News 12.04.2022

Need to Know

Snoop Dogg unveils a music video in the metaverse, Jack Wolfskin’s eco-educational tv channel and SWANA’s crippling food costs.

Snoop Dogg’s new music video surfaces in The Sandbox

House I Built by Snoop Dogg, US

US – Tuning in to the rising popularity of metaverse platforms, rapper Snoop Dogg is releasing a virtual music video within gaming platform The Sandbox. The video for his song House I Built features Snoop Dogg as a voxel avatar and was created using The Sandbox’s free user-generated tools.

By opting to create a video within a metaverse, the artist will connect with a new generation and set of music fans in a way that feels accessible and reflects fandom in the digital age. Beyond this meta music video, Snoop Dogg is also using The Sandbox to share exclusive content. ‘Today in The Sandbox, Snoop Dogg is building the Snoopverse, a place where his avatar can perform exclusive concerts only accessible to his fans,' explains Arthur Madrid, CEO and co-founder of The Sandbox.

As metaverse spaces continue to inform the worlds of work, socialising and entertainment, Snoop Dogg’s virtual music video sets an example to other brands and individuals hoping to enter the meta-tainment field.

Strategic opportunity

Reflect on how Snoop Dogg’s music video makes use of The Sandbox’s in-built community tools. In the future, entertainers could take this further by including fans in the creation of virtual content and events

Kartell extends its design philosophy to eyewear

Kartell Eyewear, Italy Kartell Eyewear, Italy
Kartell Eyewear, Italy Kartell Eyewear, Italy

Italy – The furniture company is expanding the reach of its design credentials by moving into the eyewear market. Presenting both core and design-led collections, Kartell eyewear comprises more than 100 sun and optical styles. For its design collection, each pair of glasses employs elements and materials derived from the brand’s archive, including its focus on transparent homewares.

In this way, Kartell has cleverly reframed its design language to enter the fashion and accessories sector. Such a crossover sets an example to other brands hoping to explore possibilities beyond signature products and ranges. Speaking about the decision to work in this area, Lorenza Luti, marketing and retail director at Kartell, says: ‘It’s a perfect fashion accessory, as we diversify our offer for our customers while maintaining our values, transferring our design philosophy, innovation and technology in industrial production to eyewear.’

While we’ve been tracking growing interest in the premium homeware market, this product range shows how sectors such as eyewear can borrow from other industries.

Strategic opportunity

Design companies that conventionally focus on interior or architectural creations should seize opportunities to adapt their work, signature shapes or materials to inform other categories

Jack Wolfskin promotes eco-activism through tv

Germany and Amsterdam – Outerwear brand Jack Wolfskin is joining eco-activist streaming service WaterBear as a founding partner. As part of the partnership, the brand will be launching an environmentally focused channel that showcases content that reflects the brand’s mission to promote nature discovery, conservation and rewilding.

The channel will spotlight Jack Wolfskin’s key brand ambassadors, who will raise awareness of eco-issues through WaterBear’s free streaming platform. Here, the brand recognises the importance of providing openly available education relating to climate issues.WaterBear’s mission aligns with Jack Wolfskin’s commitment to sustainability and focus on educating and inspiring all people to live to discover and take responsibility for the wellbeing of our planet whether it’s through a local adventure or a trip to a remote destination,’ says Mokhtar Benbouazza, vice-president of marketing for Jack Wolfskin.

Through this project, both Jack Wolfskin and WaterBear are demonstrating the power of branded involvement in climate-related media as part of positive environmental solutions.

Jack Wolfskin and WaterBear

Strategic opportunity

Across sectors, brands and businesses can take inspiration from this project to create edu-tainment led by knowledgeable and engaging brand ambassadors, activists or influencers

Stat: Food costs soar in SWANA amid war in Ukraine

The Beauty of Scarcity by Francesca Sarti for Dezeen 15, UK The Beauty of Scarcity by Francesca Sarti for Dezeen 15, UK

While the holy month of Ramadan is historically a time for sharing traditional foods, countries in the SWANA region are struggling to manage rising food costs. According to the UN World Food Programme (WFP), the knock-on effect of the Ukraine crisis is putting further strain on already-rising costs of basic food staples in the region.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Food Price Index reveals that the cost of a basic food basket has increased by 351% in Lebanon in the past year – the highest in the region. This is followed by Syria, with a 97% rise, and Yemen at 81%. Two key diet staples, wheat flour and cooking oil, have drastically risen in price. In Syria, the cost of cooking oil has increased by 39%, while wheat flour is up 47% in Lebanon. These figures reveal how interconnected and interdependent many nations are for basic items.

Looking ahead, there is going to be increasing need for more adaptive and innovative food solutions that support nations in times of austerity.

Strategic opportunity

Brands and organisations must take a role in working with or assisting local communities to establish more equitable food supply chains that are less dependent on external sources

Previous News Articles
NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Community-centric strategies

News

NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Community-centric strategies

Day two of NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe continued the conference’s Retail Together theme, with business leaders spotlighting how community eng...
Retail : Community : Streetwear
Ralph Lauren launches AI styling companion with Microsoft

News

Ralph Lauren launches AI styling companion with Microsoft

Ralph Lauren has partnered with Microsoft to launch Ask Ralph, an AI-powered conversational styling tool designed to bring personalised fashion adv...
Technology : AI : Fashion
Stat: Preventative health, wellbeing and stress management drive consumer spending

News

Stat: Preventative health, wellbeing and stress management drive consumer spending

Life expectancy around the globe is set to rise by nearly five years between 2022 and 2050, yet the gap between lifespan and healthy lifespan remai...
Health & Wellness : Health Goods : Medical Services
NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Unified commerce and inspirational entertainment

News

NRF 2025 Retail’s Big Show Europe: Unified commerce and inspirational entertainment

On the opening day of NRF 2025: Retail’s Big Show Europe, the spotlight turned to unified commerce and the evolving role of physical stores in omni...
Retail : NRF : Pop Up Store
The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era macrotrend at Première Vision

News

The Future Laboratory presents The Synthocene Era macrotrend at Première Vision

The Future Laboratory’s co-founder and chief creative officer Christopher Sanderson presented The Synthocene Era macrotrend at the fashion industry...
Global Events : Technology : The Synthocene Era
Gen Z in China are using AI to transform themselves into collectable merchandise

News

Gen Z in China are using AI to transform themselves into collectable merchandise

Gen Z in China are using AI art tools and 3D printing to transform themselves into ‘guzi’ – personalised collectable merchandise.
China : Kidults : Kidult Craze
Stat: Gen Z stay indoors for days as screen time replaces nature

News

Stat: Gen Z stay indoors for days as screen time replaces nature

Two-thirds of Gen Z in Britain confess they can go days without stepping outside, according to new research by Super, Natural British Columbia.
Gen Z : Nature : Health And Wellness
Big W embraces the beautiful chaos of parenting in new campaign

News

Big W embraces the beautiful chaos of parenting in new campaign

Department store chain Big W is shaking up family advertising with a bold new campaign celebrating the chaos, meltdowns and small wins of everyday ...
Advertising & Branding : Parenting : Retail
George at Asda unveils new adult adaptive clothing range

News

George at Asda unveils new adult adaptive clothing range

George at Asda has launched a 28-piece adult adaptive clothing collection, designed in collaboration with the late breast cancer campaigner Nicky N...
Retail : Fashion : George At Asda
Stat: Girls’ sport participation could unlock leadership potential at work

News

Stat: Girls’ sport participation could unlock leadership potential at work

Girls who play extracurricular sport in the UK are 50% more likely to go on to achieve senior professional roles at work, according to Game Changin...
Sport : Women's Sports : Teenage Girls
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