21 May 4 Marketing Trends You Can’t Ignore This Summer
Summer’s rolling in hot, and so are the opportunities to heat up your marketing game. With sunny vibes, longer days, and audiences spending more time on their phones (whether poolside or airport-bound), now is the perfect time to catch some engagement. Not sure where to start? We’ve got you. Here are five summer marketing trends you definitely want on your radar:
- Lights, Camera, Scroll: Video-First Social Strategy
Short-form video is still ruling the digital world, and summer is prime time to make your brand shine. Whether it’s a behind-the-scenes look at your biz, a snappy how-to, or a splashy seasonal campaign, video is where the magic happens on platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
Make it work: Keep things authentic and relaxed. Think natural light, candid shots, and simple storytelling that captures a moment.
Check out a TMP example: In this short video, we showcased a ‘Culture Display’ we were putting together for our partner National Fire & Safety. It’s short, sweet, and paired with an easy, trending track.
- Hyperlocal & Geo-Targeted Ads That Hit Home
From neighborhood block parties to road trip pit stops, people are out and about. That means your ads should be too. Hyperlocal and geo-targeted ads help you meet people right where they are—literally.
Make it work: Use radius targeting to promote time-sensitive offers or event tie-ins. Think local language, landmarks, or weather-specific hooks.
Quick example: A mobile ad for a local smoothie shop appears while someone’s scrolling at the beach, saying, “Hot out? We’re just 5 minutes away with $2 off mango coolers.”
Check out a Welch’s Soda example: We promoted a reel we did for Welch’s Soda being available at select Circle K stores to targeted zip codes that have the soda in stock at those locations. This allowed us to drive awareness in those specific areas.
- Social Commerce & In-App Shopping
People aren’t just scrolling for inspo—they’re shopping while they scroll. With Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest making in-app shopping seamless, it’s time to make sure your products are where your audience is.
Make it work: Tag products in your posts, use carousel formats to showcase summer collections, and test shoppable video features to reduce friction. Do a “Summer Essentials” post showing someone packing for a weekend trip, with every item linked for instant purchase.
Missing Thorn example: We’re currently building out a Shopify store that will be integrated with Meta to offer an in-app shopping catalog on both Facebook and Instagram. Once the catalog is live, we plan to promote it by linking directly through Instagram and Facebook posts.
- Sustainability & Purpose That Shines Through
Today’s consumers want to know: What does your brand stand for? Summer brings out a heightened awareness of environmental impact—from eco-friendly packaging to supporting local initiatives.
Make it work: Spotlight your sustainability wins or community initiatives. Add a simple badge or tagline like “Locally Sourced” or “Plastic-Free Summer.”
Quick example: A series of Instagram stories highlighting how your brand is reducing waste at a summer event—complete with user-submitted photos of reusable cups.
Check out a Primo Water example: Our Partner Primo Water lets its followers know they care about the environment with this sustainability post showcasing their 5 gallon packaging (saving from single use bottle purchase).
Summer isn’t just a season—it’s a state of mind. Lean into these four trends to keep your brand fresh, fun, and front-of-mind all season long.
Ready to elevate your summer marketing strategy? Connect with The Marketing Posse to discover how we can help your campaign stand out this season.
No Comments