All Caught Up: Camila Cabello for Bacardi, Content Warning, anti-aging cream for kids

I (don’t) love it, I (don’t) love it, I (don’t) love it, I (don’t) love it

While today’s newsletter isn’t about Sephora teens, it has occupied a lot of brain space for

Christina Monroe

and me over the past few weeks. When I was younger, I was a Sephora/MAC teen – I bought my first tube of Ruby Woo at 13. And while there’s no harm in experimentation, there is something sinister about… kids wanting anti-aging creams. It feels different than the previous YouTube beauty tutorial era in flavor.

That said, onto this week’s links. 

This week's picks are about the death of the Samba, Young Miko for LOEWE and hunger as a status symbol.

Christina’s weekly scroll – 

1. Nike and Bode are cooking up the next ‘it’ sneaker (since the Samba is dead).

Nikita note: This feels like a grasp at the audience that ALD and New Balance have courted very nicely.

2. After 12 seasons, Curb Your Enthusiasm is over. And the finale was perfect.

3. LOEWE’s Paula's Ibiza 2024 campaign has the craziest mix of music/film talent: Young Miko, Alison Oliver, Kevin Abstract, TAEYONG, Yebba and 070 Shake. If anyone wants to gift me a strawberry Mini Squeeze… 🍓

4. The McDonald’s marketing and comms team is crushing it. This French fry-scented OOH is… brilliant. (I also loved the WcDonald's campaign fwiw…). Their operational decisions, however…

Nikita note:

what is (brand) purpose, really?

Nikita’s weekly scroll – 

1. There have been a lot of conversations over the last few weeks around exclusivity and bringing it back. Nice one from

   SOTA
   on exclusivity being back in fashion.

2. I enjoyed this one from

   The Sociology of Business
   .

3. Camila Cabello for Bacardi? Ok.

4. I enjoy the research from Further&Further always and this latest preview from the team is no exception, tackling many marketing clichés about Gen-Z head-on. 

5. People are going viral for playing a game about what it takes to achieve virality.

6. Hunger as a status symbol… 🫤

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˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Little Treat Corner ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚

Christina’s weekly report:

READING: I love being an AAA24 member for many reasons, one of which is the zine subscription! The latest one is an ode to the multiplex and is soooo good.

EATING: Mr. M's Sandwich Shop… I’m addicted.

PLAYING: If you’re not playing Hello Kitty Island Adventure, wyd? I love the new update <3

OBSESSING: GloRilla + Megan Thee Stallion’s Wannabe Challenge. Bye!

RECOMMENDING: Birdwatching. Also, the PI.FYI app.

TREATING: It’s always a treat seeing my girl Daniela at IGK Miami. She hooked me up with a shaggy spring cut this week!

Nikita’s weekly report:

READING: Hannah Grey’s cultural vibrations report, which I was lucky enough to contribute to.

EATING: Haribo 🙂

PLAYING: Still tinkering on that brand universe essay.

OBSESSING: Over getting stronger! I have been working with Thea Hughes for a few months and am finally starting to reap the rewards.

RECOMMENDING: Touching grass.

TREATING: Maybe another few Pleats Please pieces.

Short newsie this week! If you want to share a link, a tip, or just chat, leave a comment or email us at hello@blankprojects.co.