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- The Zeitgeist: May 9, 2025
The Zeitgeist: May 9, 2025
Today's Edition: Fizz, Crunchy Teens and Yuka
Good morning. The biggest cultural moment this week: a Chicago native, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, was elected the first American Pope - marking a historic shift that could reshape American Catholics’ global influence and further embed progressive values in U.S. religious life.
In other news, Bill Gates revealed his plans to give away his vast fortune within 20 years, winding down the Gates Foundation by 2045. The decision signals a move toward time-bound impact at a time when cuts to public aid make the foundation’s work more urgent than ever.
Also, Mother’s Day is this Sunday, and while the season began with some trepidation due to weakening consumer sentiment and rising productions costs, demand for flower delivery and gift-giving brands is still climbing.
Campaigns
Earned-friendly campaigns & clever moments
Also, Lego’s drivable F1 cars, E.l.f. Cosmetics’ “many-trick pony” campaign, Goldbelly’s Yes Chef meal kit and Mother’s Day campaigns from Bobbie, Telefora, DoorDash, Apple and KFC.
Culture
Snackable bites of consumer culture
Corporate
Trends at work and for good
Commerce
Shopper society snapshot
Connections
Feed intelligence
Media Moves:
John Ruwitch, formerly correspondent on the International desk at NPR, is now tech correspondent on the Business desk at the news organization.
Ryan Barwick, formerly reporter at Morning Brew, is now M&A reporter at Axios covering dealmaking.
Leena Rao, formerly deputy editor of the startups and venture capital team at Business Insider, has been promoted to U.S. tech executive editor.
Tara Ayres, formerly booking producer at Yahoo Finance, is now booking producer at Bloomberg.
Jacqueline Yates, formerly digital editorial lead, style & commerce at Good Morning America, is now manager, copy & content at Sally Beauty.
Kelly Vaughan, formerly recipe editor at TODAY Digital, has left the outlet to pursue freelance opportunities.
Jasmin Sandal, formerly shopping writer at BuzzFeed, is now affiliate shopping writer at Bustle Digital Group.
Kala Herh, formerly social media editor at Hypebae, is now social strategy lead at The Coveteur.
Maggie Haddad, formerly senior social media strategist at The Zoe Report, is now temporary social media editor at House Beautiful.
Also... try Sunseekr, an app to find sunlit cafés, pubs and restaurants in real time.
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