News 22.10.2020

Need to Know

TikTok as an anti-brand platform, Universal taps local creative scenes with UMUSIC hotels, and America’s youth are optimistic about their futures.

MSCHF pays TikTok users to bash big brands

Anti-ad Club by Mschf, Global

US – Internet collective MSCHF's Anti-Advertising Advertising Club has been encouraging TikTok users to share hate videos about firms like Amazon and Facebook, while paying them to do so.

The social experiment paid users anything from £8 ($10, €8) to £15,000 ($20,000, €17,000) to use the collective’s sonic branding in their videos, offering higher rates for the most-viewed videos. Creating their own parody songs on TikTok, MSCHF hopes to ‘take down nine evil brands’, including TikTok itself.

Explaining the reasons for forming the Anti-Advertising Advertising Club, Daniel Greenberg, creative strategist at MSCHF, says the brands ‘had some form of dirt we didn’t like and wanted to bring to light more’. He adds: ‘Of course, MSCHF has to do that in a creative, almost destructive way.’

Companies that fail to prioritise their younger consumers’ values may foster an anti-establishment mindset. For more on the consumers of tomorrow, book tickets for our Media & Youth Futures online event.

Music hotels provide a stage for local US artists

UMusic Hotels by Universal Music Group, US UMusic Hotels by Universal Music Group, US
UMusic Hotels by Universal Music Group, US UMusic Hotels by Universal Music Group, US

US – Universal Music Group (UMG) and entertainment investment group Dakia U-Ventures are launching UMusic Hotels – a series of global music-focused experiential hotels.

The first locations are due to open in the US states of Georgia, Mississippi and Florida, with each designed to reflect the music scene and creative culture of the region. Featuring immersive experiences for fans, guests and musicians, each hotel will complement the local architectural landscape. The UMusic Broadwater Hotel in Biloxi, Mississippi, will unite a performance venue and luxury hotel, while the Atlanta, Georgia, site will be a multi-faceted entertainment venue.

Bruce Resnikoff, president and CEO of Universal Music Enterprises, notes: ‘Through music’s unique power to inspire and unite – especially given UMG’s unparalleled roster of artists and labels – Music Hotels will both highlight these cities’ rich music heritage and provide new opportunities for artists to reach fans in immersive, innovative and authentic ways.’

The combination of music and a luxury hotel experience appeals to the idea that extreme escapism has moved into hospitality.

DNA Dishes reconnect diners with their heritage

DNA Dishes by Gousto, UK DNA Dishes by Gousto, UK

UK – Recipe box company Gousto and biotechnology firm Living DNA are launching DNA Dishes, a pilot service that matches a customer's ancestry with home-delivered meals.

DNA Dishes will tap into the testing capabilities of Living DNA, using consumers' cheek swabs to reveal their heritage. Following this, customers will receive a recipe box inspired by the countries or regions that form their ancestral make-up.

‘We’re always looking for new ways to bring variety and inspiration to dinner time, and this latest innovation gives home cooks a more personalised dining experience, inspiring them with their heritage,' says Kathryn Huxtable, food director at Gousto. ‘Through DNA Dishes we’re hoping to add a sense of meaning and adventure to meal times as people discover new dishes with family connections,’ she adds.

For more on the ideas that are shaping the food and drink sector, join us for The Future Laboratory's Food & Drink Futures online event on 22 October.

Stat: Generation Z expect to have better lives than their parents

Liberty by Pentagram Liberty by Pentagram

Generation Z in the US are feeling positive about their future, with many believing they will be better off than previous generations.

According to new research by Echelon Insights for Walton Family Foundation, some 85% of young Americans expect to experience a life quality the same as or better than their parents. Interestingly, only 8% believe it will be worse than their parents' experience. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z believe the concept of opportunity has less to do with financial means and more to do with autonomy.

‘Despite the stereotypes, these findings show these generations are engaged and passionate about building a better future,’ says Kristen Soltis Anderson, co-founder of Echelon Insights. ‘That is the new American dream.’

While younger generations are feeling hopeful about reworking the traditional American dream, we’ve recently explored alternative US Gen Z Perspectives – focusing on the rise of Cottagecore.

Previous News Articles
MAD//Fest 2025: Delayed adulthood, algorithmic segregation and Gen Z hippies

News

MAD//Fest 2025: Delayed adulthood, algorithmic segregation and Gen Z hippies

MAD//Fest returned to Shoreditch on 1 July 2025, with this year’s theme Be Less Boring challenging brands to rethink how to engage with new audiences.
Global Events : Advertising & Marketing : Gen Z
Habitat and Pinterest unveil immersive campaign putting emotion into home design

News

Habitat and Pinterest unveil immersive campaign putting emotion into home design

Habitat has teamed up with Pinterest for an immersive storytelling campaign that repositions homeware as a tool for emotional re-invention and shop...
Retail : Design : Technology
Stat: Young adults are redefining romantic relationships on their terms

News

Stat: Young adults are redefining romantic relationships on their terms

As romantic norms fragment, 20% of people are now unknowingly practising ‘relationship anarchy’, according to the latest State of Dating repor...
Statistic : Stat : Dating
AI billboard visualises real-time sun damage in UV awareness campaign

News

AI billboard visualises real-time sun damage in UV awareness campaign

A new study by the British Skin Foundation reveals that 38% of Britons have already been sunburnt in 2025 – with Gen Z (35%) and Millennials (30%) ...
Advertising : Health And Wellness : Beauty
Wimbledon elevates fan engagement with AI-powered digital experiences

News

Wimbledon elevates fan engagement with AI-powered digital experiences

The All England Lawn Tennis Club and IBM have unveiled an AI-powered experience designed to deepen audience engagement and enhance match under...
Wimbledon : Sports : Entertainment
Stat: Gen Alpha lead the charge in back-to-school shopping

News

Stat: Gen Alpha lead the charge in back-to-school shopping

Children and teenagers are now the primary decision-makers in back-to-school shopping, according to a new global study by SuperAwesome.
Retail : Gen Alpha : Statistic
The Fashion Innovation Agency debuts 3D garment volumetric capture service

News

The Fashion Innovation Agency debuts 3D garment volumetric capture service

The Fashion Innovation Agency at London College of Fashion has launched Reskinning Reality, the UK’s first 3D garment volumetric capture service ai...
Fashion : Technology : Virtual Fashion
Elemis brings beauty trackside with new Aston Martin F1 collection

News

Elemis brings beauty trackside with new Aston Martin F1 collection

Premium beauty brand Elemis is stepping further into the world of Formula 1 with the launch of four exclusive skincare collections in partnership w...
Aston Martin : Elemis : Formula 1
Stat: US cinema executives predict the end of traditional movie-going within 20 years 

News

Stat: US cinema executives predict the end of traditional movie-going within 20 years 

Over half of cinema executives in the US believe the traditional cinema model will no longer be viable within the next 20 years, according to a new...
Movies : Entertainment : Stat
 New clubhouse for women’s sports retail opens in London

News

New clubhouse for women’s sports retail opens in London

A new retail concept is putting women’s sport centre stage this summer.
Sports : Retail : Fashion
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN