The pandemic heightened Gen Z's demands for authenticity, particularly towards like-minded communities and diverse groups. Increasingly, young people seek to bypass the gatekeepers of mainstream music culture by leaning on online independent radio stations.

Indie-casting communities

Amid a decline in traditional forms of professing faith in Western countries, mindfulness, meditation, and other similar practices are becoming attractive alternative spiritual journeys, offering new ways of creating a sense of community and spirituality. 

Faithfully fit

As part of a collective quest to decode biases, many young people are reclaiming national or regional symbols as a way of resignifying cultural appropriations and forming new community bonds.

Nationalism reclaimed

People are expanding the notion of fandom by putting their fingerprints on storytelling. Despite the crypto meltdown, headless brands upended the brand-consumer relationship by giving people the creative licence to build brand narratives.

Open-source storytelling

What has grown to be a second online language, meme culture is helping both to educate and separate people in political matters. Through memes, they are discovering new ways of protesting and expressing themselves politically.

Memefication of politics

In the UK, teenage girls can feel unwelcome and unsafe in parks largely designed for boys. Make Space For Girls is a charity campaigning for parks and public spaces to be designed gender-inclusively, raising awareness of issues while ensuring the voices of girls and young women are heard.

How Make Space For Girls prioritises teen girls’ safety

With Australian society having a hot-and-cold relationship with sexuality, The Hook Up podcast dares to discuss elements of modern romance and sex as it is truly experienced by Australian Gen Zers and the growing LGBTQ+ community in the country looking for a safe digital space.

Why The Hook Up unfilters sex talk for Aussie Gen Z

Eco-friendly brand Veja is expanding in the US and has launched its first cobbler studio in New York. Cobbling is an increasingly viable means of extending the shelf life of shoes. The increased demand for sustainable practices signals a shift in consumer culture, with purchase habits changing.

Veja opens its first American sneaker repair store

The Senior Papa Project is an initiative to support older fathers in Japan who are struggling to balance responsibilities with demanding work schedules and continued social stigma. As milestones modernise, social structures will need to adjust to accommodate changing behaviours with empathy.

The Senior Papa Project supports older fathers in Japan

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

Three major UK fast-fashion retailers have signed an agreement to present 'only accurate and clear green claims' about their products. With people becoming increasingly concerned about greenwashing, brands should be aware that these plans can build trust, but they can also be met with scrutiny.

UK fast fashion brands commit to ethical codes

Beyonce's new haircare line, Cécred, has launched a new campaign encouraging people to share their hair routines on TikTok for a chance to be featured on billboards. The campaign aims to celebrate diverse hair types and textures while creating a sense of community and connection.

#CécredWashDay celebrates diverse hair routines

Once aspirational and teeming with tenants, Japanese complexes on the outskirts of cities are now being abandoned – except by the elderly and the recluse. To usher in new life and youth in these areas, Muji started a renovation project that upgrades yet preserves these heritage neighbourhoods.

How Muji helps battle loneliness among Japanese tenants

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

In Nigeria, the gambling industry is rapidly transforming due to a surge of online betting alongside traditional brick-and-mortar establishments. Amid this growth, Gamble Alert has emerged as an advocate for responsible gambling practices by promoting awareness and education.

How Gamble Alert brings betting awareness to Nigerians

The mobile payments app GCash has revolutionised financial services by bringing banking to Filipinos' fingertips. Through its innovative features, strategic partnerships, and commitment to financial inclusion, GCash empowers millions to control their finances and easily pierce the digital economy.

How GCash dispenses financial inclusion to mobile Filipinos

How are micro-trends reshaping our understanding of personal style? In what ways are fashion brands engaging with technology acceleration? Why are fashion labels engaging with and subverting cancel culture? What is the future of femininity in a post-Barbie world?

Fashion and Style Sector Snapshot: April 2024

Human Beauty is an inclusive beauty brand built by a founder and a community of people within the disabled community, giving it a hyper-authentic point of view. The brand’s innovative products and communications celebrate the diversity and personal needs of consumers of various abilities.

How Human Beauty blends ability inclusion in beauty design

The ‘Patron Saint of Situationships’ returns! Following the success of her single, ‘B.A.D,’ Filipina R&B artist Denise Julia has released ‘Sugar n Spice,’ a feel-good track embracing same-gender attraction, which resonates deeply with listeners seeking representation and authenticity.

How Denise Julia revives Filipino R&B for global listeners

In an ageing country with fewer kids per capita than ever, South Korean adults are willing to spend money on the kids that do exist in their lives, driving a booming childrenswear industry. What’s shaping Gen Alpha’s fashion choices in their formative years, and what should brands watch out for?

Why are so many South Korean Gen Alphas wearing luxury clothes?

Fashion brands have started doing well in including bigger bodies on the runway, but this has gone downhill in recent years. Seeing a regrowing gap in size inclusion, Good Counsel provides both style and function for the growing demographic of men who want to express themselves through clothing.

How Good Counsel alters style options for plus-sized men

As abortion access continues to be uncertain in Arizona, Planned Parenthood Arizona has launched a campaign promoting vasectomies. As policy changes reignite the debate around family planning, and with a general election looming, the landscape around abortion rights is becoming increasingly charged.

Limits on abortion shift focus to male contraception 

Despite the common assumption that younger generations worry most about the environment, recent studies reveal a more nuanced picture. For businesses focused on sustainability comms, there's a fresh opportunity to engage older audiences on eco values while tapping into affluent demographics. 

Boomers' eco anxiety shows nuanced generational attitudes

People are increasingly critical of tipping culture, concerned that it shields businesses from properly compensating their employees. The shift points to mounting financial pressures and a desire among younger generations for transparency and accountability from employers.

Tipping fatigue sheds light on business expectations

Southeast Asia has emerged as the next hotspot for medical tourists seeking high-quality, affordable healthcare and luxury wellness experiences. The region's integration of traditional and modern medical practices attracts millions to its unique blend of treatment, recovery, and vacation.

How Southeast Asia became a medical tourism hotspot

Replicating US progress, France is considering a bill to address hair-based discrimination as desires for self-expression and celebrating cultural identity can conflict with institutional rules. With conversations around hair and hair loss evolving, brands are beginning to demonstrate their support.

France considers a bill against hair discrimination

A survey has shown that adults in Germany are growing concerned about the use of imported plastic waste as recycled products. At a time when eco-conscious consumers are becoming more aware of greenwashing, brands have an opportunity to prioritise and reward local sustainability efforts.

Germans are divided about the issue of plastic waste

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Boomers explores why this generation is looking for new experiences, how they’re finding meaning after retirement, and how they’re leveraging technology to take more active care of their health – all in the shadow of the cost of living crisis.

2024 Generational Snapshot of Boomers

Internet search engine Karma prioritises animal and biodiversity protection by donating ad revenue to charities, aiming to support conservation efforts. People who use Karma appreciate its alignment with their values and empowerment in sustainable activism through online activity.

Karma allows people to boost biodiversity with searches

Pet wellness is becoming increasingly popular as our canine companions become family members to their pet parents. Human-grade dog skincare brand Floof is at the forefront of this fast-growing industry, helping pet parents improve the overall health and wellbeing of their fluffy friends.

How Floof puts wellness first for Gen Y pet parents

Often stereotyped as a backward land of rage and rebellion, rural America is slowly challenging existing political, economic, and cultural narratives. How can brands tap into emerging shifts and provide rural Americans with nuanced messaging that resonates with their values and aspirations?

Is rural America going through a quiet revolution?

As trust in celebrities declines, a crop of young popular figures is emerging and tapping into authenticity to capture young audiences. What’s behind this new era of approachable celebs and how can brands hone in on fans’ desires to witness their favorite stars in relatable scenarios?

What’s behind the new era of relatable celebrities?

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

Swedish pharmacies have introduced a new age restriction, prohibiting young children and teens from purchasing anti-ageing products without parental guidance. The measure aims to prevent kids from experimenting with harmful products while promoting age-appropriate skincare habits.

Swedish pharmacies introduce age restriction on skincare 

Posse has become the ‘it girl’ label of choice by winning the hearts of celebrities and fashion enthusiasts globally for its sustainable ‘leisurewear.’ As high-quality, timeless products take precedence over fast-fashion fleeting styles, how did the brand build such a formidable reputation?

Why Posse understates Paris chic for Aussie fashionistas

Women’s football is finally receiving the recognition it deserves, yet its growth has sparked a rise in sexism and misogyny on and off the pitch. Football-focused organisation Kick It Out demonstrates how education can champion inclusion and diversity and challenge notions of old-school banter.

Kick It Out takes action against sports discrimination

A UN report has revealed that e-waste recycling efforts are falling short of production and consumption. As people look to reduce their carbon footprints and take sustainability into their own hands, they’re looking for brands that can provide education and help them make informed decisions.

People need more education about e-waste recycling

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

In a post #metoo era, young women are creating and watching more feminist content on social media. Meanwhile, increasing numbers of young men are consuming and voicing anti-feminist views. How can tech companies, brands, and advertisers help to bridge the growing divide?

How can brands bridge the growing gender divide?

In 2021, IKEA opened its largest branch in the world, right in the heart of Metro Manila. Despite reeling from the effects of the pandemic, its successful run is a masterclass in how brands can capture the tastes of the minimalist, sustainability-minded Filipino homeowner.

How IKEA designs curated spaces for Filipino minimalists

Africa's fashion landscape is undergoing a remarkable transformation, with sustainability emerging as one of the pivotal drivers of change. Why and how are African designers incorporating sustainable practices into their designs? And what can other brands learn from their success?

African fashion is leading the sustainability charge

Volkswagen has announced a line of electric SUVs under the classic Scout brand, reviving an icon of Americana to appeal to EV-curious drivers. As the EV market grows and options proliferate, people are turning to classic designs to project a familiar identity onto a new product.

VW's Scout electric SUVs offer nostalgic sustainability

In 2024, Gen Zers are set to make up a larger proportion of the workforce than Boomers. In prioritizing work-life balance, upskilling, and flexibility, how will these young employees shape the future of work? Canvas8 spoke to seven young American employees to find out what they value in their jobs.

What do American Gen Zers value in their careers?

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?

Restless Dance Theatre is a contemporary dance troupe that works with artists of diverse abilities. Their inclusive approach to the performing arts has garnered acclaim, expanding the definition of creativity in a society working hard to provide more welcoming spaces to people with disabilities.

How Restless’ dancers with disabilities take centre stage

Period product brand Nana is using Dubai Fashion Week to tackle period taboos in the Middle East. Featuring transparent handbags, or ‘Taboo Totes’, with Nana products visible inside, the campaign draws attention to and aims to disrupt the harmful effects of persistent menstrual taboos.

Nana tackles period stigma with transparent bags

Body grooming brand Bombae has launched a campaign that aims to dispel taboos around body hair. As body positivity discourse enters the mainstream in India, people are gravitating towards brands that champion body acceptance in ways that recognise cultural nuances around beauty standards.

Bombae empowers Indian women to normalise body hair

The discourse around screen time use and Gen Alpha children is increasing in volume as Gen Y parents look to find balance and Gen Z critics promise not to raise 'iPad kids’. How is Gen Alpha’s screen time affecting their development? And how can brands help bring the balance parents crave?

Is it too late to reboot a generation of iPad kids?

The McDonald’s 2024 uniform collection, including bucket hats and denim skirts, was meant to give employees more flexibility to express themselves on the job. However, the move has been hit with backlash from employees who are threatening to quit over workwear that's ‘trying too hard’.

McDonald’s new uniform was right idea, wrong execution

As young Muslims in Southeast Asia adopt growingly religious lifestyles, online dating platforms that cater to Islamic teachings are gaining traction. The platforms differ in various ways from conventional dating apps, as many expect marriage out of them, also known as the ‘taaruf’ process.

Why Muslim Southeast Asians are turning to halal matchmaking apps

What is behind the rise of anti-work sentiment? How is AI continuously upending the workforce landscape? What do Gen Zers want from their careers? And how is the demand for more positive, engaged and active approaches to education putting Gen Alpha on their future career paths?

Careers Sector Snapshot: March 2024

The birth rate in South Korea is at an all-time low, but the quality of private ‘sanhujoriwon’ (postpartum care facilities) has never been higher. What is driving the emergence of these ‘boutique’ centres in the East Asian country, and what can it tell us about broader wellness trends?

Mothers are getting luxe treatment under Korean custom

As demonstrated by the #Sephorakids movement online, Gen Alpha are using adult skincare products that risk damaging their skin. Evereden is a mum-and-baby care brand that offers children-friendly products, allowing children to experiment with skincare while sheltering them from potential harm.

Evereden offers kid-friendly skincare for Gen Alpha

Beauty products have become one of Indonesia's fastest-growing markets and businesses in the last few years. However, local brands used to have less access to expand their market. Sociolla emerged as an e-commerce platform bridging the gap between beauty brand enthusiasts and the brands themselves.

How Sociolla blends Indonesian quality into global beauty

Heinz Arabia has released an insurance program covering ketchup spills, with compensation ranging from home cleaning services to spa treatments. As reward schemes become reasonably commonplace, brands are coming up with novel ways to do something for customers who return to them.

Heinz launches insurance policy to reward loyal fans

Why is political polarisation impacting people's shopping decisions? Is the rise of Black consciousness forcing Brazil to confront its dark past? Why are social media influencers taken more seriously here than anywhere else in the world? And are Brazilians feeling more optimistic than in 2022?

A Cultural Snapshot of Brazil: 2024

In honour of Women’s History Month, Wolverine Boots launched a campaign to reaffirm its long-standing commitment to challenging gender norms. By harnessing its history of supporting women in skilled trade, the brand has acquired a credibility that strengthens consumer trust.




Wolverine leverages its history to support women

At Paris Fashion Week, Coperni updated its Swipe bag design with a science-backed twist: Aerogel, which is 99% air. By utilising this futuristic material and leading with science fiction-inspired design, the brand has created another viral moment, positioning itself as an industry innovator.

Coperni’s experimental bag elevates luxury codes

Amid rising climate anxiety, consumers are calling for brands to be more eco-conscious, socially responsible, and evidence-based. This is leading beauty brands to innovate with climate-adaptive products, which offer skincare solutions that counter harsh weather and give consumers peace of mind.

Why beauty brands are making climate-adaptive products

Gen Alphas have produced the youngest social media influencers in history, many promoting skincare products and following TikTok trends. As this young cohort of influencers becomes an inevitability, how can brands take precautions to avoid targeting inappropriate products to this audience?

What’s driving the rise in Gen Alpha influencers?

The city of Miami Beach has initiated stringent month-long crackdowns to control disorderly conduct on its shores. The move has drawn mixed reactions from the public, reflecting a sense of fatigue that people feel towards punitive measures that could potentially drive away value-driven consumers.

Miami introduces stringent rules for spring break season

Posing like a girlboss in Reformation's "You've Got the Power" campaign, Monica Lewinsky is urging people to vote. Many Gen Zers, discovering her for the first time, now view her as an icon – reflecting a broader trend of celebrating anti-heroes challenging the system and 'taking down the man'.

Monica Lewinsky becomes Gen Z's celebrated anti-hero

The UK’s general election in 2024 will be a significant milestone for many Gen Zers, marking the first time they will be eligible to vote. With the Conservative Party hoping to maintain its 14-year hold on power, how can it connect with right-leaning Zers? What do these young adults value?

What are Gen Z Conservatives' key values?

In an internal memo, Google CEO Sundar Pichai acknowledged that Gemini’s racial inaccuracies had "offended [its] users" and "showed bias." As people increasingly expect DE&I to be embedded in AI, brands need to account for human complexity and nuance when rolling out such products.

Gemini blunder spotlights tricky nature of AI inclusion

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

Desinfopedia emerges at a crucial moment in Brazil’s fight against fake news, posing as a tool to foster digital literacy and promote critical thinking. With young citizens often struggling to spot misinformation, the platform does the heavy lifting to ensure that fact prevails in the country.

How Desinfopedia helps young Brazilians fight fake news

Women’s football in Brazil has been steadily growing in recent years, with players like the sublime Marta acting as aspirational figures for the next generation of players – but race and gender discrimination continue to impact the development of the Brazilian game. Can brands do anything to help?

What’s next for women’s football in Brazil?

Research from USC Annenberg has shed light on a regression in the representation of women in Hollywood’s top-grossing movies. With DE&I practices under increased scrutiny, there’s an opportunity for brands to reassure people of their commitment to positive social change.

Research spotlights regression on movie DE&I progress

The international impact of Thai pop culture through movies, series, and other media has been an exciting breakthrough for Southeast Asia. Making waves on the internet now is Thai beauty, catching eyes and turning heads with a distinct makeup style and affordable cosmetics.

Thai beauty's secret to going global? Focusing on local shoppers

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

In India's thriving luxury beauty sector, Bollywood biggie Deepika Padukone's skincare venture, 82°E, aims to seize attention. Despite facing pricing and communication challenges, star power and a focus on sustainability have boosted visibility, but the question remains – is it enough for success?

How 82°E associates Indian skincare with celebrity status

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.'s emergence as a challenger to Biden and Trump in the 2024 presidential race underscores a growing sentiment as Americans are dissatisfied with the political mainstream. Kennedy's non-conformist views resonate with indifferent voters and offer an alternative to the status quo.

How RFK, Jr. depolarizes politics for independent voters

Salomon and Hikeish's partnership aims to enhance outdoor access for BIPOC communities, leveraging Hikeish's extensive network for impactful outreach. This aligns with broader trends towards collective equity and consumer demand for brand authenticity in supporting diversity.

Salomon and Hikeish promote diversity in the outdoors

We’re all starting to comprehend the huge potential – and potential risks – of AI. In education, unscrupulous kids are outsourcing their homework to ChatGPT, while startups are promoting AI as a tool to personalise learning. So how are students, teachers, and parents navigating this brave new world?

How AI is revolutionising education

Veja's Paris store focuses on sustainable fashion, offering repairs and products to increase longevity. It embodies ethical consumption trends, reflecting values important to today's consumers, who prioritise environmental and social impacts and durability in their purchasing decisions.

Veja brings sneaker repairs to the shop floor

Coach's campaign aims to inspire young people to embrace the different facets of their identity, combining virtual and IRL activations to enable that exploration. The campaign highlights how brands are trying to respond to Gen Z's complexities and the ever-changing definition of their identity.

Coach encourages being real with virtual campaign

Singapore has announced that travellers will have to pay a levy to boost the use of sustainable fuel in commercial airliners. The move has drawn mixed responses from the public, which speaks to people’s fatigue towards narratives of individual responsibility in tackling the climate crisis.

Singaporeans ambivalent about paying for green jet fuel

EmSphere offers an unparalleled futuristic experience by blending lifestyle, shopping, and a seamless online-offline experience under one roof. The mall caters to distressed locals and returning tourists in search of greener spaces to socialise and be entertained in the heart of the capital.

Why EmSphere blueprints the future of Thai shopping

The 2024 Generational Snapshot of Gen Zers in the APAC region explores how young people today express their national identities while keeping a global mindset, assert their individuality in the workplace alongside AI, and look to markers from simpler times for stability and inspiration.

2024 APAC Gen Z Snapshot

Survey data shows that Indian women in the tech and IT sectors distrust organisational DE&I initiatives. As people increasingly scrutinise and prioritise their companies' abilities to deliver on DE&I goals, they’ll expect equitable workplaces to be the bare minimum – not a perk.

Indian women in tech are sceptical about DE&I efforts 

Pacsun is pioneering a strategy to co-create and build a community around its brand with creatives. As people demand transparency from businesses and expect them to step up to society's challenges, collaboration opens up communication in ways that could lead to increased trust and loyalty.

Pacsun initiative collaborates with creatives on brand

Blue Tribe Foods wants to cater to Indian palates’ unique needs – pleasing cultural tastes and nutritional charts while ensuring what’s good for the planet. With meat lovers growing concerned about cruelty in food production, plant-based options are stepping up with filling yet gratifying flavours.

Why Blue Tribe Foods makes Indian meat lovers hungry for greens

Aya Care is changing the period game for Nigerian women through a multifaceted approach. By offering affordable menstrual products, capitalising on social media virality, and emphasising products made by women for women, it provides practical solutions towards menstrual equity.

How Aya Care centres women in the menstrual conversation

In the face of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza – and declining faith in institutions to take action – writers have united globally to support the cause,  auctioning off signed copies of books to raise money to fund reconstructive surgery for critically injured children.

Writers raise money for Gaza's children with auction

Bearing a rising cost of living and the financial burdens of their parents and children, Indonesians are now managing their finances at much younger ages. As they brace themselves for this double whammy, Gen Z-focused app Whiz aims to empower them – one less lonely financial journey at a time.

How Whiz helps young Indonesians bond with family and finance

Vietnam has proven itself to be a key player in game production worldwide. Vietnamese consumers care about genres, affordability, and ‘the social aspect of play,’ while the government and local game developers put more emphasis on made-in-Vietnam products and the improvement of the whole industry.

How Vietnam went from anti-gaming to an emerging industry powerhouse

A report from the Grattan Institute reveals that Western Australia is facing a reading crisis, which can lead to long-term social, economic, and physical challenges. With structural changes slow and funding for public education lacking, brands can step in to provide educational support.

Aussie literacy skills signal need for reading support

Clothing brand PH5 is turning heads with its experimental knitwear designs and commitment to ethical fashion. In a world increasingly seeking luxury and sustainability in equal measure, that might be just the ticket to set it apart and elevate China’s worldwide fashion profile.

How PH5 stitches lasting luxury into ‘Made in China’ labels

Toyota Australia’s online content series spotlights the barriers preventing Aussies from getting their driver's licences. As brands navigate polarising attitudes towards DE&I, it may be helpful to focus on relatable, everyday experiences that appeal to people of different backgrounds and beliefs.

Toyota makes driving more inclusive for Aussies

As permacrisis takes hold across Europe and beyond, the French are supporting each other through digital crowdfunding, with millions joining giving platforms. As solidarity prize pots grow, how can go-to provider Leetchi and other brands tap into community-driven donating?

How Leetchi builds digital solidarity with French givers

BeReal once dominated the charts of app stores in 2022, but its glory days are ending in the western parts of the world. Meanwhile, the platform has rebirthed itself in Japan, captivating young Gen Z users thanks to the respite it offers against the norms of its society.

How BeReal relieves Japanese Gen Zers from social curation

Fashion brand Pipatchara has a dream – to be a fashion brand that empowers local artisans and entices fashionistas into sustainability. As Thai consumers seek out local brands to support, Pipatchara steps up, offering elegance and modernity, making it one of Thailand’s most promising brands.

Why Pipatchara makes Thai eco-weaving a fashion must-have

From puberty to perimenopause, hormonal changes affect all aspects of life – particularly for women. Understanding personal cycles helps with all kinds of endocrine experiences, but information is scarce, with Gen Z and Y seeing misleading content on TikTok. How can brands and businesses help?

How hormonal health content is misleading women

Amid China’s booming beauty market, there’s still a notable gap in mature beauty options. Brands face the task of appealing to the country’s thriving multi-billion dollar silver economy – the ageing who are digitally savvy, financially able, and discerning in their expenses.

‘Mom beauty’: the self-care boom among Chinese Gen Xers

Pizza Hut is offering customers a personalized pizza to break up with their would-be paramore ahead of Valentine’s Day. Young people are growing pessimistic about the holiday, and there's an opportunity for brands to use a playful irreverence to resonate with disillusioned consumers.

Pizza Hut offers 'Goodbye Pies' for Valentine's break-ups

Gusto Snacks is a sustainable snack company combating the excess waste of food by focusing on the social impact of climate change. Backed by £186 million funding, the company is expanding into the European market and encouraging consumers to lean into healthy alternatives to snacking.

Gusto's apple crisps make snacking sustainable

The Soul app has proved successful in combating loneliness among China’s Gen Z population by promoting healthy social relationships. Now, brands are using it to better understand the generation’s nationalistic tendencies and need for connection, leading to various marketing success stories.

How Soul helps lonely Chinese Gen Zers make more friends

Young daters are looking to form genuine connections with one another, and general dating apps aren’t meeting their needs. For people with strong values and interests, like veganism, an app like the meatless matchmaker Grazer is one way daters can connect with like-minded people.

Why Grazer is connecting values-driven vegan daters

AI is helping to enable automated content creation, enabling journalists to focus on deep analysis audiences to explore new types of personalisation. However, concerns exist around trust, ethics and disinformation, and partnerships between newsrooms and AI companies are posing difficult questions. 

How the AI rush is impacting newsrooms

E-commerce giant Meituan has launched an in-app feature that helps customers avoid last-minute shopping during Chinese New Year. As super apps become ubiquitous, there’s an opportunity to help ease customers’ mental load and enable them to stay present in the everyday occasions that truly matter.

Meituan makes Chinese New Year a stress-free celebration

From digital body language to fears of rejection (not to mention screen grabbing), and the pandemic robbing many of face-to-face dating experiences, the world of Gen Z dating is a complicated place. What are the new rules and rituals of dating – and how are they shaped on social media?

What does romance look like for Gen Z?

Lifecycle

People expect brands to rise to society’s challenges