# Sophisticating Social Brands elevate consumer content into social media art. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Apr 23, 2015 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/augmented-social ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.6/10 - Evidence articles: 10 ## What is the Sophisticating Social trend? **Sophisticating Social:** Using social media, particularly visual platforms, has become nothing short of an art form. Platforms like Instagram are encouraging users to not only share their content, but share it in a way that requires craftiness and creativity. Brands that help people elevate their own content, either by increasing the quality or adding to the level of artistry, foster closer connections with consumers. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 10 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 17, 2014 to Jul 13, 2016 - Published: Apr 23, 2015 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Sophisticating Social trend ### Interactive Social Media Campaigns Opportunity for brands to engage consumers by providing interactive campaigns and tools to elevate their social media content. ### Personalized Product Campaigns Opportunity for brands to provide personalized product offerings and campaigns to enhance consumer experiences and create a closer connection with their target audience. ### Virtual Retail Showrooms Opportunity for brands to offer virtual showrooms accessible via social media platforms for consumers to browse and select products, thus simplifying the shopping experience. ## What the Sophisticating Social trend means for industry ### For Marketing and Advertising Industry Marketing and advertising professionals can utilize personalized and interactive campaigns to improve brand engagement and create closer connections with target audience. ### For Retail Industry The retail industry can leverage virtual showrooms accessible via social media platforms to simplify the shopping process and improve consumer experiences. ### For Social Media Industry The social media industry plays a vital role in providing platforms for brands to connect with their target audience and offer personalized and interactive campaigns and tools. ## Workshop question What would increased consumer engagement do for your brand? How might you achieve this? ## Trend signals for Sophisticating Social Trend score 4.6 out of 10, from popularity 74%, activity 57%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 74% - Activity: 57% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Sophisticating Social trend 10 featured examples from Apr 17, 2014 to Jul 13, 2016. - [Fan Photography Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lose-yourself): Häagen-Dazs' Instagram Page Features a Project Called 'Lose Yourself' (Category: Fashion) Implication: Sports brands and events can use fan photography projects to increase engagement and enhance the fan experience. - [Personalized Recipe Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hellmanns-brasil): Hellmann's Brasil Finds Recipes Based on What's in Your Fridge (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The food and beverage industry has an opportunity to leverage personalized recipe campaigns to engage consumers and promote their products. - [Millennial-Targeted Typography Ads](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/millennialtargeted-typography-ads-the-miller-lite-campaign-targets-male-mil): This Miller Lite Campaign Targets Young Males Via Instagram (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Beverage companies can create innovative campaigns that appeal to male Millennials in a fun and playful way, like Miller Lite's typography ads. - [Doodled Lunch Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-online-campaign): PopChips UK's Interactive Online Campaign Makes Lunches Exciting (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Food and snack companies can utilize interactive social media campaigns to engage with consumers and promote the enjoyment of their products. - [Instagram-Like Food Studios](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/food-shots): Mweb’s Dinnercam Takes Your Food Shots to the Next Level (Category: Tech) Implication: Restaurants and cafes can leverage WiFi-connected food studios to enhance the dining experience and encourage social media sharing. - [Recipe Infographic Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/family-recipe): Knorr Brazil Will Turn Your Family Recipe Into a Typographic Poster (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The success of Knorr Brazil's campaign presents an opportunity for food industry players to expand their market share and engage with consumers through interactive recipe-centered… - [Virtual Fashion Showrooms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/roots-canada): Roots Canada Lets Consumers Shop Clothing Featured in Its Instagram Page (Category: Fashion) Implication: Virtual fashion showrooms create opportunities for fashion retailers to increase online sales and improve the overall customer shopping experience. - [Moving Thread Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/moving-thread): This Machine Recreates Instagram Photos Using Seven Miles of Thread (Category: Marketing) Implication: Moving thread-based billboards can help fashion retailers like Forever 21 connect with younger Millennial consumers through personalized and interactive advertising. - [Bath Art Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bath-art): Lush Cosmetics' Video Tool Remixes Colorful Bath Bomb Swirls Online (Category: Fashion) Implication: Beauty brands can incorporate interactive campaigns and user-generated content to create a more immersive and engaging brand experience. - [Personalized Music Videos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hashtag-my-ass): Etienne De Crecy's Hashtag My Ass Makes a Video from Your Instagram Pics (Category: Marketing) Implication: Music industry can leverage personalized music videos to provide unique experiences for music lovers. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Nostalgic Beauty Mascots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-girl-series) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)