Culture Is Serious Business (No, Really, It’s Not Just a Buzzword)
- Al Lotter
- Jul 6
- 2 min read
Dove’s “Real Beauty” didn’t just move product, it moved the conversation. These brands didn’t just reflect culture; they helped shape it.
Let’s get this out of the way: “culture” in marketing isn’t about office ping-pong or fuzball tables or how many nationalities are in your team photo. It’s about what makes people tick, click, and-crucially-buy.
In 2025, culture is the algorithm. It’s the difference between a campaign that trends and one that tanks. Ignore it, and you’re just another brand shouting into the void.
Why is culture serious business?
It’s the new demographic. Forget age and income brackets, if you don’t understand the memes, movements, and micro-communities your audience cares about, your message will miss every time.
It’s about resonance, not reach. Nike’s “Dream Crazy” didn’t just sell shoes, it sold a stance. Dove’s “Real Beauty” didn’t just move product, it moved the conversation. These brands didn’t just reflect culture; they helped shape it.
It’s hyper-local and global at once. McDonald’s “McSpicy Paneer” in India, KitKat’s sake flavor in Japan, Spotify’s personalized playlists, these aren’t just product tweaks, they’re cultural strategies in action.
Here’s the punchline: If you’re still relying on old-school demographics or generic messaging, you’re playing checkers in a chess world. Today, cultural alignment isn’t a “nice to have”, it’s the cost of entry.
So, what now?
Listen harder. Culture is dynamic. Are you tracking the right signals, or just last year’s trends?
Adapt faster. Localize, personalize, and be ready to pivot when the cultural winds shift.
Be brave. The brands that win are the ones that aren’t afraid to take a stand, or take a risk.
Culture is serious business. And if you’re not paying attention, your competitors definitely are.
Comentários