News 16.07.2019

Need to Know

Twitter helps brands create feed-friendly ads, the toothbrush company making dental care accessible and summer drives fashion overconsumption.

Seed educates its wellness influencers

Seed
Seed
Seed University

Los Angeles – The microbiome-based supplements brand has launched an education platform that requires its influencer partners to learn about the products they promote.

Seed University is the brand’s attempt to curb the spread of misinformation and encourage more accountability in influencer marketing. Designed as a 59-minute, six-unit interactive course on Instagram Stories, it informs influencers about microbiome, probiotics and the Seed brand. Only after completing the course will partners be provided with a unique URL to earn commission from the sale of Seed products that they have driven. Course offerings will also expand in the future on a ‘learn more, earn more’ basis, according to the brand.

With tutorials on bacteria, the microbiome, human biology and the science of probiotics, Seed University incorporates GIFs, memes and videos to make the science accessible and engaging. A final unit is dedicated to translating the Federal Trade Commission’s Endorsement Guide, which outlines how influencers must disclose financial relationships with brands. By creating greater transparency in its products, Seed demonstrates how the supplements industry can embrace expertise.

Thermal baths powered by cruise ship waste

In Murky Waters by June Tong In Murky Waters by June Tong
In Murky Waters by June Tong In Murky Waters by June Tong

London – Conceptual project In Murky Waters proposes creating an Arctic thermal bath house powered by waste from visiting cruise ships.

The project, conceived by Royal College of Art student June Tong, seeks to draw attention to the increasing number of cruise ships operating in the Arctic Sea. The spa would be powered by waste that cruise ships deposit on arrival, but its facilities would be limited in access, unable to accommodate the thousands of people on board and therefore ensuring a more sustainable tourism model.

According to Tong’s research, an average-sized cruise ship releases about 25,000 gallons of sewage, 143,000 gallons of grey water, seven tonnes of garbage and solid waste, and 15 gallons of toxic chemicals. In Murky Waters explores how this waste can be reconsidered as an integral part of the Arctic cruise experience, while offsetting its environmental impact.

As the market for polar travel grows, it will become crucial for the travel industry to explore how to make cruise tourism more sustainable.

Twitter launches a branded content studio

Global – Twitter ArtHouse will connect brands with the talent of influencers, content strategists, artists and editors.

The dedicated content studio was created in response to a study by Magna and IPG Media Lab, which found that Twitter users spend 24% more time looking at ads that come from creators than those posted directly by brands. In order to bring brands closer to consumers, Twitter will curate best-in-class creators who will develop ideas and assets on behalf of brands.

In addition, Twitter ArtHouse will represent artists, illustrators and videographers who can create feed-friendly branded content in just a few days. To date, Wendy’s has worked with comedy creator Demetrius Harmon on its new menu and Google Brazil invited five artists to illustrate LGBT+ milestones.

As young people grow up with creative tools in their pockets, they are increasingly able to monetise their artistic pursuits through programmes like Twitter ArtHouse.

Google Brazil

The DTC toothbrush brand making dental care accessible

Quip Quip

New York – Quip is rolling out two dental insurance plans to address the shortcomings of traditional healthcare.

The direct-to-consumer (DTC) electric toothbrush company is launching Quipcare and Quipcare+ to reach both insured and uninsured consumers. The basic offering, Quipcare, is free and works through a pay-as-you-go model for dental services outside of preventative care. Before agreeing to a service, Quip ensures that users can afford the full amount, with no hidden costs.

Meanwhile, Quipcare+ is a more traditional dental model, whereby customers pay £19.83 ($25, €21.94) a month and receive two check-ups a year. ‘We always knew and have been building this end-to-end, full-scale oral care companion,’ says Simon Enever, CEO at Quip. ‘We are launching the core of what we want to do from the ground up, which is [to] make people think about and use dental care in a whole different way.’

Brands like Quip are harnessing digital technology in order to disrupt the healthcare system. For more on future-proofing the dental industry, read our microtrend Dental Rework.

Stat: Summer events fuel fast fashion in the UK

A recent survey shows that summer events such as holidays, weddings and festivals are driving seasonal fast fashion in the UK. According to research conducted by Censuswide on behalf of charity Barnardo’s, more than half (51%) of those surveyed said buying new clothes for a festival or holiday added to the excitement, while a quarter said they would be embarrassed to wear an outfit to a special occasion more than once.

As a result, it is estimated that UK consumers will spend more than £700m ($876m, €778m) on 11m items of clothing bought for holidays, and 10m wedding outfits at a total cost of £800m ($1bn, €889m). In a bid to reduce these unsustainable consumption patterns, Barnardo’s suggests consumers turn to second-hand and pre-owned goods for special occasions. As the fashion industry grapples with questions about overconsumption, digitisation also offers another route.

Thought-starter: How can leisure spaces attract wealthy families?

Created with the offspring of wealthy Millennials in mind, these luxury leisure spaces bring parents and children together for elevated bonding experiences.

Traditionally, parents would drop their children off at the crèche to fit their working schedules or to reclaim a few hours of time alone. Now, however, these play spaces are changes. New set-ups that put family time first are emerging, providing experiences that offer recreation and relaxation to both carers and children.

One such space is Cloud Twelve, a members’ club for families based in the affluent area of Notting Hill, London. For a membership fee of £4,500 ($5,555, €4,957) a year, the luxurious space features soothing zones for adults, such as a salon and cryotherapy room, while children can busy themselves with educational classes, interactive cabaret shows and a plant-based food menu.

Even the trusty local leisure club is undergoing a luxury redesign. In the eastern Chinese city of Suzhou, the Loong Swim Club has opened a wonderland-inspired leisure space sure to catch the eye of affluent families. Experimenting with proportion, shape and eye-catching candy coloured interiors, architecture design firm X+Living designed the swimming club to appeal to parents and children alike.

Read the full round-up of premium play spaces here.

Loong Swim Club by X+Living, China
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 0 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN