Welcome back to our deep dive into the top marketing trends for 2025! In Part 1, we explored the trends that are taking center stage this year—think sustainable marketing, micro-influencers, and authenticity. But staying ahead in marketing isn’t just about knowing what’s in. It’s just as important to recognize what’s out and keep an eye on emerging ideas that could shape the future.
In Part 2, we’re saying goodbye to strategies that no longer resonate and shining a spotlight on what’s worth watching as the year unfolds. From ditching overly polished content to monitoring trends like AR and super apps, this is your guide to staying sharp and strategic in a fast-changing world.
HERE’S WHAT’S OUT
Here’s a rundown of what’s officially out in 2025—and what to do instead to stay ahead of the game.
Misusing AI: The Balance Between Tool and Takeover
AI is undoubtedly one of the most exciting tools in a marketer’s toolkit, but in 2025, the focus is shifting away from over-reliance on AI-generated content. Why? Because audiences can tell when something is off. AI-written copy often lacks nuance, humor, and the human touch that makes content truly resonate.
What’sout? Letting AI do the heavy lifting while neglecting the human perspective. Audiences don’t want content that feels robotic—they want connection, creativity, and stories that feel alive.
Instead, savvy marketers are using AI to enhance their strategies: generating ideas, automating repetitive tasks, and gaining insights from data. But the execution? That’s still a job for humans. AI works best as a collaborator, not a creator.
For 2025, let’s strike the perfect balance. Use AI to amplify your work, not replace it. The future belongs to those who combine the efficiency of AI with the empathy and originality only humans can bring.
Overly Polished Content
Perfectly staged photos and overly produced videos are officially passé. Audiences crave authenticity and connection, not perfection. In 2025, they’re more drawn to content that feels real—think spontaneous smartphone videos, unfiltered photos, and unscripted moments.
What’s replacing the polished look? Raw, real-time content that captures attention through relatability. Short-form video is still king, but instead of investing in pricey productions, brands are focusing on minimal edits and real-world storytelling. Authenticity isn’t just a trend; it’s the new standard for building trust.
Clickbait and Overhyped Headlines
We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Clickbait tactics are out! And for good reason—they’ve eroded trust and left audiences feeling duped. As algorithms and user expectations evolve, marketers in 2025 will need to prioritize honest, value-driven content over misleading hooks.
Instead of flashy headlines with little substance, focus on delivering meaningful content that aligns with your audience’s interests. Engaging headlines that reflect the actual value of the content not only perform better but also build loyalty and credibility.
Ignoring the Power of Subtlety
Gone are the days of loud, “in-your-face” branding tactics. Consumers are increasingly savvy and less receptive to overtly aggressive sales pitches or overly bold branding.
In 2025, subtle branding that encourages an emotional connection and tells a story will reign supreme. This includes understated logos, softer call-to-actions, and a focus on evoking feelings rather than commanding action. Thoughtful design and messaging are the keys to standing out in a crowded market.
Overcomplicated Graphics and Branding
Complicated, cluttered designs are out. In a world where attention spans are shorter than ever, clean, simple, and bold design is what grabs attention and keeps your message clear.
Incorporate minimalist layouts, warm earthy tones (hello, Mocha Mousse!), and intuitive user interfaces that guide your audience effortlessly. Simplicity doesn’t mean boring; it means focusing on what matters most and cutting through the noise with precision and purpose.
HERE’S WHAT WE’RE WATCHING
We’re not quite ready to make a prediction on whether these trends will be in or out in 2025 (or beyond) just yet—but we are definitely keeping a close eye on them. These emerging ideas have the potential to reshape the marketing world in big ways, and we’re watching how they evolve. These trends are changing rapidly, and their impact on marketing could be profound—or they could fade into the background as other innovations take center stage.
AI-Powered Personalization
Personalized marketing is evolving, and AI is leading the charge. From tailoring product recommendations to crafting hyper-relevant email campaigns, AI tools are making it easier to create meaningful, one-on-one connections at scale.
Ethical AI and Transparency
As AI becomes more integrated into marketing, audiences will demand transparency. Marketers who openly share how they use AI to enhance—not replace—human creativity will build trust and set the gold standard.
With AI, the key is intentionality. Treat it as your marketing assistant, not your marketing department, and watch your strategy soar in 2025.
Threads
Threads, Meta’s text-focused social platform launched to rival X (formerly Twitter), has had a rocky but intriguing start. While its initial buzz faded quickly, recent updates that integrate advanced search functions, trending topics, and better community tools are giving Threads a second wind.
The big question? Whether Threads can carve out a meaningful niche in the social media ecosystem. With a growing user base and potential for innovative ad formats, marketers should monitor how it develops and whether it becomes a valuable tool for community engagement and real-time conversations.
Augmented/Virtual Reality
The fusion of AR and VR with physical retail spaces is becoming more prevalent. Brands are incorporating these technologies into in-store experiences, such as interactive displays and smart mirrors, to engage customers in novel ways. This blend of digital and physical elements enriches the shopping journey and differentiates brands in a competitive market.
Despite their potential, AR and VR integration presents challenges. The closure of Meta’s Spark AR studio in January 2025 highlights the volatility in the AR landscape, prompting brands to seek alternative platforms for their AR initiatives. Will AR and VR become essential to the customer experience, or will the technology’s barriers to entry hold it back? Only time will tell.
Social Media as the New Internet
“Super apps” like WeChat are inspiring a shift toward all-in-one social media platforms that integrate e-commerce, entertainment, news, and communication services. These apps could become the central hub of consumers’ digital lives, which would make them an essential space for brands to play.
Marketers would need master a wide array of content formats—short-form video, stories, live streams, and interactive posts—to maintain visibility across different sections of these super apps. This evolution demands a holistic approach to social media marketing, encompassing content creation, community management, social commerce, and advanced analytics.
The challenge? Adapting quickly enough to the demands of these platforms without losing authenticity. Brands that successfully navigate the complexities of super apps could gain massive advantages in engagement and loyalty.
And there you have it—2025 is packed with opportunities to market to your audience in ways that feel more genuine, more impactful, and more exciting than ever. Whether it’s ditching overly polished content, embracing warm, earthy tones, or experimenting with a new era of hybrid events, this year is all about keeping it real and connecting with your audience on a deeper level.
If you’re ready to bring these trends to life but not sure where to start, the mConnexions team is here to help! Let’s chat about how we can work together to create strategies that fit your brand and goals perfectly.
Here’s to making 2025 your best marketing year yet—let’s make it happen!