In the face of economic crises, climate anxieties, and global wars, people are seeking solace through connection. They want to be sure someone will hold their hand in the face of hardship. As a result, they have higher expectations of care and understanding from interactions with brands, social systems, and p...

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.

Chipotle has taken another step into the Web3 space by launching an addition to its menu inRoblox. Amid growing interest in and access to virtual worlds, people are getting accustomed to their favorite brands meeting them online via interactive and immersive engagements.

Burger King has launched a humorous ad that sees a young girl confused by the realistic taste of the restaurant chain’s vegan food range. Embracing humor and irony, the brand aims to show customers that its plant-based offerings are just as tasty as meat-filled options.

British girl group FLO has risen to popularity among young UK music fans with an R&B sound and aesthetic reminiscent of the 90s. Their commitment to authenticity and empowerment of Black British voices are reflective of Gen Y and Z’s desires for relatable icons in the music industry and beyond.

Cultural memory is getting shorter, with mass digitisation causing people to seek solace in the recent past. But it’s not solely about innocence – ‘nowstalgia’ is fuelled by a desire to reimagine and right perceived wrongs. So, how is a meme mindset impacting Gen Z’s media consumption and style?