The Zeitgeist: January 9, 2026

Today's Edition: Culture Coaches, Tangle and Craigslist

January 09, 2026

Good morning. CES 2026 is a wrap, with 4,000+ exhibitors turning Las Vegas into a playground for robots, AI, bendy screens, paper-thin TVs and cars that think for themselves. There’s no shortage of “best of CES” lists, but our favorites are Engadget, CNET and the AP - and our Best in Show goes to Lego Smart Play (Sphere + Star Wars), Roborock’s stair-climbing Saros Rover and Clicks Communicator (the BlackBerry is so back).

Meanwhile, brands are already clocking back in and eyeing the Super Bowl. With a month to go until Super Bowl LX, expect the buzz - and the ad previews - to ramp up fast.

Campaigns

Earned-friendly campaigns & clever moments

Coca-Cola Takes An Interactive Ride With Uber Advertising

Journey Takeover is an interactive ad format that pairs branded maps with destination-specific creative throughout a rider’s trip.

By Laurie Sullivan | MediaPost

How Michelob Ultra is building its Olympics strategy, one Games at a time

Fan events, branded packaging and athlete sponsorships are fueling its support of the 2028 Winter Olympics.

By Alyssa Meyers | Marketing Brew

Also, Pizza Hut’s “Pizza Before The Hut” campaign with Tom Brady, Lowe’s x Cinemark’s BYOBucket for National Popcorn Day (1/19), Listerine’s mouthwashing sounds turned music, Sweet Baby Ray’s anti-Dry January, David Protein’s “David Satisfies” campaign with Julia Fox and Taco Bell’s Baja Blast cologne.

Culture 

Snackable bites of consumer culture

The Best Way to Get a Restaurant Reservation? It’s an Old One.

Reservation apps and viral dining are pushing some diners to trade prestige for loyalty at local mainstays.

By Carson Griffith | The New York Times

The Food Pyramid Is Upside Down Now

The new pyramid emphasizes protein, full-fat dairy, fewer processed foods - and flips the model upside down.

By Olivia Craighead | The Cut

How Gen Z Is Approaching Safe Sex Differently From Millennials

Gen Z’s openness and affinity for online oversharing has made previously taboo topics into a form of self-care worth talking about.

By Mia Sherin | Bustle

Corporate

Why more companies are hiring ‘Culture Coaches’

Organizations are turning to culture coaches to tackle employee growth, leadership and organizational challenges.

By Staff | Fast Company

Salesforce Announces New Playbook to Boost AI Fluency in the Workplace

The guide helps businesses integrate AI into their workforce to boost efficient collaborations between humans and AI.

By Lauren Giella | Newsweek

The Downside to Using AI for All Those Boring Tasks at Work

AI productivity gains are coming with an unexpected cost: higher burnout and reduced creative ideation.

By Callum Borchers | The Wall Street Journal

Commerce

Shopper society snapshot

The Cult of Costco

Costco’s membership model encourages a sense of belonging and loyalty, as members feel invested in the experience and benefits.

By Jake Lundberg | The Atlantic

How a $3 Grocery Bag Became an International Status Symbol

From Seoul to Melbourne, the canvas carrier is the latest marker of being well-traveled, in-the-know and part of a global conversation.

By Maura Brannigan | The Wall Street Journal

Uniqlo and Coach are opening cafes - joining longtime coffee players Ralph Lauren and Capital One. Here’s why it’s become a retail trend

Experts say experiences like cafés drive foot traffic, boost brand awareness and increase sales.

By Ryan Baker | CNBC

Connections

Feed intelligence & AI tips

Is Craigslist the Last Real Place on the Internet?

Many Craigslist devotees in their 30s and 40s still see the old-school site as an essential part of daily life.

By Jennifer Swann | WIRED

Twitter and Pinterest founders launch app as antidote to social media

Tangle, an invite-only app, aims to help users live more intentionally through shared goals and reflection.

By Tim Bradshaw | Financial Times

The AI Email Tell: How To Know A Message Was Written By A Robot

Overly formal knowledge is usually a sure sign you’ve received one of the 6.7 billion AI-generated emails being sent every day.

By Ray Schultz | MediaPost

Media Moves & Intel:

  • Kate Rooney, tech reporter at CNBC, has returned from parental leave. She is covering OpenAI, Anthropic, Amazon, overall VC landscape and retail investor trends via Robinhood.

  • Allie Canal, formerly senior reporter at Yahoo Finance, is now on-air business and economy reporter at NBC News. She’s reporting across broadcast, streaming and digital platforms.

  • Lucas Ropek, formerly AI staff writer at Gizmodo, is now senior staff writer at TechCrunch covering AI, consumer tech and startups.

  • David Katzmaier, formerly senior editorial director at CNET, is now editor in chief.

  • Will Welch, formerly editor at GQ, is stepping down to work in a new role with Pharrell in Paris.

  • Sarah Schmidt, formerly director of editorial operations at GQ, is now director of editorial operations of WSJ. Magazine & Style.

  • Kate Ellsworth, formerly commerce editor at AOL, is now editorial director of portfolio businesses and affiliate partnerships at USA Today.

  • Hannah Oh, formerly shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, has left the magazine and has yet to announce her new role.

  • Lizzy Gulino, formerly nights and weekends blogger at The Cut, is now senior staff writer at Allure.

  • Hana Hong, formerly beauty and fashion editor at Real Simple, is now editorial and affiliate director at The List, covering stories about beauty, fashion, lifestyle, travel and more.

  • California Post, New York Post’s sister publication, is launching January 26 and will run in digital and print daily.

  • The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, a 340-year-old newspaper, is shutting down, effective May 3.

Also... check out the robots and satellites on Mars, courtesy of NASA.

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