People are craving comfort. Amid what can feel like a state of constant crisis – a layering of traumatic societal events – it can sometimes seem like we’ve lost a sense of scale and cohesion. In the face of this, the desire to retreat into nostalgia is more seductive than ever.

In April 2019, bath bomb aficionado Lush declared it would be suspending its UK social media accounts. As people begin to experience ad fatigue – and brands become slaves to social media algorithms – how is Lush building real relationships with its community of #Lushies?

Amid a golden era for independent radio, Do!!You!!! has attracted a community of dedicated listeners by providing an engaging alternative to commercial broadcasting. But how does the platform provide its audience with a sense of community and belonging? And what does this mean for music fandom?

Limited real-life interactions in lockdown have led many people to seek out online communications that allow for deeper, more intimate connections. Audio offers a welcome break from screen-based social media, but how can brands best harness this medium to stand out?

Throughout the pandemic, many Britons turned to radio for a sense of comfort and security. Yet while the likes of BBC Radio 2 and Capital FM may play popular music, they’re not popular among all listeners. How are independent stations gaining ground with audiences outside of the mainstream?