Ad Age's Gillian Follett redefines going viral for 2026, from how to pivot marketing strategies to the new metrics measuring social media success and emerging platforms brands should dig into. Plus, how to win with subcultures, manage fractured virality and avoid cringe.

And the chaos behind the scenes of TikTok's ownership transition, why auto brands are skipping the Super Bowl and Home Depot's agency shakeup.

Dig deeper on the topics mentioned in this week's episode:

~Universal viral moments are over—what brands need to know

~Inside social trends: Jet2 holiday, 2016 throwback, Brat Summer, ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

~Lessons from Taylor Swift's viral engagement

~Buy tickets for the Ad Age NextGen Marketing Summit

~Listen to the Marketer's Brief podcast

Going viral in 2026: strategy, subcultures and engagement, with Gillian Follett

Ad Age Insider

Going viral in 2026: strategy, subcultures and engagement, with Gillian Follett