The mechanism for launching hit shows is drastically different for the major players; is one better than the other in the long term? One could argue that HBO captures our minds and Netflix captures our hearts. But the most important question still remains—who will win the game of thrones?
How the Streaming-Palooza Transformed Culture from Macro to Micro-Moments
The streaming-palooza is at full tilt with more than 100 services available, cementing the new entertainment landscape as streaming first, cable second. In addition to changing nearly all of our viewing habits, it’s also changed the way we experience culture—making the collective, shared experience a thing of the past, and micro-moments the thing of today.
Do You See It in the Stars? Why Astrology Is the New Brand Bandwagon
Mercury is out of retrograde thank GOODNESS, and Pisces season just passed the baton to Aries. Are you feeling less emotional? Brands are jumping on the astrology bandwagon like it’s the Oregon Trail, transcending food, fashion, beauty and music, and it's for good reason.
Image Credit: Starbucks
What You Got in Dem Genes? How the DNA Trend is Taking Personalization to the Next Level
Does Cilantro taste like soap? Do you descend from Neanderthals? Are you at risk for Alzheimer's? Whether the answer is yes, or no, it all comes down to your genes. At-home DNA kits are becoming all the rage with more than 12MM people sending in their spit to reveal their DNA’s untold secrets, nearly 3x growth in just one year. This trend has taken the meaning of “personalization” to new heights, affecting industries from beauty to nutrition to weed.
Sharing is Caring, or Is It? How the Sharing Economy Simplified and Complicated Our Lives
The sharing economy is vast and ever-growing, and has created a new set of consumer expectations that has developed a convenience conundrum. Most recently, it has expanded to furniture and pillows
Gettin' Hygge With It: How Our Homes Became the New "It" Destination
The Hygge lifestyle has taken root in America, affecting industries from restaurants to home decor to fashion, and has extended past the winter months, making our homes the new “it” destination.
The Rise of the Digital Detox and the Analog Renaissance
What are you giving up for Lent this year? If you’re thinking about a digital detox, you wouldn’t be the only one. The #1 item given up for Lent for the past 10 years was social media, based on Twitter history. Oh the irony—we know we need to give up what we love so much. Our obsession with technology and social media has been met with an equal but opposite craving for tangible goods, creating an analog renaissance.
Why Cardi B is Taking Over the World: How the Multicultural Minority Has Already Grabbed Majority Status
It has a lot more to do with the census than her sick beats (don’t worry, we’ll talk about those later). The census projects that by 2045, a demographic switch will take place—the white majority becomes the minority, and the multicultural minority becomes the majority. However, the minority to majority switch has already happened in culture, as seen across music, travel, food and entertainment.
How Gaming Changed the World of Sports and Entertainment
Gaming is no longer a pastime for nerds in the basement; it is a force to be reckoned with. With 2 Billion players worldwide and two thirds of the U.S. population aged 13 and older claiming gamer status, it has undoubtedly become mainstream. With its powerful scale, gaming is giving the world of sports and entertainment a run for its money, upping the competition through innovation and deeper levels of accessibility, connectivity and interactivity.
Millennials Finally Killed Love But Here's Why It's a Good Thing
Millennials have been accused of killing everything from American Cheese to Napkins to Beer, but this year they have taken it to the next level and have finally killed love. Don't sound the alarms quite yet though, because there's a silver lining to this.
Valentine's Day is being reinvented by the Millennial generation—the holiday is no longer about lovers, but about the “others” who generally go unnoticed—from coworkers to teachers to Galentines to pets to themselves.
Purpose Driven Branding
Brands taking a stand is more important now than ever, even if you disagree with their point. Don’t be afraid to fully lean in to your values as a brand or as a marketer. But be sure to walk the walk, because empty promises never turn out.
Does America Have Anything in Common? It Starts With an A and Ends With Nxiety
Anxiety is a plague spreading across the country as fast as Fortnite, and many industries from Wellness to Pets to Plants have benefited from this.
The Influencer-Preneur Trend and Why You Should Care
The growth of influencers turned entrepreneurs is expanding rapidly and it’s not by chance.
No, It's Not Just You. Cheesy Movies are Everywhere and It's Not Why You Think.
How many cheesy holiday movies did you watch this year? Be honest - five? Ten? You can send your gratitude to Netflix, Lifetime and Hallmark because they released 64 original holiday movies combined in 2018, a 120% YOY increase. But the reason for this trend is not why you think.