News 19.06.2023

Need to Know

The latest from day three at Viva Tech 2023, Absolut Vodka introducing a paper-based bottle and Amazon topping the first-of-its-kind sustainability value index.

Viva Tech daily recap: media in the age of AI

VivaTech, France VivaTech, France

France – How did artificial intelligence (AI) change the face of the media landscape? On its third day, Viva Tech interrogated future paths for the media and entertainment industry amid ongoing disruptive tech advancements.

From the challenge of reframing media literacy for the age of AI to catering for consumers’ Iwwiwwiwi (I want what I want when I want it) mindset, several sessions explored the upcoming challenges for the future of the media landscape. Others looked at these questions through the lens of entertainment. ‘What people watch nowadays takes zero effort to get into and is super exciting straightaway,’ said Patrick Mouratoglou, former tennis star and founder of The Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. ‘Something new has to happen every 20 seconds. Otherwise, you lose Gen Z.’

Friday 16 June 2023 also marked the day of Elon Musk’s highly anticipated appearance at the event. In discussion with senior executives from Orange, L’Oréal, Publicis and LVMH, the CEO of Tesla, SpaceX and, until recently, Twitter conceded that AI is ‘probably the most disruptive technology ever’. However, he confirmed being in favour of regulation to limit the risks that advanced artificial intelligence could cause the public.

Strategic opportunity

Keep an eye on LS:N Global's Media & Tech section in order not to miss our upcoming in-depth analysis of what happened at Viva Tech with exclusive insights about what it means for your business

Absolut unveils single-mould paper-based vodka bottles

Absolut, Global Absolut, Global
Absolut, Global Absolut, Global

UK – In June 2023, spirit brand Absolut Vodka announced a commitment to more recyclable packaging, with a new bottle made from paper. Only available in 22 British Tesco supermarkets during a three-month test in Greater Manchester, the bottle is part of the company's journey to create a 100% bio-based bottle and become carbon neutral by 2030. Although the containers are made from 57% paper, they still contain a plastic liner that the company labels as 'recyclable'.

Absolut tested the 500ml-sized bottles at festivals in the UK and Sweden before making them commercially available. The new paper bottles are reportedly eight times lighter and easier to carry than the standard glass alternatives. However, prices will be slightly higher than a regular bottle. The sustainable option will retail for £16 ($20.4, €18.6), which is £0.34 more ($0.43, €0.39) per 100ml than Absolut's regular vodka sold at Tesco.

In The Brands Rethinking Premium Drinks Packaging, we highlighted how similar sustainable packaging for alcohol is becoming more sophisticated as premium brands push sustainability through innovative, eco-friendly bottles and boxes.

Strategic opportunity

Players in the drink industry should question how sustainable packaging needs to deliver on functionality, quality, aesthetics and carbon footprint simultaneously. Bottles and cups with plastic liners remain a recycling challenge, even when the rest of the item is made from paper

Services for the UnderServed unveils free vending machines in NYC

Photography by Quỳnh Lê Mạnh Photography by Quỳnh Lê Mạnh

US – Harm-reduction and social services nonprofit Services for the UnderServed joined forces with New York City's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to set up a free public health vending machine in Brownsville, Brooklyn, in June 2023. Instead of snacks and drinks, the device will offer free naloxone kits, fentanyl test strips, birth control packs, and bags containing tools for safer smoking of substances such as crack cocaine, methamphetamine and heroin.

The project aims to reduce fatal drug overdoses and mitigate other crises by giving residents free 24/7 access to lifesaving equipment. Resources and information will also be available via a QR code on the equipment. 'Vending machines are a well-known entity, they’re a well-known device, people stop and look and see what’s in there,' said Dr Ashwin Vasan, commissioner of the city’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. 'I think they’ll be surprised to find that this is a public health vending machine. I think that’s a great thing: it will start conversations, hopefully that get people talking about our overdose crisis and what they can do to engage.'

In our coverage of the future of the healthcare market, we've highlighted how, in the age of Civic Brands, a new generation of innovators is stepping in where governmental systems are failing to shape the future of healthcare.

Strategic opportunity

Players in the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry should take inspiration from Services for the UnderServed's vending machine and respond to the rising demand for 24/7 services and build a system that is preventative rather than reactive

Stat: Amazon tops first-of-its-kind sustainability value index

Haeckels Margate store, UK Haeckels Margate store, UK

Global - A study released in 2023 by Brand Finance analysed the financial value of sustainability perceptions of the world’s biggest brands. Surprisingly, Amazon comes up at the top of the list with a sustainability perceptions value of £15.6bn ($19.9bn, €18.2bn). Following Amazon is Tesla, Apple, Google and Microsoft.

Brand Finance notes that its sustainability metric 'is not an assessment of a company’s overall sustainability performance' but an indicator of the brand’s reputation for sustainability. The study is based on surveys with more than 100,000 members of the public from 36 countries. They were all questioned about 4,000 brands' attributes, including sustainability and ESG (environmental, social and corporate governance) factors.

'Failing to communicate clearly about ESG topics puts value at risk,' said Robert Haigh, Brand Finance's strategy and sustainability director. 'Communication must be authentic and supported by action, because over-claiming or greenwashing exposes the business to hundreds of millions of dollars of reputational damage.'

In The Overconsumption Market, we previously highlighted how even people who aim for more sustainable purchases overconsume by buying more sustainable goods than they need on marketplaces like Amazon.

Strategic opportunity

When consumers discover that a brand has acted unsustainably, 79% will reduce their use of it, Brand Finance found. Businesses need to set ambitious ESG targets and highlight their sustainability efforts while avoiding greenwashing

Previous News Articles
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 execs predict the end of traditional moviegoing within 20 years 

News

Stat: US cinema execs predict the end of traditional moviegoing 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
Foresight Friday: Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Foresight Friday : Fashion : Sustainability
Stat: Nearly half of women feel misunderstood by brands

News

Stat: Nearly half of women feel misunderstood by brands

Despite driving an estimated £25 trillion ($31.8 trillion, €29.4 trillion) in global discretionary spending, nearly half of women worldwide say bra...
Branding & Advertising : Brands : Retail
Modem’s Dream Recorder turns sleep into spatial storytelling

News

Modem’s Dream Recorder turns sleep into spatial storytelling

Dutch design studio Modem has unveiled Dream Recorder, an AI-powered device that transforms spoken memories of dreams into cinematic video se...
Technology : Modem : Dreams
You have 1 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN