It’s not every day a children’s TV network broadcasts an ad designed to scare, provoke emotion, and prompt a difficult discussion. But as #BlackLivesMatter protests continue across the US, Nickelodeon is signaling its support and rejecting the idea that kids should be shielded from hard truths.

President Joe Biden’s inaugural address focused on themes of unity, moving forward, and showing respect for the other side. It comes at a time when call-out culture has exacerbated partisanship and one-sided correctness, and taps into the growing desire for considered debate over conflict.

From messages of support to those that aim to entertain, how can brands deepen their relationships with people during a pandemic? Canvas8 spoke to Tom Doctoroff, author of Twitter Is Not a Strategy, to understand the role brand behaviour plays during a time of uncertainty and crisis.

The spread of COVID-19 has seen people frantically stock their cupboards and freezers, with empty supermarket shelves a common sight worldwide. Canvas8 spoke to Dr. Leonard Lee, a marketing professor at the National University of Singapore, to understand the human needs that fuel panic-buying.