Examining The Media Takeover (Taylor’s Version): Three Key Takeaways You Can Apply To Your Brand From The Sparks Flying Between Travis Kelce + Taylor Swift

Thirteen, Tight end, Teardrops, Touchdown - what do all these words have in common?

If you’ve looked at any social media timeline in the past two weeks, you’ll know: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce. Whether you are already imagining their bejeweled wedding or shaking it off as the PR stunt of the year, there’s no avoiding the media takeover.  

As media and communications professionals, we are always talking to our clients about growing their social media following, reaching untapped audiences and securing press coverage.

If you’ve worked with Choice before, you are well aware any type of growth or media coverage doesn’t happen overnight.

However, Kelce seems to be the exception. After speculation of their potential romance, Taylor Swift’s attendance at the Chiefs’s game confirmed what Swifties everywhere were hoping for…The Story of Us (Travis’s Version). Now, with a number-one charting podcast on both Spotify and Apple Podcasts, an increase of more than 400,000 Instagram followers and a 63 percent jump in female viewers aged 18 to 49 for the Chiefs’s game, Kelce is the man you can’t avoid, even if you tried.  

While this type of online presence and viewership seems like the work of a mastermind, Swift and Kelce hail from opposite sides of the entertainment industry and have vastly different approaches to their online presence. Millions of Swifties are seasoned vigilantes as they decode messages, spot clever easter eggs and break down the blank space to get a look into what Swift has in store. Conversely, Kelce, a dominant force in the NFL, delivers a consistent media presence from post-game broadcast interviews to podcast chats with his fellow NFL brother, Jason Kelce. 

So, if you are wondering how you can attract the attention of your audience and beyond, below are three takeaways from the Taylor + Travis media frenzy to apply to your own growth strategy: 

 1. Collaborate outside of your community.

Although there are almost 300 million Instagram followers between the two of them, Travis and Taylor’s fan bases vary greatly. As a small business owner, engaging with other small businesses who may offer different services or expertise than yourself can expand your reach and introduce your brand to new audiences. Whether it’s a Live Q&A with an industry expert or a collaboration post with a brand you’re personally a fan of, cross-promotion proves it’s nice to have a friend! 

2.  Share your wins AND losses.

While the amount of “87” jerseys has seen a 400 percent spike, Travis’s OG fan base is used to sticking with the Chiefs whether they win or lose. To gain trust with your audience, celebrate where you’re winning and be transparent about where you may be losing in this season. Vulnerability breeds trust and, therefore, an engaged following.

3. Be ready for it!

Are you sitting on the next big thing? Be the first to do it, wear it, say it, share it. If it’s the real deal, people will follow. Whether it’s a Chiefs jersey, bedazzled shorts or “seemingly ranch,” you (or your brand) can become the next big thing. 

No matter the longevity of Swift and Kelce’s relationship, the two have impacted and infiltrated every social media timeline, news headline and even seemingly the Empire State Building. If you’re looking to harness the power of their relationship in your own brand, put down the friendship bracelet with your number on it and start NOW with these tips above. 👆