News 20.02.2025

Need to Know

The Future Laboratory’s first Breakfast Briefing, Victoria Beckham brings contemporary art in-store and why more viewers are watching YouTube on TV screens.

The Future Laboratory hosts Members’ and Clients’ Breakfast Briefing

UK – On 18 February, The Future Laboratory hosted its first Members’ and Clients’ Breakfast Briefing at its UK headquarters in Haggerston, London. Members, clients, press and special guests gathered for breakfast and a presentation of our latest macrotrend, Future Forecast 2025.

Co-founders Chris Sanderson and Martin Raymond opened the event with an introduction to Ember, LS:N Global’s new AI tool designed to streamline research and reporting for our members. Try Ember now to access personalised research, report summaries, statistics and case studies in multiple languages.

Later on, senior foresight analyst Alice Crossley and deputy foresight editor Dan Hastings-Narayanin presented a snapshot of 10 key trends shaping 2025. From New-stalgia Vibes redefining the design sector to Tastemaker Brands pushing the luxury industry to become an engine of culture, these trends set the tone for the year ahead.

Download our events calendar to stay updated on our upcoming members-only briefings, and RSVP now to attend our New Codes of Value online event on 13 March 2025.

Samsung’s Galaxy AI becomes the ultimate everyday companion

Galaxy AI on Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, US

Global – BBH Singapore has launched a worldwide campaign for the Samsung Galaxy S25 Series, positioning Galaxy AI as an essential life companion. Building on the success of the 2024 Galaxy AI launch, the campaign highlights the S25 Ultra’s AI capabilities through a hero product film from Galaxy Unpacked, six commercials showcasing key AI-powered features and a dynamic social media campaign.

Through a selection of relatable characters, the company demonstrates how Galaxy AI enhances everyday moments – whether instantly finding and sharing pet-friendly restaurants, using AI-powered image search to locate a photo in Samsung Gallery, or activating Google’s Gemini assistant to streamline tasks across apps. Features like Circle to Search, Call Transcript & Summary, and Writing Assist make daily interactions more intuitive, while Drawing Assist unlocks new ways to express creativity.

‘We identified a crucial opportunity with the S25 Ultra launch to transform how people think about Galaxy AI,’ says Sascha Kuntze, chief creative officer. ‘Through an audience-centric campaign built around genuine everyday insights, we’ve shown how Galaxy AI naturally fits into people’s lives – not just as innovative tech, but as a companion.’

‘The campaign perfectly showcases the next chapter of Galaxy AI, welcoming a new era where your phone understands and adapts to you like never before,’ says Sung Chang, executive vice-president of global marketing at Samsung Electronics.

For more insights on AI agents making consumers’ lives easier, read our CES 2025 recap report. For more future scenarios, explore our macrotrend report The Synthocene Era: Merging Human and Machine Intelligence.

Strategic opportunity

Consider how to present AI not only as a functional tool but also as an intuitive, proactive and even emotional companion – enhancing life in ways that feel natural and effortless

Victoria Beckham brings contemporary art to Dover Street store

UK – Victoria Beckham has collaborated with Sotheby’s to curate an exhibition of 10 contemporary artworks at her Dover Street boutique, featuring pieces by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Gerhard Richter and Yoshitomo Nara.

This marks her second partnership with Sotheby’s, following a 2018 collaboration centred on Old Masters. Now, her focus is on bold, emotionally charged contemporary pieces, with each artwork heading to upcoming auctions at Sotheby’s in New York and London. Among the highlights are Nara’s Cosmic Eyes (in the Milky Lake) and Yves Klein’s International Klein Blue.

In Third Space Retail, we explored how brands are rethinking stores as third-space hubs, providing sanctuaries for creativity, community and culture. By blurring the boundaries between commerce and culture, Beckham’s curated exhibition positions her boutique as an unexpected gallery space for London’s luxury clientele, appealing to the New Codes of Luxury by elevating her label to a tastemaker brand.

Mintus, UK

Strategic opportunity

Redefine retail spaces as cultural destinations. Curate art shows, host poetry evenings or musical performances to drive footfall and attract audiences seeking experiential luxury

Stat: TV overtakes mobile as primary device for YouTube viewing

Photography by Karolina Grabowska Photography by Karolina Grabowska

US – YouTube’s dominance in streaming is shifting screens. According to CEO Neal Mohan’s annual letter, TV has now overtaken the mobile as the primary device for YouTube viewing in the US. Viewers are watching, on average, more than 1bn hours of YouTube content on TV daily, according to the company.

‘YouTube is the new television,’ writes Mohan, highlighting the platform’s expanding role in mainstream entertainment. Unlike traditional TV, YouTube’s offering blends shorts, podcasts and live streams with sports and talk shows. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the platform continues to outperform Netflix in Nielsen’s Gauge report, solidifying its place as the most-watched streaming video service.

Looking ahead to 2025, YouTube is doubling down on AI and creator tools. Mohan revealed that auto-dubbing – allowing creators to translate videos into multiple languages – will soon be available to all YouTube Partner Program members. ‘As impressive as the generative models are, creators tell us they’re most excited about the ways AI can help with their bread-and-butter production,’ he notes. 

For more insights on consumers’ attitudes to YouTube and Netflix, head to our Streaming’s Next Frontier report.

Strategic opportunity

TV viewing habits mean YouTube influencers now have the reach of traditional TV personalities. Consider how to build deeper collaborations with creators, featuring longer integrations and co-produced content rather than just short-form sponsorships

Previous News Articles
AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

News

AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

Slovakia’s Klein Vision has announced that its AirCar – a road-legal vehicle that converts into a certified aircraft in under two minutes – will be...
Mobility : Air Travel : Transport
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, 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 : Gen Z : Gen Beta
British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

News

British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

Nearly half of Generation Alpha are turning to physical music formats, according to new research from Key Production.
Gen Alpha : Music : Media
Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

News

Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

Twitch sensation Kai Cenat has launched Streamer University, a weekend-long experience for aspiring creators to collaborate, learn and produce cont...
Media : Entertainment : Education
De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

News

De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

De Beers Group has announced the closure of Lightbox, its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, signalling a strategic retreat from the synthetic jewe...
Luxury : Sustainability : Jewellery
Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

News

Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

Gender bias in money matters is pushing British women out of financial conversations, according to new research commissioned by digital wealth mana...
Finance : Diversity : Inclusion
Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

News

Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show invites visitors to interact with AI-enabled trees in the Avanade Intelligent Garden.
Technology : Nature : Sustainability
ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

News

ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

ITV is pushing the boundaries of inclusive storytelling with the launch of its new prime time drama Code of Silence, starring BAFTA-winning actor a...
Media : Diversity : Inclusion
Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

News

Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

The rising cost of living and unaffordable housing are fuelling a surge in adult children returning to the family home.
Family : Home : Youth
Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

News

Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

Manchester City Football Club has marked the launch of its 2025/2026 home kit with a short film that playfully blends football fandom, nostalgia an...
Sports : Design : Creative
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