Serving up culture
Wisdom 💡: Food may be the universal language, but brands need to remember that every culture has its own recipe. From Dolce & Gabbana’s chopstick controversy to Poda’s matcha misstep, tone-deaf campaigns prove that cultural traditions aren’t just ingredients to toss into a marketing mix. In her latest thought leadership piece, Peppercomm’s Whitney Welbaum reminds communicators that understanding a dish’s history, involving community voices and giving credit where it’s due are essential to creating authentic connections. Because when it comes to food-focused PR, cultural awareness isn’t just the secret sauce, it’s what keeps your brand from getting roasted.
The cat’s out of the bag
Wit 😁: Dancing with the Stars gave viewers the ultimate emotional whiplash when a heartfelt tribute to a contestant’s late mother and baby announcement was immediately followed by a wildly upbeat Cat in the Hat movie promotion. The bizarre transition sent social media into a frenzy, with fans roasting the timing and creators parodying the marketing minds behind the decision. What was supposed to be a promotional moment quickly became a viral punchline, proving that brands don’t always get to decide how they enter the cultural conversation. Sometimes the biggest pop culture moments are the ones brands never saw coming, and this time, the Cat in the Hat danced his way straight into the group chat.
Pitch, don’t kill my vibe
Wisdom 💡: PR pros may obsess over the perfect time to pitch, clever compliments and lightning-fast follow-ups, but journalists aren’t exactly waiting by their inboxes with a stopwatch. The reality is that every reporter operates differently, and bombarding them across platforms or stressing over radio silence won’t magically land you coverage. Instead, focus on understanding their beat, crafting genuinely relevant stories and building relationships that can pay off months down the road. When it comes to the game of pitching, it’s not about perfect timing or playing hard to get their attention; it’s about having something worth their time.
Pepper Pick
We’re GLEEKING out! 🎤 Glee is heading back to Disney+ and Hulu, and our inner Rachel Berry is already demanding a solo. Slushies optional, gold stars encouraged, and please, no one tell Sue Sylvester.
