We’re now a quarter of the way through the century, and marketing has had a serious glow-up since pop-up ads, flyers and billboards were considered cutting-edge. There have never been more mediums to get your message out there, but that near-impossible choice of platforms presents its own challenges. Never fear, however, as we’re here to give you the essential marketing and music marketing trends you need to know in 2025! 

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1. Everyone is Using AI - And So Should You 

AI is no longer just the sidekick in marketing teams, it’s often the star and hero of the show.  From campaign management to analytics to writing emails so you don’t have to, AI is transforming how marketers operate. 

The best use of AI comes when you train it to think strategically. Tweak your strategies, feed it top-quality content and let it fly. The key is working with it, and not simply copy and pasting what it gives you — after all, does anyone actually use the word leverage in real life? Being agile with your marketing is key in 2025, and a finely honed strategy fed by AI insight will help you stay on top of the marketing trends. 
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2. Get Creative! 

So yeah, AI is great. But let’s be honest, not everything should feel like it was written by an overstimulated bot overkeen on rocket emojis. This is where you — yes, you! — come in as user-generated content (UGC) and playful, human-first creativity are going to be key themes this year. 

That might mean stepping out of your professional comfort zone and showcasing more personality. Differentiating yourself and standing out are good marketing tools — and also a great way to stand out from the AI-generated user content that’s swamping a lot of the platforms. Social media is the perfect playground to flex this newfound creative freedom — so if your brand hasn’t tried being weird and wonderful, 2025 is your year.
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3. Engage Like a Pro

If you’re not sliding into comments like a socially savvy word ninja, you’re missing out. But don’t just drop a heart emoji and exit the chat; it’s all about meaningful micro-engagements. Comments between 10 and 99 characters are the sweet spot for driving replies. There is a caveat, however — authenticity is everything. So drop the copy-and-paste replies and bring your A-game. 
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4. Listen First, Piggyback Later

Remember when brands just hopped on any trend and hoped for the best? Yeah, don’t do that. Instead, start with some solid social listening. 

By keeping an ear to the ground, you can decide which trends fit your marketing plan and which ones should be ignored (yes, those Gen A ‘we have different words than Boomers’ videos, we’re looking at you). 

The best part? Social listening helps you decide your strategy faster than ever. Spot a trending meme or topic? Hop on it before it becomes yesterday’s news. Heard your audience buzzing about a hot topic? Time to create content they’ll actually care about. 
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5. Video Content Still Reigns Supreme

Working on countless campaigns for DJs and artists (plus with our Mugful of Marketing podcasts), we can very much confirm that video content is here to stay. Short-form content, live streams and interactive videos are what audiences crave in 2025. Platforms like TikTok, YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels are where the magic happens, and brands that embrace these formats are winning big.

Need to up your video game? Try these:

• Go live for real-time interactions (think product launches or behind-the-scenes Q&As).
• Keep it snappy. Short-form videos are snackable, shareable and totally addictive.
• Experiment with new tools like polls, Q&As, and other interactive features to keep your audience coming back for more.
• Keep up to date: Check our blog content for regular updates on social media trends. 
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6. Social Commerce Is the Future

The line between scrolling and shopping has officially disappeared. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are making it easier than ever to shop directly from your feed. For brands, this means less friction and more money. FYI, the social media shopping market is now worth over $1.3 trillion largely driven by Gen Z and Millenials, so there’s a LOT of money to be made if you do it right! 
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Conclusion 

Marketing in 2025 is all about being tech-savvy and creative. Whether you’re embracing our AI overlords, throwing out the rulebook on brand consistency, or making shopping on Instagram dangerously easy, this year’s marketing trends are — ultimately — about connecting with your audience in ways that feel fresh, fun and human.

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Get in touch

Want to know more about sustainability and the music industry? One Nine Nine are experts, with dedicated music marketing and sustainability divisions. To find out how we can impact your marketing, please contact our team at 01138444111 or email us at contact@onenenenine.agency.