Need to Know
08 : 04 : 20

Singapore – Intellect is a new mental health app offering a practical approach to modern therapy.

The app combines clinical science with an accessible interface – making therapy readily available to more people. Unlike many traditional platforms for mental wellbeing and mindfulness, Intellect was developed by psychologists and mental health professionals. It is intended to empower users to better control negative habits and thought processes.

Intellect offers specific advice through bite-sized sessions and easy-to-understand content, with a focus on the traits and behaviours that contribute to feelings of low self-esteem, such as procrastination. Products and services that promote emotional resilience in this way are in high demand as consumers face new struggles amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

As the outdated therapy sector diversifies to address the vulnerabilities of the next generation, apps like Intellect offer an alternative to traditional counselling sessions. For more, read our Modern Therapy microtrend.

Australia – Otherside Brewing Co has created a new sub-brand inspired by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Perth-based brewer has launched Plan C: Simple Ale as part of a campaign to encourage consumers to support independent brewing, which has been hit hard by the outbreak of Covid-19. Featuring the tagline The Brew to Get You Through, the beer is an affordable alternative to many products in the increasingly saturated craft beer category. Following Plan C’s launch on 8 April, Otherside is working with local retailers to have the product delivered directly to buyers.

‘Clearly, no one knows where any of this is headed, but remaining flexible and rapidly moving to develop creative solutions and getting ideas to market as quickly as possible will ensure that businesses have given themselves the best possible chance to survive,’ says Mark Braddock, creative director of Block, who worked on the branding for the project.

From delivery services to digital innovations, our Covid-19 Contingency Planning report examines some of the ways that food and beverage brands are responding to the coronavirus crisis.

Consumer interest in sustainable fashion continues to grow, according to Lyst’s 2020 Conscious Fashion Report.

The study, which compiled data from Lyst and Google searches, as well as active browsing page views, conversion rates and global media coverage, indicates an overall rise in more sustainable fashion choices. In particular, the results show that the term ‘slow fashion’ has accounted for more than 90m social media impressions in the past year alone.

Meanwhile, searches for ‘vegan leather’ increased by 69% year on year, averaging 33,100 a month online. And in the first three months of 2020, searches for ‘upcycled fashion’ rose by 42%. The research suggests that sustainability is becoming a status symbol in the fashion industry.

As consumers continue to actively seek garments with eco-conscious credentials, brands are responding with more responsible alternatives to fast fashion.