This week’s stories show brands navigating a shifting power dynamic. Meaning is no longer assigned by scale, spend, or spectacle, but by credibility, authorship, and emotional truth. From Airbnb turning “home” into competitive advantage for Olympians, to Dollar Shave Club choosing defiance over censorship, to legacy brands remixing culture with humor, family, and self-awareness, the
Take a step back and imagine the past week in your life. Chances are, it’s also been filled with stories. When we as humans come together, we may share a few facts and data points, but more often than not, stories are at the center of how we communicate, relate to one another, share and
A cookie brand accidentally renamed itself “Ryan” on TikTok. The Olympics sold venue naming rights for the first time. Levi’s is betting on cowboy fashion to add billions. And Meta? Its AI guardrails just snapped. This week’s stories show how fast mistakes, risks, and reinventions can flip into sales spikes, culture wins, or reputational firestorms.
From sachets of self-worth to AI-generated scent pairings, the Health, Beauty & eCommerce Summit in London delivered a masterclass in modern brand building. But beyond the beauty buzzwords and platform debates, one big truth rang out: The brands winning today aren’t channel-obsessed. They’re customer-obsessed. Whether you’re a legacy player or a challenger brand, the takeaway
From brain-rot memes to Coldplay kiss cam scandals, this week’s edition is bursting with creative storytelling, bold brand risks, and cultural heat. We’ve got IKEA turning sleep-talk into ads, TIME’s 100 most powerful creators, Sydney Sweeney sparking Wall Street debate, and Škoda reclaiming phallic Tour de France graffiti. You’ll laugh, you’ll debate – and hopefully