Manila-based culture writer, consumer researcher, and content strategist, Angel Martinez runs a weekly column with PhilSTAR Life, where she initiates conversations around Gen Z behaviours and issues. Her pieces on identity, the internet, and their intersections have been published in 

, and Business Insider, and commissioned by think-tanks including Crowd DNA and Forge Futures. Outside of work, she can be found reading her book of the week in any cafe that serves iced matcha lattes.

From decentralised autonomous organisations (DAOs)  run on Discord to city-wide mutual aid groups, people are finding safety and optimism in numbers. For growing numbers of people, collective action is emerging as the only viable solution to compounding crises and deepening alienation.

World Builders

In the turbulent economic environment, money is losing its value. Consumers are reevaluating their spending across sectors. With a looming crisis of trust in financial institutions, how are people managing their budgets? And how can brands navigate the complex relationship between value and cost?

Critical Spenders

With over 20 years in the niche business of F&B planning, procurement, and management, Suzee Brain brings extensive expertise and industry experience to the Titanium team. She co-founded the retail food consultancy Brain & Poulter in 2009 and led the business to be Australasia’s leading food consultant for the property sector. In 2022, Brain & Poulter merged with Titanium Property Investments to become Ti Food. Suzee is a highly sought-after speaker on food trends and has spoken on stage to more than 12,000 people.

Quincy Malesovas is a Melbourne-based food journalist, researcher, and communications strategist with over a decade of experience in media, marketing and PR. Specialising in brand storytelling, audience engagement, and cultural insights, Quincy helps businesses in the food and beverage sector strengthen their messaging, refine content strategies, and enhance consumer experiences. Her work has been featured in Broadsheet, Good Food, Time Out, and more, giving her a deep understanding of media trends and hospitality needs. Quincy offers consultation on media strategy, brand positioning, and strategic communication tailored to the evolving hospitality landscape.

Australia

General food

Broadsheet

The Bottom Line

Interview with Suzee Brain conducted by the author

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman

MYOB

Interview with Quincy Malesovas conducted by the author

Oxford Economics

Square

Yahoo

South China Morning Post

CreditorWatch

Impact.com

TimeOut

Customology

Australian Retailers Association

Lox In A Box is a rare pandemic success story, bringing America’s best-loved bread roll to the land Down Under. Today, the neighbourhood mom-and-mom outlet is giving the nation more to love with branded merchandise worth repping and a menu that gets more exciting after hours.