Just as Europe is relearning that security cannot be bought on the fly, Ian Whittaker argues that slashing brand spend isn't fiscal discipline, it's corporate disarmament.
True
oped
Why cutting brand spend is the corporate equivalent of cutting defence budgets
ian whittaker
oped
performance marketing
Heart attack of the mind: breaking the silence on suicide and mental health
mental health
oped
suicide
therapy
After Darren Turner, founder and creative director at The Table, lost a close friend to suicide, therapy provided the 'essential medicine for the mind'.
Why Chinese youth bet on pets and plushies as their new family
china
culture
dao insights
digital
fashion
oped
retail
society
With fewer people getting married or having children in China, many young adults are turning to pets, plush toys, and AI for comfort and connection, creating fast-growing markets that reflect new ways of building emotional bonds beyond traditional families.
Old souls, smart tech—the consumer paradox brands can no longer ignore
advertising
fcb interface
nostalgia
oped
As technology races ahead, a new kind of consumer is emerging—one who wants smart solutions powered by AI, but also the grounding comfort of rituals, nostalgia and analogue charm, observes FCB Interface's Noor Samra.
At its core, ‘Careless People’ is a cautionary tale of disillusionment
book review
careless people
mark zuckerberg
meta
oped
Sarah Wynn-Williams’ memoir lifts the lid on life inside Facebook, exposing a culture where ambition eclipses ethics, and authenticity is welcomed only when it's convenient.
'No strategic marketing program can overcome a lack of investment in truly sustainable solutions'
oped
sustainability
weber shandwick
Weber Shandwick's sustainability lead for APAC, Marta Bigio, laments the deprioritisation of sustainability amidst competing global crises but highlights five ways communicators can ensure sustainability remains a priority.
'My side hustle as a DJ has been anything but a distraction to my work'
DDB
DDB Hong Kong
hong kong
jodi chik
oped
Business director by day and DJ by night, Jodi Chik of DDB Group Hong Kong talks about her 'double life' and her journey to a place where she can openly embrace and celebrate both sides of herself.
Is Gen Z rewriting the marketing playbook?
branding
consumer trends
gen z
marketing
oped
Born into a world of unprecedented access and excess, Gen Z is reshaping the rules of engagement. Brands now face the realities of cancel culture, fleeting attention spans and a demand for authenticity. But are today’s challenges really so different from the past?
Is this the end of an era for top livestreamers?
china
dao insights
ecommerce
marketing
oped
China's top livestreamers are becoming either entrepreneurs or celebrities. Meanwhile, more CEOs are joining livestreamers as merchant-led livestreams have been growing rapidly on multiple platforms since last year.
From niche to mainstream: The rapid rise of the creator economy
creator economy
digital marketing
oped
social media
With the creator economy touted to reach $480 billion by 2027, its emergence has undeniably changed marketing plans and reshaped the future. KlugKlug's co-founder and CEO Kalyan Kumar explains.
When creator content goes mainstream
content creation
creator economy
oped
UM
There's no denying that creators have completely changed the entertainment landscape, and now AI is only going to empower them further, suggests UM's William Wun.
Taking the entrepreneurial route: Lessons from a first-year founder
communications
entrepreneur
oped
Starting a business is no easy feat, but it's one of the most fulfilling adventures you could undertake. Charu Srivastava, co-founder of TriOn & Co., reflects on her first year leading the business.
Participation, social awareness and emotional resonance: China's pragmatic consumer trends revealed
china
oped
Self-satisfaction rules the roost when it comes to the new generation of Chinese consumers. Exercising more rationale and balance in their consumption journeys, they're not only shifting their own focus, but also challenging brands to demonstrate a deeper understanding of their needs than ever before.
3 profiles of modern Chinese tourists: How can businesses win them over?
china
dao insights
oped
tourism
Between zen chasers, bootcamp tourists and international jetsetters, businesses can attract and satisfy Chinese travellers through video sharing, livestreaming, and new travel packages.
You get what you pay for: Why you should select a marketing partner carefully
digital marketing
oped
tech
MediaMonks' Isabel Han delves into what brands should do in the Korean market to aim for digital solutions at a reasonable price and receive the best value for the investment, rather than compromising quality for cost.
Is ‘new Chinese style’ coffee just another guochao aesthetic?
china
coffee
dao insights
oped
opinions
It is only in the last few years that quality coffee has become a yuppie pursuit in Chinese cities. Their beautiful and meditative décor offers a reprieve from hurried city life.
