Through slightly "disturbing, uncomfortable, and strange" interactions with fans, the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot memed college football into pop culture and people's hearts.

Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot brings unhinged to the masses

A meme featuring a guinea pig driving a pink toy car reached all corners of the internet during 2023. Its caption, ‘The horrors persist, but so do I’, captured a collective need for perseverance.

The horrors persist, but so do I

A TikTok creator @engineer.everything, dubbed 'tunnel girl' by onlookers, has drawn millions of views for an unconventional hobby. The widespread interest in recreational tunnelling signals enthusiasm for offbeat, escapist, and obscure niche interests.

TikTok's 'tunnel girl' goes viral

One worker's boredom with the monotony of work emails resulted in an experiment to keep herself entertained. The TikToker's unhinged email sign-offs have drawn a significant following as people look to break the tedium themselves. 

Unhinged email sign-offs

As part of an embrace of darker humour, 'when your card declines at therapy' videos have taken over TikTok. The trend sees people sharing their incredibly specific sources of anxiety or trauma.

When your card declines at therapy

The buzzy streaming adoption of Patricia Highsmith's classic novel The Talented Mr. Ripley centres on a sexually ambiguous protagonist and his crimes. As LGBTQ+ representation broadens, audiences are increasingly drawn to pop cultural narratives that explore class and sexual transgressions.

Ripley spotlights queer anti-hero narratives

SNICKERS has launched a campaign centering around airport-related freakouts, positioning the brand as a cure for travel-induced grumpiness. As viral travel freakouts have become a social media mainstay, people are looking for brands to make travel more enjoyable and frictionless.

SNICKERS campaign reflects air travel disappointments

South Korean adults are turning to pet rocks as a cure for loneliness. With increasing social isolation taking a toll on many South Koreans and a lack of resources to enable social connection, the rise in pet rocks as a replacement for human interaction is raising further concerns.

South Koreans curing loneliness with pet rocks

Chinese youth are fleeing megacities in favor of slower lives in small towns, as money worries and a tough job market hamper their ambition. As economic troubles continue to leave young people behind, many are reacting by changing their priorities and looking for slower lives in smaller cities.

Chinese youth flee megacities for a slower life

Feeling the pinch of the cost of living, people are clinging to home cooking which they’ve mastered during the pandemic. Yet finding the right ingredients for elaborate meals can be difficult. Addressing this, Waitrose has teamed with Yotam Ottolenghi to roll out a range of unique ingredients.

Waitrose teams up with Ottolenghi to woo home cooks

Bluey, an Australian animated children’s television series, is a global sensation that follows the adventures of a Blue Heeler dog family in Brisbane. Purportedly a ‘kids’ show,’ it’s widely beloved for its essences of childhood imagination, authentic adult life, and minority representation.

Why Bluey is a kids’ show representing real Aussie life

As Gen Zers look to disrupt fast fashion, embroidery has become a way of upcycling clothes while allowing for unique identity expression. As the generation turns to the past to find solace, embroidery represents another nostalgia-laced hobby, allowing for creativity and comfort.

Embroidery becomes wholesome pastime for eco Gen Zers

HMD and Heineken have launched a limited-edition Boring Phone, encouraging a break from the immersive world of smartphones and a return to minimalist retro technology. As people look for a reprieve from fast-paced digital environments, they're turning to nostalgic tech to find it.

Limited-edition Boring Phone promotes digital breaks

The popularity of video game film adaptations is rising as desire for comic book inspired content decreases. Following an uptick in gaming post-pandemic, and continued engagement with longer, more immersive narratives, Hollywood is taking note and extending those worlds onto the big screen.

Video game adaptations become firm movie favourites

GagaOOLala, Asia’s pioneering LGBTQ+ streaming service, aims to spotlight queer stories in mainstream media. The platform mirrors a surge in demand for queer content and the progress of the community’s rights in Asia, catering to a group that had little to no media attention up until recently.

Why GagaOOLala uncensors the stories of queer Asians

Furniture company Dowel Jones champions Australian-made furniture and embraces authenticity amid new market dynamics. The brand’s pillars of durability, timeless design, and emotional resonance effectively negotiate what it means to do functional design in the modern day.

How Dowel Jones puts fun in functional Aussie furniture

A new, globally connected generation is shaking up the ways in which they celebrate Holy Week, with travel becoming a central tenant of how people mark their faith. As Filipinos balance the secular and the sacred, what do new rituals tell us about the future of travel during religious holidays?

What's driving new travel rituals around religious holidays?

Boys’ Love media usually features fresh-faced male characters encountering slightly varied struggles. Heaven Official’s Blessing smartly subverts these tropes, placing a queer couple in a distinctly traditional Chinese context and putting their character development at the centre of the story.

Why Heaven Official’s Blessing rewrites Asian boys' romance

Adult sleepovers are on the rise as a popular way for friends to bond and relax in a safe and comforting environment. The trend taps into kidulting behaviours, as people increasingly seek out nostalgic activities that feel nurturing and safe amid the chaos of everyday life.

Adult sleepovers signal interest in mindful socialisation

GameScent is introducing smell to the gaming world, aiming to offer gamers a truly immersive experience. With gaming continuing to be a core route to escapism through immersive play, AI-enabled activations can support immersive and realistic experiences that deepen world-building for players. 

GameScent uses smell to enhance gamer immersion

From producing 160 million Goldbears a day to pioneering digital engagement, Haribo's century-old legacy is a testament to its enduring appeal. By blending tradition with innovation to satisfy a world craving sweetness and nostalgia, the brand has remained culturally relevant and financially robust.

How Haribo sweetens the world with innovation and nostalgia

Acting as a home away from home, equipped with gaming consoles, board games, vinyl players, and film screens, a new breed of socialising spaces is encouraging visitors to connect and engage in person. These venues foster community and belonging in an increasingly isolated digital landscape.

Why Southeast Asian hobbyists are flocking to co-playing spaces

Loewe has released a humourous brand film that finally explains how to pronounce its name, leaning into the confusion people face in their attempts. With people seeking experiences that make them smile and laugh, luxury brands can play with humour as a new path to status signalling and elitism.

Loewe ad embraces the struggle of saying its name

A new report has revealed that Britons are eating 50% more takeaways than before the pandemic. With concerns rising about the impact of increased takeaway consumption on public health, brands have an opportunity to provide ways to secure a healthy food future for people in the UK.

Britons are eating more takeaways than pre-pandemic

Coors Light Canada has released a campaign celebrating the everyday challenges of being a parent. The out-of-home ad ties into the brand's 'Chill' positioning by depicting everyday scenes of parenting stress and celebrating small moments of reprieve and relaxation amid the chaos.

Coors Light celebrates mundane moments of parenthood

With 2024 hailing several international sports tournaments, many Americans will be building getaways around spectator events. On Location specializes in curating premium experiences that create lasting memories for sports fans, crafting itineraries rich in culture, food, history, and community.

How On Location crafts niche itineraries for sports fans

In a quiet act of rebellion against strict rules in the workplace, young Chinese workers are flaunting their most 'gross' outfits at work. Beyond being comfy in their workwear, they're looking for ways to show up to work on their own terms, pushing back against rigid societal norms.

Young Chinese workers push back with 'gross' outfits

Faced with increasing demands on their already squeezed budgets, many Gen Y families are making tough decisions about how to keep their kids occupied and entertained throughout the 2024 summer holidays. What resources are available to them, and how can brands lend a hand?

How will Gen Y families spend their summer holidays?

Why are China’s youth giving up their hard-earned credentials to become ‘full-time children?’ How did rest become an act of rebellion? How has the pandemic affected shopping habits in China? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats to explore the behavioural norms shared by people in China in 2024.

A Cultural Snapshot of China: 2024

Disability flying lessons are set to start in South East England. The programme, which aims to remove physical and financial barriers to accessing aviation through bespoke lessons and scholarship, highlights the need for increased equity in leisure and hobbies – making them open to all.

Disability flying lessons promote accessible hobbies

Following years of being cooped up in their homes, Filipinos are looking to break free from the monotony of the COVID-19 lockdowns. Brands can leverage this wave of revenge travel by tailoring services to their desire for active ecotourism, immersive experiences, and pandemic-resilient travelling.

Pent-up wanderlust is pushing Filipinos to revenge travel

Inspired by the 'romantasy' communities of TikTok, elaborate fantasy events like book balls are gaining traction among Gens Y and Z. Driven by people’s desire for connection, escapism, and worldbuilding, brands have the opportunity to create immersive activations and experiences.




BookTok fuels a resurgence of immersive fantasy events 

K-pop singer Bibi's single 'Bam Yang Gang' has topped the charts in Korea, sparking a surge in sales of the traditional dessert of the same name. Tapping into young audiences' trend-chasing psyches, brands are capitalising on people's desire for a sweet respite from the stresses of everyday life.

K-pop hit spurs retro dessert craze among young Koreans

The US has in dropped its standing in the Global Happiness Rankings, citing unhappiness in Americans under 40. Young people are facing a variety of stressors, highlighting how people are looking for opportunities to tackle both individual and systemic issues with empathy and action.

US happiness ranking drops among younger generations

The number of millionaires and billionaires is rising in Southeast Asia, marking the region as a centre for wealth creation and economic boom for locals and international visitors alike. What trends and behaviours are unfolding with the influx into this new high-earning market?

Why are HNWIs flocking to Southeast Asia?

Musician Noah Kahan’s popularity has prompted an increase in visitors to his hometown as fans look to immerse themselves in his world. This behavior, serving as a testament to Kahan’s popularity, also showcases people’s desire to deepen their fandoms and cultivate lifestyles around them.

Noah Kahan fans make his hometown a tourist destination

High-net-worth Indians are bearing witness to a unique convergence of spirituality and luxury, as affluent individuals prioritise spiritual fulfilment over materialistic pursuits. This reflects a changing priority among the affluent class seeking a deeper connection to personal growth and wellbeing.

How is spirituality influencing luxury travel among high-net-worth Indians?

Renude is harnessing AI to make dermatology more accessible, accurate, and speedy. Appealing to people who lack access to skin care specialists, and those overwhelmed by too much – often contrasting – information found online, Renude is providing a simple skincare and skin health solution.


Renude makes expert skin care advice more accessible

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Generation Y in the Asia-Pacific region explores how a move towards purposeful living and stable life has Gen Ys spending with more intention, taking care of their health and overall wellness, and enjoying the freedom that comes with not having children.

2024 APAC Gen Y Snapshot

In 2024, there will be decisive elections in the US, UK, and Germany while the cost of living crisis is likely to intensify. Instead of engaging in serious rhetoric, how might brands harness humour to diffuse societal tensions and engage consumers with a more playful tone of voice?

Why humour will be essential for 2024

Gen Zers were previously labeled as 'puriteens' and anti-sex, but an eHarmony study has busted that myth by showing they're being more intimate and sexually active. As young people's attitudes towards sex and relationships change, they're approaching romance more mindfully.

eHarmony reveals Gen Z's sex recession is over

With the travel season fast approaching, companies are expecting sales to skyrocket. Yet research shows that Europeans are looking for more affordable holidays closer to home to satisfy their wanderlust, as big-ticket, indulgent experiences feel less feasible in the current economic climate.

Europeans are opting for budget holidays closer to home

More and more Gen Alpha gamers in Southeast Asia are finding support and community via online games, creating multiple opportunities for brands looking to join the fun. Savvy marketers have begun partnering with popular Twitcher streamers and YouTubers, tapping into the gaming community's idols.

Why games are the new social media for Southeast Asian Gen Alpha

Concerns about loneliness are rising worldwide, with older adults and young people being the most vulnerable. To address this, Muji is teaming up with a local developer in Japan, UR, to reinvigorate seniors' housing complexes and make them more attractive to younger crowds.

Muji helps seniors combat loneliness in Japan

On Chinese New Year's Eve, Japanese monk Kanho Yakushiji played a sold-out EDM show. His fusion of Buddhist sutras, rock, and electronic music reflects a trend of Chinese youth blending modernism with ancient traditions in a quest for stability and escape from societal pressures.

EDM Monk appeals to Chinese netizens' desire for stability

Mindful Cookalong brings listeners on a journey, with the end goal of both a delicious meal and a relaxed state of mind. Set to lo-fi beats and peppered with grounding techniques, the routine act of cooking dinner is transformed into a mindfulness exercise rather than a chore.

Cooking podcast helps Gen-Z find zen in the kitchen

Gen Zers in the UK are flocking to book clubs, looking for free and healthy ways to socialise amid changing habits and a desire to disconnect. Young people are turning away from pubs and clubs as the default way of spending time with friends, seeking out community in those with similar interests.

UK Gen Zers are bringing book clubs back

In the wake of 2023's Saltburn, the 'tacky rich kid' look has made its way across runways and social media alike – taking inspiration from the film to reappraise the tasteless fashion of the noughties. Some are rejecting the sartorial austerity of the quiet luxury era to celebrate tackiness.

'Tacky Rich Kid' aesthetic takes over LFW

In celebration of the Global Day of Unplugging, Dating app Hinge has released an iPhone-shaped guide to spending time offline. The guide is part of the brand’s wider social impact scheme to tackle loneliness in a world where Gen Zs want to switch off, but don’t always know how.

Hinge’s Phonebook teaches Gen Z how to connect IRL

Research has found that the number of young people taking sick days has increased compared to older people, noting that Gen Z women are most affected. This emphasises how brands must go beyond conversation and lean into actionable, accessible support for a generation more open about mental health.

Gen Z is more likely to call in sick to work than Gen X

Ele.me's campaign spoke to those returning to work after the Lunar New Year holidays, highlighting a season of rest. Young people in China are turning to tradition and spirituality to navigate high stress levels, and campaigns like this speak to their concerns and allow them to feel heard.

Delivery service’s marketing fights seasonal blues

Research has found that half of college graduates in the US are working jobs unrelated to their degrees. As economic instability rages, younger generations are broadening their educational horizons beyond the traditional, exploring vocational training and unconventional careers. 

Degrees don't determine careers for half of college kids

Remote work has spread over the last 10 years, allowing many professionals seeking flexibility and comfort to try working from anywhere. Known as digital nomads, remote workers who live in Southeast Asia (SEA) aim to earn the most they can while affording luxury where it’s much cheaper.

How Southeast Asia became a melting pot for digital nomads

Research has revealed that Gens Y and Z are more prone to aggressive driving accidents than older generations. Driven in part by elevated levels of anxiety among younger people, automakers and brands in this space have an opportunity to help limit stressful driving conditions.

Gens Y and Z are suffering from road rage in the US

Research has revealed that people in the US are planning to travel more in 2024 than they did in 2023. While the release and escape of a holiday is an attractive prospect, many are still worried about disruptions to their plans, offering an opportunity for brands to provide security.

US travellers want excitement over anxiety

Cubicles are back in style for young employees who value privacy and concentration, preferring them to open offices. Nostalgia and a desire for personalization are driving the interest, causing a shift towards balanced work environments that foster productivity as people return to in-person work.

Gen Zers hail the return of the office cubicle

On Kuaishou, you’re likely to find slices of life in the countryside on videos or live broadcasts. The app has enabled countryfolk to break into the digital landscape, leading to the rise of rural content creation and e-commerce that empowers market growth in the middle of village life.

Why Kuaishou grows the influence of rural living in China

Survey data suggests that US Gen Yers are more interested in a work-life balance than other generations. Despite economic insecurity, many young people are prioritizing their personal lives over salaries, pointing to the demise of 'hustle culture' and a rejection of workplace burnout.

US Gen Yers prioritize work-life balance over salaries

The Australian Government is set to introduce the 'right to disconnect' laws, allowing employees to complain about unreasonable out-of-hours contact from employees. United in their preference to ‘work to live’, Australian workers have embraced this development, while some businesses have not.

Disconnect laws mirror Aussies pursuit of life over work

PaidLeave.ai streamlines parental leave bureaucracy in New York. The platform simplifies benefit queries and paperwork, ensuring everyone can access accurate information. Despite broad AI scepticism, there's a growing demand for the technology to streamline complex processes and save people time.

PaidLeave.ai helps parents-to-be claim paid leave

Combining aromatherapy with reusable vessels, Rokuscent is helping Malaysians scent their homes without sacrificing their eco-conscious values. The brand highlights how people are elevating their living spaces and seeking a sense of comfort and wellness through home fragrances.

Rokuscent brings sustainability to home fragrances

82°E – a self-care brand created by Indian actress Deepika Padukone – has announced its foray into body care. As the boundaries between people’s health, wellness, and beauty routines continue to blur, the body care space offers untapped potential when it comes to courting wellness-savvy Indians.

82°E ritualises body care for wellness-minded Indians

In Japan, the sauna industry is booming and influencing people’s approaches to health, wellness, and self-care. It has evolved from an activity for older men into a thriving, identity-shaping subculture that attracts people across demographics, including women and young people.

How sauna culture is shaping the Japanese wellness economy

Gamers have emerged as a key target for the snacking market, yet brands often fail to offer them healthy options that don’t compromise on taste. Tapping into this, Twitch streamer Pokimane has launched a snacking brand catering specifically to the increasingly health-conscious gaming demographic.

Pokimane helps gamers adopt healthy snacking habits

Sesame Street's Elmo offered a social media wellness check and was met with brutally honest responses from people sharing their mental health status. The vulnerable reactions emphasise how people are looking for connection and how brands can show up in small yet meaningful ways.

Elmo's social check-in reveals mental health struggles

'Fringe friends' – casual relationships based on proximity or wide social circles – are falling in number for many Americans as new behavioral patterns and a digital-first existence hamper human connection. Amid an epidemic of loneliness, young people are having trouble building IRL social networks.

'Fringe friends' fall casualty to loneliness epidemic

TikTok's 'legging legs' trend has fuelled the spread of toxic beauty standards as young girls discuss the 'perfect' body shape. With signs that harmful body image tropes are returning via social media, platforms have a responsibility to protect users from potentially detrimental content.

'Legging Legs' trend signals toxic beauty standards

Pet ownership in China is changing, with young people opting for low-maintenance fish over demanding cats and dogs. With stress levels at an all-time high, and a desire to buck tradition, Chinese youth are looking for ways to disconnect, feel relaxed, and avoid high-pressure situations.

Chinese youths opt for fish as easy pet alternatives

KitKat has launched a campaign that shows even AI performs better after taking a break. Since many Canadians are using generative AI in their work and studies, literacy around the technology is crucial for maximising its potential, and teaching users about it will prepare them for a techy future.

KitKat encourages users to give AI a break

Research shows that, while office mandates have little to no effect on a company’s bottom line, they negatively impact employee wellbeing. Though employers are focused on driving workers back into the office, many prefer employers that offer flexibility not just as a perk but as a constant.

Office mandates harm employee wellbeing

HomeEquity Bank's 'Ask Yourself' campaign encourages Gen X Canadians to explore the option of home equity for enhanced later-life financial flexibility. Inflation and the cost of living crisis has made many Gen Xers rethink their financial futures, prompting them to consider saving alternatives.

HomeEquity Bank tempts Gen Xers with reverse mortgages

Australian travel insurance app Freely has expanded to allow US consumers to take advantage of its pick-and-mix coverage options. By offering personalized insurance plans catered to the unique needs and preferences of travel enthusiasts, eager jetsetters can embark on adventures with confidence.

Why Freely is offering tailored insurance to travelers 

Demonstrations in Berlin have showcased grievances among agricultural workers about government action in supporting farmers during the cost of living crisis. Collective experiences of crisis and financial hardship are emboldening workers to demand change with trust in leadership waning.

Protests highlight dissatisfaction among German farmers

Gen Zers in the US are becoming increasingly engaged superfans due to a sense of community, peer-led creative expression, and stress relief. Canvas8 spoke to Swifties, Star Wars fans, and die-hard sports supporters across the US to find out how they engage with their fandoms on a day-to-day basis.

Why American Gen Zers are die-hard superfans

A holiday cruise around the world has become the latest Tiktok obsession, as users anticipate the drama that will unfold over its 9-month voyage. People’s desire for organic and spontaneous content may be leading to the creation of an entirely new genre of social media-led reality entertainment.

TikTok turns nine-month cruise into a reality show genre

New data reveals that consumer debt has risen significantly in Japan as people’s appetite for feel-good spending shows no signs of slowing. There’s an opportunity for brands to help customers buff up their financial wellbeing in the face of continued economic headwinds.

Revenge spending is driving Japanese shoppers into debt

Capybaras are becoming Gen Z in China's favourite animals to look at online. Seen as icons of tranquillity and emotional stability, they embody the relaxed lifestyle and unwavering self-assurance that the youth aspire to emulate at a time of growing loneliness, anxiety and work discontent. 

Young Chinese netizens are obsessed with capybara energy

Why do Korean young adults spend on luxury items and experiences they can’t afford? How does their desire for personal freedom – including their disinterest in marriage and children – reconcile with the country’s traditional collectivist culture? This Cultural Snapshot uses local stats to explore the behavioural norms shared by people in South Korea in 2024.

A Cultural Snapshot of South Korea: 2024

IKEA Spain is encouraging people to take the pressure off and slow down this festive season. With all the chaos of planning for Christmas, it can be easy to forget to sit back and enjoy it. This ad is a reminder of what’s important, or more pointedly what isn’t important this Christmas.

IKEA Spain comforts shoppers amidst Christmas stress

The term 'baby bowl' originally meant a bowl for infants but now refers to a dining scenario where a couple shares one dish, with the man serving a smaller portion to the woman. Critics argue it infantilises women, reinforces gender norms and promotes unrealistic body ideals.

Baby Bowl trend in China spotlights kidulting diets

Australia is experiencing a board game renaissance. With community ties frayed and social media threatening feelings of belonging among young people, board games provide a blueprint for intentional gathering and prosocial engagement. They’re also making space for those typically marginalised.

How are tabletop games creating accessible fandom moments?

According to Clips4Sale – an online kink and fetish content distributor – ‘giantess’ became the top fetish search term globally in 2023. The popularity of this content coincides with shifting masculinities as well as technology being used to blur the lines between digital and physical realities.

Popular 'giantess' fetish reflects state of masculinity

Young people are turning to travel agents to help book their 2023 holiday travel and beyond, a surprising shift from established generational DIY norms. Cash-strapped travelers are looking for certainty and expertise, leading them to brands that can guide them in booking vacations.

Young Americans turn to travel agents to save cash

Gen Zers are skipping lunch breaks at work, fearing disapproval if they're seen to be taking time away from their desks. Busy lifestyles and social media trends like 'girl dinner' are reshaping meal habits – shifts that could heighten loneliness as traditional socialising over meals is lost.





Gen Z employees skip lunch breaks to save face

In Japan, flexible "spot worker" side-hustle gigs alongside full-time jobs are gaining popularity. While some people finding joy in optimising spare time, spot workers are largely fuelled by economic pressures, including karoshi hustle culture, with extra work generating stress and anxiety. 

Japanese spot workers are trying to make ends meet

Bath & Body Works has launched a campaign to encourage busy holiday shoppers to take a moment and relax with aroma – featuring a ten-foot tall candle in New York’s Herald Square. With many shoppers under financial strain, brands are positioning themselves as an antidote to holiday shopping stress.

Bath & Body Works helps stressed shoppers relax

The pandemic has altered various aspects of life, including how we travel. As international tourism in Australia is gradually returning to its peak, overseas visitors are emboldened by their desire to reconnect with loved ones and nature, signalling a shift towards travel that emphasises wellbeing.

International visitors want to restore and reconnect in Australia

Despite a decrease in nighttime venues and the financial pressure on people due to the cost of living crisis, partying continues to thrive. This resurgence of rave culture reflects the current disillusionment among British clubbers and serves as an act of post-pandemic expression and escapism.

UK rave culture speaks to renewed desires for escapism

Tesco teamed up with charities to erect an alternative Christmas tree made from thousands of food donations, which will help those hit hardest by inflation. During the holidays, people expect brands to help those in less fortunate positions feel included and considered.

Tesco spotlights food poverty with creative Christmas tree

The City of Las Vegas has launched a campaign for Super Bowl LVIII, encouraging 'excessive celebration' of the city's first Super Bowl, including a Change.org petition. Following years of economic worries, communications around excess and release are growing resonant with sports fans.

Las Vegas Super Bowl ad encourages excessive celebration

Shanghai’s Yufo Temple has partnered with domestic fragrance brand Boitown to release a perfume range line exclusively for the temple. Young Chinese are turning to tradition and spirituality for comfort and wellbeing, leading brands to incorporate these elements into their offerings.

Yufo Temple offers visitors exclusive 'blessed scents' 

Ocean Spray's 'How You Cran' campaign asked consumers hard-hitting questions ahead of Thanksgiving – are they #TeamCanned or #TeamHomemade? The campaign ties into how traditional meals are being twisted for modern palettes, taking a dose of nostalgia and offering fun alternatives.

'How You Cran' campaign updates Thanksgiving traditions

Mattress company Bryte is working to help people achieve their optimal sleep with its AI-powered Sleep Concierge. With sleep now a central pillar of the wellness movement, more people are looking for initiatives that support tailored sleep solutions to elevate both mental and physical health.

Bryte concierge uses AI to personalise sleep 

Aiming to disrupt the high incidence of self-harm among men in New Zealand, Yeastie Boys have launched a limited-edition ‘Blokequet’ to encourage men to get talking. The campaign recognises the growing need for mental health support and the particular ways that mental health stigma impacts men.

Yeastie Boys 'Blokequet' encourages men to open up

With a heartwarming animated film, Bavaria Beer is encouraging people to seek connection at Christmas. As international pressures deepen and populations become increasingly polarised, people are seeking human connection and camaraderie to help them feel anchored and understood.

Bavaria's Xmas ad encourages people to seek connection

Luxury brand Stella McCartney has partnered with The Chopra Foundation, a leading mental health organisation, to redefine wellbeing by harnessing the healing power of horses. The collaboration highlights how companies can show leadership in mental health while being true to core values.

Stella McCartney spotlights the power of horse therapy

In celebration of Pepero Day, convenience stores are dropping exclusive character collaborations to entice devoted collectors from those fandoms. In South Korea, Gen Z and Y are driving a revival in nostalgic characters from their childhood as they seek comfort in uncertain times.

Korean convenience stores get nostalgic with character collabs

This year's John Lewis Christmas ad, titled 'Snapper, the Perfect Tree', takes a humorous approach to the theme of new traditions. With a hint of surreal humour, it highlights that a perfect Christmas is about finding joy together with loved ones, regardless of unconventional circumstances.

John Lewis Christmas ad celebrates evolving traditions

Navigation app Waze has integrated AI into its offering to tackle the increasing number of fatalities and casualties on the road. By reviewing the history of crashes on specific roads and flagging other potential dangers, the AI feature aims to keep drivers safe and focused while behind the wheel.

Waze introduces AI feature to enhance driver safety

Fever’s Candlelight Concerts offer global access to intimate, candlelit live music. As demand surges for live concerts, Fever is forging a more accessible way to engage with a traditional genre through immersive experiences that combine classical sounds with cross-genre collaborations.

Why Fever offers music buffs a sensorial live experience

Over the past year, a new social media trend has emerged on platforms including TikTok, Twitter, and Instagram. Dubbed ‘yearnposting’, the trend sees digital natives profess longing and melancholy against a cozy backdrop. How can brands tap into this wellness trend to support people’s mental health?

What’s behind the rise of ‘yearnposting’?

Lifecycle

People are looking for a visceral reprieve from the permacrisis