Brazil has blocked access to social media platform X after Elon Musk failed to meet legal requirements, furthering debates over free speech and misinformation. While many users have migrated to alternatives like Threads and Bluesky, the ban has left Brazilians feeling disconnected.

Brazilians feel disconnected following X blockade

How will AI impact creativity in 2025? What challenges are shaping perceptions of reality, fiction, and branding? How should brands adapt to evolving privacy preferences and authenticity demands? Three industry leaders explore the key factors that will impact the communications industry next year.

2025 Expert Outlook on Communications

In a stagnating toy market, LEGO has managed to remain relevant in modern times. Enjoyed by both adults and kids alike, the beloved bricks demonstrate how to engage cross-generational fans across multiple platforms through contemporary collaborations and consumer co-creation.

How LEGO engineered enduring appeal in the digital era

Down under, Australia is feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis. While tightening their belts, they’re also manifesting their aspirations online through Pinterest – surpassing half a billion users in 2024. What does this exhibit about what Aussies are looking for in online platforms?

How Pinterest inspires Aussies through lifestyle curation

Instagram has released a new slate of text-based creative tools for users to apply across their content on the platform. The update is yet another step in Instagram’s active transformation into a more creator-centric platform, offering a variety of tools designed to appeal to content creators.

Instagram update courts desires for creative flexibility

Telegram groups have been spreading nonconsensual deepfake sexual images across South Korea, and the authorities have vowed to crack down on these sex crimes. Technology offers ample opportunity for abuse, and platforms like Telegram need to find a way to protect their users. 

Korean authorities to crack down on digital sex crimes

Software with voice input, accessible on phones, is helping foreign workers at a nursing home in Japan. The tech aims to clear the language barrier and reduce its staff’s workload. As expectations of employers increase, support and upskilling can lead to greater satisfaction and retention of staff.

Tech supports foreign staff in Japanese nursing home

Feeld, a dating app catering to the vastness of human experience and relationships, sponsored an off-Broadway play called Pretty Perfect Lives. As many grow tired of being bombarded with advertising content, sponsoring cultural production is a more organic, grassroots way of reaching audiences.

Feeld soothes ad fatigue with off-Broadway sponsorship

Survey data shows that American Gen Zers are increasingly relying on social commerce for their holiday shopping sprees. In line with young people’s changing festive shopping habits, there’s an opportunity to get creative with interactive immersion to augment the joys of holiday gifting.

Gen Z take social-first approach to holiday shopping

TikTok creators are taking part in debates on the platform in the run-up to the US presidential election. These ‘political battlers’ are building new modes for political engagement and making up to $7000 a month through virtual gifts, but concerns remain about moderation and misinformation.

'Political battlers’ mix democracy with entertainment

M&S’s back-to-school campaign, ‘School Happens,’ captures the everyday chaos of school life. By focusing on the durability of its uniforms, M&S taps into parents’ focus on quality and value, offering a relatable take on what kids – and their clothing – really go through during the school year.

M&S shows durability and value in back to school spot

Indians are increasingly drawn to exclusivity, customisation, and status when it comes to their gadgets, opening doors for high-end phones and specialised services. Leading this shift in the country are brands like Apple and Samsung, which are considered luxury products.

How are phones transforming into personal assets for Indians?

As the ‘demure’ trend continues to take the internet by storm, Netflix has tapped the viral creator responsible for the TikTok phenomenon for a partnership. While numerous brands rushed to hop onto the trend and make it their own, Netflix chose to go directly to the source.

Netflix taps viral creator to curate 'demure' collection

Apple's new short film, The Relay, showcases athletes of all abilities competing side by side, with disabled athletes using accessibility features to assist in their preparation. The film highlights elite athleticism and the importance of inclusive, convenient technology.

Apple showcases athletic diversity in latest campaign

Modern homesteading has entered the public consciousness, and a budding community of young male creators is building an online niche around their efforts to live off the land. With ongoing systemic failures driving down faith in institutions, interest is growing in more self-sufficient lifestyles.

Off-the-grid homesteaders promote autonomous living

The internet has become obsessed with being ‘very demure, very mindful’ after creator @joolieannie showed followers how to be demure at work. Despite its satirical origins, the trend speaks to young people’s interrogation of tradition, even if they’re complying with the conventions they poke fun at.

'Very demure' gives workplace culture a viral glow up

A budding online community is forming around cozy gaming – a genre of low-stakes, non-violent video games designed for relaxation. As myriad global crises drive stress levels to new heights, people are retreating into calming hobbies and re-centering their pastimes around community and wellbeing.

Cozy-gaming community spotlights escapist hobbies

Olympic diver Tom Daley is the face of Malibu's water safety campaign, addressing research that shows many Brits drink before swimming. The initiative combines video messages and custom products to promote responsible behaviour around water, highlighting the dangers of mixing alcohol and swimming.

Tom Daley and Malibu target water safety with summer ad

After merging with Virgin Media to become one of the UK’s go-to mobile and broadband brands, O2 has adopted smart marketing strategies and a focus on customer care to capture the market. What does its approach tell us about supporting Britons and deepening connections amid financial hardship?

How O2's community care efforts aid burdened Britons

An emerging wave of content creators is drawing attention to ‘unschooling’, a flexible education system that rejects the standard syllabus. After significant pandemic learning losses, Gen Alpha's education remains a topic of concern, and parents are seeking alternative learning methods.  

‘Unschooling’ influencers promote flexible learning

Noplace is a social media app that has captivated the hearts and minds of socially curious Gen Zers. By providing a platform for creative expression and a valuable way to connect with friends, it evokes nostalgia for early internet communities and fulfills a desire for authentic interaction.

How social platform Noplace is bringing joy to Gen Z

Videos of Gen Y parents hilariously struggling to converse in Gen Alpha lingo are making the rounds online. As younger generations’ niche slang enter the mainstream, there’s an opportunity for brands to play the role of translator and help parents bridge the gap in understanding.

Gen Alpha slang is impacting parent-child dynamics

The wedding conventions of a new generation are beginning to take shape as Gen Zers start tying the knot. In line with a broader shift away from the overly polished visuals of the 2010s, wedding content is growing increasingly unfiltered as fiancées adopt a curated anti-curation approach.

Gen Z weddings reflect new modes of social performance

The Indian government proposed and quickly withdrew a bill targeting influencers, raising concerns about digital freedoms. With social media enabling decentralised and more open forms of news reporting, new tensions are likely to arise between state-sponsored media and creator culture.

Broadcasting bill raises transparency concerns in India

Reddit has seen a surge in daily active users in the second quarter of 2024, driven largely by its popularity as a user-generated search engine. As faith in legacy social media wanes, a post-platform era is taking shape, and users are increasingly seeking out smaller, community-based online spaces.

Reddit’s UGC focus appeals to authenticity-seeking users

Ahead of the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations, Greenpeace has launched a campaign calling out global leaders complicit in plastic pollution. People are searching for ways to streamline their recycling habits, and brands can stand out by highlighting the importance of collective participation.

Greenpeace spotlights urgency of collective action

An entertainment company has introduced a new benefit to encourage people to explore and expand their social lives comfortably. As people prioritise personal relationships and expect workplaces to offer holistic benefits, this move highlights the creative ways employers can retain talent.

'Tinder Leave' offers employees social life perks

Overwhelmed by tech dread and isolation, Gen Z is seeking quality connections with an offline element. Enter online communities that help people bond over shared interests and facilitate IRL meet-ups. How are these groups bringing back lost third spaces, and how can brands get involved?

How young people find communities in online third spaces

Right-wing rioters turned to Telegram to organise and spread misinformation. With mainstream social media platforms under scrutiny for their role in monitoring and mitigating the spread of disinformation, the use of Telegram speaks to a hacker mindset when it comes to subverting safeguarding online.

Right-wing rioters hack social safeguarding via Telegram

Anti-immigration violence in the UK has significantly impacted high streets, with local small businesses bearing the brunt of the damage. In the face of fragmentation, brands have the opportunity to make their values clear and help local communities repair and heal their streets. 

Far-right riots highlight need to rebuild community

Across the US, climate disasters fueled by Big Oil will be shown on billboards in California, New York, Arizona, and Philadelphia as part of the Make Polluters Pay campaign. With greenwashing a major concern, direct communications can cut through cynicism while holding polluters to account.

OOH billboards reflect new expectations of climate comms

Prada Group has reported double-digit revenue growth in the first half of 2024. Thanks to an incisive and culturally relevant brand-building playbook – particularly in the APAC region – it is countering challenges faced by competitors amid a global decline in the sector.

Prada hits the right note with APAC's luxury shoppers

Credit Karma reports that US Gen Zers continue to be influenced by social media when it comes to overconsumption, but they’re also resisting the allure of influencer-driven purchases. As brands navigate these tensions, there’s an opportunity to invest in non-paid UGC to drive long-lasting loyalty.

Young Americans fight back against overconsumption

Google is trying to tackle the problem of deepfakes on its search engine, limiting results for nonconsensual imagery – an area which has seen an explosion as a result of new AI technologies. Regulations have been slow to tackle the problem, pointing to a greater need for better protections.

Google tackles deepfake concerns with regulation

Triggered by misinformation around anti-immigrant sentiment, a series of riots erupted across Britain in early August, with protests taking place over a dozen cities throughout the UK. With tensions already high, this incident marks a new era in the salience of political disinformation in the UK.

Disinformation online spurs xenophobic riots in Britain

Short video and live-streaming platforms like Kuaishou and Xiaohongshu are transforming recruitment in China. As live streams transcend e-commerce and entertainment to become an integral part of everyday life for Chinese people, traditional sectors can tap into these mediums to drive engagement. 

Chinese jobseekers turn to live streams to get a leg up

A study has found that online memes (specifically ones revolving around coconuts and Mario Kart) are driving major positive sentiment towards Kamala Harris and benefitting her campaign.The memefication of politics on social media is emerging as a way to engage younger voters in the 2024 election.






Memes support major increase in Kamala Harris sentiment 

Indian Edtech juggernaut Vedantu offers services such as preparation for competitive exams and traditional academic disciplines. Bridging the gap associated with rural India’s internet infrastructure, the brand is implementing hybrid learning approaches that blend online and offline education.

How Vedantu rethinks hybrid learning for Indian students

Beam's AI agents automate social media management, easing the pressure of constant self-promotion. By handling routine tasks, it allows businesses to focus on quality content. This reflects broader trends in AI-assisted content creation, prompting discussions about authenticity and communication.

Beam's AI Agent takes over your social media presence

Visual references are an integral way that Gen Zers express themselves, with memes being a central language for humor, political engagement, and generally processing the world. Leveling up their love of absurdism, Gen Z is taking its penchant for post-irony to new levels courtesy of meme tattoos. 

Gen Z elevate their post-irony stance with meme tattoos

A wave of Olympic athletes are appearing on TikTok with sponsored fashion hauls courtesy of brands like Nike, Ralph Lauren, and Skims. The videos are courting a new generation of social-first sports fans who have come to view sports fandom within broader entertainment terms.

Influencer Olympians unbox sponsored gear on TikTok

Grindr has disabled certain location features in the Olympic Village to protect LGBTQ+ athletes from potential harassment or outing. Brands are increasingly recognising their role in promoting safety and inclusivity, adapting their services to address the complex realities of their global user base.

Grindr tweaks tools to protect LGBTQ+ Olympic athletes 

With influencers like Nara Smith and Hannah Neeleman glamorizing rigid gender roles, ‘tradwives’ are firmly in the spotlight. Is this trend reflective of a move toward traditional values, a slower pace of life, and the rejection of hustle culture? And what does such content say about society?

Who are the internet’s tradwives?

HMD, Nokia's brand owner, is developing a child-friendly phone with internet capabilities but no social media access. With parents' concerns growing over the negative impact of smartphones on their children's development, brands are offering a more nuanced approach to safeguarding kids online.

New smartphone for kids has internet but no TikTok 

After backlash from Israel for featuring Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid in its SL 72 campaign, adidas has removed Hadid from its adverts and released a public apology. The move has stoked debate online as the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to drive division.

adidas sparks backlash from Israel for Bella Hadid ad

Gumtree has launched a national campaign in Australia to raise awareness of the importance of rehoming pets. Having launched a pet category on its site in early 2024, the marketplace is encouraging Aussies to consider adopting animals that need a home rather than prioritising newly bred pets.

Gumtree focuses on animal welfare to promote pet category

As inflation keeps people mindful of their budgets, parents are struggling to take kids on holidays during summer vacation. To help kids have a memorable school break, Cadbury Flake – forever associated with summer fun – has launched an initiative to take families to the seaside for free.

Cadbury Flake helps kids make the most of summer break

Memes aren't always great for a politician; they can quickly spread ridicule and absurdity. But the newly minted Democratic presidential candidate is leveraging shifting norms of political engagement to drive hype. With 100 days to win US voters over, will BRAT-inspired memes really cut through?

Kamala Harris leverages memes for presidential campaign

Nespresso is looking to give Gen Z an immersive boutique experience to support brand engagement. As personalized interactions continue to prove powerful, brands have an opportunity to create memorable, educational, and shareable moments that reinforce identity and resonate with younger audiences.

Nespresso spotlights immersive coffee iterations

Digital publisher Common is seeking to disrupt the toxicity of social media with a focus on good news, uplifting stories, and inspirational moments. The strategy to offer a refreshing break from the negativity of online news is already proving impactful, suggesting more opportunities for good news.

Common's good news strategy resonates with Australians

Telehealth provider Wisp has unveiled a provocative OOH campaign in New York that playfully draws attention to the censorship of women's bodies in US advertising. Featuring pixelated images of vaginas, the campaign seeks to normalize vaginal health rather than treat it as a taboo topic.

OOH campaign challenges the censorship of female bodies

People from Northeastern India have faced prejudice toward their local cuisine. However, as interest in hyperlocal stories grows, YouTubers tackling negative stereotypes are finding global audiences and driving attitudinal shifts by spotlighting the local culture and ecology behind the dishes.

Hyperlocal food content is shifting global prejudices

Endometriosis Australia’s first television commercial brings attention to common endometriosis symptoms, encouraging people to take symptoms seriously. The campaign aims to reduce the six-and-a-half-year average journey toward a diagnosis for people living with endometriosis in Australia.

Australian campaign spotlights on endometriosis symptoms

Citroën’s new campaign shows revolutionaries stealing ë-C3s from an aristocratic 18th-century party to drive home the message that 'Electric is no longer for the elite'. With the cost of living influencing eco priorities, Citroën is aiming to offer a new narrative around environmental purchases.

Citroën uses a revolutionary message to promote ë-C3s

Aruba has introduced a tourist fee to enhance sustainability and control overtourism. This initiative reflects a broader effort by the luxury resort to balance the economic benefits of tourism with the preservation of natural and cultural heritage for future generations.

Aruba ramps up response to overtourism with new tax 

SPF awareness is generally higher than before, but there are still areas where sun care isn't prioritised. The Melanoma Fund's new campaign targets sports enthusiasts. Using striking imagery, it shakes up health messaging while showing the importance of sun protection during outdoor activities.

Campaign on sun exposure focuses on safe sports play

High-profile elections around the world in 2024 are stoking fears about misinformation, making many people wary and distrustful. Canvas8 spoke to political scientist Dr. Emma Hoes to understand how a positive outlook can help navigate uncertainty and how brands can play their part in easing minds.

Trust in positivity! The science of tackling misinformation

Music has always been about collective experiences, and as TikTok has proven, it can be as powerful a connector online as live events are. Understanding this, Spotify is shifting its model towards more TikTok-style engagement and revamping the platform towards a social-first strategy. 

Spotify eyes social sharing with new platform approach 

Gen Z values online privacy, preferring ephemeral and anonymous posting options that minimize their digital footprint. Yet while they don’t trust companies with their data, their cybersecurity issues are often caused by their own online habits. How is this cohort’s approach to web safety evolving?

How are Gen Zers safeguarding themselves online?

Zyn nicotine pouches have become a phenomenon in US youth culture as a symbol of masculinity and conservative values. The brand’s virality has sparked significant debate around ethical marketing and nicotine regulation, revealing a new culture war arena that has launched it into the mainstream.

How Zyn became a status symbol among Gen Z conservatives

TikTok is investing in resources to help small businesses grow on TikTok Shop. The accelerator programme, which is geared towards women and LGBTQ+-owned businesses, is the latest in the company's struggle to gain favour in the US market as regulators prepare to ban the platform.

TikTok launches small business accelerator in US

Sausage company Johnsonville is attempting to boost positive content on social media as part of its campaign to 'Keep the Internet Juicy'. With the US election fast approaching, brands seeking to cut through the toxicity of online platforms are set to resonate with politically fatigued consumers.

Johnsonville urges kindness amid tense political voters

Despite a data breach and disputes over its ownership, most of Japan’s population and millions around Asia continue to use LINE, the messaging platform-turned-super app that has become a must-have for everyday needs. How has it embedded itself in people’s lives and provided a safe space online?

How LINE connects Japan’s netizens to easy self-expression

Japanese youth are using social media to explore their hobbies and, by proxy, their deepening community engagement to meet new friends. However, they still prefer in-person socialisation over online conversations, causing them to turn to disruptive platforms that are community-centric. 

Japanese youth turn to social media for hobbies

First bubblegum, then Oreos, now… sunscreen? Influencer Nara Smith has gone viral again for making sunscreen from scratch on TikTok. The video reflects the ongoing issue of health misinformation on the platform, which is putting younger people at risk.

TikTokers risk burn with homemade sunscreen

A new campaign by the government in Victoria, Australia, is encouraging people to confront their biases, raising awareness of how discrimination impacts the wellbeing of trans and gender-diverse people. This follows rising anti-transgender sentiment, acknowledging the desperate need for action.

Campaign tackles trans and gender-diverse discrimination

South Koreans seek technology that boosts connectivity, increases workplace efficiency through AI, and provides innovative social and entertainment experiences. Their demands drive significant investments in digital infrastructure, allowing brands to focus on trendsetting and immersive experiences.

What do South Koreans want from their tech?

Instagram's broadcast channel feature has become a go-to tool for brands and creators, offering a more intimate connection with their audiences. As social media grows more exclusionary, features that balance public visibility with more personal communication are likely to gain further prominence.

Instagram tool connects creators to their audiences

Amid increasing pushback against mass tourism, an unconventional ad from Visit Oslo has framed the Norwegian capital as a slower, calmer alternative to over-crowded tourist hubs. The tongue-in-cheek ad speaks to a growing desire for stress-free travel among burnt-out holiday-makers.

Visit Oslo taps desires for slow tourism

Samsung has released a docuseries spotlighting how three niche sporting communities found their way to the 2024 Olympics. Celebrating the subcultural beginnings of each sport, the series reflects the growing importance of community and inclusion among emerging sports fandoms.

Samsung taps niche sports fandoms ahead of Olympics

Research from Jigsaw has offered insight into how Gen Zers digest digital information. As faith in traditional sources of authority wanes, young people are outsourcing their trust to like-minded peers or trusted influencers and gauging the validity of claims through socially informed filters.

Gen Z rely on shared social networks to determine truth

JCDecaux scored a Grand Prix at the Cannes Lions for its 'Meet Marina Prieto' campaign, which aimed to show the impact of out-of-home (OOH) ads. The success of this campaign taps into the desire for authentic, lo-fi comms that disrupt perfection fatigue perpetuated through glossy ads.

'Meet Marina Prieto' shows the power of authentic OOH ads

Integral Ad Science has introduced a tool intended to help marketers avoid placing advertisements alongside deepfakes. With the US 2024 Presidential election poised to prompt a surge of deepfakes online, marketers and consumers alike are looking for tools to help them parse reality from fantasy.

Marketers look to avoid advertising alongside deepfakes

In a world where athleisure wear is booming, it’s increasingly hard to stand out from the crowd. How can a brand make practical and functional garments exciting? Look no further than Pit Viper, who seamlessly blend internet nostalgia aesthetics with sharp-witted humor to sell their apparel.

How Pit Viper captivates adventure-seekers

Brands and retailers are showing notably muted celebrations for Pride Month 2024 compared to the year before, leading to some criticism over 'false activism.' In a divided political climate, brands are focusing on community activations and support rather than conspicuous campaigns.

Brands have muted Pride Month campaigns in 2024

Artists on Instagram are feeling threatened by AI with the news that Meta is using their work to train its Emu model. In response, they're leaving Meta and switching to Cara to protect their intellectual property. However, the transition is difficult for many who have built connections on Instagram.

Artists are migrating to Cara amid AI fears on Instagram

Social media platform Lemon8 has seen rising popularity in the United States among people seeking algorithmic, carefully curated lifestyle content. But is the app performing based on its appeal, or a broader push by its owner to be a TikTok alternative in the wake of the social media crackdowns?

How Lemon8 is challenging the social media landscape

Substack has partnered with ten video content creators for a fellowship aimed at developing their talent and expertise. As the creator economy continues to grow, people are increasingly drawn to long-form video essays, a format that appeals to desires for knowledge and connection.

Substack embraces next-gen video creators on TikTok

Dutch telecoms company KPN – in partnership with Dentsu Creative Amsterdam – has won the Creative Strategy Grand Prix at Cannes Lions. The company has achieved widespread success in educating young people on the harm that the online sharing of intimate photos can enact on people’s lives.

KPN wins at Cannes Lions with 'A Piece of Me' campaign

Amid a broader shift to the right across Europe, the social media-savvy leader of France’s National Rally is finding favour among young voters. As new forms of political messaging emerge, young people are further entrenched in polarisation and increasingly drawn to anti-establishment voices.

Jordan Bardella lends a new face to the French far-right

When it comes to make-up, Uche Natori is in a lane of her own. Known for her flawless foundation routine, she teaches her audience how to achieve the perfect make-up look. What can brands learn from this veteran creator’s step-by-step make-up routines and focus on inclusive community building?

How Uche Natori builds Black beauty community

An omnichannel ad campaign from Spotify centres around the app’s data-driven personalisation features. Despite a growing sense of unease around data privacy, people remain drawn to hyper-personalised digital services, revealing a tension between caution and convenience.

Spotify’s campaign taps desires for personalised UX

A report from Hinge showcases LGBTQ+ daters’ desire for stronger emotional intimacy and offers advice on dating intentionally in today’s world. However, the advice may fall flat, given the increasing number of people turning to IRL events for romance as anti-dating app sentiments grow.

Hinge report suggests 'slowmance' for LGBTQ+ daters

In light of the ongoing student debt crisis in the US, an increasing number of brands are incorporating college scholarships into their marketing strategy. With public faith in institutions reaching historic lows, people are looking to brands to offer material support to marginalized communities.

Brands are giving away scholarships to capture Gen Z

As part of its offering for China’s 618 shopping festival, the Chinese e-commerce giant is encouraging CEOs to appear on its livestreams. As people demand greater transparency and authenticity from brands, they’ll increasingly expect business leaders to establish a direct line with their customers.

Alibaba drives 618 shopping with CEO livestreams

LG’s ‘Optimism Your Feed’ campaign leverages algorithmic social feeds to make people’s social media experiences more positive. With social media being an intrinsic part of life for most and a source of anxiety for many, pragmatic solutions to online challenges may resonate with consumers.

LG optimises social media feeds for positivity

A TikTok user has gone viral by parodying people’s niche expectations for a partner. As people grow increasingly disillusioned with the realities of digital dating, they’re searching for new ways to approach romance and turning to social media to express their frustrations.

Viral TikTok signals a shift in the dating landscape

Lenovo has powered a thought-provoking social experiment seeking to bridge the gap between Gen Z’s digital and physical identities. Amid deepening concerns around youth mental health, the project outlines the value of exploring smart technologies as tools for advancing emotional wellbeing.

Lenovo uses AI to connect Gen Z to their digital selves

By partnering with Microsoft, Straker is leveraging generative AI to translate New Zealand news articles into te reo Māori – New Zealand’s Indigenous language. While a positive example of AI’s capabilities, capturing cultural context and nuance remains key to quelling consumer fears.

Straker uses AI to translate news into te reo Māori

In the run-up to the UK general election, party leaders on both sides of the political spectrum have begun campaigning via TikTok. As Gen Z’s trust in traditional media wanes, understanding the way young people engage with politics online is an increasingly important strategy for winning their vote.

UK leaders embrace TikTok to reach Gen Z voters

An image has gone viral on social media, with tens of millions of users reposting it to bring attention to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. As people come to terms with generative AI's role in content creation, this image brings up questions of censorship and moderation within issues of social justice.

AI-generated graphic goes viral in support of Gaza

Telehealth start-ups are emerging to offer Ozempic and similar GLP-1 weight-loss drugs to men, who are often left out of these appeals. While this represents an underserved market for these products, education, and sensitivity are needed when talking to men about weight-loss drugs.

Start-ups attempt to address male Ozempic gap

Bumble has acquired Geneva, an app focused on nurturing IRL communities and friendships. At a time when young people are experiencing increased loneliness, exacerbated by their dependence on social media, this acquisition highlights the diversifying role of digital platforms in relationships.

Bumble acquires Geneva to nurture IRL friendships

In partnership with Real Simple magazine, Pinterest has launched a shoppable issue featuring product recommendations and easy purchase options. This move highlights how brands are trying to bridge online inspiration with real-life shopping to make things more accessible to consumers.

Pinterest co-creates shoppable magazine

Boomers are an attractive demographic for telco brands with almost one in four Americans set to be over 65 by 2050. But how should telco brands adjust their plans to suit the evolving lifestyles and the need for connectivity of older people, as well as the features they require?

How American Boomers are choosing their cellphone plans

Elon Musk has officially made ‘cisgender’ a slur on X, contributing to several changes to the platform that have made it an unsafe environment for transgender users. As prejudice against the trans community grows in the real world, a lack of digital safety only heightens anti-trans rhetoric.

Elon Musk officially makes 'cisgender' a slur on X

Expedia's Travel Shop feature allows users to access and save recommendations from travel creators in an effort to streamline information sharing on social media. This move shows how brands can bridge influencers and their audiences efficiently and create smoother experiences.

Expedia launches storefronts for travel influencers

An online movement is aiming to deplatform celebrities and influencers who remain silent on the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With global political and social tensions rising, people are turning away from those who don't represent their worldviews and towards smaller, like-minded communities.

Pro-Palestinian netizens launch #Blockout movement

Maven is a social media platform that uses AI to synthesize content by user interest, shaping it by thematic topics instead of traditional likes. Developed to aid serendipitous discoveries, it hints at a way to make social networks more supportive and enlightening spaces.

Maven enables serendipitous social media discovery

Uplifting community organising work, the #PassTheHat TikTok movement encourages major creators to help fundraise for families experiencing violence in Gaza. This trend highlights how people are using their knowledge of social media platforms for good by leveraging algorithms for grassroots movements.

TikTokers drive fundraising for aid to Gazan families

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