Billy Joel and Olivia Rodrigo performed together at Joel's show last night at Madison Square Garden.
How brands can jump in: Is your brand a stan? Get excited about this moment with an in-joke that fans of Rodrigo and/or Joel will love.
#studentloanforgiveness: Joe Biden announces his plans to forgive up to 20k in student debt for Americans making less than $125,000.
What brands should be aware of: This one isn't for brands, but good to keep an eye out for as the political discourse about this decision unravels online.
corn kid + corn kid song
What it is: Earlier in the month, the TikTok account Doing Things posted a TikTok of a kid named Tyriq being interviewed about his love of corn. That adorable interview was then set to music by TikTok user schmoyoho and if it wasn't already stuck in your head then there you go. Both the song and corn kid himself have gone viral on TikTok and across the internet
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How brands can jump in: What people really love about corn kid is his passion! Which is a universal language that brands can all get behind. Use the song to celebrate a beloved product of yours, or get creative with how corn itself relates to your brand.
Examples: 1, 2, 3
Urgency level: HOT! 🥵 The trend has been circulating all week with a few heavy hitter brand examples already out. Jump on it ASAP!
What it is: Let's talk about Gen Z's obsession with nostalgia! Contrary to tired boomer takes, Gen Z isn't trying to relive the past, but instead, take elements of it and make the present better. As this article from the Guardian puts it- "We’re saying, I’ll take your fashion and raise you female empowerment, gender fluidity, and people on catwalks and TV that actually look like us."
What we can learn: Nostalgia is powerful, but if you're using it to market toward Gen Z you have to do so authentically. Gen Z can sniff out a shallow brand message easily and won't respond to it. Amplify this trend, but do so in a way that's inclusive and representative of the real cultural shift that Gen Z is leading.
Olivia Wilde breaks her silence on Harry Styles.
Everything you need to know about the Student Loan Forgiveness Plan.
Obsessed with Stranger Things star Noah Schnapp working as a lifeguard all summer to stay grounded.
The Rehearsal really resonated with autistic viewers, here's why.
Thanks for reading! Today’s issue was created by Aubrey Burrough and Sophia Krivatsy. Want to subscribe? Reply to this email to get on this list.