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- Who's That Creator #6
Who's That Creator #6
Interviewing Kelly Salpeter and Sharing Creative Strategy for Hubba Bubba
If you’re new here, we talk all things social. From being social in person to social in media. Showcasing creators that are crushing it on social media. Finally, sharing thoughts on how brands should be approaching their social strategies.
If you’ve been here for a while, you might have noticed that I have a new look for the newsletter, logo, and design! Check out my new website: https://www.social4thewin.com! I’m finalizing the events section of the site, and if you’d like to provide a testimonial about the events I’d appreciate it!
This newsletter contains:
1) Event Updates and an exclusive to our Social4TheWin community!
2) Who’s That Creator: An interview with an incredible creator in our community! She also works for the brand G Fuel and runs their TikTok account.
3) Brand Creative Strategy: Hubba Bubba Bubble Gum? I’ve shared 2-3 cool ideas that I think they should try out!
Our Next Event:
September 12th, right after NYFW!
In the competitive world of fashion and beauty, content can tend to be homogenous. It can be hyperfocused on looks and aesthetics, but there’s so much more than just following trends—it demands creative strategy. Right after New York Fashion Week, this event will explore how brands and creators can differentiate themselves in such saturated industries.
We’re currently looking for brands to sponsor the event! If you are interested please let me know, or if you work with any brands that might be interested in sponsoring this event I’d appreciate it if you could make an introduction!
I’m also planning some more industry-focused events around sports, travel, and finance as well as some creator-specific events that I’m excited to share in the coming weeks!
Social4TheWin Exclusive Opportunity:
From our friends at Alibaba, we have an opportunity to send some members of our community to Las Vegas for an event with Alibaba on September 5th and 6th.
CoCreate convenes industry experts, celebrity entrepreneurs, Alibaba.com users, manufacturers, and e-commerce businesses as they explore current trends, like AI, driving the space. 30 of alibaba.com’s leading suppliers from 9 countries across 15 categories will exhibit products and be on hand to answer attendees’ questions and get started on some business deals.
A $500 value for free. Includes the following:
Two-day ticket to the event
Two-day stay at a hotel in Las Vegas for September 5th & 6th.
While you will have to buy your flight to Las Vegas, which I believe is about $200 this time of year, it’s an incredible opportunity for our community. Cam mentioned his priority is to bring talent managers who work with creators in merchandising and creators who already have or are interested in building merchandise businesses.
Thank you to our friend Cam Toh! If you’re interested please send me an email and I will share your information with Cam and he will potentially reach out.
Who’s That Creator?
IT’S KELLY SALPETER!
I had a brief conversation with Kelly at one of my events, and, much like my discussion with Sara Leeds, I quickly realized that Kelly occupies a unique position within the social media landscape. She’s not only a creator but also balances a 9-5 role in brand social media strategy and content development.
What’s particularly compelling about Kelly is how she became a creator in college and had to learn how to manage her time with schoolwork and being a creator. Interstingly, she leveraged her platform and passion for sports to secure an internship with the NY Mets during college and skillfully used her content as a gateway into the sports industry, aligning her interests with professional opportunities.
Now serving as a Social Media Coordinator at G Fuel, Kelly has taken a front-and-center role on the brand’s channel. This approach is fascinating, and I believe Kelly has the potential to further capitalize on her success as a creator to drive an even greater impact at her company.
So let’s get into what I believe are the key components of our conversation!
🪙The Golden Nuggets🪙
Here are a few things that Kelly said that truly resonated with me.
My thoughts are in italics.
VIRALITY IS ALL CONTEXTUAL AND DAMNING
“When I first started on TikTok, I remember the thrill of seeing one of my videos get 2,000 views. To me, that was huge—I was like, ‘Oh my God, this is viral!’ That rush was exhilarating, and it made me want to keep chasing that feeling. I got caught up in the numbers, constantly checking to see if my next video could do even better. But here’s the thing: while that initial high is exciting, it can also become a bit of a trap. You start measuring your success solely by the numbers, which can mess with your head. It’s easy to forget why you started creating in the first place, and suddenly, you’re making content just to feed the algorithm instead of staying true to yourself.”
Virality is all about perspective. I always say it’s not about the number of followers you have or the number of views per video. It’s just about putting finding value in it yourself. Here’s the thing - I say this but don’t take that advice. Unless you’ve tasted that feeling of having 1 million people like a video you’ve done, you just don’t get it. The high. The validation. It is almost like a drug, and anything less, at least to me, just doesn’t feel as good. It’s a struggle I face and have faced numerous times.
No, my little friend - it will not!
LEVERAGE YOUR CONTENT FOR REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCES
“So, this is one of my favorite stories: I was just doing my thing on TikTok, making videos, having fun, when out of nowhere, the New York Mets reached out to me. They invited me to visit the stadium, which was already a dream come true because my dad and I are huge Mets fans. But it didn’t stop there. A few months after that visit, they offered me an internship as a TikTok intern for the summer. I was over the moon! I never imagined that something I was doing for fun could lead to such a real-world opportunity. It was a perfect example of how your online presence can translate into amazing experiences in real life.”
You never know who’s watching your content. While we can analyze demographics, the truth is, your audience could include anyone—from any industry or background. By consistently sharing what you love and presenting yourself in the best light, opportunities will naturally come your way. It’s important to lead with positivity. For example, if you start criticizing the NY Jets (and you’d better be a Jets fan if you do), don’t expect an invite to The Meadowlands. But if you showcase genuine support and enthusiasm for the team, they might just reach out. The same goes for any PR or gifting opportunities—positivity and passion can open doors.
If the hawk-tua girl can throw out an opening pitch - you should be able to!
BE YOUR OWN NICHE
“I’ve never been one to stick to just one thing. My content is all over the place—one day I’m making a funny video, the next day I’m trying out something completely different. And honestly, that’s just how I am. I like to experiment and see what works. Sometimes it’s a hit, and sometimes it flops, but that’s okay. I think what makes my content unique is that I’m at the center of it, not a specific niche. I don’t box myself in; instead, I let my personality and interests guide what I create. It keeps things fresh for me and my audience. Plus, it’s a lot more fun to not be limited by one type of content.”
I’m so jealous of creators who have this opportunity to just be themselves. We as human beings are not one thing, we’re multifaceted. When you can showcase the different sides of yourself I think it leads to a wider array of brand opportunities and ways that you can monetize. If someone follows you and not just what you teach them you can literally build anything you want and probably have an audience that will purchase it from you.
Emma Chamberlain is the best example of this!
START POSTING ABOUT BRANDS
“Let me tell you about this really cool experience I had with Boxed Water. I was on a ferry, and I bought a carton of Boxed Water because, honestly, it was the only option available. I noticed on the packaging that if you took a picture and posted it online, they’d plant two trees. I thought that was such a great initiative, so I snapped a quick photo, posted it, and tagged them. Later that day, they DM’d me to ask if I liked the product. We ended up having a great conversation, and even though they didn’t have any collaboration opportunities at the time, they sent me a massive PR kit. It was such a nice gesture and showed me that by tagging and posting about brands I can build relationships with over time.”
Build authentic relationships with brands by genuinely engaging with their products or services. When you show sincere interest and support, it can lead to meaningful connections that may evolve into opportunities down the road. I’ve seen people post and tag brands 10s of times in the hopes of working with them. If you’re a beauty creator you’re going to talk about beauty brands, so you may as well tag them. One post today might not do anything, but 10 posts over 2 months probably will.
I actually tried Boxed Water for the first time last week and hated it!
FAMILY FIRST, AND SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT EVEN A CLOSE SECOND, OR THIRD
“One thing that’s really important to me is keeping my family close, even though they’re not front and center in my social media. I’m super close with them, but they’re not in a lot of my videos because some of them prefer to stay behind the scenes. My mom, for example, loves to throw out ideas from the sidelines, and my dad has even helped me with some pretty funny requests, like driving the car around the block for a video. My brother keeps me in check and calls me out when I think my posts are funny, but they’re actually not. And then there’s my girlfriend—we actually met online, but not because of my social media presence. I think keeping those real-world relationships strong is so important, especially when social media can sometimes make things feel superficial.”
Social media is great, sometimes, but it’s just one part of your life. Always prioritize your real-world relationships—they’re the ones who will keep you grounded and support you no matter what’s happening online. It’s important to maintain a balance and make sure the people you care about come first, even as you build your online empire. You know what I say - it’s all about building the right relationships.
No additional commentary is necessary.
Thank you Kelly for your time! Hope to share some clips on our new social media channels soon! They’re all tagged below.
Brand Creative Strategy
HUBBA BUBBA
6 feet of gum? Or are they lying and it’s actually 5’11 ft of gum? Remember this when we share some of the creative concepts!
CREATIVE CONCEPT #1
Height Check with Hubba Bubba
Interviews on the street | Disbelief in men being 5’11 |
Overview: How Tall Are Men, Really?
It’s a question that seems to puzzle everyone: just how tall are men? TikTok trends and nearly every woman on Hinge have led us to believe that men who claim to be 5’11” are often shorter, and those who say they’re 6’0” might actually be 5’11”. But let’s be honest—everyone tends to stretch the truth a little about their height. I’ve even met women who claim to be shorter than they actually are.
Creative Inspiration: Bringing the Height Debate to the Streets
We’re taking a traditional content style and giving it a fresh twist by hitting the streets to ask a question that’s on everyone’s mind: “How tall are men, really?” Recently, I’ve seen people on social media calling out others on their height right then and there, even pulling out tape measures to prove who’s telling the truth. It’s direct, it’s engaging, and it’s exactly the kind of content that gets people talking.
The Content: A Fun Challenge in the Heart of NYC
We’ll enlist a creator or comedian to roam areas like Washington Square Park, asking men the real question on everyone’s mind: “Are you taller or shorter than 6’0”?” For those men on the cusp (around 5’10” to 6’2”), we’ll put them to the test and ask them to prove it.
The Brand’s Role: Measuring Up with Hubba Bubba
In these height challenges, many creators typically use a tape measure to get a factual read on a person’s height. But here’s the twist: Hubba Bubba bubble tape is exactly 6’0” long. So instead of the usual tape measure, we’ll seamlessly incorporate Hubba Bubba as our playful and unexpected ruler, adding the brand directly into the fun.
The Challenge: A Sweet and Simple Experiment
In this lighthearted experiment, we’ll measure men’s heights using Hubba Bubba bubble tape. Here’s how it plays out:
For the Tall Guys: If a man measures over 6'0" (as verified by the Hubba Bubba bubble tape), he wins a full roll of Hubba Bubba—a fun reward for living up to the height hype.
For the Short Kings: If a man measures under 6'0", no worries—he still gets a treat! Our “short kings” will receive a piece of Hubba Bubba, celebrating their stature with a playful twist.
The Concept: Adding Humor and Brand Relevance to the Height Debate
This campaign doesn’t just add humor to the ongoing height debate—it cleverly incorporates Hubba Bubba into the conversation in a way that feels natural and engaging. By using Hubba Bubba bubble tape as the measuring tool, the brand becomes an integral part of the fun, making it both memorable and shareable.
The Outcome: Everyone Walks Away a Winner
Whether tall or short, everyone leaves with a smile and a piece of Hubba Bubba. This campaign reinforces the idea that Hubba Bubba is all about having fun and enjoying life, no matter your height. It’s a lighthearted approach that resonates with older Gen-Z and younger Millennials, connecting the brand with a culturally relevant conversation in a playful and engaging way.
CREATIVE CONCEPT #2
Hubba Bubba’s Bubble Battle Royal
Hubba Bubba used a balloon! | Breaking the record! |
Overview: Can You Break the World Record?
Hubba Bubba has always been the go-to gum for blowing giant bubbles, but can someone take it to the next level and break the world record for the biggest bubble ever blown—without using a balloon? The current record has stood since April 2004, and I think with the 20th anniversary having just passed it’s about time we challenge it. My thought would be to team up with the Guinness World Records to create a monumental event in NYC, giving people a chance to make history.
Creative Inspiration: Bringing a Classic Idea Back to Life
The original Hubba Bubba content I shared above already showcased how big a bubble could potentially be blown but in that video, they used a balloon. Now, we’re taking that concept and expanding it, giving creators and people the opportunity to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime event to break the world record.
Setting the Scene: A Bubble Battle in the Heart of NYC
Imagine hordes of people gathering in Central Park or Washington Square Park, all eager to take a shot at breaking the world record. We’d select 100 participants—either the first to arrive or those who receive special invitations (probably big creators in NYC)—to compete in this epic Bubble Battle Royal. The energy will be electric, and the bubbles will be gigantic.
The Content: Capturing Every Moment of the Bubble Battle
This isn’t just an event; it’s a content goldmine. We’ll film every aspect of the Bubble Battle Royal, from interviews with excited onlookers to the strategies used by contestants. We’ll have introduction videos hosted by a charismatic emcee, capturing the anticipation and excitement leading up to each attempt to break the record with Hubba Bubba. Every moment, every bubble, and every attempt to make history will be documented, creating a vast library of content that can be shared across Hubba Bubba’s social media channels.
Event Promotion: Creating Buzz and Building Anticipation
To ensure this event is a massive success, we’ll allocate a small budget to promote it to 18-34-year-olds in the tri-state area, with a particular focus on NYC. By targeting this demographic, we’ll generate excitement and attract a crowd eager to witness and participate in the Bubble Battle Royal. KIND Snacks successfully used a similar approach to launch their Speakeasy event, which has sold out numerous times —proving that a well-targeted promotion can create buzz and drive attendance.
Overall: A Culturally Relevant Moment for Hubba Bubba
The Hubba Bubba Bubble Battle Royal (say that 5 times fast) isn’t just about breaking records—it’s about creating a culturally relevant moment that resonates with both older Gen-Z and younger Millennials. The event will generate significant amounts of content for Hubba Bubba’s social channels, reinforcing the brand’s identity as the go-to gum for fun, challenge, and nostalgia. By bringing people together for this unique experience, Hubba Bubba will solidify its place in pop culture and create memories that last a lifetime.
So what do you think about these creative concepts? Would you enjoy this content as it pops up on your for you page? Just know, if you do end up seeing either of these concepts built on social - you know where it came from!
If you got this far, know that I appreciate it! It takes me a long time to write these and even just to screenshot the pictures you see. Hopefully, you learned something new and found a way to think about this space differently than you usually do. I’ll just leave you with one final quote.
"Creativity is like Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory—limitless, whimsical, and a little bit wild. The only rule is to let your imagination run free and never be afraid to dream up something extraordinary.”
Hope to see you at the next event!
Best,
Jacob
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