Moo Deng
A micro hippo taking over the public consciousness wasn't on our 2024 bingo card, but it's why we love the internet so much. Here's the lowdown on the internet's newest unlikely icon in just two minutes:
Meet Moo Deng, the 2-month-old pygmy hippo that has social media in the palm of her adorably chubby... hoof? Hailing from Thailand's Khao Kheow Open Zoo, she's effortlessly racked up millions of views and spawned a dedicated online fandom simply by frolicking about and swimming around. We're talking fan art, memes, merchandise and global coverage. Your favourites could never.
In just the last few days, Moo Deng has been portrayed by Bowen Yang on the season premiere of SNL, starred in a Sephora campaign and had a 24/7 livestream of her pen go live.
Sephora's Instagram page showcasing the Moo Deng Blush
Yes, Moo Deng is super cute and looks like she could be a starter Pokémon, but she's not the first (nor the last), so what's made her go viral? All signs point to Moo Deng being the season's pre-eminent timeline-cleanser. With social media currently being awash with dark imagery from serious global events, Moo Deng memes offer a refreshing break from the usual doom of the timeline. People engage with the content, and the algorithm gladly serves them more.
The zoo's been smart, too. Once Moo Deng (Thai for Bouncy Pork) was on the upward trajectory, the zoo's social media accounts began churning out hilarious content, which itself has gone viral. Now, weekend visitor numbers have doubled since she hit the big time.
So there you have it—a mix of something cute, something distracting and the savvy use of social media. Boom, we have a new pygmy hippo Supreme. Long may she reign!
Brand Takeout: Don't take your brand too seriously, and be aware that lighthearted, feel-good content can really resonate. Also, don't let the moment pass you by; don't overthink it. If Khao Kheow Open Zoo hadn't trusted the process and been super quick off the mark, you might not have just spent the last two minutes reading about a pygmy hippo in Thailand. Can you even imagine?
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