Natalia Pruklang

Tag: tiktok

  • Influencers are Taking Over Hollywood

    Influencers are Taking Over Hollywood

    The past three weeks we’ve talked about all the different ways social media has managed to impact the entertainment industry. But, we’ve yet to talk about one of the most impactful ways social media has on fame and how anyone ordinary can be a star. 

    Once upon a time, breaking into Hollywood required endless auditions, the right connections, and a bit of luck. Now? You just need a phone, Wi-Fi, and one viral video. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are transforming ordinary creators into global celebrities—rewriting the blueprint for fame and shaking up the entertainment industry in the process.

    Social Media Stars Turned Celebs 

    Names like Charli D’Amelio, Alix Earle, Addison Rae used to mean nothing to me and you just mere five years ago, and now they are considered the mascots of our generation’s influencers. Influencers are no longer confined to their platforms. They’re headlining movies, topping music charts, and even walking the Met Gala carpet. Charli D’Amelio went from posting TikTok dances in her bedroom to starring in a Hulu reality series, The D’Amelio Show. Addison Rae made the leap to Netflix, landing the lead role in He’s All That, while Alix Earle just starred in five different Super Bowl commercials. 

    This shift is blurring the lines between traditional celebrities and internet personalities. Fans don’t just watch these creators, they feel like they know them. These fans watched those TikTokers’ journey to fame–every single step. This authenticity is what makes social media stars so powerful. They build fan bases rooted in personal connection. People see themselves in them because they started off as regular people like us. 

    Why Hollywood Is Paying Attention

    Entertainment companies are realizing that bringing social media stars into mainstream projects means bringing their fan bases too. When Addison Rae’s movie debuted, it wasn’t just Netflix subscribers tuning in; it was her 88 million TikTok followers showing up to support her. And movie star is not the only Hollywood title Addison Rae holds. She is also an artist, with 12.2 million monthly listeners. 

    This crossover between ordinary and industry also influences marketing strategies. Studios now regularly collaborate with influencers to promote new releases, tapping into their reach and relatability. Instead of relying solely on trailers and billboards, campaigns often feature creators making funny skits or posting behind-the-scenes content on TikTok. This format resonates more with Gen Z audiences. 

    And yes, there are downsides to influencers entering Hollywood, but I chose to highlight influencers in a positive way because I think we can appreciate a rags to riches story that we all wish can happen to ourselves.

  • Gen Z: The Secret Weapon to Entertainment’s Digital Success 

    Gen Z: The Secret Weapon to Entertainment’s Digital Success 

    In today’s entertainment industry, social media has become more than just a promotional tool– it is the frontline of audience engagement and brand identity. Behind many viral brand moments on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formally Twitter), there is usually a Gen Z social media intern crafting the genius content, responding to fans, and shaping the online brand of major entertainment companies. But why are Gen Z interns so effective in this role? And how are they transforming digital marketing in entertainment? 

    How Gen Z Interns Are Shaping Social Media Success

    Gen Z, born between 1997 and 2012, have grown up in a fully digital world. As a Gen Z member myself, I witnessed the creation of smartphones and social media platforms at the same time I was learning how to do fractions. Because of how integrated technology is in our society, Gen Z became fully native to the language, trends, and behaviors of social media platforms. Unlike previous generations who had to adapt to the emerging digital world, Gen Z inherently understands how to capture an audience’s attention by creating engaging content and navigating online culture in a way that resonates authentically. 

    One of my favorite examples of this is the Barbie movie’s marketing campaign. Barbie (2023) dominated social media and became the marketing campaign of the year. The promotion surrounding this film was huge, Warner Bros. collaborated with several different brands and companies, even as far as having a real life Barbie Dreamhouse available to book on Airbnb in Malibu. Warner Bros. tapped into Gen Z creatives to develop highly engaging content throughout different platforms that made Barbie into the inescapable global phenomenon that it was. Social media interns jumped on the viral “Barbenheimer” meme and the AI- generated Barbie selfie, all of which played a key role in turning the film into one of the biggest box office successes of the year.

    Similar strategies are still being seen in the entertainment industry. Whether it’s movie studios promoting upcoming releases, streaming platforms hyping up a new series, or fans creating their own campaign, Gen Z interns often play a huge role in shaping these digital campaigns 

    Authenticity Over Corporate Tone

    One of the biggest strengths of Gen Z social media interns is their ability to bring authenticity to brand messaging. Today’s audiences, especially younger consumers, are able to easily detect corporate-sounding content, which can be boring. Gen Z marketers bring a casual, relatable, and sometimes chaotic energy to brand accounts—making them feel more like a friend than a company wanting your money. 

    A great example is Netflix’s presence on apps like X, TikTok, and Instagram. Its accounts thrive on humor, pop culture references, and direct fan engagement. Their posts often feel like they’re coming from a real person rather than a marketing team, which helps deepen connections with audiences. 

    The Future of Social Media in Entertainment

    As social media continues to grow, brands and companies will continue to rely on Gen Z voices to stay relevant. This generation’s deep understanding of pop culture combined with their creativity and adaptability, makes them valuable assets in the industry. 

    For aspiring PR professionals and social media strategists like myself, this shift provides exciting opportunities. Companies are actively seeking fresh, tech-savvy voices to shape their online presence—and Gen Z is proving they are up for the challenge. 

  • How Social Media is Shaping the Entertainment Industry

    How Social Media is Shaping the Entertainment Industry

    In the last decade, social media has taken control over how we consume and engage with entertainment. Whether it’s a song blowing up on TikTok, or a viral meme turning a movie into a cultural phenomenon, the digital age has reshaped the entertainment industry in profound ways.

    If the rise of social media’s influence on media interests you, you’ve come to the right place. Welcome to my blog, here we will be talking all things social media and the impact it has on the entertainment industry. We will explore viral trends, marketing strategies, fandoms, and everything in between.

    Why This Topic?
    As a member of Gen Z myself, I grew up side by side with social media. I saw first hand the power it had to connect people from all around the world with just one click. The ever-growing presence of social media intrigued me enough to ask to run my high school’s social media pages. From there, I quickly realized how much influence digital platforms could have, not just in promoting content but in building communities and driving conversations. Now, as I delve deeper into my studies as a junior public relations major, the crossing of social media and entertainment is where I see the future of communication unfolding.

    The rise of Instagram, TikTok, Twitter (now X), and YouTube has revolutionized how entertainment is marketed, consumed, and discussed. Social media has given artists, creators, and entertainment companies direct access to their audience, allowing for them to build personal connections with fans. This doesn’t just change the way content is delivered, it is also changing how it’s received. Anything can go viral overnight.

    What to Expect

    Throughout this blog, I will be exploring various topics that highlight the significant impact social media has on entertainment. You can expect to see posts regarding:

    • Social media marketing: Analyzing how entertainment brands use platforms to promote projects and content.
    • Viral trends: How social media can help tv shows, movies, and songs become global sensations so quickly
    • PR campaigns: Dissect how viral movie campaigns like Barbie and Wicked took over the internet

    So if you’re passionate about entertainment, social media, and digital PR, join me on this adventure of exploring how these platforms are changing the entertainment world as we know it.