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Eight hundred and eighty-five editions of yap, sat in one place. One long read every friday morning. Always free.
Eight hundred and eighty-five issues.
The gig economy 2.0
Creative professionals are building diverse income portfolios through shadow freelancing, replacing traditional career paths with creative sovereignty.
The great media amnesia
The internet has become a 'collective forgetting machine' where digital platforms prioritize new content over preserving cultural memory and archives.
Streaming’s biggest takeover (and what it might cost cinema)
Netflix's acquisition of Warner Bros could reshape cinema by prioritizing algorithmic content over creative risk-taking and artistic experimentation.
What we lose when giants fall
The Omnicom-IPG merger dissolves iconic agencies like DDB, prioritizing efficiency over creative identity. This consolidation threatens the industry's creative diversity and apprenticeship culture.
Wait, what is Q5??? And why is Pinterest telling me I need to know?
Pinterest identifies Q5 as the week between Christmas and New Year when consumers shift from gift-buying to self-purchasing. This presents a unique marketing opportunity for brands.
The collapse of the “default influencer personality”
The default influencer personality template is collapsing as audiences crave authentic, multi-dimensional creators over formatted content.
The great cultural greyscale
Culture has shifted to desaturated, grayscale aesthetics across films, ads, and brands. This reflects a broader mood where bright color is seen as childish and muted tones signal sophistication.
What the heck is GEO (and why should I care)?
GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) is replacing SEO as AI answer engines change how people search. Focus on authority and trust over quick tricks.
We're officially in the employee-as-brand era (so here's how to do it right)
The era of employee-as-brand has arrived where workers become content creators and brand ambassadors. This model can be empowering but requires careful management.
Why running has turned into a full-on aesthetic
Running has become a full aesthetic movement, with athletic gear crossing into street fashion. Run clubs create micro-communities with distinct style identities.
No rest for the Wicked: the unravelling of a press tour (and the brands that won't stop cashing in)
Critiques Wicked's chaotic press tour and brand exploitation. Examines when marketing crosses from promotion into emotional labor extraction.
How to dodge the NPC accusations
Addresses NPC anxiety and fear of algorithmic programming. Gen Z resists being shaped by platforms while performing agency and originality.