The Good Stuff
Rawdogging Life, Speidi's Comeback, and Platform Musical Chairs
Hello Friends,
Here’s what we’ve been thinking about this week—insights, trends, and moves worth watching:
The Good Stuff: Curated Insights & Observations
Teen Creators as Retail Pioneers
Forget lemonade stands—Gen Z and Alpha teens are launching careers by flipping clothes online and scoring brand sponsorships. Their DIY hustle is reshaping influencer marketing and retail models. Digiday
Language Gets Raw
The American Dialect Society's Word of the Year is "rawdog." I have so many questions (and jokes).
From NSFW origins to mainstream linguistics, it now captures the chaos of living without a safety net. Whether walking into meetings unprepared or running on vibes alone, raw-dogging life has become both a flex and a cry for help. After all, we're all just winging it and finally have the perfect word for it. American Dialect Society
The Return of Speidi
Remember when Heidi and Spencer were reality TV's favorite villains? Well, they've pulled off something fascinating: turning crisis into connection. During the California wildfires, they self-rebranded amid chaos with raw, unfiltered content—and somehow, it worked.
The couple who once staged paparazzi photos is now getting praise for... authenticity. [The Independent] Their wildfire coverage showed them vulnerable and relatable, transforming their brand from "love to hate" to "actually kind of get it." Glamour breaks down how they've mastered the art of staying relevant in an era where authenticity trumps perfection.
They're proving that sometimes your best rebrand happens when you stop trying so hard. Also, as a side note. I love how Spencer always champions his wife. As her ultimate hype man, Pratt has helped her make her 2010 song, I’ll Do It #1, and there may be a potential remix with Pit Bull in the future. Check out how Speidi mastered the art of reinvention:
* The Independent: The Return of Speidi
* Glamour: The Enduring Resilience of Heidi and Spencer
In case you don’t know about the origin of Speidi, here is a great breakdown:
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Costco Says “Nah”
When pressured to walk back its DEI efforts, Costco responded with a simple, confident "Nah." They stood firm, stating their policies were legally appropriate and aligned with the company's mission. Bloomberg
Pattern Recognition: Emerging Trends & Cultural Shifts
The New Authenticity
From Speidi's wildfire coverage to dating apps embracing messy reality, we're seeing a clear shift: perfectly curated content is out, raw authenticity is in.
Speidi trading staged photos for real crisis coverage
Hinge showcasing actual messy love stories
Even Zuck (failing at) trying to seem more "real"
The through-line: Audiences are craving genuine connection over polished perfection
Platform Musical Chairs
As the TikTok ban looms, we're watching a digital gold rush:
The Rise of Red Note: As TikTok ban looms, Chinese app Xiaohongshu is becoming the surprise frontrunner. Time
Platform Panic: Everyone from Peacock to Triller throwing cash at creators
Substack's Play: Positioning as "Ellis Island for TikTokers" (their words, not mine) with a $25K contest that feels suspiciously MLM-ish (Also, they are double downing with live video).
The Bigger Picture: This isn't just apps switching seats - it's digital culture adapting to geopolitical pressure.
Brand Battles
While platforms fight for creators, another battle is brewing in the design world…
Big Brand, Indie Inspiration?
Nike vs. Satisfy Running isn't just another design dispute—it's a pattern we keep seeing: established brands "drawing inspiration" from indie disruptors. Satisfy's MothTech design controversy joins a growing list of David vs. Goliath creative battles. While Nike talks about innovation, the running community raises eyebrows at the similarities. As indie brands become cultural tastemakers, the line between inspiration and imitation gets blurrier by the drop.
Branding Trends to Watch
Fast Company explores how brands are evolving for 2025—think less about logos and more about vibes and values. FastCompany
Pinterest Predicts
From mushroom motifs to sensory wellness experiences, Pinterest lays out what’s next in design, fashion, and culture. Pinterest Predicts
Future State: Tech & Innovation Developments
Getty-Shutterstock Power Play
Stock photo giants combine forces, reshaping how brands source and create visual content. As AI-generated imagery rises, this merger isn't just about photos—it's about who controls the visual language of brand storytelling. The Verge
AI Innovation Meets Geopolitics
The White House's new restrictions on Nvidia's AI chips signal a bigger shift: tech innovation is becoming a geopolitical chess piece. What happens when innovation gets caught in the crossfire of international politics? Bloomberg
Good & Gone
Zuck's Latest Chapter (Ugh)
Zuck’s mid-life situation continues, and users troll him for divorce rumors. With his latest makeover, he has seemingly lost his ‘wife guy’ energy. His recent hot take is that companies need more “masculine energy” now…jfc.
His "masculine energy" take isn't just a hot take—it's a flashback to Facebook's roots (remember the "hot or not" origins?). So none of us should be really surprised. Between scaling back diversity initiatives and swapping hoodies for gold chains, it seems like Meta's trying to compensate for something. Maybe focus less on corporate machismo and more on, I don't know, actual innovation? The Cut
The Good Life: Personal Snapshots
LISTENING TO: The NBA Show (perfect workday background)
MASTERING: Bread making….still. I worry I have become basic.
OLIVE UPDATE: We had a vet visit, and let’s just say she had the good stuff beforehand.
READING: A Very Punchable Face by Colin Jost.
THINGS I WANT TO TRY:
Until Next Time…
Got thoughts? Drop a comment – I'd love to hear what caught your eye or what you're thinking about.
Stay curious,
Gina