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We can’t always forecast the futuristic behavior of how brands should act. However, predicting content trends for brands is something that we as marketers could do easily. And this year? We don’t think that brands would embrace the whole advertisement scene anymore as much as they embrace the mentality of reaching the customers through the “Come hang out with us” concept.
Local brands like Locken, Dara’s Ice Cream, Cardoo, Koffee Kulture, and more are all tuning into a new strategy. One that has been getting better and more positive responses from consumers rather than simple dry ads. It’s the factor of creating a connection with them that’s making brands sell more. Algorithms don’t reward perfection anymore; they reward relevance. The brands winning are the ones thinking like creators, storytellers, and community builders, not billboards.
Scroll Online, Bond Offline
Yes, social media still rules reach. But connection? That’s happening offline again. You’ll find a lot of people telling you to “get out there and build a connection.” Because what’s better than getting to know people and understanding their needs in order to reach them? The new trend is to create a pop-up, like what cilantro did with their limited-time pop-up museum.
A refreshing and very warm way that allowed people to connect, buy coffee, engage in conversation, etc. We Egyptians don’t just want to follow brands; they want to feel that such a brand creates a sense of belonging for them. Because what’s better than turning followers into familiar faces?
Normal Is Boring. Weird Wins.
Perfect aesthetics are officially exhausting. This is coming from someone who used to love the minimalistic aesthetics. However, in 2026, brand content will feel more raw, expressive, and personal. Expect bold colors, humor, sarcasm, fun tones, cultural references, and content that feels unmistakably local or relatable. Less perfect or just out of the mold, more improvised and fun.
In 2026, content will either be AI generated (doomed already) or simply will have more personality that defines a brand’s tone. People want brands that sound human. Brands that make them feel something and not like they were written by an AI trying not to offend anyone or tiptoeing around people’s comprehension of complex words.
Surreal: An English Brand That Did Their 2026 Homework
We always aim to notice and spotlight brands that know the art of winning consumers over. One brand that has the best humor-related strategy is a cereal brand called Surreal. A brand that transformed the idea of having to wear a suit to be on LinkedIn, Surreal made sure that they changed the game. They started promoting their brand through fun posts that intrigue people about what they actually do. They engage you without even trying. Through humor, sarcasm, the FOMO effect, and of course, relatability.
From a Marketing Lens: What Will Actually Work in 2026
- Build content pillars around value, not virality
- Collaborate with real people, not untouchable influencers
- Invest in community managers, not just media buyers
- Create content that speaks Egyptian culturally, emotionally, linguistically
- Measure success by trust and retention, not just impressions
The Rise of the “Normal” Creator
Flashy influencer culture is something that made everyone obsessed for a while. However, in 2026, things are seeming to change a bit. The going back to normal models that no one knows or even the internal team faces is something that brands are tuning into. The small business owner is now sharing real lessons. New faces, more relatability, and more credibility.
For example, Trified Media, a UAE agency, made a name for themselves on social media through their fun appearances and how their CEO is always in the field spreading joy and fun with challenges, games, guessing who the employee is, etc. Another brand that is local and has great content with new trends is Mo Bistro. A restaurant based in Egypt that shares fun content and recipe creations.
In Conclusion
By 2026, Egyptian brands will partner with creators who feel like us, not above us. And honestly? That’s long overdue. If 2026 had a content motto, it would be this: Less trying to look cool. More trying to be real.
