How the Temu Pig Shirt took over the internet

Branded is a weekly column devoted to the intersection of marketing, business, design, and culture. In the relatively short time since online discount retailer Temu introduced itself to the U.S. market, its pervasive and sometimes weird digital ads have become part of the Internet’s wallpaper. Cheap prices aside, they often feature at least one head-scratching product that baits your click with distracting curiosity—a style dubbed “shopatainment” that’s made its app a hit. But...