TV Partnership Story of The Week
Aldi is partnering with Channel 4 for its new TV show, "Aldi's Next Big Thing.” The show seeks out the best new suppliers and products and will screen next year. There's also an opportunity for brands to apply to showcase their products and get Aldi's attention in the process. Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, commented: “We are 100% committed to supporting British businesses and thanks to Aldi’s Next Big Thing, the British public can be a part of that too.’’ The move is part of Aldi's ongoing strategy to be the go-to supermarket for consumers who want quality and affordability.
Consumer Trends Story of The Week
As Gen Z consumers become more health conscious, the drinks sector is adapting to the changing trends. The number of non-alcoholic products on the market has increased 166%, and 38% of Gen Z drinkers are buying more non-alcoholic beverages than in the previous year. According to recent research from Kantar, Gen Z is over-indexing on non and lower-alcoholic beverages such as soju, a clear and colourless distilled alcoholic beverage that has been popular in the Korean Peninsula for centuries, Kombucha and CBD-infused drinks.
Social Media story of the Week
Twitter is making changes to its verification system, with CEO Elon Musk announcing the reform of social media verification. The new system will remove legacy check marks and make it easier for users to prove their identity. It also aims to reduce the influence of bots and inactive accounts on the platform. The changes have been met with confusion by some, but Twitter hopes that the new system will help create a more secure and transparent environment for everyone.
Tech Story of the Week
Google has recently announced an experiment in its Search Labs called SGE (Search Generative Experience), which uses generative AI. This new technology is set to revolutionise the user experience of the search engine, with ads included. The AI will be used to generate ad copy for advertisers and help consumers find products more easily. Google is currently testing this technology and will continue to adapt it as needed. This is a major step forward for the search giant and could have far-reaching implications for the industry.
Campaign Story of the Week
Adidas' latest campaign in Dubai has made waves with its swimmable billboard. The billboard, which invited women to dive in wearing items from an inclusive adidas range, generated $6m in earned media and won the Grand Prix in the Outdoor Lions. According to Jury President Eugene Cheong, Chief Creative Officer of DDB Group Asia, the billboard was a "traffic-stopper" that provided a high return on media investment. This unmissable experience has certainly made an impact on audiences around the world.
