Social Media Roundup: The Brand Moments Every Marketer Should Be Talking About

Barely halfway through 2026, and social media has already given marketers a masterclass in what to do (and what not to do) 👀 In this episode, hosts Kylie Scarborough and Sa Maria Boyd break down the biggest brand and culture moments dominating social feeds this year — and what they mean for anyone building a brand online. From McDonald's CEO taste-test stunt sparking backlash, to Dr Pepper's viral TikTok jingle turning into a full Super Bowl ad, this roundup covers the wins, the missteps, and the lessons in real-time brand strategy. They also dig into how athletes like Fernando Mendoza are reshaping LinkedIn content, how NASA's Artemis II mission drove a massive social following surge, and how brands like Southwest and Spirit Airlines handled very different moments in the spotlight — one a shutdown, one a viral act of goodwill. Whether you're managing brand social, tracking marketing trends, or just want to understand why the internet reacted the way it did to Coachella, the Super Bowl halftime show, and a CMO's unexpectedly viral towel-folding video, this episode has the marketing takeaways. 🔔 Hit the notification bell so you don't miss future episodes 🔔   🔗 Find out more about The Marketing Blender themarketingblender.com