You’ve seen it happen.
A brand launches a campaign trying to tap into the hype. The agency promised authenticity. The strategists talked about cultural relevance. Then the internet roasted them within 24 hours.
This keeps happening. Same pattern. Same mess.
The problem? Brands don’t actually understand culture.
Most marketing treats “culture” as a stand-in for “what’s trending on TikTok” or “what Gen Z is doing right now.” They chase what’s already visible instead of understanding how movements actually form. They think going viral = cultural credibility. They hire a trend agency and assume that’s enough.
Spoiler: It’s not.
Which is exactly why Cultured AF exists. Weekly cultural intelligence for people who want to understand how culture moves, why brands fumble it, and what they should do instead - no jargon, all receipts.
Who I Am
I’m Nonny, a purple-haired millennial and Creative Strategist at Airbnb. Based in London, UK, I’ve spent 16 years working in marketing (Nike, Bentley, Unilever, FootLocker, Huawei etc.). Before committing to ‘Big Tech’ full time, I’d also clocked up nearly a decade as a music journalist and writer (including an MTV column and as editor at GRM Daily).
So, I’ve been on the inside when cultural movements were happening. And inside the brands trying to reach them.
That combination is rare. And it’s exactly what’s missing in marketing right now.
What Makes Cultured AF Different?
I call out what brands miss. The unspoken rules they don’t know exist. The difference between what feels real and what feels like a brand trying way too hard.
I keep it 100. No marketing jargon. No sitting on the fence. Clear perspectives backed up by receipts.
You’ll get: Cultural commentary and analysis, brand campaign breakdowns, insights you can actually apply, and yes, reality TV deep-dives (because I’m obsessed, and that’s where culture lives).
You’ll Love This If You’re:
You work in brand marketing or strategy — and the culture briefs keep missing something you just can’t quite figure out.
You work in music, entertainment, or the creative industries — and you’ve sat across from a brand that clearly doesn’t understand what they’re trying to tap into.
You’re curious about culture — why it moves, why brands keep fumbling it, and what it looks like when they actually get it right.
Oh, and if you’ve clocked that millennials are being sidelined right at their peak — stick around. I have thoughts on that.
