February 2025

2025 Social media trends for brands

By Victoria Sicaras, social media practice group leader for AOE

The world of social media isn’t slowing down—it’s speeding up. Every scroll, every click, every platform update and new network rollout pushes the boundaries of how we connect and create. As marketers try to keep up with its relentless pace, one truth stands out: Success doesn’t come from chasing every fleeting trend. It comes from moving with purpose and agility.


Each year, social media management platform Hootsuite surveys thousands of marketers and analyzes primary data and third-party research to issue their annual Social Media Trends report. In their latest installment, the Hootsuite team looked deeper into what’s trending to discover why these trends are working for brands and social media marketers. I recently attended a Hootsuite-hosted webinar about their findings. Continue to learn the key trends that are most impactful for brands and expected to continue through 2025.


Social media marketers should choose approaches best suited for their unique industry and business goals. Focus on the channels and content that drive the most engagement for your brand. For help developing optimal social media strategies, contact AOE!

Facebook celebrates 20+ years of innovation & controversy

AOE has been helping clients for more than 15 years with their social media efforts including Facebook and meta! With Mark Zuckerberg in the news so much these days, interested in knowing more about this platform’s history? In this video, Vikki Sicaras, AOE Social Media Practice Group Lead, will share a quick history of what we commonly refer to as Facebook.

AOE News

AOE wins award!

AOE has been honored with an AVA Digital Award, an international competition that recognizes excellence by creative professionals responsible for the planning, concept, direction, design, and production of digital communication. The award recognizes AOE's work on the International Grooving & Grinding Association's (IGGA) email campaign, "Back to the Future: Concrete’s Role in Preserving the Interstate System."


This award highlights AOE's innovative approach to creating and executing communication strategies that significantly impact their projects and the industries they serve.


We are proud to receive these awards on behalf of our clients who continue to innovate within the concrete industry. 

Look who hired AOE!

AOE has been contracted by Reede Construction Inc. to develop content and coordinate their social media efforts. Reede Construction is a generational family company with expertise in construction management and concrete paving. They have been operating since 1993 in the upper Midwest (including the Dakotas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming and Colorado). Laura Merritt, senior account manager, will be working directly with them. We are excited to assist them in developing content that highlights their innovative capabilities and amazing team. 

The AOE team has begun working with the ACPA Pennsylvania Chapter to facilitate a strategic planning effort. The ACPA Pennsylvania Chapter is a member organization focused on providing technical assistance and promoting quality concrete pavements within the state. AOE Director of Client Strategy Drew Burns will be working with ACPA PA President John Becker to develop this plan. 

AOE supported many of their clients at World of Concrete

AOE had a strong presence at World of Concrete, actively supporting many of our clients throughout the event. Our team facilitated media opportunities, coordinated strategic meetings, and provided marketing and PR support to help clients maximize their visibility. Here is the recap of how we showed up: 

AOE helps NEU get published


At this year’s World of Concrete, the spotlight was on automation and sustainability, with cutting-edge tech and eco-friendly solutions taking center stage. AOE played a key role by securing a press conference for our client, NEU – An ACI Center of Excellence for Carbon Neutral Concrete. Thanks to this strategic opportunity, NEU successfully announced its groundbreaking Validation/Verification program, which was later featured in Engineering News-Record! This coverage highlights how proactive PR can amplify industry innovations. Read more about the event and NEU’s announcement here. 

AOE supports ASCC at World of Concrete

Thanks to the dedicated event support, AOE client, the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) had a strong presence at World of Concrete 2025. From managing meetings and coordinating the booth setups to ensuring the success of the highly anticipated Kickoff Bash, AOE played a key role in executing ASCC’s event strategy. With AOE’s expertise in event services, ASCC successfully connected with industry professionals, strengthened its network, and reinforced its leadership in the concrete industry at World of Concrete 2025.

AOE supports CFA at World of Concrete

Concrete Foundation Association (CFA) commenced the new year on a high note with World of Concrete serving as the first event under the new management of AOE. The event was an undeniable success, drawing considerable attention and activity to the CFA booth, reconnecting with familiar faces while also welcoming new members of the community, fostering meaningful conversations and valuable connections. The week’s agenda included pivotal engagements, such as the CFA National Associations Council Meeting and the CFA Board Meeting, both of which underscored the organization’s commitment to collaboration and strategic growth. The event culminated in the much-anticipated Foundation Contractors’ Night, hosted at The Strat, which not only brought the community together for an evening of celebration but also marked the first step in celebrating CFA's 50th anniversary milestone. 

AOE supports PTI at World of Concrete

The Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI), with the support of AOE, experienced an outstanding week at World of Concrete. The PTI booth served as a hub of activity, enabling valuable interactions and showcasing the institute's role in shaping the industry. The Las Vegas Certification Week drew an impressive crowd with over 100 participants. PTI’s annual WOC VIP Reception provided an excellent platform for members to network and strengthen professional relationships in a vibrant setting. PTI also held a press conference where PTI introduced critical updates, including the ACI-PTI 320-25 building code requirements for post-tensioned structural concrete and the launch of the PTS-QTC program, spearheaded by CRT-70, underscoring their dedication to innovation and progress. The week concluded with the Winter Executive Committee Meeting, where leadership outlined an ambitious vision for the year ahead, setting a confident and forward-thinking tone for what promises to be a dynamic and successful year for PTI.

AOE supports ACPA at World of Concrete

As the American Concrete Pavement Association announced increased investment in research, outreach and partnerships to support gains in concrete sustainability, AOE provided multiple levels of support. From arranging and leading the official World of Concrete press conference, to coordinating media interviews at the booth, to working with the board on their marketing planning needs, AOE helped the association achieve wide media coverage to further its 2025 goals. Watch a Roads & Bridges magazine interview conducted at World of Concrete with Laura O'Neill Kaumo, the President and CEO of the ACPA, here.

AOE supports CIM’s at World of Concrete

AOE assisted with the Concrete Industry Management's press conference where the state of the 2024-2025 school year was discussed. The 2023-2024 annual report was distributed and information about the annual CIM Auction at World of Concrete was discussed. In the months leading up to CIM’s annual fundraising auction held at World of Concrete, AOE worked closely with the auction’s marketing chair, Brian Gallagher, drafting press releases, eblasts, designing featured item flyers and videos, social media content, web and print ads and much more. We were thrilled that this year’s event broke all previous records, raising more than $2.151 million in gross revenue. We are so proud to be part of the success of this event!

As AI advances, environmental impact increases

By Kari Moosmann, director of sustainable communications for AOE

As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly advances, its environmental impact has become a significant concern. The increasing complexity of AI models demands substantial energy and resources, particularly in data centers, which are known for their high energy consumption and reliance on non-renewable energy sources. This dependence contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.


Additionally, the cooling systems in these centers consume considerable water resources, potentially straining local supplies and leading to contamination issues. To mitigate these effects, companies like Google and Microsoft are investing in renewable energy, implementing water recycling systems, and exploring innovative cooling technologies. Experts also advocate for developing more efficient AI algorithms to reduce computational power requirements and, consequently, energy consumption. By focusing on energy efficiency, resource conservation, and policy development, the tech industry can work towards minimizing AI's environmental footprint and promoting global sustainability. Read our full blog here.

Listen to the AOE Podcast

Social media: The new search engine

In this episode of the Advancing Excellence Podcast, host Janice Clines, marketing manager for AOE, discusses the emerging trend of social media platforms becoming powerful search tools, rivaling traditional search engines like Google and Bing. Guest Amy Numbers, vice president of operations and marketing services at AOE, shares insights on how users are increasingly using Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) to search for information, follow influencers, and receive real-time updates. They explore the impact of this shift on brands and their digital marketing strategies, emphasizing the need for a mobile-first approach, leveraging emerging platforms like TikTok, and investing in digital advertising. The conversation highlights the importance of maintaining a strong social media presence and creating personalized content to engage audiences effectively. Listen here.

Are you a regular listener?

Advancing Excellence is a weekly podcast hosted by AOE – serving the AEC industry. AOE’s podcast shares tips, ideas, marketing, events, strategic planning, crisis communication, organizational management, thought leadership and more.


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AOE Digital University

AOE launched Digital University to help our audiences expand their knowledge on digital marketing. We tailored the microsite specifically for our clients and others like them, who are predominantly AEC professionals that come from the trenches of their respective fields. Recognizing that these professionals often juggle various roles, including marketing responsibilities, Digital University offers blog articles, e-books, videos and podcasts to learn about the latest digital tools. Topics include strategies and tools, websites, search engine optimization (SEO) and analytics, social media and artificial intelligence.


Visitors can choose from several quizzes to test their knowledge of digital marketing. They also earn an AOE Digital University graduate badge by passing the final exam, which consists of 50 questions and takes about seven minutes to complete. Those with a minimum 70% pass rate (35+ correct answers) will be emailed an electronic badge. Visit www.aoedigitaluniversity.com.

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