Need to Know
24 : 07 : 18

US – Male grooming brand Dollar Shave Club has launched a new campaign that explores the honest shaving habits of men.

In contrast to traditional razor advertisements that feature young men with perfectly shaved faces, the brand has produced a short film featuring men’s more personal grooming practices, such as leg and pubic hair shaving. Building on Dollar Shave Club’s own research, which revealed that men are often embarrassed by their shaving rituals, the playful film aims to make men feel more comfortable with their routine.

Female shaving brand Billie recently launched a similar campaign, encouraging women to embrace their body hair by choosing to shave, style or grow it however they wish.

For more on how brands are redefining male beauty, explore our dedicated market focus here.

US – Fintech start-up Acorns has launched its first physical product, a debit card designed to remind users to spend cautiously.

With some consumers struggling to manage their finances due to the intangible nature of digital payments, Acorns hopes to better translate the value of money with a debit card made from tungsten, a rare heavy metal. Much like new banking brand Tide, the card’s design is also orientated vertically to reflect the tap-and-go nature of today’s debit card payments.

The move towards a cashless society is inspiring a new visual language around financial values, transactions and the appearance of money. Read the full design direction for how to embrace this approach in your products, branding and services.

US – Food start-up Rise Products has developed a flour made from brewers’ spent grain, a by-product of the beer-making process.

Malted barley, a common grain used for brewing, is first soaked in hot water to release particular sugars that are essential in the later production of alcohol. Once used for this process, the grain is typically discarded, but Rise Products is eliminating this waste by repurposing the grain. It dries the used barley in an oven before grinding and sifting it to make a fine flour. To date, the product has been successfully used by a number of sustainable bakeries and kitchens in New York.

As consumers develop an interest in the provenance of food products, as well as in food’s impact on the planet, brands must respond with proactive and innovative products that offer both transparency and sustainability.

As more women become wealthy in their own right, they are prioritising their legacy and impact on the next generation. According to a recent survey by RBC Wealth Management, two-thirds of women plan to use their wealth for social good, while 71% say it’s important to protect the livelihoods of their employees.

‘Women are increasingly establishing themselves at the forefront of business ownership and decision-making across the UK. Female entrepreneurs and business owners will have a significant positive impact on society, as they focus on using their wealth to help their families and make a positive social impact,’ says Fiona Lucas, managing director of relationship management at RBC Wealth Management.

For more on how the female financial landscape is evolving, see our Women’s Wealth Market.