These emotion-based politics are breeding a powerful sense of group identity – and this is spurring a new nationalism. Conservatism is on the rise in demographics as broad as 

, and countries like the US and UK are taking an isolationist stance, whether through Trump or Brexit. A rediscovered sense of patriotism is emerging from this fear of external influence, with 

 buying local products just for the sake of conveying national pride, and 

 prepared to shell out more for home-grown foods.


But for some who are disillusioned with recent political progress, apathy is winning out over emotion. Voter turnout is notoriously low among young people, with only 

 voting in the 2010 US midterm elections. The youth opinion is rarely in line with that of their elders – in the EU referendum, over-65s were 

 to vote Leave as under-25s – but with major elections swinging in favour of the older population’s preferences, young people are less willing to fight for what looks like a losing battle.

If Faisal Islam, Ralph Keyes and the New York Times are to be believed, the Trump candidacy and the vote for Brexit show we've entered a post-truth era – a world where emotion and populism win out over facts and experts. But is it true? And do emotional appeals really trump facts and figures?

Why do emotions trump facts?

Young Brazilians who identify with traditional religious, societal and family values have become more vocal in recent years, expressing their views on everything from politics to drugs to sexuality both online and offline. But who are these new conservatives, and what’s driving their beliefs?

Why are young Brazilians so conservative?

France is trialling a complete phone ban in 180 middle schools, potentially extending the scheme nationwide in 2025, aiming to foster a healthier learning enviornment. As screen time becomes a widespread concern, parents are seeking ways to keep their kids off smartphones as much as possible.

France bans devices from schools to limit screen time

Adobe's Content Authenticity app allows digital creatives to protect and authenticate their work. As generative AI continues to challenge the norms of creativity online, this offers an accessible tool that affords people greater control and agency in a landscape in flux.

Adobe offers creators a safeguard for digital work

Cards Against Humanity has launched a provocative campaign that offers to pay non-voters to cast their ballot in 2024 and mock Trump. This reflects brands' increasing involvement in social issues, responding to younger voters' desire for authenticity while potentially deepening political divides.

Cards Against Humanity pays people to vote

Research has found that American adults prefer following pop culture and entertainment accounts over politicians and journalists on TikTok. With trust in traditional institutions on the decline, people's social media habits reflect a desire for both escapism and independent sources.

American adults avoid traditional figureheads on TikTok

Several Florida-based Tiktok users opted to ignore evacuation orders for Hurricane Milton to instead document their crisis response online. In light of a steep decline in institutional faith, some people are adopting attitudes of self-reliance and turning to social media to fill the trust vacuum.

Tiktok crisis content signals new axis of misinformation

Considered by some to be a ‘climate haven,’ Asheville, North Carolina, was hit by Hurricane Helene, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. With extreme weather events increasingly salient to citizens, they may begin to expect climate mitigation as a minimum from the brands they shop with.

Hurricane Helene shatters myth of climate ‘safe zones’

Pandora has committed to using 100% recycled gold and silver in its jewellery, joining a wider industry effort to put sustainability first. As people become more aware of the urgency of the climate crisis, they're increasingly expecting businesses to go the extra mile to do their bit.

Pandora pledges to use only recycled gold and silver

REPLAY merges waste material, creativity, and play to promote sustainability by engaging participants in the creative process of construction and reuse. The initiative explores the relationship between people and space and demonstrates how materials can be innovatively recycled and up-cycled.

REPLAY taps sustainability with creative initiative 

The restaurant Silo has launched a fermentation lab in London, spotlighting zero waste and regenerative culinary experiences. As people become increasingly aware of the climate crisis and food waste issues, innovative, creative, sustainable dining could provide new options for eco-conscious experimentation.

Silo tackles food waste creatively 

Mulberry has achieved B Corp certification. As luxury fashion brands are increasingly scrutinised for their sustainability and green claims, third-party certifications like these spotlight transparency, rebuild trust and help people feel safer and more confident about their choices.

Mulberry recognised for eco-commitments 

The "After Hitler" exhibition in Bonn examines the history of a post-Hitler and post-holocaust Germany as the far-right populist party Alternative for Germany gains momentum. Amid Europe's polarised political climate, brands can build bridges and foster healthy political discourse.


"After Hitler" exhibition reflects on Germany's politics

Lemay's sustainable chalet prototype showcases eco-friendly design, using reusable materials and harmonising with its surroundings. As demand for green living grows, the project highlights how architecture can meet environmental challenges and offer a blueprint for future sustainable housing.

Canadian chalet design taps eco-friendly living 

Perrier-Jouët has planted a biodiverse installation in its Champagne vineyard to elevate flora and fauna. Amid eco-claim fatigue, the project underscores the importance of scientific observation in regenerative agriculture and highlights how design can facilitate meaningful ecological conversations.

Perrier-Jouët enhances local biodiversity with art

British Airways is investing in large projects to remove CO2 from the atmosphere. With people looking to the travel sector to take meaningful measures to curb climate impact, BA is setting a new standard for environmental responsibility with concrete steps to offset its carbon emissions.

British Airways invests massively in carbon removals

Overdrive Defense is offering Fentanyl Test Kits to promote harm reduction and drug safety to party-going Americans. Responding to 112,000 overdose deaths in 2023, Overdrive's vibrant, party-friendly branding and content meet Gen Z's expectations for empathy and social responsibility in brands.

Trendy fentanyl test kits promote drug safety awareness

The 2024/25 Generational Snapshot of Gen Z looks at this cohort’s yearning for nostalgia and tangible experiences, the shifting nature of wellness towards being a 24/7 pursuit, young people’s evolving demands from the working world, and attitudes towards politics in a polarised landscape.

2024/25 Generational Snapshot of Gen Z

Founded by former Obama aides, Crooked Media is leveraging its podcast network to encourage political engagement and support for electoral races. With declining trust in government and political exhaustion rising among Americans, Crooked Media aims to reinvigorate democratic participation.

How Crooked Media reengages US voters through podcasts

After more than a decade, controversial hip-hop artist Ye has returned to China to perform. Chinese fans have enthusiastically received his appearance, signalling his resurgence in popularity in some segments and a potential increase in support for international acts in China.

Ye performs in China for the first time in 16 years

How is climate change affecting people in Southeast Asia? How can companies evolve cooling technologies? And to what extent are people willing to adopt greener lifestyles? In the 2025 APAC Macro Expert Outlook, Lau Kong Cheen discusses what to expect from sustainability and business in 2025.

2025 Expert Outlook on APAC

What happens after the US election? How should brands navigate a hyper-politicised landscape? And where will the new opportunities emerge in an unstable political environment? In the 2025 US Macro Expert Outlook, Adam Berinsky explores what the US will look like in the year ahead.

2025 Expert Outlook on the USA

Actor Will Ferrell has joined forces with his transgender friend Harper Steele for a documentary centering on Steele’s experience as a trans woman in America. As trans rights continue to be called into question in the US and globally, education remains key to stopping growing prejudice in its tracks.

Will & Harper explores the trans American experience

Research has disproved the 'go woke, go broke' catchphrase, showing that inclusivity in advertising has a positive brand impact. As polarisation grows, many brands have taken a step back from signalling support for social causes, but this research further demonstrates the benefits of taking a stand.

Research proves positive brand impact of inclusive ads

Can Labour create a new reality? Will hope shape audience behaviour? Will the AI revolution mean more prosperity? And how can businesses stay connected to the shifting realities of life in the UK? In this Macro chapter of Expert Outlook 2025, Dr Nick Srineck discusses what to expect in the UK in 2025.

2025 Expert Outlook on the UK

While Gen Alpha has witnessed their parents interact and address global issues, they instead are looking to prioritise local and personal matters. Therefore, younger kids are looking to brands to support the challenges facing their communities instead of broader global problems.

Gen Alpha are prioritising local concerns over global

Katanning, a town of 4,000 people located 300 km from Perth, has seen a rise in Asian tourists following a viral video showcasing its vibrant Malaysian community. The videos’ popularity highlights the demand for diverse content to foster cultural connections and understanding.

YouTube video draws Asian tourists to rural Australian town

At the 2024 VMAs, Tyla won the Best Afrobeats award for her amapiano hit 'Water' and used her speech to emphasise the diversity of African music beyond just afrobeats. With increased global appeal for local cultures, there’s a need to monitor how they are represented in international settings.

Tyla VMAs speech educates on diversity of African music

In the AI arms race, Google has a powerful advantage – its operating system is used by billions of people worldwide. Their Gemini app has been made available in the UK, making it easy for Britons to access the AI chatbot on the go. This represents an exciting new era for the digital assistant.

How Google’s Gemini AI model is assisting Britons 

Dove may be known for its focus on doing good for women, but Greenpeace is drawing attention to its role in damaging the planet through plastic pollution. With people cynical about eco efforts, they're looking to businesses to hold themselves, and each other, to account.

Greenpeace campaign targets greenwashing from Dove

Rotterdam Urban Winery is turning surplus table grapes into wine, addressing food waste and supply chain issues and appealing to eco-conscious wine sippers. This mirrors a trend of eco-driven innovations in alcohol but only acts as a part of a holistic approach to sustainable drinking experiences.

Rotterdam Urban Winery transforms grape waste into wine

Political and economic turmoil driven by armed conflicts across the world has forced crowds of people to leave their home countries. But instead of showing sympathy for these people, the world has largely met them with the rise of conservative politics hostile to immigration.

Germany tightens its grip on border control

K-food is making its mark on Japan’s food market with the growth of quick-fix frozen Korean-style meals. People are increasingly looking for authentic global food experiences and convenience, and they are taking the lead from wider cultural phenomena to find inspiration.

Korea's cultural influence in Japan expands to food

Zara has announced plans to launch its pre-owned platform in the US after running in 16 European countries. As the shift towards circularity gains traction, people expect brands to support their eco-values by encouraging convenient ways to repair, reuse, and extend the life cycle of garments.

Zara bolsters eco-efforts with pre-owned expansion

A Leeds-based band have taken home this year’s Mercury Prize, citing regional funding as a key driver in their success. With the creative industries in flux, brands can forge authentic connections with local creative communities by helping fill the gap in material support.

Mercury Prize win highlights gap in creative funding

After AI-generated images of Taylor Swift supporting Donald Trump swirled the web, the singer officially announced her endorsement of Kamala Harris and condemned the spread of misinformation. As the political stakes get higher, people are increasingly expecting celebrities to do their part.

Taylor Swift declares support for Kamala Harris

The Juggernaut is transforming media by focusing on South Asian narratives often overlooked by mainstream outlets. Despite challenges in funding, the platform's subscriber-supported content is striking a chord with young desis who are eager to invest in narratives that truly resonate with them.

Why The Juggernaut explores South Asian identity in US media

Renault has released the R17, a concept electric vehicle based on the 1971 Renault 17. With EV adoption facing challenges around the world, a number of auto manufacturers are blending nostalgia and sustainability by bringing retro-inspired designs to the electric vehicle market.

Renault concept EV blends nostalgia and sustainability

Audio manufacturers Bang & Olufsen have released a line of future-proof headphones with modular components designed for easy repair and replacement. As eco-concerns converge with more critical spending habits, perspectives on sustainability are shifting to centre durability and slower consumption

Bang & Olufsen centre durability with modular headphones

A report has found that a major scheme helping people in England connect with nature resulted in big improvements in mental health. With a mental health crisis across the UK, there is a need to support people in getting access to care, and connecting to nature is one avenue to help.

Report shows nature prescriptions improve mental health

Tech startup Sunamp’s first product, a compact heat battery for domestic hot water, is designed for half of the population who can’t afford the space for a hot water tank. Using excess renewable power, Sunamp’s thermal batteries offer a more accessible energy solution for shrinking households.

Sunamp supplies space-saving renewable energy

Video games are becoming a strategic tool in elections, with figures like Donald Trump using gaming spaces to engage voters. Despite some controversy, this shift signifies that diverse digital platforms, including games, could significantly shape future election strategies and voter engagement.

Video games emerge as key tool in election strategies

A New York-based film festival is screening a series of hyperlocal stories in a bid to burst the algorithm bubble. Amid rising concern about the cultural and political impact of personalized feeds, the event aims to combat digital division by platforming underrepresented perspectives.

Brooklyn film festival combats digital divisiveness

A significant amount of American LGBTQ+ students attend schools with policies that actively discriminate against them, according to a new study. Despite growing acceptance of LGBTQ+ lifestyles, many young people still face official discrimination as culture war issues continue to deepen.

LGBTQ+ students face increasing discrimination at school

The charitable organization has commenced its annual Game to Change the World campaign aimed at Gen Alpha fundraisers. Gaming has become a pivotal tool in Gen Alpha’s sense-making practices, and young audiences will be expecting more than just immersion when it comes to virtual activations.

Comic Relief US nurtures Gen Alpha changemakers

The social enterprise Plate It Forward brings community to the kitchen by providing a safe working space for some of Australia’s marginalised individuals. Dining there means donating a meal to someone in need, touching on Australians’ core values and connecting with them beyond just a transaction.

Why Plate It Forward serves expat cuisine for an Aussie cause

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

Net-A-Porter x King's Foundation champions local craftsmanship and sustainability with community training programs for new talent. The initiative highlights how luxury brands can build deeper connections with their audiences while fostering local talent and building long-lasting, enduring value.

Net-A-Porter spotlights local craft and community values

IKEA has launched a peer-to-peer marketplace in Madrid to help customers sell their unwanted furniture directly to others. As the shift towards circularity gains momentum, brands that adopt eco-driven business models can extend their lifespan and deepen consumer trust and long-lasting loyalty.

IKEA trials peer-to-peer marketplace in circularity push

As the realities of climate change start to threaten the production of raw ingredients, businesses are having to pioneer adaptable strategies to meet demand. Production in the cocoa industry is especially high stakes. Innovation is becoming a core strategy to build trust and solve supply challenges.

Cocoa industry uses sustainable solutions to build trust

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

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

Chinese youth are showing renewed interest in traditional culture and spirituality in an attempt to regain a sense of stability. As discussions around death become gradually more open, funeral handcrafts are providing a meaningful way for Gen Zers in China to connect with heritage.

Chinese Gen Z rediscover traditional funeral art

Will a new political order impact civic optimism? How will AI influence climate action, and will AI's environmental impact accelerate experiences of extreme weather? And how will individualism change expectations of ESG? We speak to three experts about society, politics, and the environment in 2025.

2025 Expert Outlook on Citizenship

As the saying goes, you’re never too old for Disney – but Hong Kong Disneyland also believes you’re never too young to make a difference. The park’s environmental efforts blend signature storytelling with best practices to teach kids how and why they should be climate warriors.

How Hong Kong Disneyland makes climate talk magical

Fashion rental platform Rent The Runway is at the forefront of this sector’s revival, thanks to an influx of Gen Y and Z intrigue, smart use of AI, and a wildly successful thread of IRL events. So, what can brands learn from this thriving subsector of sustainable fashion?

How Rent The Runway renews fashionistas' eco values

Trapstar London emphasises the importance of cultural relevance and giving back to its audience, cementing itself as a key player in the global streetwear space that has a loyal following online and offline. What does its dominance say about the value of community connection and engagement?

Why Trapstar London builds on community and culture

eBay is bringing secondhand items to the runway with the launch of its first-ever Pre-Loved Fashion Week. As younger generations continue to turn to circular fashion to redefine luxury norms, brands can stand out by creating convenient and accessible ways for people to update their wardrobes.

eBay’s Pre-Loved Fashion Week boosts circular economy

Multi-generational dance parties are growing in number on the streets of New York, offering a much-needed source of release for locals, young and old. As people navigate the myriad stressors of modern life, they’re yearning for small moments of collective joy to cut through the gloom.

New Yorkers find release in inclusive dance parties

Amid a nationwide tendency for long work weeks and rigid hierarchies, Suntory stands out in Japan for all the right reasons. The worldwide beverage giant has an employee-first philosophy, treating mistakes as learning opportunities, aligning with Japanese employees’ desire for psychological safety.

How Suntory is helping Japanese people unlearn perfectionism

Bookshop.org has launched a buy-back scheme, offering readers website credit in exchange for used books. As conscious shoppers look to balance ethical consumption with time constraints and financial strain, the move helps bridge the value-action gap by making sustainability a more convenient option.

Bookshop.org is incentivising ethical consumption 

A group of Brooklyn mothers have forged a supportive network at the local skate park, taking a more inclusive approach to the sport. Born of desires to escape responsibility and build community, the grassroots group represents a wider movement to redefine the cultural narrative around motherhood.

Skateboarding offers community for New York moms

Nearly half of American adults say they’re planning to leave their jobs next year, with Gen Z respondents leading this trend. Disillusioned by traditional corporate culture, young workers are seeking more fulfilling ways to work and pioneering a shift in attitudes towards employment more broadly.

US Gen Zers are planning mass resignation

Newless is a bespoke upcycling service in the UK, aiming to transform pre-loved garments into custom, fashion-forward pieces. As people seek ways to reduce their environmental impact, there is a strong desire for products that align with these values while still offering individuality and style.

Custom upcycled service courts eco-ambitious fashionistas

The NFL has kicked off the 2024 season with a campaign that positions football as a force of unity. The campaign shows how DE&I has become baked into the brand’s DNA and looks to demonstrate how narratives of inclusivity can actually help drive resonance in these polarizing times.

NFL ushers in football season with DE&I-focused ad

In the age of pervasive social media, platforms like TikTok and YouTube become critical to preserving indigenous cultures and passing them on to younger generations. However, rigid censorship rules often impede this work, which calls for a designated approach to such content on these platforms.

Online censorship risks loss of Indigenous cultures

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

Citizenship

With growing scepticism around traditional news publications and their vested interests, young people are turning to social media as a virtual town hall for political news. But online echo chambers are pushing more misinformation than truth. People are insulating themselves in their own opinions, selectively collecting information that bolsters their existing beliefs, rather than using facts and opinions to explore alternative views. As emotions and group identities become the primary sources of political opinion, tactics like sensationalism and fear-mongering are informing decisions more than ever.