–Fashion house Balenciaga is turning political instability and eco-anxiety into artistic inspiration, “channelling the ongoing turmoil into creative output” in a new SS20 campaign video that mimics an evening news broadcast, writes Dazed.
–Doctors and lawyers are taking to TikTok to give advice and clear up misconceptions in their fields, reveals BBC.
–A new jewelry store in New York City was designed to be a “sensory retail experience,” informed by darkness, materiality, scent and sound, says Dezeen. For more on sensory design, see trend #42 Anti-Instagram interiors in The Future 100: 2020.
–Could micro-credentials replace traditional degrees? BBC explores.
–Sephora is rolling out new standards for its CBD products, making it the first national retailer to do so. Via Glossy.
–Australia is leaning into voluntourism with a new visa that lets tourists extend their stay to help with bushfire recovery efforts, reveals Travel + Leisure.
–Big Tech brands continue their play for healthcare. Amazon has launched a new digital health care service for employees, reports The Seattle Times, while Apple has partnered with Johnson & Johnson to see if Apple Watch can reduce the risk of stroke, announces CNN. For more, see trend #88 Big Tech health in The Future 100: 2020.
–Durex reveals a new “sex-positive” brand manifesto in an effort to tackle stigmas around sex, explains Marketing Week.
–Delta has announced that it will go fully carbon neutral in March 2020, reveals CNBC.
–Adidas is using WhatsApp as a direct marketing channel, describes Digiday.
–Amazon opened its first cashierless grocery store, evolving the Amazon Go retail concept, announces Business Insider. For more on the future of frictionless checkouts, see trend #98 New payment gestures in The Future 100: 2020.
–Kickstarter has become the first tech company to unionize, reports The New York Times.
–Time investigates how AI is being used to help patients find the best antidepressant treatment.
