The role of fans is evolving, with modern superfans becoming amateur detectives. These sleuths obsessively seek intimate knowledge about their idols, decoding clues in art and media. Fueled by social media and celebrity marketing, the trend has transformed fandom into an investigative pursuit.

Why fans are in their detective era

TikTokers are embracing #underconsumptioncore, a trend that challenges consumerist habits by advocating the use of fewer products. Building on de-influencing, frugality trends are gaining popularity as people seek ways to cope with the ongoing cost of living crisis and environmental concerns.

Frugality TikTok trend encourages underconsumption

Vans has launched Vans World 2.0, a new iteration of its successful Roblox game, which includes a digital-first launch of the Mixxa sneakers. In addition to a sense of exclusivity, the move caters to younger generations' desire for immersive and interactive experiences.

Vans World 2.0 brings sneaker exclusivity to Roblox

South Korean Gen Y and Gen Z – known in the country as Gen MZ – prefer online shopping, but offline pop-ups are more popular than ever. What makes these IRL experiences so attractive to younger shoppers, and what does this say about the retail landscape in a place that's usually dominated by tech?

Why pop-ups are Korea’s go-to marketing strategy for Gen Y and Z

Liu Yexi is your favourite AI influencer’s favourite AI influencer. With her trademark blend of traditional Chinese elements and modern design sensibilities, the country’s most popular avatar might pave the way for virtual influencers to take over Singles Day, Asia’s biggest online shopping event.

How Liu Yexi humanises AI influencers for social shoppers

Sales of physical music have increased for the first time in 20 years, driven by big releases from popular worldwide artists such as Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish. As digital-first consumption becomes the norm, collecting physical copies of media is growing in its importance for fans.

Physical music sales increase for first time in 20 years

Wu Yanni is China’s top-ranked 100-metre hurdler, but she’s equally known for her sparkly makeup and outspoken interviews. Despite being in the constant limelight, she has earned both praise and controversy among brands and netizens, especially Chinese women who turn to her for beauty inspiration.

How Wu Yanni influences the track of Chinese sports fans

Crocs taps into the fresh interest in the Twilight trilogy with a parody that draws parallels between how much hatred there is for Crocs and how much there is for the film. As the shoe that people love to hate, Crocs is flexing hyper-self-awareness and irreverent humour that appeals to Gen Z.

Crocs launch Twilight parody to appeal to Gen Z humour

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

The Sims 4 Lovestruck Expansion Pack allows gamers to play out their relationship ideals with various Sims. As relationship norms diversify and more expansive dynamics mainstream, people want their reality to be reflected in the media they consume and the games they play.

The Sims 4 update celebrates alternative relationships

Olaolu Slawn is a Nigerian-born, London-based artist forging his own path to global success via third-culture inclusion, co-creation, and an unapologetic approach to controversy. So what can brands learn from his organic approach to cultural relevancy and newfound attitudes to art?

How Olaolu Slawn uses cultural clout to draw in art fans

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

According to many commentators, streaming services should have subsumed linear TV by now. However, they’re still playing catch up when it comes to share of viewership. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Amanda Lotz about what the growth of streaming means for the future of TV for consumers.

Amanda Lotz on the future of streaming and broadcast TV

Thanks to its instant club classics and iconic hue of green, Charli XCX's new album, BRAT, is going viral this summer. Understanding the power of playing on a cultural moment, Field Roast has launched a bratwurst campaign that hopes to drive brand impact over the summer.

Brat-wurst summer piggybacks on Charli XCX hype

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 

Balenciaga’s partnership with Need for Speed mobile game taps into hybrid luxury mindsets. Understanding the opportunity to connect virtual and IRL expressions of identity and status, players can tap into unique looks in the game while also being able to pick up physical merchandise in-store.



Balenciaga and Need for Speed tap into hybrid luxury

Netflix’s Supacell follows the lives of a group of Black people from South London who inherit superpowers from their sickle-celled parents. The show brings nuance and depth to an often ignored medical issue that disproportionately affects people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Netflix’s ‘Supacell’ spotlights the Black health crisis

Fangirls are redefining femininity and emerging as a powerful economic force. From Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour to Barbiecore, they’re driving significant spending, shaping cultural trends, and fostering vibrant communities. How can brands authentically engage with this influential audience?

How fangirls became an economic force

Charli XCX's sixth album, BRAT, has transcended music to become a cultural phenomenon. Its distinctive lo-fi, lime green branding, and strategic marketing have tapped into Gen Z's desire for authenticity, insider communities, and nostalgic tendencies – blending digital savvy with real-world impact.

How Charli XCX’s BRAT captured the cultural zeitgeist

GDH cemented itself as the film studio to beat with the release of its widely successful movie, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. It topped the Thai and Southeast Asian box office with the help of its TikTok-famous tearjerking videos. What has led to the success of this and other Thai films?

How GDH captures the cultural emotion of Thai film buffs

American singer and songwriter Chappell Roan has become one of 2024’s biggest breakout artists following her recent hit “Good Luck, Babe,” which has captured the spotlight. Her playful approach to identity and authentic lyrics have made her particularly popular among Gen Zers.

How Chappell Roan reflects Gen Z’s playful identities

Despite a broader decline in UK nightlife, country-influenced nighttime events are gaining momentum among young Britons. The trend speaks to a burgeoning global interest in country music and Western aesthetics, reflecting younger audiences' borderless approach to music consumption.

British youth swap nightclubs for country music events

Mschf Plays Venmo invites fans to join a social experiment-style lottery game. Players collaborate, make secret deals, and form alliances, employing strategies reminiscent of popular shows like The Traitors and Squid Game, and offering users an opportunity to deepen their connections.

Mschf Plays Venmo lottery builds on fan co-participation

Converse has relaunched a discontinued sneaker model in response to persistent demand across social media. People are increasingly looking for brand development to be a two-way conversation, and opening up space for co-creation can help brands form meaningful communities around their products.

Converse relaunches archived sneaker due to online demand

The cinema industry is transforming with multiplex closures and the rise of gaming among younger generations. Despite these challenges, diverse storytelling by studios like A24, movie-loving influencers, and theatres evolving into experience hubs are revitalising interest among Gen Zers and Yers.

What’s drawing young people to the cinema?

Dua Lipa has released a new version of her latest album, Radical Optimism, filled with extended versions of the original songs. The move taps into the ongoing trend of artists like Dua and Taylor Swift maximising their content and exploring different ways of engaging their audience.


Dua Lipa releases extended version of new album

Thanks in part to TikTok virality, Fujifilm is struggling to keep up with demand for their X100VI camera. The speed of digital innovation has influenced a renewed appreciation for tactile tech, and people are looking to add friction back into otherwise seamless processes.

Fujifilm sees surge in demand for physical cameras

Devin Halbal, better known on TikTok as Hal Baddie, went viral for adapting local cultures and languages. The impact of her viral ‘kudasai’ videos underscores the power of cross-cultural connection and the universal appeal of genuine, respectful curiosity, especially in conservative parts of Asia.

How Hal Baddie speaks to Asians’ need for representation

The world of livestreaming and influencers is generating billions in China. In this realm, Douyin superstar Crazy Little Brother Yang has over 100 million fans waiting on his funny content and authentic business ventures, which help both people and smaller businesses find reprieve during crises.

How Crazy Little Brother Yang humours China amid crisis

After declining in popularity for years, J-pop is catching up to K-pop on the world stage. By keeping their identities hidden, J-pop stars have allowed listeners to focus on their music rather than their personal lives. What does this say about how Gen Z feels about influencers and social media?

Anonymous J-pop stars connect with Gen Z’s desire to stay incognito

Slow Factory is a fast-growing digital platform that champions climate justice and human rights through engaging and intentional content. By centering marginalized voices and creating digestible news on social media, it has built a loyal community of people seeking radical change.

How Slow Factory articulates climate justice for Gen Z

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

From a record-setting Caitlin Clark to the first Olympics in history with gender parity women’s sport is dominating pop cultural headlines. Canvas8 spoke to Dr Lauren Burch, a senior lecturer in sport business, to find out whether fans of women’s and men’s sports differ.

It’s about performance! The science of women’s sports fandom

Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics, NBC is partnering with social media platforms to enhance coverage through creators and influencers. Recognizing the shift towards unfiltered, relatable content, NBC seeks to engage younger audiences with intimate, behind-the-scenes access to athletes.

NBC taps creators to improve Olympics coverage

Hulu dramedy The Bear spotlights the sounds and images of kitchen life, but its secret ingredient is potent social commentary. It dismantles toxic masculinity stereotypes, exposes the restaurant world's pressure cooker, and sparks conversations about worker wellbeing and different cuisines.

How The Bear rethinks modern TV through culinary chaos

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

Coors Light has launched a campaign to address the exorbitant price of live music event tickets in Canada. With inflation at odds with young peoples’ experiential desires, many are looking for relief from the perception that live events have become increasingly unaffordable.

Coors Light takes aim at concert ticket inflation

Rebind is partnering with a team of literary experts to power AI-driven, interactive reading experiences. Amid a growing sense of unease about the role of emerging technology within the arts, the app is positioning AI as a tool that can enhance – not replace – human creativity.

Rebind is bringing literary texts to life with AI

Embarking on their first world tour, ‘X-pop’ girl group XG blends the K-pop formula with their Japanese identities while singing English lyrics for their multinational audiences. As the technicalities of what K-pop is evolve, fans are debating and reassessing their fierce loyalties to idols.

How XG challenges fans’ perceptions of the K-pop formula

The demand for high-quality, special feature-packed DVDs is increasing among film buffs and cinephiles. In response to a growing sense of content overload and concerns about the nature of digital ownership, physical media is being imbued with a new higher level of cultural cache.

 Indie film-buffs are rediscovering DVDs

Heineken and Publicis London have launched 'HeineCare,' an insurance policy for football fans who spill their pints during the Euros. Leaning into the communal chaos of sports matches, the campaign looks to turn beer spills into a cause for celebration for football fans.

HeineCare insurance offers fans free refills during games

Specsavers 'Rickrolled' the UK with a revamped version of 'Never Gonna Give You Up' that featured intentionally incorrect lyrics. This radio spot aimed to humorously nudge listeners to get their hearing checked, removing the fear of getting checked up and instead boosting awareness.

Rick Astley remix prompts Britons to test their hearing

Travis Barker of Blink-182 has invited fans to join him on a run before the band’s show in Los Angeles in July 2024. As young people grow more health-conscious, events that were once a call for debauchery have become marked by occasions for exercise and social connection.

Fans are pregaming a Blink-182 concert by running

In the ever-evolving K-pop music landscape, innovation has emerged as a critical factor driving the rise of new groups. This is embodied by the virtual concept of the boy group PLAVE. They offer a unique blend of music and technology to attract listeners looking for new and exciting experiences.

How PLAVE’s virtual K-idols upgrade fandom relationships

Inside Out 2 saw massive success at the box office during its opening weekend, becoming Pixar’s second-biggest debut of all time. The film appeals to adolescents and adults alike by helping families broach conversations about mental health, a challenge that parents may need more support with.

Inside Out 2 helps families talk about mental health

For its latest Soft Lounge campaign, SKIMS has featured Bridgerton star Nicola Coughlan as the face of the collection. In an era of increased disinterest in celeb culture, SKIMS has built a reputation for spotlighting diverse talent at the right time in a way that appeals to fans.

SKIMS taps Bridgerton's Nicola Coughlan for campaign

XBox and McCann London have won a Direct Grand Prix at Cannes Lions for their campaign 'Everyday Tactician', which saw them recruit a gamer as a tactician for Bromley FC. As people cash in on their pastimes, there's a wider appreciation for underdogs and unexpected icons from all walks of life.

Xbox’s ‘Everyday Tactician’ triumphs at Cannes Lions

Netflix is rolling out immersive experience venues themed after its major franchises like Stranger Things and Bridgerton in the US. People are increasingly prioritizing experiential travel experiences that can transport them to the worlds of their favorite films and series.

Netflix looks to immerse fans in franchises' worlds

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has taken home the Industry Craft Grand Prix at Cannes Lions for its 100th edition featuring holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer at the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin. As harrowing crises play out globally, people are looking for empathy and integrity.

German newspaper wins a Grand Prix for emotive campaign

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

Bottega Veneta celebrated Father’s Day with a campaign featuring A$AP Rocky that highlighted the joys of fatherhood. At a time when people are looking for honest and authentic on-screen portrayals, brands have the opportunity to foster positive conversations by partnering with relatable role models.

Bottega Veneta taps A$AP Rocky for inclusive campaign

As inflation continues to squeeze people’s budgets, people are seeking budget-friendly ways to find joy and connect with others. In Seoul, many older adults have found a new love for old movie theatres for a sense of nostalgic escapism and belonging that doesn’t break the bank.

Older Seoulites turn to nostalgic cinema for belonging

Queenie is an eight-part miniseries created by Candice Carty-Williams, which takes a closer look at the life and experiences of a British Jamaican protagonist. This comes when people increasingly want to see diverse and authentic perspectives represented in mainstream media.

‘Queenie’ reflects demand for inclusive stories

Fanatics is entering the high-end sports trading card market through a new partnership with Sotheby’s to auction cards valued at over $100,000. Auction houses are expanding their collectibles and memorabilia categories, appealing to younger audiences who are increasingly participating in buying.

Sotheby's to auction rare sports trading cards

Story Spark is a free online tool that helps creatives and film executives measure diversity and intersectionality by answering pertinent questions about their scripts. As consumer expectations around representation continue to grow, brands have the opportunity to develop inclusive products.

Lionsgate’s digital tool ascertains diversity in scripts

A24's new book, How Directors Dress, explores the on-set fashion and style choices of renowned film and TV directors like Kathryn Bigelow and Chloé Zhao. People are seeking expert-driven, exclusive, and diverse content that speaks to their desire for nuanced representation.

A24 further immerses cinephiles with book release

Women’s basketball is experiencing a major boom. According to the WNBA, attendance and viewership are at an all-time high, as the league records its highest ticket sales in 26 years. As sports fandom continues to grow, brands can appeal to consumers by creating and sustaining equitable solutions.

The WNBA is enticing a more diverse audience

HBO series Fantasmas has been lauded by critics for its off-beat style of surrealist anti-comedy, which explores societal ills through a dream-like lens. Against a backdrop of ongoing global crises, people are making sense of their troubled realities by leaning into the strange and absurd.

Fantasmas satisfies an appetite for absurdist humour

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

With growing numbers of sober-curious consumers exploring low- and no-alcohol products, AB InBev is engaging with global drinkers by placing its light and zero beers at the forefront of major sports events, including the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. How is this pivot capturing new drinking mindsets?

How AB InBev courts sports fans and mindful drinkers

With football fandom a global phenomenon, Pepsi Zero Sugar helped UEFA Champions League final watchers stay up until 3 am for the kick-off of the big game. As fandom becomes more dispersed, there are opportunities for brands and teams to embrace the quirks of watching live sports from a distance.

Pepsi Zero Sugar supports overseas football fans

In summer 2024, Glastonbury will introduce a new stage, Terminal 1, to celebrate migration and freedom of movement for everyone. As populations become increasingly polarised, there's an opportunity for brands to use their platforms as a springboard for action against collective injustices.

Glastonbury's Terminal 1 aims to celebrate migration

After a viral video featured a baby asking to stay at the Four Seasons, TikTokkers suggested that the baby should become the hotel chain's ambassador – and it agreed. The move demonstrates meme culture and viral trend know-how, as well as providing humorous content during a difficult time.

Four Seasons taps into viral humour with baby video

Pharrell Williams’ upcoming biopic is a LEGO animation that highlights his career trajectory – from a young child to a legendary music star. By blending the playfulness of animation with powerful storytelling, the film appeals to people’s desire for authentic, innovative media experiences.

Pharrell Williams’ LEGO biopic taps nostalgic fans

The film Challengers, starring Zendaya, Josh O’Connor, and Mike Faist, features a three-way kiss scene that has many people seeking out throuples this summer. Interest in threesomes has surged over the past couple of years, with mainstream media fostering openness to alternative relationships. 

Alt relationships gain acceptance after Challengers

After years of online dating, younger generations are battling swipe fatigue. In response, they're returning to in-person dating as a refreshed way to meet romantic prospects. The shift towards IRL meet-ups creates opportunities for brands to tap into connections and new dating moments.

Young daters prefer IRL meet-ups to explore romance

As sex-positive TV becomes more popular, a new sub-genre is resonating with a growing number of queer Thai women seeking more authentic representation and normalisation of queerness in media. Girls’ Love shows explore the relationship between two women, making a case for queer-based Asian cinema.

Why Thailand is championing Girls’ Love series

Charli XCX is making headlines for her mould-breaking approach to pop stardom and generating headlines with her unapologetically brash style of club music. As people tire of iterative creative content, they’re gravitating towards bolder statements as a reprieve from digital homogeneity.

Charli XCX’s Brat album leans into hedonistic desires

As people begin to rethink their use of subscription services, streaming platform Mubi is diversifying its offering by launching Mubi Fest in the UK this summer. The move taps into a growing desire among young people to form communities around shared interests and find connection IRL.

Mubi launches film festival to connect UK cinephiles

Research into television habits has found that people prefer to watch live events when they share viewing experiences with friends and family, using them as a vehicle for community. This shift comes as younger generations search for belonging and rethink their relationship to technology.

Live TV events spur community-building 

Microsoft’s B2C campaign for its AI chatbot, Copilot, features F1 racer Pierre Gasly using Copilot to find a gift. The light-hearted ad underscores Microsoft’s goal of making Copilot an everyday consumer product, addressing the gap between AI hype and real-world user adoption.

Microsoft launches B2C campaign to promote Copilot

Daytime TV found new life during the pandemic as remote working boosted viewership and online subcultures spawned countless related memes. Will this resurgence last as Britons seek comfort in entertainment? Or will increasingly right-leaning politics turn daytime TV into a new beast altogether?

What's driving Britons' daytime comfort TV habits?

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

American singer Kehlani has released a music video for their new single 'Next 2 U', in which they express unmistakable support for Palestinians. As societal challenges intensify, people are demanding decisive social action from the celebrities and brands they follow.

Kehlani shows support for Palestine in music video

For its 65th anniversary, Barbie is celebrating the hard work and dedication of female athletes who have forged dynamic careers. With sports fandom burgeoning among women, brands can spotlight disparity in access by tapping into representative storytelling to resonate with their audiences.

Barbie’s latest campaign honors female athletes 

Spotify chief Daniel Ek has sparked controversy for his remarks on the cost of content creation. In line with a wider shift in labour dynamics and deepening concerns about the fate of human creativity, the response speaks to a growing intolerance of inequities within the creative industries.

Spotify controversy highlights evolving labour dynamics

The England squad for Euro 2024 has been announced via a video that features fans from across the country. As people turn to sport for community and involvement in a fandom that feels immersive and inclusive, showcasing the fans in the video works to meet both of those needs.

England's Euro 2024 squad announcement highlights fans 

Green Tile Social Club in NYC is gaining popularity among Asian Americans for its mahjong-focused events catering to young people seeking alternatives to traditional nightlife. This reflects a broader trend for alternative clubs as Gen Z drinks less and prefers in-person social experiences.

Green Tile Social Club offers an alternative night out

The magazine industry has gone through many transformations, from Gen Yers flicking through photoshopped fashion spreads to the digitisation of these publications and a greater awareness of self-love and body positivity. With print readership on the decline, what do Gen Zers want from women’s mags?

What do Gen Zers want from women’s magazines?

To celebrate Black Music Month, NPR Music’s Tiny Desk is releasing special episodes featuring an all-female lineup of Black artists. This comes at a time when brands are leveraging partnerships to cater to a growing desire for accurate and explorative cultural representation in mainstream media.

NPR's Tiny Desk launches Black Music Month special

Clairo’s latest single is resonating with Gen Z for its candid portrayal of romantic loneliness. As tension forms between young people’s increasingly atomised lifestyles and their desire for meaningful IRL connections, they’re drawn to honest depictions of modern romance in the media they consume.

Clairo comeback speaks to Gen Z’s candid vulnerabilities

With reading skills declining globally, Playbrary is targetting tech-savvy youth to boost interest in literature. It uses a custom ChatGPT prompt to transform classic books into immersive and interactive games based on the plots of classic novels, enabling deeper fandom while inspiring new readers.

Playbrary allows GenAI to be immersed in classic fantasy 

Marvel has announced a new creative strategy for its media universe, which will see a move away from interwoven storylines. After years of nostalgia-driven sequels and remakes dominating our screens, people are growing weary of the constant rehashes and are seeking out more unexpected narratives.

Marvel rebrand reflects demand for fresh stories

‘Camden’ is a four-part Disney+ docu-series that explores the history of the local borough as told by artists and tastemakers. It comes at a time when people want to feel seen and represented in mainstream media and seek brands that authentically engage with local insiders.

'Camden' doc spotlights London’s thriving music culture

A study found that Hollywood films lack stories and characters acknowledging, let alone addressing, climate change. As people become more conscious of their individual impact on the climate, there is a rising need for storytelling to reflect the world as it is in an effort to make a difference.

Hollywood films aren't discussing climate crisis enough

Research has indicated that Gen Zers are more likely to absorb myths about suncare than older generations, and experts point to online misinformation as the cause. With young audiences valuing peer-to-peer knowledge, the data highlights a need for greater caution around wellness rhetoric.

Gen Z prove susceptible to online sun safety myths

Sony is planning to launch an academy aimed at developing talent involved in the creation of anime. As the art form continues to grow in popularity among young people worldwide, brands have the opportunity to immerse themselves in fandoms by funding and collaborating with local creators.

Sony expands offerings with anime academy

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

While fewer people around the world are going to cinemas to catch the latest film releases, moviegoing is booming in China. This shift comes with higher box office numbers, growing appreciation for local cinema, and a decline in Hollywood’s decades-long foothold in the international market.

How Chinese moviegoers created a booming box office

Feminine Hi-Fi's work on the sound system music scene paves the way for a future where gender equality is a reality, ensuring that artists have the opportunity to shine on their terms. How can initiatives such as this sustain the spirit of hands-on music and support community building?

How Feminine Hi-Fi engages Brazil’s sound system scene

Nike has released a film platforming the resilience and achievements of refugee Olympic athletes. Recognising growing demand for nuanced representation of diverse experiences, the film is a celebration of diversity and relentless ambition, as opposed to a tried and tested focus on trauma and pain.

Nike film champions refugee Olympic athletes

Women’s sport – and game-changing moments from female athletes – is on the rise. As viewership increases, women-led groups want safe spaces to support their favourite competitors. How are communities diversifying sport audiences and how can brands tap into the desire for harmonising activities?

How are female fans diversifying sports spaces?

The popular manga Haikyu! has been transformed into an anime and now a feature film. But this series doesn't exist in isolation among otakus and weebs – it's fostering new volleyball fans and players who are inspired by the show's emphasis on friendship and overcoming obstacles.

Manga inspires young fans to become involved in sports

A group of kids from Ireland have gone viral thanks to their energetic rap video. The reactions to the song have overwhelmingly mentioned the joyfulness it brings, highlighting a growing need for small moments of happiness as people try to traverse today’s challenging climate.

Young Irish rappers’ music video brings joy to many

The way that people are listening to music is changing. Gone are the days of tinny, low-quality sound – they want something better. British audio brand KEF has long stood at the higher end of innovation and price, but it’s shifting gears in an effort to democratise high-fidelity sound.

How KEF lowers barriers to high-fidelity sound in the UK

In a letter sent to over 700 global firms, Sony Music has prohibited the use of its content for AI training programs. The move comes amid an ongoing effort to mitigate the impact of generative AI within the creative industries and speaks to persistent concerns about the technology.

Sony Music takes a stand against unregulated AI

The International Paralympic Committee has released an ad to challenge condescending perceptions about the upcoming Paralympics. The campaign highlights the importance of recognising Paralympic athletes as skilled and dedicated competitors rather than simply celebrating their participation.

Paris Paralympics ad debunks condescending tropes

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

Yayoi Kusama is one of the world’s most successful living artists – partly because of her philosophies and partly because of her Instagram-friendly aesthetics. Her collaborations with luxury brands show how the powers of art and the opulent can work together to elevate each other.

How Yayoi Kusama connects the dots of high art and virality

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