Welcome to Silence, Brand!, a tri-weekly potluck of internet absurdity at the intersection of brand marketing and internet culture written by a collective of award-winning digital marketing professionals. If you like what we do, please consider becoming a paid subscriber.
Log on because the is algo is cooking today.
We’ve got a Met Gala already courting controversy, a fever dream of a subway kiosk, boy bands clearing customs, and pasta salad returning from the dead. The internet truly contains multitudes. 🦀
But first … happy first birthday to ashby!
She wasn't born today, but she did make her “hamilton climbing out the window” debut a year ago. The birth of an internet legend.
It’s only Monday but DoorDash launched CringeMart (a dedicated storefront “for things you’d rather not make eye contact buying”), Costco’s cult-favorite pasta salad has risen from the discontinued dead, and sardine-skincare trend has TikTok convinced tinned fish is the new serum.
We also have one of our most stacked “HEY SO THATS BAD” sections in a while so … thats probably not good.
LETS GET INTO IT
🦀🦀🦀
The 2027 Met Gala Theme Has Been Revealed & Here’s Why It’s Causing Controversy (People)
The 2027 Met Gala will center on “John Galliano: Horizons,” making Galliano only the third living designer to receive a dedicated Costume Institute exhibition. The announcement immediately sparked controversy because Galliano was convicted of two hate crimes in Paris after a series of antisemitic and racist incidents in 2010 and 2011, including a video in which he praised Hitler.
The Met says the exhibition will address both his enormous influence on fashion and the misconduct that derailed his career, rather than treating the work separately from the person. Anna Wintour defended the decision by arguing that Galliano’s entire career should not be defined by one period, while acknowledging that the show must confront the darkness in his past.
‘Just a pure weird moment’: Art project takes over Manhattan subway kiosk (Gothamist)
An unused newspaper kiosk inside Manhattan’s West Fourth Street subway station has been transformed into a free art project filled with zines, station guides, and a “train aura” photo booth. Created by Public Transport Magazine founder Al Mullen, the installation is part of the MTA’s program for turning vacant retail spaces into strange, playful experiences for commuters. The kiosk will host rotating weekend events like puppet shows, stand-up, and live music while Mullen works toward creating guides for all 472 subway stations.
She’s 28. He’s 71. Here’s how they became roommates and close friends (The Washington Post)
A 28-year-old woman and her 71-year-old roommate are winning over the internet with their unlikely friendship. What began as a housing solution has become a reminder that meaningful relationships don’t always fit society’s expectations.
ASAP Rocky Rescinds Offer After Artist Posts DM From Him Asking About Logo Work: ‘Distasteful’ (Complex)
A$AP Rocky withdrew an offer to work with graphic designer Allan Peters after the designer publicly shared their private DMs before responding. The exchange has creatives debating whether posting celebrity messages is smart self-promotion or a quick way to lose future clients.
Fans at Lollapalooza go viral for passing a bag of pee over the crowd (NME)
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