Taylor Swift, Show Business, and the Branding Lesson of 2025

Taylor Swift, Show Business, and the Branding Lesson of 2025

Taylor Swift has done it again. With the announcement of her new album The Life of a Showgirl, she hasn’t just given her fans something to scream about... she’s ignited a global branding trend that every strategist (and every ambitious business owner) should be paying attention to.

Because here’s the truth: this isn’t just show business. It’s business. 

And Taylor Swift is running a masterclass in brand positioning.

The Power of Anticipation

The rollout was no accident. From the blurred album cover and mint-green briefcase to the glittery orange padlock, every element was deliberately staged to spark curiosity, conversation, and collective obsession.

Your clients may not be Swifties dissecting Easter eggs on TikTok, but the principle holds: the way you reveal your brand matters. Teasing, storytelling, and colour psychology can turn a launch from a quiet whisper into a cultural earthquake.

Owning a Colour Palette

Let’s talk about orange and green. 

Two shades - used strategically - set the entire internet on fire. The Empire State Building lit up orange. Brands from Starbucks to Netflix scrambled to post reactive content in her palette. Even Google got in on the act.

That’s the power of consistency. 

When your brand owns its colours, fonts, and style, you create instant recognition. And recognition creates trust. Without saying a word, your visuals position you as unforgettable.

Reactive Branding (Done Right)

From Aldi to McDonald’s, brands couldn’t resist riding the Swift wave. Cynical? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.

Here’s the takeaway for you: brand relevance requires agility. 

When something happens in culture that aligns with your values and resonates with your audience, leaning in can amplify your visibility exponentially. The trick is to do it authentically, not opportunistically.

The Entrepreneur Behind the Stardom

It’s tempting to see Taylor Swift as “just” a pop star. 

But look closer: she’s an entrepreneur, a strategist, a trendsetter. She’s built an empire by controlling her narrative, curating her image, and never underestimating the intelligence of her audience.

And that’s the final lesson for ambitious service-based business owners: your brand is bigger than your service. It’s your reputation, your authority, and your ability to influence. If you want to claim your space in the market, you can’t afford to underestimate it.

Key Takeaways for Your Brand

  1. Plan your reveal – anticipation beats information every time.

  2. Own your identity – consistent colours and visuals create recognition.

  3. Stay agile – align with cultural moments in a way that feels true to you.

  4. Think bigger – your brand isn’t a logo. It’s an empire in the making.

💡 Your brand may not light up the Empire State Building, but it can dominate your corner of the market. 

Want to know how? 

My Luxury Brand Audit Checklist will help you see exactly where your brand is standing out and where it’s falling flat.

📥 Download it free here → https://hashtagdigital.io/digital-products

Let me know how you get on! ❤️

- Jade