All Caught Up: TikTok, courting controversy, Ozempic economy
Brands aren’t letting up
Head empty, no big thoughts this week. The weather is too nice and when I’m not outside, I’m inside turning my brain off by watching the NBA playoffs.
This week's picks include algorithm updates, birding and running as the new streetwear.
Christina’s weekly scroll –
The girls are going feral for the Augustinus Bader x Sofia Coppola tinted lip balms. Shade 1 was inspired by a discontinued Monoprix lip balm which was the impetus behind the launch; it is the brand's first venture into color cosmetics.
OLIPOP and Barbie collaborated on a Peaches & Cream soda to celebrate Barbie's 65th anniversary. OLIPOP’s Director of Integrated Media also spilled on LinkedIn that Mattel is re-releasing the 1984 Peaches ’N Cream™ Barbie® 🍑
Orebella’s finally been revealed but if you follow
on TikTok you knew back in February that Miss Hadid was launching perfumes (and more). You can shop URL now at orebella.com or IRL at Ulta Beauty starting May 12th!Should the workplace be sterile and sexless? (yes) What if your DEI consultant is super horny? (yikes) This piece from The Cut brought me back to
’s musings on work crushes and corporate fetish ⛓️The brands courting controversy… Pretty cringe 9/10 times.
Ty Haney teased Joggy coming to Erewhon on X. This should fill the Foxtrot-sized hole in their heart (and pocketbook) 💔
Not sold on Fancy Studs. Given that the price of gold is at an all-time high and lab-grown diamonds aren't a sustainable alternative, I'm unsure why consumers would choose to buy from them instead of… anywhere else? Also, fwiw, the last time I went to Studs (~2019) they wouldn’t let you get more than one piercing per lobe and now they’re pushing up to four? Interesting!
Despite the looming TikTok ban, brands aren't letting up. More businesses are activating on TikTok Shop now than ever before…
Good dogs, bad names. s/o
for this palate cleanser!
Nikita’s weekly scroll –
The Youthforia foundation debacle. Where to even begin with this one? I know it’s tough for smaller brands to produce wider color ranges but to make an audience feel like a second priority, and then ultimately deliver a product that’s… black pigment? Gross.
Running is the new this, running is the new that. Maybe we’re all just lonely and want a collective experience that isn’t centered around spending money on food or alcohol. s/o
for this piece though - which makes one of the stronger arguments I’ve seen here.Speaking of collective experiences, birding is en vogue.
Instagram algorithm updates! Looks like a lot more emphasis on original content. I wonder how this will impact brands that rely on UGC-forward strategies and the industry of agencies that serve them. I assume it will change some things around contracts and make collaborative posts more important. Also, they promise here that smaller creators will get more distribution. Let’s see about that.
Ozempic economy! GNC, Vitamin Shoppe and more are catering end caps and shelf space to customers experiencing GLP-1 side effects.
A little older news, but YouTube creators are seeing streams coming from TVs, and YT is competing with Netflix. Which… TikTok (if we continue to even have TikTok in the US!) is competing indirectly with Netflix too, for everyone’s screen time. Landscape videos on TT, longer uploads… Everyone wants the same viewers!
A few weeks ago I touched on the Women’s sports boom. Nice piece from
full of stats on the lift in viewership, etc. Women are watching more sports in general – across leagues, and the marketing dollars are following.UMG x TikTok struck a deal.
Seeing layoffs at the Swoosh and general malaise around sneakers. Maybe pants are just too wide? Feels like a very different moment than 3-5 years ago and you’re gonna have to pay me for the full market analysis tbh.
That said, I am seeing interesting, minimal silhouettes coming around. This feels like a long-tail impact of the popularity of low-profile sneakers like the Samba which led to… the vintage Prada sneaker revival, the Nike Prestos and these PUMAs (not for me!) Feeling the Salomon Marie-Jeanne though.
˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚Little Treat Corner ˚₊‧꒰ა ☆ ໒꒱ ‧₊˚
Christina’s weekly report:
READING:
left The Intercept and his resignation letter highlights fundamental issues in media today. Check it out and support him!EATING: Dill Pickle Trail Mix 🥒
PLAYING: The Challengers soundtrack. COME ON!
OBSESSING: Love love love Helmut Lang’s latest anime rollout <3 Annie Choi is so talented.
RECOMMENDING: Challengers. To quote
: “This one's for the fujoshis!”TREATING: Does anyone have leather loafer recommendations? I deserve a pair.
Nikita’s weekly report:
READING: A lot about cold plunges – watch this space.
EATING: A crisp, lemony chicken Milanese.
PLAYING: LinkedIn games. JK.
OBSESSING: The aforementioned Salomon Marie-Jeanne 🫤
RECOMMENDING: Hyper-local NYC honey. Doing wonders for my allergies.
TREATING: Pleats Please 🙂
If you want to share a link, a tip, or just chat, leave a comment or email us at hello@blankprojects.co.