in has room for only 200 cars, organizers hope to reach more people as attendees share photos and videos on social media. Learn more details about the experience here: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/the-bachelorette-returns-with-drive-in-premiere-hosted-by-popsugar-abc/586369/