Consumer Insights > Pop Culture

Implications - Artists and brands alike are cultivating reputable art pieces in honor of prominent hip-hop and rap figures, working to engage with fans and deepen cultural connectivity in non-conventional ways. Whether an artist is creating a new comic book, or a brand is erecting statues in commemoration, leveraging idiosyncratic outlets expands music culture and fandom in unseen and inspiring ways. [More]

Implications - From micro to pet influencers, the influencer industry is expanding to accommodate and transform a variety of spaces. With social media giving every individual the opportunity to make themselves "brandable," this shift directly correlates with the individualistic preferences that can be seen in any given group – reflecting both niche and broad consumer interests in a way that is inherently authentic. [More]

Implications - Celebrities are more frequently collaborating with members of their own family in promotional campaigns and business ventures. A movement led by the likes of the Kardashians, families are being positioned as brands in their own right in a way that connects to consumers seeking authenticity and familiarity with the people they choose to idolize. This shift offers a sense of relatability that allows consumers to see themselves in people who have traditionally felt far removed from them. [More]

Implications - Swapping out live shows and in-person gigs for online alternatives, those in the entertainment industry are embracing streaming channels and VR technology to reach a wider audience. Featuring entire comedy segments and shows via live streams, apps and even through virtual reality, comedians are creating their own digital content to not only reach more viewers but also connect with their fans in more approachable, transparent way. [More]

Implications - While blockchain technology is still in its infancy, its application in voting means that we can almost guarantee security while allowing for increased participation for remote legally registered voters. With electoral fraud being highly scrutinized as of late, blockchain technology has the potential to provide a foundation where institutions can work to restore faith in electoral systems, and could contribute to more accessible voting processes. [More]

Implications - The integration of virtual and augmented reality into various holiday seasons can now be seen across a variety of platforms. These products and services enhance consumer engagement by fostering deep connections with them, in an industry that is often already highly personal and meaningful to them. [More]

Implications - Classic dystopian imagery and literature is being revisited, and dystopian societies as concepts are being reimagined, as a result of the political and technological forces that are shaping the world today. The resurgence of such concepts in pop culture and academia alike function as a conflicted form of escapism, in which consumers' political fears can be simultaneously strengthened and assuaged when confronted with radical dystopian representations. [More]

Implications - Taking a more specialized approach to content, media platforms like podcasts and online shows are turning to specific entertainment interests to connect with consumer groups. From platforms that highlight fashion to those that focus on cult Hollywood movies, these examples not only showcase a rise in curated content, but also a rise in user-generated content, where consumers are looking to reach others who can similarly identify with such niche interests. [More]

Implications - Designers and tastemakers are increasingly presenting fashion initiatives characterized by the juxtaposition of "high tech and low life" imagery that takes inspiration from '90s-era film predictions of future fashion. Arguably a reaction to the at times overwhelming overlap between fast-moving technological advancement and an anxious political climate, this progression also suggests a new design aesthetic being embraced as a symbolic retreat into a comforting fictitious portrayal of the distant future. [More]

Implications - With the rise of "dad" memes online has come the adaptation of this pop cultural reference into the design influences and marketing of fashion brands–both exclusive and not. This shift indicates the ever-growing relevance of Internet culture in enhancing the relatability of real world initiatives–where once the opposite was true. [More]