The top February 2016 media ideas have a lot of fun infusing elements of pop culture into the real world. The best examples of this include Harry Potter-inspired dinners being hosted to give guests the full Hogwarts experience, or the Vogue February magazine that has Ben Stiller posing as his character from Zoolander 2.
As tributes to the late David Bowie, Veja created 12 different magazine covers inspired by the star. In a more dramatic gesture, a Belgian observatory dedicated an entire lightning bolt-shaped star cluster to the music legend.
Some of the most intriguing new media platforms to watch out for include YouTuber PewDiePie's Revelmode and the newly rebranded Freeform network, which was previously known as Disney's ABC Family.
Top 30 Media Trends in February
From Smartphone TV Programs to Crowdsourced Journalism Apps:
Laura McQuarrie — Feb 27, 2016 — Pop Culture
29
Streetwear-Clad Cartoon Characters
Tommy Bates Clothes The Simpsons in High-Street Fashion
28
Health-Promoting Disney Princesses
These Illustrations Promote Cervical Health Awareness Month
27
Painting-Inspired Editorials
Left March by Yakovlev Andrey Brings Modern Art to Life
26
Comedic Movie Character Covers
The Vogue February 2016 Cover Features Actor Ben Stiller
25
Sporty Cutout Fashion
The Latest Marie Claire Mexico Cover Stars Eiza Gonzalez
24
Boldly Punk Photoshoots
Sara Sampaio Stars in the Latest Issue of Vogue Spain
23
Homage-Paying Magazine Covers
Brazilian Publication 'Veja' Printed 12 Different David Bowie Covers
22
Immersive TV-Themed Bars
This Immersive Brewery Experience is Based on the TV Show Breaking Bad
21
Celebrity Constellation Tributes
The Late David Bowie Was Honored with His Very Own Stardust
20
Rap Feud Fashion Collections
The Kanye West Twitter Beef Spawned a New Clothing Line
19
Chic Underpass Editorials
The Edit Miranda Kerr Photoshoot is Elegantly Urban
18
Wizardly Valentine's Day Diners
This Promotion Involves Dining in the Great Hall of Hogwarts
17
Superhero-Inspired IV Bags
These IV Bag Covers Make Hospital Stays More Pleasant for Kids
16
Hand-Painted Magazine Covers
Artist Stephen Baker Replaces Models with Abstract Character Designs
15
Family Network Rebranding
Disney's ABC Family is Now Known as 'Freeform'
14
VR Film Festival Apps
This App Allows Users to Watch Sundance Films on Their Smartphone
13
Jet-Skiing DJ Games
'Flappy Khaled' is a Video Game Based on DJ Khaled's Inspiring Snapchats
12
Digital Pop Star Communities
The Bieber Fever Fan Club is a Place for Beliebers to Connect Online
11
Charitable Gaming Networks
YouTuber PewDiePie Launched a New Creator Network Called Revelmode
10
Complimentary Documentary Incentives
'The Armor of Light' Could Be Viewed by NRA Members for Free
9
Editorial Subscription Shops
The magCulture Brick-and-Mortar Store Recently Opened in London
8
Hair-Raising Interactive Posters
This Movie Poster Design Gives People a Feel for Carrie's Powers
7
Crowdsourced Journalism Apps
This Platform Features Photos and Videos from Citizen Journalists
6
Inclusive Presidential Social Accounts
The White House Officially Launched its Own Snapchat Story
5
Crowdfunded Documentary Films
These Filmmakers Publicly Funded a Documentary About Crowdfunding
4
Pop Punk Fan Clubs
The All Time Low Fan Club Refers to Members as "Hustlers"
3
Crowdsourced Publishing Platforms
This Company Employs Digital Editors to Publish New Content
2
Smartphone TV Programs
Priyanka Chopra is Producing an Indian Mobile Series Airing January 22
1
Hometown-Celebrating Rap Videos
This Kendrick Lamar Short Film Features Compton Residents Rapping
Related Ideas
Movie-Themed Kids Meals
Super Mario Galaxy Happy Meal Launches with Collectible Toys
Superhero Lifestyle Collections
Disney Drops Brand Collabs for The Fantastic Four: First Steps
Tarot-Inspired Streaming Campaigns
Netflix Discover Your Future Reveals New Streaming Potentials
Virtual Fashion Contests
Bratz and ZEPETO Launch a Four-Week Avatar Styling Challenge
Luxe Designer Beauty Activations
YSL Launched an Entertainment-Themed Light Club 2.0 Concept
Gen Z Storytelling Campaigns
Coach is Running the 'Explore Your Story' Campaign for Spring 2026
Series-Inspired Newspaper Pop-Ups
Peacock Featured a Custom Newsstand for ‘The Paper’
Gen Z Advertising Initiatives
Tubi Targets Younger Viewers with Ad Innovations at IAB NewFronts
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
Festival-Inspired Luxury Fashion Campaigns
Burberry Celebrates the Energy of British Music Culture
BookTok Travel Experiences
EF Ultimate Break Launched Literature-Inspired Group Tours for Gen Z
Cross-Network Playoff Promotions
NHL and Multiple Broadcasters Launch a Playoff Marketing Campaign
Beauty Hack-Inspired Campaigns
Vaseline Launched 'Vaseline World' Based on Social Media Content
Authentic Connection Campaigns
Heineken's Hijack Socialization Encourages Out-of-Home Gatherings
Phone-Free Crafting Experiences
Pinterest Brought a Phone-Free Experience to the Desert
Real-Life Mood-Board Transformations
Pinterest Launches the 'Bring My Pinterest to Life' Series
Broadcast TV Cellphones
The Lava and HMD Phones Offer Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) Streaming
AI-Matched Creator Partnerships
YouTube Creator Partnerships Links Brands & Creators with Gemini
Playful Gen-Z Dating Campaigns
Tinder's 'Crush Feelings' Captures the Essence of Modern Dating
Fandom Culture Retail Experiences
EB Games x Vibrant Marketing Launch an 'EB Trends' Store Concept
Gen-Z-Targeted Phone Spots
Samsung Spotlights the Galaxy S25 Ultra in its 'Recipe Ideas' Ad
Fashion-Inspired Coffee Events
Starbucks Partnered with NYFW2026 and Hosted a Coffeehouse Rave
Pop Culture-Themed Snack Branding
Fan Foods Co. and Poppowls Launch New Licensed Snack Capsule
Telenovela-Inspired Beauty Campaigns
e.l.f. Cosmetics' Big Game Ad Airs Ahead of Halftime
Live Social Shopping Expansions
QVC® Announces New Brands That Will Join Its Roster in 2026
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Entertainment Insight Platforms
Celebs Bucks Delivers Celebrity News And Net Worth Insights
Fashion-Forward Cultural Infrastructure Initiatives
THE FASH APP Debuts Founding Benefactor Circle
Dynamic Scent-Inspired Fashion Presentations
Startup Fashion Week 2026 Concluded Its Program
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
Next-Gen Teen Magazines
WYouth is a New W Magazine Publication for Gen Z
Fandom-Honoring Building Block Sets
LEGO® Spotlights Iconic Pop Culture Films and Series
Customer-Starring Billboards
Bobbie's Campaign Spotlights Moms as "the OG Influencers"
Creator-Focused Monetization Platforms
Headquarterz Bridges Social Media and OTT Distribution
Reality-Themed Dating Campaigns
Tinder Launches a YouTube Reality Show to Appeal to Gen Z
Marketer-Targeted Albums
The Spotify Tunetorials Campaign Blurs Education and Entertainment
Bold Beauty Campaigns
IPSY Reframes Beauty as a Hobby with the 'I Play Beauty' Campaign
Cult Film-Inspired Graphic Tees
These Capsule Tees Pay Homage to 17-Year-Old Dark Knight Film.
Imaginative Fantasy-Inspired Campaigns
Canva Spotlights its Creative Tools Ahead of Halloween
Chinese Band-Supported Beauty Brands
Maybelline New York Partners with Teens in Times (TNT)
Music Scene-Informed Luxury Campaigns
Burberry Taps Twiggy for Spring 2026 Advertising Campaign
Cinematic Sneaker Campaigns
Adidas Originals Superstar Campaign Features Icons Such as Jennie
Anti-Digital Social Campaigns
Heineken Partners with Joe Jonas for 'Socials Off Socials'
Fan-Powered Reality Competitions
Little Caesars' Pretzel Crust Island Engages YouTube Viewers
Self-Expression Festival Activations
Barbie Brings Customizable Persona-Building to Coachella
Festival Beauty Activations
Medicube Brings Skincare Tech and Experiences to Coachella
High-Profile Home Improvement Pop-Ups
VEVOR Celebrates Black Friday at Times Square
Traveling Fashion Showcases
The Guess Bus in Sydney is an Example of Experimental Marketing
Article Product Suggestions
BuzzFeed Teams Up with Shopsense AI to Debut Product Recommendations
Comprehensive Fast Food Reports
Yum! Brands, Inc. Explores Food Trends Influencing the Industry
Mobile Beauty Pop-Ups
Henkel’s göt2b Debuts a Citywide Mobile Beauty Experience
Branded Newspaper Kiosks
New Balance's Grey Days Pop-Up Celebrates a Timeless, Universal Color
Bingo-Style Reading Initiatives
Indigo's 2026 Reading Challenge Features a 'Phone-Free' Category
Feedless Social Platforms
Bond Eliminates Feeds to Focus on Real-Life Experiences
Fandom-First Search Engines
Lore Helps Fans Research & Track Interests from a Central Hub
Animated Pop Revival Shows
Paris Hilton’s Paris & Pups Brings Her Playful Persona to Youtube
Social Media Entertainment Apps
The Instagram Reels Fire TV App Turns Content into Entertainment
Cultural Newsletter Subscriptions
American Eagle Launches Gen Z-Focused 'Off The Cuff' Publication
Anti-Algorithm Social Platforms
Buzzfeed’s Branch Office Creates Interactive AI-Powered Apps
Experiential Grocery Campaigns
No Name launches a multi-city grocery goss campaign
Film Masterpieces-Focused Programming Initiatives
Regal Cinemas Debuts the Month of Masterpieces
Pop-Up Reality TV Bars
Samsung Electronics' Verkligheten is a Destination for Reality TV Fans
Basketball Film-Inspired Pizza Campaigns
Pizza Hut Debuts Space Jam-Inspired Menu Bundle & Recipes
Comprehensive Wellness-Celebrating Initatives
Live Love Spa Marks National Wellness Month
Personalized Daily Wellness Apps
Hoda Kotb Launches Joy 101 Wellness App Inspired by Daily Rituals
Brand-Creator Matchmaking Events
Dhar Mann Studios & Brand Innovators Hosted a Speed Dating Event
Localized Game-Day Food Activations
Martha Stewart Joins Pepsi’s Bay Area Local Eats
Subway Station Fashion Takeovers
Reitmans Hosts its Spring 2026 Lower Bay Station Preview
Pop-Up Sports Hospitality
Toronto’s FIFA Fan Festival Turns Urban Spaces into Immersive Fan Hubs
Video Podcast Expansion
Netflix and iHeartMedia Bring Video Podcasts to the Streaming Platform
Streaming Series Food Ranges
Waitrose and Disney+ Partnered for an Exclusive Rivals Range
French Beer Marketing Campaigns
1664 Features Robert Pattinson in Its New Acting-Inspired Campaign
Media-Backed Creator Platforms
BET Launches a Creator Studio with ‘The Jason Lee Show’
AI-Powered Custom Timelines
X Introduced Its Grok-Powered Custom Timelines Platform
Streaming Service Brainteaser Games
Netflix Puzzled Will Feature Show-Themed Puzzles
Short-Form Video Previews
Vertical Feeds Help Members Discover Content on Netflix
Mediterranean-Inspired Fashion Collections
LILYSILK Debuts 'Mediterranean Muse' & a V-Day Box
Creativity-Celebrating Social Media Awards
The Instagram Rings Award Honors Exemplary Creators
Streaming Moments Surge
Spotify’s Wrapped 2025 Engages Users with Personalized Year-in-Review
Youth-Led Holiday Campaigns
Where are You Going? Showcases a Global Portrait of Young Creators
Customized Restaurant Campaign Platforms
OpenTable Has Launched OpenTable Media
Festive Creator-Led Series
Pepsi Pioneers is a Five-Part Christmas Series for Gen Z
AI-Created Video Feeds
Meta Introduces Vibes as a Social Platform Driven by AI-Generated Posts
Curated Resale Storefronts
eBay's The NYC Edit Storefront Shares Tastemaker Selections
Modular Streaming Channel Plans
YouTube TV Introduced 12 Cheaper Channel Packages
Pop Culture Wedding Collections
A Dynamic Duo Inspired The Engagement Era Collection by The Knot
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
AI-Powered Reality TV Expereinces
Your Bravoverse Turns Andy Cohen into a Guide for Bravo Fans
Co-Branded Family-Oriented Events
Disney and Formula 1 Launch Fuel the Magic Campaign
Celebrity-Supported Luxe Fashion Campaigns
BOSS Taps Renowned Public Figures for Fall 2025
Social-First Hosting Campaigns
Out Host with Hisense Responds to the Rise of Home Viewing Parties
Performance Marketing Platforms
PebblePost Expanded into Connected Television Advertising
Branded Content Partnerships
LG Electronics and Fantasy Life Renew and Expand Their Partnership
Gemini-Powered Ask Buttons
YouTube Introduced an 'Ask' Button for its Smart TV App
Club-Owned Digital Hubs
Arsenal Launches the Arsenal Media Platform
Focused Fashion Feeds
Clone Helps You Stay Updated with Fashion Trends Sustainably
Global Product Launch Events
Uber Unveils a New Go-Get Exhibit Featuring Interactive Vignettes
Mascot Sumo Showdowns
Duolingo Launches Playful Event Featuring Gaming Icons and Cultural Mascots
Latine-Targeted Streaming Services
Remezcla Más Was Made for Hispanic Gen Z & Millennials
Celebrity-Signed Rolling Trays
SWED.com Leverages Snoop Dogg's Cultural Influence
Movie Streaming Apps
Moviepad Offers Free Streaming With Personalized Recommendations And Filters
Social Media Creator Initiatives
Snapchat Launches its Gen Z-Focused Creator Connect Service
Niche Club Apps
Phictly Connects Fans of Books, Movies & Shows in Small, Engaged Groups
Girl Dinner Experiences
Waverly Kitchen + Bar Curates Shareable Comfort Food Plates
Swapped Phone Campaigns
KitKat Phone Break Depicts Devices Traded for Chocolate Wafer Bars
Insightful Short-Form Talk Apps
TED Shorts Allow for Short, Snappy Snippets of Popular Talks
Galentine’s Hosting Kits
HelloFresh and Betches Media Curated The Galentine’s Dinner Edit
Question-Driven Brand Revisions
NPR Turns its Logo Into Question Words
Publisher-to-Platform Content Ecosystems
HarperCollins and Toonstar Turn Books into Animations
Interactive Streaming Ads
Spotify Turns Listening into Engagement with Carousel Ads
Personalized Present Campaigns
The Wonderbly Everyone’s Got Favourites Campaign is Rolling Out Now
Celebrity-Backed Luxe Fashion Campaigns
Burberry's Holiday Film is Dubbed ’Twas the Knight Before…
IP-Based Kids Games
Netflix Turns Shows into Play Experiences
Social Media-Inspired Streaming Apps
The Netflix App Feed Will Introduce a TikTok-Like Style
Branded Social Impact Initiatives
Youth To The People Unveils the Community To The People Program
Expressive App Icons
The Instagram Teen Icons Deliver Vibrant Customization for Younger Users
Family-Friendly Podcasts
Nickelodeon and Starglow Turned Beloved Franchises into Podcasts
Film-Centric Fashion Capsules
Rihanna's Fenty Joins Puma on a Special Smurfs Collection
Media Literacy Programs
YouTube x Institute for Strategic Dialogue Launched 'Be Internet Citizens'
Accessible Travel Media Initiatives
TravelAbility and Gray Digital Media Launch a Travel Channel
Philanthropic Media Initiatives
New to The Street Has Introduced For the Causes™
Personalized Media Creation
TuneStory Creates Custom Songs & Videos For Meaningful, Personal Gifts
Streaming Brand Trivia Games
The Roku Roklue Pop Culture Trivia Game Covers Movies and TV
Layered Online Content Reports
YouTube Defines Creative Maximalism as the Key Point After 20 Years
Valentine's Day Dining Research
OpenTable Compiles Data on Valentine's Day Dining Trends
Swipeable Content Discovery Experiences
Verts is a Fun Way to Explore What to Watch on Disney+
Media Tracking Tools
Media & Learning Tracker Organizes Books, Courses, And Podcasts
Interactive Traveler-Focused Campaigns
Tessan Will Spotlight the 100 Travelers Campaign
Bias Disruption Platforms
Newzentropy Optimizes News To Challenge Biases And Expand Perspectives
Small Business-Honoring Events
Fairfax City Economic Development Brings Back Small Business Month
Young Innovator-Honoring Award Initiatives
TNL Mediagene Runs Its Becoming Aces Awards Ceremony
Personalized News Feeds
Moodscroll Curates News Based on Your Mood and Preferences
Smart Content Aggregators
Smashing’s Personalized Article Discovery App Helps Users Stay Informed
Visual Discovery Campaigns
Pinterest Autumn-Winter Ads Highlight Castlecore Dreams and Fuzzy Vibes
Smarter News Consumption
NewsBang Makes Staying Informed Easier And More Interactive
Creative Protest Archives
Pocket Protests Showcases Global Creative Resistance Against Fascism
Adaptive Notification Systems
YouTube Filters Push Alerts Based on Recent User Engagement
A-Lister Vacation Getaways
Trainline x Deuxmoi Partner for Celebrity-Inspired European Itineraries
Distinctive Asia-Focused Platforms
Feature.Asia Notes Asia's Professional & Cultural Innovators
Phone Software Updates
Google Launches March Pixel Drop With New Pixel And Android Features