Sofia Barberio

A headshot of a young woman with warm skin, long dark wavy hair parted down the middle, and a gentle smile. She has dark eyebrows, subtle eye makeup, light pink lip gloss, small gold hoop earrings, and a gold chain with a white clover pendant over a black collared shirt. The background is softly blurred.

I am a fourth-year Communication student at Toronto Metropolitan University with a focus on digital media and marketing. My work explores how emerging platforms, particularly TikTok, are reshaping brand communication strategies and audience engagement. I am especially interested in social media marketing, branding, and how digital culture influences the way brands connect with consumers.

This research examines how beauty brands use TikTok trends, memes, and trending audio as marketing communication strategies. Through a qualitative content analysis of posts from brands such as e.l.f. Cosmetics, NYX Cosmetics, and Charlotte Tilbury, the study identifies key patterns in how brands create engaging and relatable content. Findings show that humour, trending audio, and short-form video styles are the most effective strategies for increasing audience engagement, while traditional product-focused advertising performs less effectively. This research highlights how TikTok is reshaping digital marketing by prioritizing authenticity, entertainment, and cultural relevance.

Lightning Talk

More Projects

A front-facing headshot of a young adult male with short dark brown hair, blue eyes, and a stubble mustache leading to a goatee. He wears a light blue button-up shirt and a blue tie with a white diamond grid pattern, against a plain light gray background.
A close-up portrait of a woman with warm-toned skin, long straight black hair parted down the middle, and full eyebrows. She has dark eyes with long lashes, glossy lips, and wears a black top with a gold chain featuring two distinct cross pendants, one being a crucifix.
A headshot of a young woman with warm skin, long brown hair parted down the middle, and brown eyes. She has a small silver stud piercing on her right nostril and a gentle, natural smile. She is wearing a white button-up shirt with thin dark vertical stripes, unbuttoned at the collar to reveal a black top underneath and a silver necklace with a small smiling figure pendant. The background is an out-of-focus indoor setting.
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