The Zeitgeist: May 17, 2024

Today’s Edition: Bumble Billboards, Mental Health and Uber

May 17, 2024

Happy Friday! This week continues to buzz with inflation talk. Big tech shake-ups saw giants like Google and Walmart announcing significant layoffs, citing economic uncertainties and the need to streamline operations.

In other news, the WNBA made its official season debut, marked by hot brand deals and A-list celebrity support, propelling the league to new heights. Also, the Cannes Film Festival kicked off with France's film industry engaging in a belated #MeToo reckoning, sparking important conversations alongside the red carpet glitz. And, Samsung was quick to mock Apple's Crushing iPad ad fiasco with its own "UnCrush' pitch. 

Campaigns

Earned-friendly campaigns & clever moments

Bumble's billboard ads sneered at celibacy as an alternative to dating — and the company got stung

The dating app Bumble got stung after running billboard ads that appeared to sneer at celibacy as an alternative to meeting people online.

By David Hamilton | Associated Press

e.l.f. Beauty Calls for Diversity in Boardrooms With 'So Many Dicks' Campaign

e.l.f. Beauty calls for more diversity in U.S. corporate boardrooms.

By Brittaney Kiefer | Adweek

Also, Bobby Flay x Pepsi’s limited-edition flavors, Dolly Parton x Krispy Kreme doughnut collection, Gordon Ramsay hired as Welch’s Fruit Snacks’ chief fruit officer, and McDonald's limited-edition Grandma McFlurry.

Culture 

Snackable bites of consumer culture

When Did Everything Become a ‘Journey’?

Changing our hair, getting divorced, and taking spa vacations are not just things we do; they’re “journeys.” The linguistic shift reflects a cultural tendency to frame all experiences as transformative and meaningful.

By Lisa Miller | The New York Times

The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show Is Coming Back … Again

After an unsuccessful reboot, the brand is returning to its roots: angel wings and pop stars.

By Chantal Fernandez | The Cut

Brands are leaning into the racing aesthetic

The growth of racing leagues like Formula 1 and Nascar has attracted the attention of large brands that hope to cash in on the trend. 

By Maria Monteros | Modern Retail

Corporate

There’s a huge gap between worker mental health needs and how many employers are stepping up

There was a 74% surge in mental health-related accommodation or leave requests over the past year. Yet, only 22% of leaders say their organizations have improved policies to meet mental health demands. 

By Emma Burleigh | Fortune

A Jobs Program Broke the Rules to Succeed. Now the Rules May Change.

Pursuit, a nonprofit that trains low-income workers to become software engineers, urges New York legislators to pass a new regulatory model for jobs programs.

By Steve Lohr | The New York Times

Baby2Baby delivered 60 million urgently needed items after the Maui wildfires. Here’s how.

Baby2Baby’s response to the Maui wildfires is a winner in Fast Company’s 2024 World Changing Ideas Awards.

By Talib Visram | Fast Company

‘I’m Not Your Mom’: Tech Exec’s Videos Spark Clash Over China’s Work Culture

Baidu’s head of PR, Qu Jing, was fired for releasing videos outlining her tyrannical management style. The videos angered Gen Z Chinese, who were fed up with the intense work culture in their country’s tech industry.

By Wenxin Fan | The Wall Street Journal

Commerce

Shopper society snapshot

Uber wants to conquer the suburbs and it's starting with Costco

Uber has new perks for Costco members, from delivery of groceries and merchandise on Uber Eats to discounts on Uber One.

By Dominick Reuter | Business Insider

Visa adds new ways to share customer shopping data with retailers

New tech will allow consumers to control and tailor their shopping experiences according to their individual preferences.

By Paige Smith | Bloomberg

Walmart’s Reign as America’s Biggest Retailer Is Under Threat

From new private label lines to technology to manage inventory, Walmart is diversifying its operations to attract more shoppers.

By Sarah Nassauer | The Wall Street Journal

Ulta has been quietly testing a gamified loyalty program called GlamXplorer

Beauty retailer Ulta Beauty has partnered with gamified loyalty program company Hang to pilot a new gamified loyalty program called GlamXplorers.

By Zofia Zwieglinska | Glossy

Connections

Feed intelligence

#Blockout2024: Why people are blocking celebrities on social media

Across social media, including TikTok and X, people are posting lists of celebrities to unfollow or block en mass, on the basis that these public figures are both out of touch and not using their immense and wide-reaching platforms for good.

By Meera Navlakha | Mashable

Why TikTok Users Are Furious Over Influencer’s Met Gala ‘Let Them Eat Cake’ Video—Leading To Apology

Kalil’s TikTok video has been shared and stitched by hundreds of users, who have criticized her for posting the video of her wearing a lavish gown near the Met Gala while pro-Palestinian protestors were outside.

By Arianna Johnson | Forbes

Inside the cozy online space where ‘Bridgerton’ fans bond

As they wait for the third season to be released this week, thousands of fans on a Facebook group trade memes and build camaraderie.

By Maham Javaid | The Washington Post

Media Moves:

  • Brian Contreras, formerly of The Los Angeles Times, has joined Inc. as a staff reporter. He will cover AI, creators and social media, and tech startups.

  • Rachel Wolfe has changed beats at The Wall Street Journal. She is now an economics reporter, focusing on ways consumers shape the economy and how the economy shapes our lives.

  • Kristin Stoller, formerly of Forbes, has joined as an editorial director of Fortune Live Media.

  • Nick Deshais, formerly of The Inlander, has joined The Seattle Times to cover transportation.

  • Ken Armstrong, formerly of ProPublica, has joined Bloomberg in Seattle to support the investigations team and lead long-form narratives in the newsroom.

  • Gordon Gottsegen, formerly of CNET, has joined MarketWatch as a retail investing reporter.

  • Kate Hunter, formerly of Bloomberg News, has joined Axios as its politics editor.

Also... so long, Mr. Much, arrivederci Pasqually, Chuck E. Cheese is pulling the plug on its animatronic robot band for good.

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