CRISIS OR COMEDY: WHEN SHOULD BRANDS LAUGH IT OFF?

Summary from the TLDR Marketing newsletter

Brands need to know when to use humor and when to stay serious. Humor can turn a scandal into an advantage, as shown by Astronomer's ad with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jet2's embrace of TikTok memes. However, it can also fail, like e.l.f.'s campaign with Matt Rife, which clashed with audience values. The key is to match tone with brand identity, respond quickly, and read the room. Well-timed humor can defuse tension, but misjudged jokes damage trust. The best responses show awareness, not spin.