This week on my internet (10th Jan) 👁️

A 3 day lock in, waterline eyeliner broke the internet, and the Anti-social epidemic

Happy Happy New Year! WELCOME BACK to your regularly scheduled programming

ICYMI - I wrote a post on things I would love to stop seeing next year in social advertising, feel free to read it.

I’ve done so much work this week I haven’t really looked at feeds (soz) and I’ve had to spend some time touching grass (if you too, are looking for ways to not stare at ascreen, RSPB’s Bird of The week 2.0 is coming late jan, so lock in).

Also would love some feedback/requests on this newsletter as it’s been TWO WHOLE YEARS in the running with minimal updates, please reply to this email, leave a comment, hit me up on linkedin or send me a carrier pigeon.

Culture Beat

🏆 This week has mostly been fed by the red carpet of the Golden Globes. Genuinely touching moments included: Demi Moore winning her first award EVER, Shogun’s Tadanobu Asano shocked speech, The bar may have been low after last years Jo Koy fiasco, but Nikki Glaser smashed the opening speech.

On the less touching side of things; someone other than Cole must have been running the red carpet glambot because WTF was this. Also Tom Holland and Zendaya sparked engagement rumours (I will cry real tears if they ever break up) and Timothy Chalamet & Kylie Jenner are still dating (won’t ever get my head around that one).

⛄ More than 20 people have been snowed in at Britain’s highest pub for THREE whole days. 23 guests, 6 mnembers of staff and 1 dog have been living it up over natures lock in; the pub has given them meals, karaoke, and parties to get through the worst of the snow.

🏃 Molly May’s Ex boyfriend Tommy Fury was spotted at a 10k run, unfortunately for him, in the final 20m aka where many do a sprint finish. He’s become somewhat of a meme, overtaking older runners (Curry’s jumped straight on it)

👁️ Billie Eilish shared a grwm of how she does her makeup on tour and there has not been 1 whole day since where I haven’t someone now recreating it, or a publication raving about it. I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes the look of 2025 because it consistently slaps.

Content Corner

⚖️ The tea is PIPING over with the cast from It Ends With Us movie - since the Blake Lively shitstorm of a PR tour, Blake is now suing director/costar Justin Baldoni for Sexual assualt & defamation. Baldoni is countersuing. Whilst I don’t believe Blake is the nicest person, I am well aware two things can be true at the same time. If you care for the extensive story behind the lawsuit, it’s here.

Audience Insights: Gen Z, Mostly

🛒 A questionable metric of “total buzz” has identified the brands that captured the attention of Gen Z & Millennials this Christmas (in the US). Walmart, Target & Shein were the most talked about (Good + bad), Lululemon a standout with Gen Z, and Ralph Lauren with millennials. Surprisingly Uggs were NOT in the 4 footwear category, I feel like everyone I know got a pair for Christmas.

🛏️ America is in the midst of an “Anti-Social” epedemic. A trend amongst young people that is reshaping personalities, communities and societal structures. In Person socialising has dived by more than 20% between 2003-2023 (make that 35% for the under 25). Whilst the trend itself is impacting ALL Generations, Gen Z is notably no “trying to leave the house at all”. Interestingly this aligns with the rise of “flaking out” Of social plans, where people often feel they don’t owe anyone anything.

Tech Frontier

💔 Dating App Thursday is shutting down, citing younger generations ‘rapidly declining interest’ in the online dating market.

🛍️ WhatNot, a social commerce platform - and a direct rival to TikTok Shop - has just raised funds against a $5 Billion valuation. It’s latest funds come just ahead of the decision on TikTok’s looming potential Ban. TikTok recently shared a bright future forecast in their “what’s Next Report” as if there isn’t a possibility they may cease to exist in the US in 2 weeks.

And finally, a piece of joy from my feed

@liljasdiaryPeekaboo 🫣🐑 #sheep #icelandicsheep #iceland #lambs #fyp

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Stay excellent,

xoxo