The consequences of teen gambling addiction are being brought to life in a Korean short film. Once thought of as an adult crisis, easy access to online gambling platforms has led to addicts skewing younger, prompting conversations about whose responsibility it is to keep young people safe.

Ad campaign highlights Korea’s teen gambling epidemic

JMSN's soulful 2023 track 'Soft Spot' is experiencing a resurgence thanks to its laidback video. Inviting audiences to enjoy the freedom of movement and lightheartedness without burden, it offers an encouraging reminder that even in trying times, it’s okay to 'dance through it'.

'Soft Spot' resurgence captures desires for escapism

Fashion newsletters are transforming how we engage with style, offering personalised, curated content that appeals to consumers fatigued by fast fashion. By fostering direct connections between readers and experts, newsletters emphasise thoughtful, high-quality choices over fleeting trends.

How newsletters are reshaping fashion’s future

Netflix has announced its commitment to generative AI in game development, which can be used to produce concept art, 3D models, voice performances, or in-game dialogue. But fears around gen AI remain widespread in the industry, fuelling a movement that puts a premium on human creativity.

Netflix Games’ gen AI push stirs modern luddite fears

According to Nielsen, the 2000s-era TV series Gilmore Girls receives an annual rise in streaming views every autumn. As people seek nostalgia, comfort, and communal celebration, brands have the opportunity to craft campaigns and activations around the show's fall-coded narratives.

Gilmore Girls spotlights enduring cozy fall vibes

Addressing a younger, female-majority audience, podcaster and social media influencer Alex Clark is a wellness warrior and vocal conservative. As political polarization swells in the aftermath of Trump’s election victory, there is the potential for influencers such as Clark to grow in popularity.

Alex Clark brings conservatism to the wellness space

Smile 2 is letting horror fans watch the opening scene for free online – but the video only plays if users smile for the camera while watching. The move has sparked backlash, highlighting growing concerns about data practices and the need for transparency in an era of rapid AI development.

Smile 2 campaign raises concerns about data collection

Hollywood films like Babygirl, A Family Affair, and The Idea of You center on intergenerational relationships between middle-aged women and younger men. They show the potential for original, raw, and nuanced media narratives that challenge traditional norms and examine female sexual agency.

Glossy age-gap romances spotlight female midlife desire 

Stone Island has launched a music platform featuring playlists and live shows, joining brands like KidSuper in expanding from fashion into cultural programming. The move is reflective of how luxury labels are becoming lifestyle curators rather than just clothing producers.

Stone Island music platform taps into subculture

BBC mini-series Mr Loverman explores a hidden decades-long gay relationship within the Windrush generation. It challenges typical narratives about Caribbean immigrants in post-war Britain, contributing to a growing trend of more nuanced, authentic portrayals of Black experiences in the media.

‘Mr Loverman’ expands British Black narratives  

The fifth edition of Homobloc reflects the rise of large-scale queer festivals that celebrate a traditionally underground culture. Yet its expansion has sparked some criticism, highlighting the desire for its grassroots values to be preserved as LGBTQ+ culture becomes more mainstream.

Large-scale queer events offer authentic representation

Airbnb is offering three families a chance to spend a night in Paddington’s house in London ahead of the third film's release. With many people seeking immersive travel, brands can craft fan experiences that cater to both adults and children, speaking to desires for nostalgia and escapism.

Airbnb venue entices fans with immersive staycation

Teens today view influencing as a viable career path, harnessing viral trends to build substantial followings and earn a salary previous generations could have only dreamed of. However, there's a trade-off as many big names deal with social isolation and scrutiny from peers and followers alike.

Teens seek influencer careers despite potential pitfalls

Nintendo has launched its first music-focused app where users can access soundtracks from its games. As the gaming community grows more inclusive, brands can play a pivotal role in expanding virtual worlds by leaning on nostalgia and kidult behaviors to appeal to both hardcore and casual fans.

Nintendo entices kidults with nostalgic music app

A record number of Britons say they're excited for the 2024 Christmas ads, according to research conducted ahead of the festive season. These ads offer messages of empathy and connection that resonate amid challenging times, highlighting values that should persist in marketing all year round.

Search for positivity fuels excitement for Xmas ads

Netflix has dropped a trailer for ‘Buy Now! The Shopping Conspiracy’, which aims to zero in on the ethical and environmental impacts of overconsumption. As critical spending habits persist following the cost of living crisis, the film taps emerging desires to opt out of harmful consumption cycles.

Netflix documentary taps anti-consumerist sentiments

Japanese election candidates are flocking to YouTube Shorts to reach voters. While short videos boost accessibility, there are misinformation concerns about influencers and memes shaping political discourse, resulting in a push for increased media literacy for citizens based in Japan and abroad.

Short-form content boosts voter engagement in Japan

Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos has defended his newspaper's decision to stop making presidential endorsements, saying the move could help restore public trust in the media. However, the immediate effect has instead been greater divisions and increased skepticism of news outlets.

Washington Post polarizes subs due to endorsement snub

A Washington Post analysis found that Republicans are posting more, getting followed more, and going viral more on X now that the world’s richest Trump supporter is running the platform. People are gathering in closed digital communities that reflect their ideologies, deepening political divides.

Republican views dominate Elon Musk's X 

Fan podcasts are enabling people to fulfill their wildest fantasy: becoming part of the worlds they idolize. Centered on specific celebrities, artists, or TV series, they contribute to the surrounding lore, immerse listeners, and gain fans themselves. But can the fan podcast also build ‘brandom’?

How American fan culture is fuelling the podcast boom

The New York Times has endorsed Kamala Harris with a striking text-only message, urging readers to 'Believe' Trump's stated plans. Its approach reflects a shift towards fact-centered endorsements amid eroding trust in the media, appealing to audiences' desire for transparency and direct information.

NY Times' Harris endorsement taps calls for transparency

Donald Trump's 2024 campaign is making a mark on the electorate via new media platforms, from Joe Rogan's podcast to influencer collabs. As both candidates embrace digital spaces and viral moments – from Harris on Call Her Daddy to Trump's at McDonald's – they're shifting how campaigns reach voters.

New media powers Trump's unconventional campaign

After speculation about a streaming platform, Chick-fil-A is set to unveil an app called Chick-fil-A Play. With a suite of games and family-friendly original content, the app aims to overcome growing disquiet with advertising, opting instead to produce the kind of content that customers want.

Chick-fil-A soothes ad fatigue through entertainment

Gen Alpha is all about building, creating, and making things their own. No wonder they love to game – so much so that gaming is to Gen A what social media has been to Gen Z and Y. As this young generation grows, understanding how they see and use digital spaces will be key to capturing and maintaining their interest.

What does Gen Alpha want from gaming?

Indian beauty brand Sugar Cosmetics has launched a campaign that showcases beauty rituals as a form of empowerment. It’s going one step further than the ‘girlboss’ narrative in Indian advertising, highlighting how women’s identities are fluid and can exist outside of the family-work dichotomy.

Sugar Cosmetics embraces femininity as power in India

Spotify has introduced a creative feature that allows users to design custom cover art for their playlists. The feature empowers listeners to transform their playlists with the artists and songs that hold meaning for them, allowing them to showcase their identities through music and design.

Spotify update lets fans customise playlist covers

Designer Colm Dillane has launched a music label dubbed KidSuper Records, with the first music video featuring pieces from the brand's new collection. This move highlights the growing intersection of music and fashion, allowing brands to support local creatives and enhance personal expression.

KidSuper strengthens community ties with music label 

Bad Bunny has endorsed Kamala Harris in the wake of comedian Tony Hinchcliffe’s inflammatory remarks about Puerto Ricans at a Trump rally. Celebrity culture is more entwined with politics than ever, and election campaigns are foregrounding pop culture-led strategies to resonate with younger voters.

Bad Bunny amplifies pop culture’s sway over US elections

Political campaigns are shifting to streaming ads, reflecting evolving media consumption habits and the need to reach voters on new platforms. Since online memes and creator content are becoming key political communication tools, reaching voters through casual entertainment is the logical next step.

Political campaigners shift from TV to streaming

Cash Cobain fans are being given the chance to create their own unique MP3 of his viral song 'Problem'. As artist-audience relationships become more fragmented, this presents an opportunity for gamified experiences that foster co-creation, allowing fans to strengthen their connection to the music.

US rapper fosters fan co-creation with unique MP3 verses

The owner of the LA Times has opted out of a Presidential endorsement, leading to staff resignations, and an instant drop in subscribers. With the election polarising voters, people are challenging brands to take a stand – and expressing their frustration where they see brands falling short.

LA Times' Harris endorse snub pushes staff and subs away

'Living alone vlogs' on Xiaohongshu celebrate singlehood as a fulfilling lifestyle that emphasises economic independence and self-care. As Chinese citizens' priorities shift, more young adults are choosing to remain unmarried, reflecting women's societal roles beyond traditional expectations.

Women celebrate the joys of solo living on Xiaohongshu

WHSmith, the iconic British high-street retailer, is making a bold move by reintroducing vinyl albums to its shelves after a three-decade hiatus. Amid the ubiquity of digital-first media consumption, fans increasingly value physical media as a way to reconnect with tangible, tactile experiences.

WHSmith vinyl restock taps desires for physical media

Despite the controversy, the National Football League has announced its plans to extend its ongoing relationship with Roc Nation at the Super Bowl Halftime Show. The relationship between fans and artists is fragmenting, with the former demanding meaningful connection and shared values.

NFL extends Roc Nation deal amid fan-artist decline

Male action stars and superhero narratives are evolving, challenged by societal crises and shifting ideas of masculinity. How can directors and producers craft compelling stories for film and television about male heroes that appeal to audiences’ increasingly nuanced tastes?

How the superhero genre is subverting masculinity

To get their hands on the PS5 Pro, Japanese gamers need 30+ gameplay hours, preventing scalpers and prioritizing genuine gamers. This approach combats reselling, engages the core audience, and strengthens brand loyalty while aligning with the growing trend of 'status skills' over 'status symbols'.

Japanese gamers prove skills to obtain Playstation 5 Pro

LEGO has partnered with COLORSxSTUDIOS and singer-songwriter Jacob Collier to launch a new campaign encouraging adults to unwind. Demonstrating the importance of letting loose and self-exploration, the move highlights how experimentation and creativity can help one find one’s happy place.

LEGO ad celebrates need for rest and creativity

Emerging technologies are reshaping creative processes, highlighting a tension between digital tools and a growing desire for authentic, human-driven output. Canvas8 spoke to cultural insider Sorrel Salb to explore the current trends and developments that are impacting the creative community.

Sorrel Salb on the impact of tech on the creative community

Following an initial venture into e-books in 2023, TikTok’s parent company, Bytedance, is planning to steer its publishing arm towards print. Capitalising on a BookTok-fuelled reading renaissance, the move falls in line with shifting preferences towards analogue media, particularly among Gen Z.

Bytedance taps BookTok hype in move to print publishing

From Hanya Yanigihara on suit jackets to Virginia Woolf on evening bags, fashion brands are currently having a literature-inspired moment. But drawing design inspiration from authors is no new phenomenon in the world of style, so what’s driving this resurgence in 2024?

Decoding the fashion world’s literary renaissance

Neuro-inclusive nightlife events are on the rise, creating sensory-free spaces for neurodivergent people to enjoy live music. Demonstrating how tailored environments can enable fuller participation in cultural experiences, these events are paving the way for a more inclusive nightlife scene.

Inclusive clubs cater to neurodiverse needs 

Spotify has expanded its audiobook service to four new non-English-speaking markets: France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Offering a library of works in French and Dutch, the platform is appealing to a global audience, especially as the audiobook market continues to grow. 

Spotify expands non-English audiobook range in Europe

DC GO! is 'a new frontier of webcomics' designed for mobile devices, providing fans with reformatted old stories and original content. Brands are adapting their offerings as people’s media consumption habits shift away from traditional avenues, and this move recognizes the popularity of webcomics.

DC gives on-the-go readers mobile-formatted comics

A new wave of Britpop is subverting the genre's aesthetics, challenging its laddish roots by blending pride with critique. Diverse, inclusive, and often disruptive, these musicians are remixing symbols like the Union Jack, reshaping what it means to be British in a fragmented cultural landscape.

How are the new Britpop stars redefining ‘Britishness’?

The art historical canon is being shaken up at Art Basel Paris 2024 with a section devoted to showcasing non-traditional artists and works. People continue to demand diverse and inclusive representation across sectors, but brands may risk a backlash if it's not done right.

Art Basel Paris spotlights inclusivity in new exhibition

The likes of Sabrina Carpenter and Chappell Roan have taken over pop with highly stylized aesthetics and theatrical performances. In this cultural shift toward bold self-expression, authenticity and fantasy are two sides of the same coin. Driving it? Gen Z’s embrace of nostalgia and inclusivity.

Welcome to the theatre kid renaissance

As part of its Self-Esteem Project, Dove is joining hands with kids’ YouTube channel Blippi to promote a healthy body image among preschoolers. Gen Alpha’s beauty anxieties are taking root even before the tween years, and brands have an opportunity to instill body-positive attitudes from day one.

Dove taps Blippi to help Gen Alpha build body confidence

To celebrate the Indian Festival of Lights, Mattel has introduced its first-ever Barbie Diwali doll. The brand continues to fulfil an essential role in enhancing playtime for children by blending creative play with real-world education and cultural representation in each new toy release.

Diwali Barbie shows need for diverse representation

The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) has tapped Megan Thee Stallion for a youth suicide prevention campaign. The move highlights the need for accessible, youth-focused health resources and the importance of creating safe spaces for open conversations about mental wellbeing.

Megan Thee Stallion campaign tackles youth suicide

At a difficult moment for the British night economy, hi-fi listening bars are taking off across the country. With an emphasis on top-quality, intentional listening experiences, the venues tap into a growing desire for interest-led, communal third spaces and immersive sensory environments.

Listening bars offer sensory third space for audiophiles

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

Netflix's foray into gaming capitalizes on the demand for affordable escapism and social connection. By leveraging familiar IPs and nostalgia, the streaming giant is transforming passive viewers into active players – but can it create a truly social gaming experience for its massive subscriber base?

How Netflix elevates fandom through immersive gaming

In Japan, oshikatsu, or passionately supporting a fave celebrity or character, has evolved from a niche subculture into a multigenerational, mainstream phenomenon, driving significant spending and immersive fan experiences. What is fuelling this shift, and how are brands tapping into this trend to engage fans across age groups?

How Japanese superfans go all out for their heroes

Much of the conversation around professional sports is focused on how to stem the flow of fans away from live events and onto social media. The Savannah Bananas, an exhibition baseball team, is providing a blueprint for success – matching social media virality with sold-out stadiums.

The Savannah Bananas match fans' entertainment desires

The Sims' Tiny Town Challenge trend features eight Sims with unique skills living together. It balances individuality with community to appeal to young people's desire for personalisation and belonging, harnessing the medium of gaming to help players feel understood and catered to.

Tiny Town Challenge taps desire for personal community

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

McDonald’s Spain has unveiled an adult-focused Happy Meal to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Friends. As the lines between food and identity continue to blur, brands can appeal to kidulting ideals by tapping into nostalgia and creating unforgettable moments around meal time.

McDonald’s Spain taps nostalgia for kidult Happy Meal

Riding on the popularity of Netflix's Culinary Class Wars, convenience stores across South Korea are launching items in collaboration with participants from the show. These collaborations offer fans a way to enjoy the foods featured in the programme in an accessible way while ensuring quality.

Korean convenience stores collab with Netflix star chefs

Younger Australians overstimulated and burnt out by social media are turning to print magazines, fuelling a renaissance of the Aussie print industry that’s reviving major international titles.

Gen Z’s analogue desires are fuelling Australia’s print magazine renaissance

The stock of gaming platform Roblox has fallen in light of allegations that it has not done enough to protect children using it. With Gen Z and Gen Alpha spending more time per day on Roblox than any other platform, their safety hinges on how Roblox responds to these accusations.

Roblox stock falls amid safety lapse allegations

Aoni Production is partnering with AI start-up CoeFont to create multilingual speech generated from anime voice actors. The feature will be used in voice assistants, suggesting how fandom immersion is playing out beyond entertainment and in many other aspects of people’s everyday lives.

Japanese firms use AI to create anime voice assistants

What are the new norms of fan-icon relationships? Is relatability more powerful than aspiration? How can the new codes of creative culture be leveraged to cut through and win audience trust? Download our Spotlight on culture's new icons.

Spotlight on: 2024's culture shapers 

Service provider Optus is doubling down on its commitment to the Australian small business community with its new campaign. As many owners struggle with the economic challenges of running a small business, the company shows an empathetic understanding and provides tangible support. 

Optus goes 'All In' on supporting Australian SMEs

The humble tomato was the star of the show at Make It Mutti, a pop-up dining experience held in London’s Saatchi Gallery to celebrate Mutti's heritage and values. People are keen to engage with immersive and unique brand experiences as they seek respite from digital fatigue.

Mutti invites London guests to immersive dining pop-up

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are embracing alternative platforms to connect with younger voters. Harris's appearance on Call Her Daddy and Trump's podcast tour highlight the importance of digital spaces in political campaigns, reflecting evolving strategies to engage Gen Z in the election.

Harris and Trump turn to podcasts to target Gen Z voters

Netflix is giving London superfans the chance to purchase memorabilia from popular titles with a one-day-only pop-up store. Leveraging audience desires for more interactive forms of engagement, the move taps a growing interest in high-value collectables among young people.

Netflix pop up taps fandom-fuelled memorabilia hype

In a record-breaking win for the Philippines, gymnast Carlos Yulo secured two gold medals in the 2024 Olympics. Brands and supporters back home put him on a pedestal and his family life under a microscope, showering him with money, gifts, and controversies that changed the face of local sport.

How Carlos Yulo changes sports culture for Filipino fans

Luxury streetwear label Aries has partnered with Premier League club Arsenal on a 26-piece collection that pays homage to their shared birthplace of North London. Here, geography plays a key role in the credibility of the collaboration, but there are other ways to make co-branding appeal to shoppers.

Arsenal x Aries leans on the appeal of shared experience

Tarte Cosmetics faces backlash after simultaneous gifting campaigns created confusion, with some creators receiving luxury items while others did not. The recent campaign from the brand highlights growing demands for authenticity and fairness in the influencer marketing space.



Tarte’s influencer gifting campaign sparks criticism

Women's sports bar The Sports Bra is partnering with United City FC Women to launch a livestreaming channel dedicated to women's sports. This initiative simultaneously promotes women's sports, addresses the current disparity in media coverage, and creates inclusive spaces for female fans.

The Sports Bra launches streaming channel for W-sports

Research from The Collective reveals that almost three-quarters of women globally identify as avid sports fans. Significantly sponsoring women’s sports is also an opportunity to enhance brand reputation amongst women’s sports fans. How can brands continue to support the growth of the industry?

Women’s sports fans want to see more brand support

Twitch streamer Ironmouse, known for her signature anime avatar, has broken the record for most subscribers. As trust in public figures declines, relationships with influencers are changing, and increasingly, people are seeking out emerging icons who break the mold, do good, and feel relatable.

Ironmouse becomes most subscribed-to streamer on Twitch

Renowned as a hotbed of stan culture, Brazil’s suspension of X has sparked a decline in fandom engagement online. As core accounts take their fandom to new spaces, the opportunity for brands to fill the void by offering fresh and authentic ways of connecting and expressing their passion is clear.

X ban in Brazil sparks decline in online fan engagement

Lights, camera, action! Indian cinema is undergoing a dramatic transformation as regional films step into the limelight, outshining Bollywood. With the dynamic rise of OTT platforms and a shift towards more diverse storytelling, filmmakers are having to push the envelope – both on and off the screen. As the industry deals with gender representation and navigates political narratives, how is it reinventing itself to stay ahead?

How Indian cinema’s makeover is winning over fans

In addition to impacting their viewing habits and loyalty to teams or players, Gen Z’s digital-first approach to sports fandom is transforming their relationship with gambling. How do they engage with betting apps, and how can brands in this space both appeal to and safeguard young adults?

How are Gen Zers approaching sports gambling?

Due to post-pandemic fitness rituals, the mainstreaming of weight loss drugs, and the ebb and flow of the trend cycle, thinness is back in the form of the "ballet body." People want brands to care for their mental and physical health and continue to represent all body types. 

'Ballet body' trend signals return to thinness ideals

Lab 54, a UK group, brings pro-level parties to homes for free. They provide sound, lighting, and DJs, transforming homes into vibrant venues. This reflects a shift in nightlife culture as young people seek affordable, intimate alternatives to clubs amid economic pressures and venue closures.

Lab54 house parties revitalise London's dance scene

Seoul is hosting its first global webtoon festival and awards ceremony in Seongsu-dong, a vibrant cultural hub in the city, providing a participatory cultural experience. As webtoons gain global popularity, the government is supporting initiatives to engage fans both locally and abroad.

Seoul hosts immersive webtoon festival for fans

The artist teamed up with Google Maps to spotlight sustainable transport and food options on her North American tour. As people want their favorite artists to reflect their values, there is an opportunity to appeal to eco-friendly habits by fostering discovery and community engagement.

Billie Eilish promotes eco-friendly actions on US tour

Palestinian journalist Bisan Owda received an Emmy for her documentary chronicling life in Gaza amid the ongoing occupation. Owda faced a campaign to have her nomination rescinded, but her win highlights how alternative voices can challenge the mainstream while still reaching broad audiences.

Journalist wins Emmy for on-the-ground reporting in Gaza

Millions of young people are blending reading and socializing on BookTok. Authors are becoming influencers, using DIY marketing and unconventional swag like custom perfumes to engage their micro-communities. What does the ‘lit-girls-as-it-girls’ trend tell us about how we’re reading in 2024?

The rise of the literary ‘it’ girls

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

Joy Machine is a London-based event series showcasing AI filmmaking, with ten creators presenting short films highlighting AI’s creative potential. While it celebrates AI's artistic possibilities, it contrasts with broader concerns over AI’s impact on jobs and creativity within film.

Joy Machine curates creativity with AI Film Festival

The misrepresentation or outright exclusion of Boomers in advertising is contributing to negative stereotypes surrounding ageing. To counter this, AIC is working to promote more authentic and positive perspectives on ageing, encouraging people and brands to confront and rethink their own biases. 



AIC challenges ageist stereotypes in latest campaign   

giffgaff’s latest ad taps on the comeback of humour in advertising as a fairy in a flower field turns out to simply be an over-enthusiastic telco user. People are seeking lighthearted relief from stressful times, and comedy deployed effectively can help brands appeal to the desire for levity.

giffgaff ad embraces resurgence of humour in advertising

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

YouTube has introduced Communities, a forum-like space for creators and subscribers. The focus on more intimate interactions illustrates the power fandoms have in facilitating peer-to-peer connections and self-expression while allowing creators to maintain control over their content.

YouTube launches feature to bring fans close to creators

The brainchild of start-up Koodos Labs, Shelf is a social app connecting people with similar media preferences. As Gen Zers feel increasingly disconnected from the ‘social’ in social media, they’re looking for digital safe havens that allow their personalities and interests to shine.

Shelf helps Gen Z build community around media tastes

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

Infinity Song have found a niche within soft rock while exploring sounds from different musical genres as they blend the old with the new, carving out an identity beyond genre and time. What does their success say about winning over modern music fans with blended tastes?

How Infinity Song captivate modern music fans

Instagram has recently launched 'Teen Accounts' to offer a safer, more supervised app experience. As Gen Z and Gen Alpha continue to grapple with mental health exacerbated by social media, Big Tech is facing intense scrutiny from the government and parents alike to protect younger users.

Instagram's 'Teen Accounts' put parents in control

MOVeLOT, a Tokyo-based robotics start-up, is giving fans of the 1988 mecha anime franchise the chance to climb into and operate a lifesize version of one of the film's robots. With a new series planned for 2024, immersive tech provides a way to engage new and old fans more deeply.

Immersive experience lets anime fans operate a robot

Electronic Arts, creator of video game The Sims, announced that The Sims 4 will have a feature that allows certain content creators to create and sell their own add-ons to the game. With personalisation the norm, user-generated content is helping to give the gaming community flexibility and control.

The Sims platforms in-game creative content creators 

Since it was first released in 2022, Elden Ring has achieved mainstream success in the gaming community for its rich storyline, immersive landscapes, and highly intense levels. How are players responding to the intricacies of open-world gaming, and what can brands do to move with the times?

How Elden Ring tests the endurance of gaming communities

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

For Milan Fashion Week, the Italian label Etro broadcasted its runway show live via the Apple Vision Pro. While spatial computing is still nascent territory for most people, novelty-seeking HNWIs will be looking for cutting-edge phygital experiences as luxury currency.

Etro broadcasts runway show via Apple Vision Pro

Audible has partnered with sex therapist Chantelle Otten to create an immersive dining experience that encourages conversations around sexual wellness. As food-based aesthetics continue to dictate marketing cool, there’s an opportunity to unlock meaningful indulgence for experience-hungry Aussies.

Audible podcast brings sex therapy to the dining table

South Korean digital payments platform Naver Pay has launched a feature that allows users to raise a digital pet and earn points while doing so. As more Koreans embrace gamified e-commerce, brands are exploring more innovative mechanisms to keep people emotionally engaged.

Naver Pay levels up gamification with virtual pets

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

AI-powered creative app Verse facilitates fuss-free self-expression by allowing users to create scrollable, shareable, multi-modal mini-sites. While sensitivity remains around how AI will impact human creativity, Verse positions generative technology as an aide to everyday creative potential.

Verse app platforms Gen Z creativity with AI

Meet Grok, the face of AI-powered toy company Curio. The rocket-shaped plushie, voiced by musician Grimes, is designed to have “endless conversations” with kids. But what does the toy tell us about celebrities as creators, American parental burnout, and the perceptions of AI in 2024?

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