Your opportunity feed — curated by our analysts

Warner Bros. recently released the official trailer for the highly anticipated anime prequel in The Lord of the Rings franchise. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim explores events in Middle-earth 261 years before The Fellowship of the Ring, focusing on King Helm Hammerhand's defense of Rohan. Veteran actor Brian Cox, known for his leading role in Succession, voices Helm, while Miranda Otto reprises her role as Eowyn. Key LOTR veterans are contributing to the project, including Peter Jackson. The film is set for international release on 11 December 2024.

Anime has always been a popular subculture but was long considered niche and largely associated with otakus and weebs: both somewhat derogatory labels for Japanese subculture enthusiasts. In recent years, however, it has gained mainstream appeal. For one, streaming platforms offering anime titles, now with English dubs and/or subtitles, have significantly expanded the genre's global reach. In 2023, the most in-demand TV show worldwide was the anime title Jujutsu Kaisen.

Luxury brands in particular have also taken notice of anime’s increasing influence on the global stage. Brands looking to shift luxury goods from commodities into collectibles have turned to anime collaborations: Loewe x Studio Ghibli, Gucci x Doraemon, Jimmy Choo x Sailor Moon, and more. In turn, these luxury tie-ups further enhance anime’s cultural cachet, creating a reinforcing cycle of increasing popularity. Could your next brand opportunity for cultural partnerships lie with anime IPs?

More broadly: last week we discussed the record-breaking success of Black Myth: Wukong and the growth of Asian cultural properties on the global stage. The rise of anime as a medium for prestige culture is another example. What role can your brand play within the movement?

Hong Kong-based travel experiences booking platform Klook is partnering with TikTok to integrate booking features directly into the app. Announced in August 2024, this initiative will allow consumers in Southeast Asia and Japan who discover travel experiences on TikTok to immediately book them in-app. 

The partnership is an expansion of the Klook Kreator program, which is open to anyone with at least 5,000 followers on Facebook, Instagram or TikTok. 'Kreators' who are part of the community will be issued a unique promo code to share with their audience, earning commissions on bookings and access to sponsored travel events and experiences. Since its launch in October 2023, the program now boasts over 20,000 members across 16 markets.

We don’t have to tell you that social media is a key driver of consumer behavior — a whopping 82% of Southeast Asian consumers discover new products through the platforms. It's especially powerful for highly visual and shareable products like travel: a Skift report found that 57% of individuals globally rely on social media for travel planning. 

🏝️👀🛒 Beyond facilitating discovery, TikTok is now pioneering models that bridge the gap between the FYP and the checkout page. The platform does so by bolstering in-house features such as TikTok Shop (which is wildly successful in Asia) and through external partnerships such as those with Ticketmaster and AXS. 

Klook’s expansion of its partnership with TikTok is a win-win-win for both parties and for consumers. It allows Klook to show up where travelers are, enables TikTok to strengthen its position as the one-stop platform for inspiration and instant gratification, and facilitates a more seamless travel planning experience for consumers.

Remember when OpenAI’s ChatGPT smashed records by reaching 1 million subscribers in just 5 days? For context, it took Netflix 41 months, Facebook 10 months and Instagram 2.5 months to achieve the same milestone.

⏩ Fast forward two years, and ChatGPT reached another milestone: 200 million weekly active users by August 2024, doubling its user base since November 2023. That’s edging in close on Netflix’s 278 million subscribers! 

📈 This surge follows OpenAI’s launch of the more affordable, advanced GPT-4o Mini model.

🏢 Not to mention, 92% of Fortune 500 companies now rely on OpenAI’s tools.

But OpenAI isn’t the only one hitting big numbers. According to Mark Zuckerberg, Meta AI now has 185 million weekly active users. Anthropic’s Claude, meanwhile, reached USD 1 million in mobile revenue in just 16 weeks — though ChatGPT achieved that milestone in 3 weeks.

As ChatGPT and other AI assistants become part of everyday routines — following in the footsteps of binge-watching Netflix and searching Google — the question is: how can you harness the advances of the LLM oligopoly while also tapping into (and backing!) local and purposed innovators who might be more closely aligned with your needs and values?

Bang & Olufsen just unveiled Beoplay H100, its flagship headphones. As expected, the product promises superior sound quality and noise-cancellation technology, with 40mm custom-made titanium drivers and a novel EarSense feature that tailors sound to the wearer's unique fit in real time. But what stands out most — for this trend analyst, at least — is how the headphones have been designed for durability and longevity from the ground up.

They're crafted from materials that age well, including aluminum, glass and leather. Parts like the inner headband and earpad cushions are user-replaceable, while the product's modular construction provides service teams with easy access to internal components like batteries, drivers and circuit boards. The brand's commitment to a long lifespan extends beyond hardware; the H100 runs on a new software platform that allows upgrading over time, ensuring the headphones won't become obsolete as technology advances. When new features come out, users just update their software to get access.

As Bang & Olufsen says, "One day, we believe all headphones will be designed like this. Intuitive. Long-lasting. Modular. So you can care for and make them like new again. And again." Future-proofed quality comes at a price: the Beoplay H100 is listed for EUR 1499/USD 1,549.

A report by German supermarket giant Edeka — its fifth annual survey of neighborhoods across the country — reveals a complex picture of social cohesion. While three-quarters of respondents perceive significant division within German society as a whole, this sentiment doesn't necessarily translate to their immediate surroundings. In fact, 64% of those surveyed report little to no polarization within their own neighborhoods.

The study highlights a potential antidote to societal fragmentation: community engagement. A majority of Germans (also 64%) believe that neighborhood involvement can have a positive impact on social cohesion. This optimism is reflected in the willingness of 75% of respondents to consider future social engagement in their communities. 🛠️ Interestingly, the survey found that individuals who are already actively involved in their neighborhoods tend to perceive less societal division overall.

Polarization continues to intensify, and Germany is no exception — just this week, AfD became the first far-right party to win a state election in the country since World War II. From elections to heated debates over social and environmental issues, many countries are grappling with ideological divides. Edeka's research suggests that fostering connections at the most local level could be a powerful tool to combat polarization. Without necessarily taking sides, brands can play a role in promoting local engagement as a counterbalance to societal divides. One to get started on asap?!

Fruittella Brasil has uncovered a new tactic for getting kids outside: a book with pages that seem empty until sunlight hits them. The story that's revealed focuses on outdoor adventures like riding a bike and playing hopscotch, with — you guessed it — no screens in sight, while the book's retro illustrations harken back to a time before Fortnite.

This activation by the candy brand integrates a handful of goals: encouraging kids to get off their devices, read books, go outside and play with others. The limited edition publication, titled Lá Fora É Mais Legal (Outside is Cooler), was launched this past weekend in São Paulo's Ibirapuera Park and developed by creative agency VML Brasil.

🌞🤸‍♀️ Fruittella is tapping into growing concerns about excessive sedentary screen time with a creative nudge. The storybook's sun-activated feature not only adds an element of surprise but also cleverly reinforces the message that outdoor play is as delightful as it is essential — all while positioning Fruittella as a champion of wholesome childhood fun.

Innovation update / Last year, we wrote about Autoescola Xtraordinária, an initiative by Localiza that saw the Brazilian rental car company fund driving lessons for 30 people with Down syndrome. Now, Localiza is taking another step towards inclusivity in driving by releasing a comprehensive guide for all individuals with intellectual disabilities who'd like to get their driver's license. This free, downloadable resource provides a step-by-step roadmap to becoming a licensed driver in Brazil.

The guide, developed in collaboration with Instituto Mano Down, offers practical advice on fulfilling prerequisites, choosing the right driving school, and preparing for theoretical and practical exams. It also addresses potential challenges unique to individuals with intellectual disabilities, such as vision exams and psychometric assessments. By demystifying a complex process and offering tailored advice, Localiza builds on its mission to make driving accessible, reinforcing that independence and mobility should be within reach for everyone, regardless of their cognitive abilities.

🚗 Campaigns for a cause are fantastic. But they're often short-lived, so it's no wonder consumers are calling out companies for purpose-washing. Localiza's latest effort underscores a crucial lesson for anyone engaged in impact-driven marketing: follow through. Brands that show concrete and continued progress toward their stated goals are more likely to earn consumer trust and loyalty, distinguishing themselves in a marketplace where empty promises are quickly exposed and dismissed.

P.S. Of last year's group of 30, one person is now licensed, one is taking in-car lessons, six are doing driver's ed, and 15 are taking psychometric tests as part of the licensing process. 

Gen Z has fully embraced being in their feelings. 'Therapy speak' is ingrained into young adults' everyday vernacular, especially in online spaces. While many health professionals argue destigmatization can lead to positive health benefits, there's also concern that the high cost of in-person therapy sessions means many young people rely solely on digital resources.

Mental health content on TikTok has surged in recent years, but over 83% of related advice on the platform is misleading, which could exacerbate cyberchondria. Solutions like BetterHelp have also attracted controversy — the US Federal Trade Commission found that the telehealth provider sold patients' sensitive health information to companies like Facebook, Snapchat and Pinterest.

Additionally, online discourse about mental health trivializes experiences that can be truly debilitating and can normalize issues that shouldn't be (case in point: some social media users made light of psychiatric hospitals). While Gen Z now has a vocabulary for describing how and what they're feeling, pop-psychology shortcuts can lead to false and harmful self-diagnoses and thwart genuine, deeper conversations.

The conclusion? More words don’t always lead to better, clearer and more honest dialogue. Whether your brand wants to provide mental support or get Gen Z talking among themselves, consider these three trends:

📣 COMMON TONGUE: Use lingo that inspires empathy rather than superiority and utilize platforms that are already Gen Z native. Despite the generation being chronically online, some conversations are best left face-to-face.

🤖 OPTI-BOTS: Consider how you might provide e-relief to those who can't always discuss their concerns with friends. If all else fails, they could also turn to their future self for advice.

✅ FACTUAL HEALING: Help discern medical fact from fiction and ensure your own activations are trustworthy in terms of advice and privacy, too. Get your next initiative reviewed by teens (and health professionals!) and guarantee data security, especially when it comes to sensitive topics.

LEGO is about to blur the lines between fantasy and reality as new episodes of LEGO DREAMZzz start streaming. The animated kids' show features high-school friends who get together in a dream world when they go to sleep, experiencing epic adventures and using 'dream craft' skills to fight off the Nightmare King and the Never Witch. Now, LEGO aims to bring those fictional skills into the real world.

A global study commissioned by LEGO found that while 57% of children aged 6-12 are aware they can influence their dreams, only one-third actively practice the skill. To bridge that gap, LEGO enlisted dream psychologist Ian Wallace. With over 400,000 dreams analyzed in his 30-year career, Wallace recommends three methods for helping children guide and control their dreams: Dream Play (re-imagining dream scenarios upon waking), Imaginal Play (playing with remembered dream images while awake), and Active Play (reconstructing and reenacting dream imagery).

Of kids who already practice dream directing, 41% report changing scary dreams and 38% guide dreams they're not enjoying. But dream crafting isn't just about making sleep more fun. Wallace believes it provides daytime benefits, too: enhanced problem-solving abilities, stronger self-identity, improved emotional resilience and advanced cognitive skills. LEGO, meanwhile, offers DREAMZzz-themed building sets designed to encourage creative play inspired by dream scenarios. 

🧠✨ As all eyes* are on artificial intelligence's potential to supercharge creativity, now might be the perfect time to remind people of their human powers of imagination, and help them explore and cultivate those innate capabilities. After all, that's the stuff that gen AI is made of 😉 

* Including ours — have you given TrendBaby a spin?

Just a few more days until the closing ceremony for the Summer Paralympics officially ends the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Then, it's time for the city to clean up and return to its everyday rhythm. For the first time in Olympic history, the organizing committee is making resales part of its dismantling process, hosting a series of flea markets, or Grandes Braderies des Jeux, across France. Fans and collectors will be able to purchase a wide array of Games memorabilia, including uniforms, cups, flags, towels used by athletes, decorative elements from venues and even items from the ceremonies.

Scheduled for September and October 2024, the flea markets will be held in cities including Mulhouse, Pantin, Rouen and Nanterre, with more locations to be announced. The initiative is part of Paris 2024's broader circular economy strategy, which aims to reduce waste and give a second life to as many Games-related items as possible. An additional B2B resales channel is operating online at secondevie.paris2024.org. As the monumental cleanup proceeds, that platform will be populated with items ranging from vacuum cleaners and hand trucks to BMX ramps and safety netting.

Older generations might accuse Gen Z of having a limited work ethic but, in reality, what it means to be ‘productive’ is evolving. A recent Ipsos survey revealed that 48% of Gen Z in the US worry about not using their free time productively, compared to 34% of all generations combined. They’re more concerned about boredom (37% vs. 26%), affording hobbies (39% vs. 26%) and choosing a vacation that lives up to their dreams (18% vs. 9%).

Black Myth: Wukong, a single-player action RPG game developed by Tencent-backed Chinese studio Game Science, has made headlines in the past week. Launched on 20 August 2024, the game sold over 10 million copies in its first three days. It garnered 2.2 million peak concurrent users (PCCU) on Steam within 24 hours of release, making it the most popular single-player game by PCCU in the platform’s history. The game’s popularity also helped Steam hit 37 million concurrent players for the first time.

Based on Journey to the West, a 16th-century Chinese novel, the game’s storyline follows the journey of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong, and his quest to reclaim six mythical relics. Actual locations in northern China's Shanxi Province inspire in-game scenes (sparking a tourist boom) and the gameplay features a host of Chinese cultural elements.

Despite some controversy surrounding the game’s influencer briefing package, its popularity is the latest signal that Asian properties are actively setting the standards for cultural cool worldwide. For the Chinese-speaking gaming community, having a blockbuster game based on local literature and presented in Chinese is a source of pride and joy. For international gamers, it's a fascinating deep-dive into less familiar stories — a much-welcome antidote to the global monoculture that has deprived consumers of truly novel offerings.

🧮 📈 For brands, Asian culture is a form of soft power that can drive hard results. Celebrating, championing and collaborating with Asian cultural properties and players is an increasingly impactful way to drive audience engagement, brand equity and commercial results. So — are you in tune with the region's latest developments?

IKEA Singapore has redesigned its famous blue shopping tote as an accessory that enables consumers to catch a few Zs on the go. Featuring a smooth cover and plush stuffing, the new-and-improved RESTEN bag doubles as a makeshift pillow. The bag is launching alongside RestFest at IKEA, a three-day event in September 2024 celebrating sleep, rest and relaxation. Visitors will be able to participate in various sleep-themed activities, including pajama parties, tranquil tea-tasting sessions and bedtime stories for kids.

A study by YouGov found that a whopping 54% of Singaporeans get 6 or less hours of sleep on a typical night, placing the country dead last in terms of sleep time among the 17 markets studied. But after years of pursuing economic progress at all costs, many Asian consumers are pushing back and advocating for prioritizing their wellbeing.

From Seoul to Shanghai to Singapore, one clear consumer theme is emerging: sleep and slowing down is the new status symbol for 2024 and beyond. Earlier this year, Seoul saw its first sold-out sleep concert, promising attendees 12 hours of restful slumber. In China, consumers flocked to attend Xiaohongshu’s Slow People Festival, which celebrated the slow living movement. How might your brand encourage, empower and enable consumers to rediscover the art of taking a breather?

🚖 Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle arm, just hit a major milestone: 100,000 paid robotaxi rides per week across Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix – a 100% increase from earlier this year, with more expansion in the works. As for the competition, Cruise, General Motors’ autonomous vehicle division, is shifting into high gear with a multi-year partnership with Uber. Starting in 2025, Uber users will be able to book a Cruise robotaxi. While Waymo and Cruise race ahead, Tesla appears to be falling behind, repeatedly postponing its robotaxi rollout.

Safety last? 🤔 As the US accelerates toward a driverless future, safety concerns continue to slam the brakes. Sometimes literally. Cruise's deal with Uber marked a significant comeback after a major accident in SF last year temporarily halted operations, but GM just recalled nearly 1,200 Cruise vehicles due to unexpected braking. No wonder claims by China’s Pony.AI that its robotaxis are 10 times safer than human drivers are boosting adoption rates. (The latest Waymo robotaxis hitting SF streets are made by Zeekr, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer.)

✨ Whether or not the nuts, bolts and software of autonomous vehicles are all in place, robotization is here. And it's not just cars. Consumers are increasingly craving automation-fueled experiences that offer convenience with a touch of magic.

Coinciding with the Paris 2024 Olympics, Swiss startup Equip rolled out an innovative rental system to get everyone moving. To make sports more accessible and encourage impromptu play, the company installed 60 self-service rental units in Parisian parks and near sports fields and courts. Each compact unit contains basketballs, soccer balls or padel rackets in three separate lockers with glass doors, which are opened using an app.

Typically, people are charged a small hourly rental fee via the app, but these Play for Free units were sponsored by retail giant Decathlon. Since installing them in June 2024, Equip reports facilitating over 10,000 game sessions for more than 4,000 players, 30% of whom were women. Two percent of the sessions resulted in theft, much lower than anticipated. Following Paris, Equip just launched the concept in London, also in partnership with Decathlon.

🏀 ⚽️ 🏓 Equip's collaboration with Decathlon offers a practical solution to combatting pervasive societal concerns: the loneliness epidemic, excessive screen time and sedentary lifestyles. By removing barriers to participation and promoting spontaneous physical activity, Play for Free demonstrates how simple interventions can get people moving and playing together. As cities worldwide grapple with similar public health challenges, the Parisian experiment could serve as a blueprint for fostering more active communities. One to roll out across the globe?