The Zeitgeist: January 2, 2026

Today's Edition: 2025's Legacy, Magicians and Marty Supreme

January 02, 2026

Good morning. Hope you had a great holiday season. We’ve been cutting through the annual flood of 2026 predictions - from Wall Street forecasts to zodiac promises to what The New York Times editors say is coming next. We’ve also got food trend intel (more texture, more vinegar, says Kim Severson) and The Hustle’s shortlist of 2026 storylines. One standout: Rachel Karten’s refreshingly practical take on the ins and outs of social media management. Cheers to the year ahead.

Campaigns

Earned-friendly campaigns & clever moments

Timothée Chalamet’s stunt-filled ‘Marty Supreme’ marketing campaign proves we like stars who hustle

A24’s ‘Marty Supreme’ promo put Timothée Chalamet front and center with viral stunts that paid off.

By Jason Guerrasio | Business Insider

How Google embraced AI-generated ads - a case study for brands

Google’s AI-made ads signal growing marketer confidence in AI creativity - even as consumer skepticism lingers.

By Asa Hiken | Ad Age

Also, the best ads per Ad Age, best marketing campaigns per Marketing Dive and best PR stunts per Inc. of 2025.

Culture 

Snackable bites of consumer culture

There’s a spell for that: Why 2025 was the year of the Etsy witch

Online sales of “quick spells” surged in 2025, drawing both demand and backlash.

By Pilar Melendez | NBC News

How Magicians Took Over Nightlife

Party magic has become a low-stakes way to embrace awe amid uncertainty.

By Aliza Abarbanel | The Cut

Restaurants’ hottest menu item in 2025 was ‘value.’ That won’t change this year

Consumers are price-conscious, pushing restaurants to emphasize value to keep diners coming.

By Amelia Lucas | CNBC

Dragons, Sex and the Bible Drove Book Sales in 2025

Book sales stayed resilient, but publishers face mounting pressure from costs, AI and shifting reader habits.

By Elizabeth A. Harris, Alexandra Alter | The New York Times

Corporate

Is Ozempic shaping the workplace?

Weight-loss drugs are quietly reshaping workplace culture, from business lunches to ideas of professionalism.

By Emma Jacobs | Financial Times

Hoping AI will give you more work-life balance in 2026? Fortune 500 CEOs warn otherwise

CEOs are using AI to boost productivity while preserving long-hours cultures, creating tension with employee expectations.

By Preston Fore | Fortune

Women know they are being left behind at work, new report finds

The report shows commitment to advancing women is slipping, risking stalled progress without renewed focus on gender equity.

By Katie Hawkinson | The Independent

Commerce

Shopper society snapshot

AI will change the way you shop in 2026

AI’s rapid adoption signals a shift toward AI-led shopping journeys, pushing brands to adapt quickly as autonomous buying comes into view.

By Elizabeth Segran | Fast Company

Shoppers Spent Big This Holiday Season, Despite Economic Pressures

U.S. holiday spending ticked up in 2025 despite uncertainty, signaling cautious but resilient consumers heading into 2026.

By Kim Bhasin | The New York Times

Barnes & Noble opened 67 bookstores in 2025, a recent record. Now it’s plotting another year of expansion

The bookseller’s growth signals renewed momentum for physical retail, fueled by strong sales and #BookTok.

By Grace Snelling | Fast Company

Connections

Feed intelligence & AI tips

We’re in the Eras tour of podcasting

Multi-city podcast tours are booming, evolving into full-blown spectacles with big venues, special guests, interactive moments and merch.

By Whitney Friedlander | The Los Angeles Times

TikTok has dethroned YouTube and Instagram and become the top social app for news among young people

43% of 18- to 29-year-olds are regularly consuming news on TikTok, according to Pew Research Center data.

By Dan Whateley | Business Insider

AI slop is taking over the internet. And it’s here to stay.

Generative AI’s rapid rise has flooded the internet with low-quality “AI slop,” eroding trust and creativity.

By Christine Ji, Britney Nguyen | MarketWatch

Media Moves & Intel:

  • Ben Berkowitz, formerly managing editor of business and markets at Axios, has been promoted to head of news, where he will manage the daily essential newsletter (Axios AM, PM, Finish Line), newsdesk and audience teams.

  • Diana Ransom, formerly executive editor at Inc., is now editorial director at CNBC’s shoppable personal finance site, CNBC Select.

  • Rebecca Torrence, formerly correspondent at Business Insider, is now reporter at Bloomberg News covering CVs, startups and the rapidly evolving landscape around AI and emerging tech.

  • Lauren Steussy, formerly senior editor at Business Insider, is now assistant editor at The New York Times in the Los Angeles bureau.

  • Li Cohen, formerly senior manager of social media at CBS News, is now senior digital content producer of social media at WSMV-TV (NBC Nashville).

  • Becca Wood, formerly news and trending reporter at The TODAY Show, has left the show to pursue freelance opportunities.

Also... read this Atlas Obscura roundup of the 20 places to travel and transform yourself in 2026.

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