Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comThank you for your patience on this episode going up Tuesday vs Monday and happy Easter, coconuts ❤️ 🥥🎙️ Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe: Sinners by Ryan Coogler – Breaking the Franchise Formula with Folklore, Fire, and OriginalityIn this episode of Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe, I break down Sinners, Ryan Coogler’s genre-bending horror film starring Michael B. Jordan, Hailee Steinfeld, and newcomer Miles Caton. With a 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and an “A” CinemaScore—the first for a horror film in nearly 40 years—Sinners is redefining what original IP can achieve at the box office.Filmed in part on IMAX by cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw, the story follows twin brothers navigating 1930s Mississippi, ancestral trauma, and a supernatural force drawn to music. I analyze how the film explores cultural appropriation, Black creativity, and the thin line between allyship and harm.🔍 Episode topics include:– Irish folklore and Remmick’s metaphor as the cultural vampire - – Chinese immigrant inclusion and survival under Jim Crow– The long-take juke joint scene and the symbolism of fire– Behind-the-scenes insights: IMAX filming challenges, Michael B. Jordan’s reaction to fake blood, and the discovery of Miles Caton🔓 Extended analysis on Substack at cocomocoe.substack.com– The theme of “The Danger of Being Seen” as a Black artist– Native American representation and Choctaw-Irish historical ties– The doppelgänger metaphor in the SmokeStack twins– Why Sinners is one of the most effective branded films in recent years⏰ Time Stamps:* Introduction — 0:00* The Franchise Formula of Hollywood — 2:58* “Sinners” Ratings — 4:39* “Sinners” Spoiler Free Synopsis — 5:38* The Irish Folklore and History in “Sinners” — 11:26* The Chinese immigrants in “Sinners” — 17:03* One of the most important scenes in the movie — 18:46* Fun facts about the making of “Sinners” — 22:40🔐 Extended Episode at cocomocoe.substack.com for $9-a-month:* The fear of being seen — 30:50* The history of Choctaw native — 35:00* The connection between the Irish and the Choctaw — 38:04* The brilliant branding of “Sinners” — 43:07🎧 Featured links:* IndieWire interview with Ryan Coogler* In Proximity Podcast – Coogler & Arkapaw* TikTok: Simone Umba, Straw Hat Goofy, Edits With Ego📍 Full episode at: cocomocoe.substack.com🎬 Tag @cocomocoe with your thoughts after watching Sinners.📥 Email: cocomocoe@gmail.comAhead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe is the podcast for people who need to know what’s next. Hosted by media analyst and trend forecaster Coco Mocoe, this show breaks down the latest in marketing, pop culture, social media, and the creator economy—before it hits the mainstream. Whether it’s decoding brand strategy, analyzing viral moments, or predicting the future of fame, Coco dives into the cultural shifts shaping our digital world. If you’re a marketer, content creator, or just chronically online, you’ll leave each episode smarter, sharper, and a few weeks ahead of your group chat.🎙️ New episodes weekly. Ranked in Apple’s Top Marketing Podcasts & a Substack Best-Seller 🧡

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comWhy do people love to hate Coachella — but still show up every year? In this episode of Ahead of the Curve, Coco Mocoe unpacks the brilliant branding behind Coachella 2025, from its viral hate-watch energy to its unmatched halo effect in the influencer and festival economy. Despite constant online criticism, Coachella continues to dominate headlines, shape fashion trends, and launch rising stars.We’ll cover:* Coachella’s marketing strategy and how it stays culturally relevant* The halo effect and why brands throw massive events around the festival* How creators can learn from Coachella’s polarizing presence to grow their own platforms* Insights on this year’s lineup, standout performances, and who's poised for a breakout moment🎟️ Full episode on Substack includes Coco Mocoe’s unfiltered thoughts on the 2025 experience, from VIP tacos to the next Chappell Roan.🎧 Listen now + subscribe at cocomocoe.substack.comRead my Substack about my predicted trends for Coachella, and the greater festival circuit, this year: https://open.substack.com/pub/cocomocoe/p/coachellas-halo-effect-whos-benefiting?r=2fk72x&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false“Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe” is a marketing podcast that covers internet and pop culture but from a branding angle. Coco Mocoe is a trend forecaster and marketing expert who loves diving deep into why things go viral on the internet and how you can apply that to your own brand or creator journey.Thank you for reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Follow Coco Mocoe on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!* IG: @cocomocoe* TT: @cocomocoe* YT: coco mocoeEmail: cocomocoe@gmail.comWhat other brands, celebs or events would you like a “brilliant branding” episode on? 🥥 ❤️Keywords: Coachella 2025, Coachella lineup review, festival marketing, branding case study, creator economy strategy, influencer events, Gen Z trends, pop culture podcast, Coco Mocoe, music festival branding, Charli XCX, Lady Gaga, Lola Young, Lisa, Jennie, The Marias

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comIs The White Lotus a modern-day morality tale? In this episode of AOTC, I break down my theory that each season of The White Lotus is built around one of the seven deadly sins — with Season 1 exploring greed, Season 2 diving into lust, and Season 3 unraveling through the lens of wrath.We’ll get into how Mike White masterfully weaves sin into satire, and how actors like Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins brought this season’s chaos to life.PLUS: I share the behind-the-scenes details of being invited to stay at a real Four Seasons hotel, completely transformed into The White Lotus, for the official Season 3 finale with the cast. From the set-inspired décor to the surreal experience of living inside the show’s world, this was marketing and immersion at its finest.🎧 New episode of Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe — streaming now.REFERENCE LINKS:* Abaetol on TikTok (she has great White Lotus theories and analysis)* Great Dayn on TikTok (she does the outfit breakdowns of each scene)* Euphoria’s makeup artist Donni Davy“Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe” is a marketing podcast that covers internet and pop culture but from a branding angle. Coco Mocoe is a trend forecaster and marketing expert who loves diving deep into why things go viral on the internet and how you can apply that to your own brand or creator journey.Thank you for reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Follow Coco Mocoe on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!* IG: @cocomocoe* TT: @cocomocoe* YT: coco mocoeEmail: cocomocoe@gmail.comSee you at Coachella!

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comIf you are as obsessed with the intersection between pop culture and marketing as I am, consider becoming a member of my best-selling Substack for $9-a-month. For the $9 a month, you will get access to:The rest of this Friday Trend Report + every weekly trend report to stay on top of where internet culture is headed from the lens of someone who is a full-time creator and worked full-time at two major media companies in marketing for 5+ years beforehandExtended episodes of the Monday “⁠Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe⁠” podcast. The podcast is a weekly deep dive into the behind-the-scenes branding of celebs, creators and brands making waves in culture. I save the best bits of information for my paying coconuts every episode so be sure to tune in, if that is your thing!Subscribe for $9-a-month at cocomocoe.substack.comIn the world of podcasting, content creation, and digital media, success doesn’t belong to the most inspired. It belongs to the most consistent. One principle that every serious creator must adopt is this:"Follow your plan. Not your mood."The myth that you need to “feel inspired” to produce quality work is not just false—it’s dangerous. Waiting for the right mood is how ideas die in your notes app. The creators who thrive are those who execute on a schedule, not on a whim.This philosophy isn’t new. It’s reinforced by three of the most influential books on the creative process: The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron, Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, and The Creative Act by Rick Rubin. Each offers a unique perspective, but they converge on one truth: creative discipline outperforms emotional unpredictability.1. The Artist’s Way: Creativity is a Daily Practice, Not a MoodJulia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way introduces the idea that creativity is not something you wait for—it’s something you do. Her method, which includes writing three “morning pages” every day, trains creators to show up regardless of how they feel. This habit rewires the brain to prioritize process over perfection.For podcasters and content creators, this translates to releasing episodes regularly, writing scripts when you’re tired, and staying on your production calendar even when no one’s watching. If you want to grow your podcast audience or maintain engagement, consistency is the strategy—not vibes.2. Big Magic: Fear Disguises Itself as ProcrastinationElizabeth Gilbert’s Big Magic is a masterclass in dismantling creative fear. She makes one thing clear: fear is rarely dramatic. It’s subtle. It shows up as procrastination, perfectionism, or an ever-changing mood.When a creator says, “I’m just not feeling it today,” that’s not intuition—it’s fear. Gilbert argues that creativity demands courage, not comfort. For podcast hosts and video creators, this means pushing past hesitation and publishing even when self-doubt is loud.Waiting for motivation will sabotage momentum. Publishing on a schedule—no matter how you feel—builds trust with your audience, strengthens your brand, and teaches your brain to produce under pressure.3. The Creative Act: Make Space for the WorkRick Rubin’s The Creative Act frames creativity as something you enter into, not something you extract. According to Rubin, consistent creative output comes from creating ritual, not chasing inspiration.Rubin’s advice is clear: treat your creative process with the same respect as a professional job. For podcasting, this might mean setting dedicated recording hours, scripting your intros, batch-producing episodes, and editing on a regular schedule.Creativity is not random. It’s rhythmic. The more structure you give your process, the more freely ideas will flow within it.The Power of the PlanYour plan is the architecture of your creative career. Your mood is a weather report. Do not confuse the two.If your goal is to scale your podcast, grow your newsletter, increase your video views, or build long-term creative income, following your plan is the fastest path to momentum. When your schedule becomes sacred, your audience learns to rely on you. Algorithms favor consistency. And over time, so will your confidence.Stop waiting for the perfect energy. Set your publishing cadence. Stick to your content calendar. Hit record when you don’t feel like it. Finish drafts when you’d rather scroll. That's how real creators separate from the crowd.Because the truth is: no one builds something great by accident. They build it by showing up—especially when they don’t feel like it.“Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe” is a marketing podcast that covers internet and pop culture but from a branding angle. Coco Mocoe is a trend forecaster and marketing expert who loves diving deep into why things go viral on the internet and how you can apply that to your own brand or creator journey.Thank you for reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Follow Coco Mocoe on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!* IG: @cocomocoe* TT: @cocomocoe* YT: coco mocoeEmail: cocomocoe@gmail.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comPluto just left Capricorn and entered Aquarius for the next 18 years—so what does that mean for you, the culture, and who's about to run the world? In this episode of “Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe”, we break down the collective shift through the lens of your favorite chaotic TV and media: White Lotus, Real Housewives, Roblox and more. From crumbling institutions to the rise of anonymous celebrities, we're decoding how Pluto’s generational shift into Aquarius is already playing out in media, fame, and institutional power.Whether you're an astrology nerd, reality TV scholar, marketing professional or just want to know who the next It-Girl will be based on astrology—this one's for you.Disclaimer: I am NOT an astrology expert nor do I claim to be. But I love the topic and did my best with research and interpretations. Always do your own research and come to your own conclusions ❤️ ✨TIME STAMPS & TOPICS:0:00 - Introduction4:03 - What themes did Pluto in Capricorn emphasize from 2008 to 20256:09 - What media came to fame during Pluto in Capricorn12:21 - What reality TV rose to fame during Pluto in Capricorn15:55 - Capricorn Themes in Fashion17:53 - The Capricorn themes that came through in the influencer space19:40 - How Capricorn themes influenced how Millennials and Gen-Z created and consumed digital mediaExtended Episode for Paying Members of the Substack:25:09 - What does Pluto in Aquarius represent?26:50 - How the rise of Chappell Roan & Sabrina Carpenter represent a shift into Aquarian ideals28:06 - Recent media that represent the shift into Aquarian ideals31:05 - How will this shift change how we discover and consume music34:00 - What types of influencers will find fame during Pluto in Aquarius35:00 - How will Gen Alpha change the way media is consumed and created38:00 - How Pluto in Aquarius will shift fashion trends 40:30 - What happened during previous Pluto in Aquarius times“Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe” is a marketing podcast that covers internet and pop culture but from a branding angle. Coco Mocoe is a trend forecaster and marketing expert who loves diving deep into why things go viral on the internet and how you can apply that to your own brand or creator journey.Let me know what future creators, celebrities or brands you would like a “brilliant branding of” deep dive on via a review Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Follow Coco Mocoe on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!* IG: @cocomocoe* TT: @cocomocoe* YT: coco mocoeEmail: cocomocoe@gmail.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comToday's episode of "Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe" marketing podcast is about the brilliant branding of Hailey Bieber's Rhode Skin. The brand was the second-most talked about celebrity beauty brand of 2024, just behind Rare Beauty by Selena Gomez, according to ⁠Mintoiro⁠.If you look at Rhode Skin's Instagram account from when they launched in 2022 vs now, there is a huge difference just three years later. They began leaning into sensory marketing unlike any other celebrity beauty brand and sky-rocketed, as a result. That will be the topic for today's episode. Enjoy!TIME STAMPS & TOPICS:0:00 - Introduction5:30 - What was popular in the last 10 years from 2015-2025?6:47 - The rise of minimalist makeup7:29 - The Data of Rhode Skin15:10 - The Shift into Sensory Marketing17:00 - Integration of celebrity collabsTopics on the Extended Episode at ⁠cocomocoe.substack.com⁠20:38 - Rhode’s product innovation vs disruption26:40 - “The Editorialization of Brand Social” by Kristen Vinakmens on Substack33:15 - How you can apply all these marketing tactics to yourselfREFERENCE LINKS:* Substack: "⁠Hailey Bieber Changed One Thing About Her Branding. She Sky Rocketed as a Result⁠"* The The Devil Wears Data: ⁠The Rise of Hailey Bieber's Rhode Skin⁠* YouTube: ⁠Who’s In My Bathroom? With Hailey Rhode Bieber⁠* “The Editorialization of Brand Social” by Kristen Vinakmens on Substack: https://substack.com/home/post/p-149158518If you are as obsessed with the intersection between pop culture and marketing as I am, consider becoming a member of my best-selling Substack for $9-a-month. For the $9 a month, you will get access to:* The rest of this Friday Trend Report + every weekly trend report to stay on top of where internet culture is headed from the lens of someone who is a full-time creator and worked full-time at two major media companies in marketing for 5+ years beforehand* Extended episodes of the Monday “⁠Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe⁠” podcast. The podcast is a weekly deep dive into the behind-the-scenes branding of celebs, creators and brands making waves in culture. I save the best bits of information for my paying coconuts every episode so be sure to tune in, if that is your thing!cocomocoe.substack.com“Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe” is a marketing podcast that covers internet and pop culture but from a branding angle. Coco Mocoe is a trend forecaster and marketing expert who loves diving deep into why things go viral on the internet and how you can apply that to your own brand or creator journey.Thank you for reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Follow Coco Mocoe on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!* IG: @cocomocoe* TT: @cocomocoe* YT: coco mocoeEmail: cocomocoe@gmail.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comIn today’s episode of "Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe", we will talk about some fun facts about the making of my favorite film of the year, "Anora", plus the marketing strategies behind the scenes. Then in the second half of the episode, exclusively for paying coconuts of the best-selling Substack, we are going to talk about my thoughts on the specific branding. My theory of this whole episode is that they created a popular movie by refusing to be popular. And we will talk about how you can do something similar whether you are an artist, creator or brand owner.Sean Baker and Mikey Madison were a dream team together for this underdog film but their marketing team was the secret third man who helped push the movie across the finish line at the Oscar's. Time Stamps: 0:00 - Introduction/Oscar’s wins for “Anora”6:14 - 5 BTS Facts About the Making of “Anora”12:37 - The $18 million marketing budget 16:41 - “Anora” box-office sales compared to other Oscar 2025 contenders Extended Episode at cocomocoe.substack.com 23:21 - Traditional marketing campaign (Barbie) vs. Anora’s marketing campaign 33:40 - The targeting of a specific Gen-Z audience 42:25 - A creator example of the “Anora” strategy  Let me know in the reviews on Apple and Spotify what you want the next episode of "The Brilliant Branding of _____" to be about plus any theories you might have. Listen to last week's episode about "The Brilliant Branding of Tate McRae" “⁠Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe⁠” is a marketing podcast that covers internet and pop culture but from a branding angle. Coco Mocoe is a trend forecaster and marketing expert who loves diving deep into why things go viral on the internet and how you can apply that to your own brand or creator journey.IG: ⁠@cocomocoe⁠TT: ⁠@cocomocoe⁠YT:⁠ coco mocoe⁠Email: cocomocoe@gmail.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comIn this episode of “Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe”, we will start my new series called “The Brilliant Branding of ______”. This was inspired by the success of my TikTok under the same name on my cocomocoe account (watch here). The first episode of the series is about “The Brilliant Branding of Tate McRae”.Do you have a suggestion for my next “The Brilliant Branding of _____” episode? Send your suggestion and theories in the comments on Substack or on Apple and Spotify reviews for a potential shout out! TOPICS + TIME STAMPS:0:00 - Introduction2:20 - How I define “household name fame”4:30 - Part One: “Become an Extreme Version of Yourself”How Tate McRae discovered what makes her unique and turned it up 1,000 notches11:40 - Part Two: “Leaning into Mystery”EXTENDED EPISODE ON COCOMOCOE.SUBSCTACK.COM:20:52 - Part Three: “Think Later Vs. So Close To What”27:14 - Part Four - “World Building in Branding”“⁠Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe⁠” is a marketing podcast that covers internet and pop culture but from a branding angle. Coco Mocoe is a trend forecaster and marketing expert who loves diving deep into why things go viral on the internet and how you can apply that to your own brand or creator journey.IG: ⁠@cocomocoe⁠TT: ⁠@cocomocoe⁠YT:⁠ coco mocoe⁠Email: cocomocoe@gmail.comThank you for reviewing the podcast on ⁠Spotify⁠ and ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠!cocomocoe@gmail.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comWho else has used the rubber band method to create mystery and desire from their audience? You can let me know in the comments on the Substack at cocomocoe.substack.com/podcast/You can read Rolling Stone’s cover story on Addison Rae hereIn today’s episode of “Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe”, we will be talking about Addison Rae’s recent Rolling Stone cover story. In it, she gives some insight into her mysterious strategy. How was she able to break through the stiff, glass ceiling of influencers before her and become pop music’s newest darling? She has performed alongside Charli XCX, had co-signs from Grammy-winners like Finneas and most importantly, has Gen-Z on the edge of their seat. A generation that is known for not holding back their insults and honesty when it comes to how they feel about TikTok’s biggest creators.I believe Addison Rae used what I call the “rubber band method” in marketing. But what exactly is that and how can you implement it as a creator, yourself?“⁠Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe⁠” is a marketing podcast that covers internet and pop culture but from a branding angle. Coco Mocoe is a trend forecaster and marketing expert who loves diving deep into why things go viral on the internet and how you can apply that to your own brand or creator journey.* IG: ⁠@cocomocoe⁠* TT: ⁠@cocomocoe⁠* YT:⁠ coco mocoe⁠Email: cocomocoe@gmail.comThank you for reviewing the podcast on ⁠Spotify⁠ and ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠!Follow Coco Mocoe on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!Thank you for being a coconut and supporting my creator journey 🥥 ❤️TOPICS + TIME STAMPS:0:00 - Addison Rae’s “Obsessed” seen as a “flop”1:50 - “The Rubber Band Method” in Marketing3:13 - Coconuts thoughts on Addison Rae’s re-brand5:07 - Rolling Stone Addison Rae cover story summary7:08 - Popular Vs. Cool8:22 - The movie that shifted Addison Rae’s career9:12 - The failure of item beauty11:00 - Addison Rae’s transition off TikTok12:20 - The rubber band method in marketing15:40 - How to know when to shift your niche15:30 - When to pull back as a creatorEXTENDED EPISODE ON THE SUBSTACK:18:56 - Other influencers who have used the rubber band method* Emma Chamberlain* Brittany Broski* Alex Cooper35:03 - How to know if it is time for you to pull back as a creator

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit cocomocoe.substack.comCommenting is only available on Substack! When I began seeing the push back against Poppi on social media, I was confused. It seems that people were upset with them for sending out vending machines to influencers ahead of the 2025 Super Bowl.I agree with the critique that they could have been more inclusive in their selection of influencers. Inclusion from brands is a topic I have talked about on my podcast before.But what I don’t agree with is the anger over them seeming “out-of-touch”.Why is it “out-of-touch” for Poppi to send out temporary vending machines to influencers but not “out-of-touch” for Dunkin Donuts to pay Ben Affleck $10-million dollars for 30-seconds?My theory: the internet hates female-founded brands that market to a primarily female demographic. This is compounded by the fact that the influencer space is dominated by women. Poppi is a brand with a front-facing, female founder. Her name is Allison Ellsworth. Even though it was co-founded with her partner, Stephen, she is the one who often appears on camera and was even the face of their video response on TikTok as the controversy kicked up.Olipop, Poppi’s biggest founder, began leaving comments in TikTok videos claiming the vending machines were $25,000. Something that was debunked by AdWeek and something Ellsworth disputes, as well. But because Olipop is founded by two men, no one is calling them “catty”, “jealous” or “b****y” for spreading rumors about a competitor in TikTok comments. If a female-founded brand did that, there would be hell to pay.As always, there is no right or wrong answer here. Keep it respectful in the discussions on Substack, as you always do.And thank you for being a coconut! ❤️ 🥥You can read my deep dive article about Poppi’s controversy on Substack here.“Ahead of the Curve with Coco Mocoe” is a marketing podcast that covers internet and pop culture but from a branding angle. Coco Mocoe is a trend forecaster and marketing expert who loves diving deep into why things go viral on the internet and how you can apply that to your own brand or creator journey.Thank you for reviewing the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts!Follow Coco Mocoe on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube!* IG: @cocomocoe* TT: @cocomocoe* YT: coco mocoeEmail: cocomocoe@gmail.com