The Echo Vol. 11 - The Panther is back

READY TO RUMBLE?

Oops, we did it again — this week’s echo is also awesome :)

GLOBAL TIKTOK TREND (SOUND) OF THE WEEK

LOCAL TIKTOK TREND (SOUND) OF THE WEEK
Colombia

WHAT’S HAPPENING IN SOCIAL MEDIA:
TikTok makes big enhancements to its generative AI tools

At Cannes Lions 2025, TikTok unveiled major upgrades to its AI tools. The new Image-to-Video feature transforms static product photos into dynamic five-second TikTok-ready clips using a simple text prompt. Similarly, Text-to-Video enables users to generate entire videos from just written input. Another highlight is Showcase Products, which introduces AI avatars that can model or demonstrate products, such as clothing or gadgets.

While all this is pretty cool, we still think it has a long way to go before replacing actual people. Some use cases are better than others, but in general people prefer people.

DATA | THE WORLD OF MUSIC QUANTIFIED

Spotify’s weekly global top 5 songs

— #1. Ordinary | Alex Warren // 38.7 m weekly streams

— #2. Manchild | Sabrina Carpenter // 37.7 m weekly streams

— #3. back to friends | sombr // 32.7 m weekly streams

— #4. Die with a smile | Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars // 29.9 m weekly streams

— #5. Birds of a Feather | Billie Eilish // 29.5 m weekly streams

Spotify’s weekly global top 10 artists

— #1. Bad Bunny // Latin trap

— #2. Taylor Swift // Pop

— #3. Drake // Pop

— #4. The Weeknd // Alternative R&B 

— #5. Morgan Wallen // Country

— #6. Billie Eilish // Alternative Pop

— #7. Fuerza Regida // Varied // Regional Mexican

— #8. Kendrick Lamar // Hip Hop

— #9. Arijit Singh // Playback Singer

— #10. Sabrina Carpenter // Pop

TIKTOK VIDEO OF THE WEEK:
“Mirror is more accurate than your camera”

Views: 52,700,000 | Likes: 11,000,000

50+ million views from an unknown creator sure ain’t bad. Here’s why this seemingly stupidly simple clip went so viral:

— #1. Instant movement creates a hook. The creator starts the clip with movement which captures attention.

— #2. Great caption. The caption is well placed and straight to the point. The POV style is usually great for stuff like this, and since it’s so large you know you need to read it to understand the clip.

— #3. Super high relatability. Unless you’re a supermodel, you probably think that you look better in the mirror than in pictures. If not, congrats… Most people strongly relate to the caption, and the message gives them relief and makes them share the clip with others.

— #4. Good background, lighting, and angle. Many popular TikToks are from people standing in LA mansions or on exotic beaches. Here, it’s just a regular kitchen. This increases the relatability of the clip. The lighting is also crisp, and the creator uses the rule of thirds excellently to find a great angle.

— #5. Switching to another clip back and forth. This make the video more interesting and unique. The other clip used also further amplifies the feelings.

— #5. Perfect sound. While this sound isn’t anything super special, it’s perfect for this video. First off, it’s very recognizable since it’s so popular. Second, it’s used for videos with similar vibes at this one which let’s you know what to expect and makes you stay if you’re into it.

MUSIC EVENT OF THE WEEK:
Summerfest 2025

Summerfest 2025 takes over Milwaukee’s lakefront from June 26 to June 28. This extremely large music festival features massive acts across every genre. Headliners include Def Leppard, Hozier, Lainey Wilson, Jason Mraz, The Killers, Megan Thee Stallion, The Lumineers, Natasha Bedingfield, Aly & AJ, Flo Milli, Lindsey Stirling, and Billy Currington.

With multiple stages, top-tier exciting food vendors, and a scenic lakeside setting, Summerfest will definitely offer a unique and memorable experience for everyone attending — and for those tuning in online :)

TIP OF THE WEEK
Add subtle zooms or punch-ins

Adding subtle zooms or punch-ins makes your static shots feel more dynamic and keeps viewers engaged. These small camera movements add life to a scene without needing multiple angles or fancy equipment. They create a sense of momentum that helps maintain attention, especially in slower moments or simple clips.

How to get it right

— #1. Use slow and gradual zooms for setting a mood — Using a gentle zoom-in for a few seconds adds emotional weight and makes the clip more intimate and engaging.

— #2. Use punch-ins for emphasis — Quickly zoom in 5-10% on a beat drop, lyric hit, or facial expression. It subconsciously tells the viewer “this part is extra important.”

— #3. Match the zoom to your sound — If your track is building, layer in a zoom that builds with it. If there’s a sudden change in the sound, time your punch-in to land right on that shift.

— #4. Correct editing —  In apps like CapCut or VN, use the keyframe tool to set your start and end points for scale and position. In Premiere Pro or Final Cut, apply keyframes to the “scale” property (from 100% to 110%) over your chosen time span. Keep the motion smooth, not jerky.

— #5. Don’t overdo it — A little movement goes a long way. One zoom per 10–15 seconds is usually enough. Constant zooming can feel unpleasant or even distracting.

PARASITION: Campaign breakdown

WEEKLY HUGO UPDATE

While there’s tons of stuff happening with Hugo, the biggest update this week is that the fundraising for the future development is going great. We’re thrilled to have some truly awesome investors onboard who also believe Hugo will change the game. A special thanks to them for supporting this incredible journey we’ve got ahead!

What’s Hugo?

Hugo is a marketing operating system that knows your music label’s entire catalog. Hugo then constantly monitors all of social media to spot, present, and execute campaign opportunities across regions and formats. By using Hugo, your music will be more viral than ever, since all campaigns will be 100% optimized for success.

Does this sound interesting to you? Sign up to the waiting list and be one of the first to gain access.

ROUND-UP 

— Sounds often go viral locally first, and then end up spreading around the world. So looking for local trends is a great way to figure out what’s going to work next

— Songs that suit dance content can have a higher probability of going viral, since TikTok is still pretty dance-focused

— TikTok’s AI tools are getting better and better, and there are many use cases for it. However, there’s still quite some way to go before human creators aren’t needed :)

— High relatability is one of the best ways to make viral content

— Using subtle zooms or punch-ins is one of the easiest and most effective ways to elevate your content

Wow, you read all the way down here? That’s awesome 🙏

If you want to make your label’s sounds go more viral than ever, then you should reach out to us at Parasition 🕺🚀

// The Echo Team