Introduction to Pop Culture with Sarah Memmer | Memmer Media

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Training Overview:

This masterclass, led by Sarah Memmer, explored how to intentionally leverage pop culture in your content strategy to increase relevance, visibility, emotional resonance, and trust without losing your brand integrity.

Sarah has helped clients secure massive media features and generate millions of impressions by strategically using cultural moments, not just for virality, but for lead generation and brand building.

Key Concepts & Strategic Frameworks:

What is Pop Culture?

The shared language of society. It’s what we talk about, care about, react to. Includes:

• Music, film, TV, celebrity drama

• Viral trends, memes, Internet discourse

• Cultural events, political and social movements

Why It Matters in Marketing:

1. Brands live/die in real time. Pop culture is the fastest vehicle to relevance.

2. Creates emotional connection + shareability.

3. Drives visibility + virality with the right eyes.

4. PR magnet. Journalists cover what’s already trending online.

Sales Psychology x Pop Culture Triggers:

1. Familiarity Bias: People engage more with content they already recognize.

2. FOMO: Pop culture sparks a desire to participate.

3. Nostalgia: Creates emotional connection + increased engagement.

4. Controversy/Debate: Encourages comments, reactions, and polarizing connection.

How to Use Pop Culture in Content Strategy:

✅ Always Ask:

• Does this build my brand or just drive views?

• Am I adding a unique angle or repeating noise?

• Does it emotionally connect or just inform?

• Is the timing right (early, peak, too late)?

• Is this a firecracker trend or long-term relevance?

• Does this tie into my zone of genius, offer, or audience?

Your Pop Culture Strategy Should:

• Attract aligned new followers through visibility hooks

• Build deeper trust with existing audience by making your brand feel relevant, in-the-know, and emotionally intelligent

Execution: Two Strategic Use Cases

1. New Audience Attraction (Visibility)

Use pop culture moments already in conversation to:

• Tap into trending searches/discourse

• Layer your industry expertise or unique POV

• Position yourself as part of a larger conversation

Remember: Don’t chase views. Chase the right views.

2. Warm Audience Nurture (Trust Building)

Use relevant cultural commentary to:

• Show you “get it”

• Reflect shared values

• Add humor, personality, and resonance

Example: Inner child coach reacting to TikToks of narcissistic parenting → bridges cultural moment with service-based solution

6 Tactical Content Formats for Leveraging Pop Culture

1. Remix Pop Culture Visuals

Use celeb screenshots, tweet headlines, red carpet visuals and apply brand-specific or industry commentary.

Example: "This red carpet look is giving messy launch strategy."

2. Use Trending Sounds or CapCut Templates

Pair cultural sounds with strategic text overlays that make them hyper-relevant to your niche.

Use pulse checks or Slack thread if you want help customizing.

3. Use Current Lingo Effortlessly

Weave trending language (e.g. "mother," "let them cook") into captions, reels, or emails in a way that fits your voice.

4. Stitch / Green Screen Commentary

Cosign or disrupt cultural moments with expert takes.

Only do this if you’re adding something new.

5. Hot Take Content

Drop an opinion about celebrity drama, a viral trend, or industry moment—then tie it back to your zone of genius.

6. Pop Culture Analogies/Metaphors

Explain a concept using a famous moment, character, or meme.

Example: “Launching without a strategy? It’s giving Kendall Jenner’s Pepsi ad.”

Final Notes from Sarah:

• You do not need to be chronically online to stay relevant—let the pulse checks and cultural templates do the heavy lifting.

• Know your audience: What do they watch? Quote? Care about?

• Don’t just join the conversation—lead it with something unique.