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Sun-starved for much of the year, Dutch people flock to outdoor cafes as soon as the rays break through the clouds. Stopping for an al fresco lunch or a drink on a sunny town square is often spontaneous, leaving many unprepared and without sunscreen. Recognizing this, health insurer Zilveren Kruis has launched a campaign to combat skin cancer, the country’s fastest-growing type. By partnering with restaurants and bars, the insurer is getting sunscreen on the menu — literally.

Participating businesses can purchase mineral sunscreen at cost price through Zilveren Kruis’ partnership with sun protection brand Tenue de Soleil. When ordering a drink, customers can add a ‘shot’ of sunscreen if they forgot to apply earlier or need to reapply while enjoying their time outdoors. Zilveren Kruis suggests a resale price of EUR 2.99 for a 30 ml tube, but businesses can also charge less or offer the sunscreen for free. Each bulk purchase includes stickers with details and price, making it easy to add sunscreen to existing menus.

One in five Dutch people is expected to be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime. So sun protection needs to become as routine as ordering coffee or a glass of wine. By integrating sun safety into everyday activities, Zilveren Kruis hopes to shift public behavior and reduce the incidence of skin cancer. The initiative builds on a recurring summer campaign by the insurer, installing over 120 free sunscreen stations at beaches, amusement parks, festivals and other seasonal gathering spots across the Netherlands.

McDonald's Singapore recently launched My Happy Place, a metaverse experience accessible through its official app. Unveiled in June 2024, the virtual world allows users to play games like Build-A-Burger, design future McDonald's restaurants and participate in daily contests for real-life food deals and prizes. Users can also dress their avatars in McDonald's outfits.

The experience builds on a prior initiative — last year, McDonald’s Singapore released a collection of 2,000 NFTs of Grimace, one of the brand’s mascots, which exploded among Gen Zs. Grimace NFT holders will now receive special perks in My Happy Place, including exclusive wearables, access to a secret island and the ability to display Grimace portraits in their digital restaurants.

Algorithmic biases, copyright issues, privacy concerns, layoffs... People aren’t sure whether to trust AI or not. When it comes to discrimination, there’s a twist: in 29 of 32 countries surveyed for The Ipsos AI Monitor 2024, fewer respondents agreed with the statement “I trust people not to discriminate or show bias towards any group of people” than when given the same statement about AI.

As Matt Carmichael, SVP of Global Trends & Foresight at Ipsos Strategy3, says, “So, despite headlines about the bias in AI, we actually trust our fellow humans less than we trust the computers.”

🔍 Ireland is the only country where people trust that humans will discriminate less than AI. In AI-advanced India and tech-neutral Switzerland, trust levels are equal for both. Globally, 54% trust AI not to discriminate or show bias (33% disagree), compared to 45% who trust humans not to discriminate or show bias (45% disagree).

🤖 Biases, whether AI or human, ultimately reflect society. Algorithmic gaps and biases mirror existing injustices, from outdated gender stereotypes to antisemitism. AI could further entrench these prejudices, as shown by PR debacles at Meta and Gemini Google.

In June 2024, Philippines-based telehealth provider KonsultaMD launched the Partner Health Plan, a joint healthcare plan open to common-law and same-sex couples. Valid for up to two members — the primary account holder and one dependent — the plan offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including 30 video consultations with a General Practitioner and unlimited 24/7 voice consultations. Users can sign up for the plan via the KonsultaMD app and add their partner as a dependent.

KonsultaMD aims to make healthcare accessible for more Filipinos, an especially urgent mission in a country where the doctor-to-population ratio is 1 to 26,000 (alarmingly below the WHO recommendation of 1 to 1,000). At the same time, most joint healthcare plans only allow members to add legal spouses as dependents, excluding common-law couples from benefits. By opening up the Partner Health Plan, KonsultaMD ensures accessibility for an underserved group.

June is often synonymous with rainbow-washing initiatives from brands looking to capitalize on Pride Month. But genuine brands that steer away from lip service will stand out. How will your Pride Month activation add tangible value to the community you claim to champion?

The fashion recommerce market is veering off course. Stuart Trevor notes that brands like Zara (62M items), H&M (59.9M) and Shein (21.9M) reign supreme on Vinted, with 100K Zara items added daily… 😵‍💫

Whether driven by cost-consciousness or eco-guilt, Vinted’s latest Impact Report reveals that for 65% of its members, a quarter or more of their wardrobe is composed of secondhand items. Extending the life of garments is highly commendable, but the flood of fast fashion items on Vinted and its competitors signals that overconsumption and rapid turnover have reached recommerce. While Vinted reports to have cut 679 metric tons of CO2e in 2023, another report finds that fast fashion items only cut emissions by 0.7% through resale programs 📉

In response, Vestiaire Collective banned fast fashion brands last year and France is imposing penalties. But fast fashion continues to thrive — especially among trend-driven members of Gen Z, with Shein as a favorite. So, how will you help brands and consumers adopt a quality-over-quantity mindset, whatever point of sale they choose? One example of promoting intentional shopping: Eileen Fisher's Seasonal Planner.

In June 2024, French railway company SNCF hosted special sports-themed editions of its En'Train pour le Climat workshops. These events, which have been held on board TGV INOUI and INTERCITÉS trains since 2022, aim to raise awareness about environmental and climate issues. The sports-themed edition taps into the spirit of the Olympic Games. By drawing parallels between athletic excellence and environmental action — resilience, perseverance, teamwork — SNCF aims to turn the climate crisis into challenge that can be tackled.

The workshops, taking the format of a 40-minute team quiz, are held in bar cars and communal spaces on trains. Participants are invited to engage in discussions and meet new fellow passengers while exploring ways to take individual and collective action as part of the climate transition. Workshops were held on 24 long-distance routes. To make the experience even more memorable, eco-forward athletes regularly joined in, too.

Oreo found a creative solution to the problem of broke cookies by drawing inspiration from the Japanese art of Kintsugi. This centuries-old technique, which means 'golden joinery,' involves repairing broken pottery with lacquer mixed with precious metals, adding a new layer of imperfect beauty to a once-damaged item.

Similarly, a campaign by Oreo transformed broken cookies into a delightful experience by allowing customers to repair them with its classic cream filling. To mend their cookies, shoppers in Mexico could purchase limited edition tubes of Oreo filled with vanilla cream. Up for a 2024 Lion in Cannes, Kintsugi Oreo was developed by Leo Burnett Brazil and Leo Burnett Mexico.

Target is rolling out a generative AI-powered chatbot, Store Companion, to team members across nearly 2,000 stores by August 2024. Accessible via handheld devices, the chatbot guides workers through store procedures, from signing someone up for Target's membership program to troubleshooting cash register issues during a power outage. The retailer believes this form of real-time assistance will improve efficiency and free up employees' time to focus on serving customers.

While Target's Store Companion promises increased productivity and — indirectly — more customer engagement, it also raises questions about potential downsides. Traditionally, workers would turn to a colleague for guidance, fostering mentorship and a supportive work environment. With Store Companion handling many of their queries, there's a risk that organic, relationship-building moments will diminish and lead to a more isolated workforce, where team members rely more on technology than on each other.

It's a particularly pertinent risk in light of the Gallup report we recently spotlighted, which found that 20% of employees experience daily loneliness, rising to 22% among those under 35. If your company is considering following Target's lead, how will you ensure that efficiencies gained through AI don't erode staff interactions that contribute to a positive and productive workplace?

Over 1,000 people in the US were surveyed for the 2024 edition of Shep Hyken's annual customer service report. One dismal finding? Half (51%) would rather dine with their in-laws than call customer support. Is that evidence of a growing love for in-laws or a frustration with service experiences? Either way, there's no justification for yelling (34%) or cursing (21%) at agents.

It’s not just Americans that are adopting Karen-like behavior. Australians and Brits are, too. All of which points to an empathy gap, one that could further widen as the visceral reporting of global conflicts drives up compassion fatigue.

Time to remind all stakeholders of their social graces and prod them to practice kindness. Beyond the positive ripple effect on customer and employee loyalty and satisfaction, kind gestures can also alleviate anxiety and depression.

British cycling brand Rapha has teamed up with London's Cycle Sisters to create cycling-specific performance gear for Muslim women. The collection features a close-fitting hijab, a long jersey and ankle-length padded pants. Focus groups conducted by Rapha's design team revealed that Muslim women — for lack of modest options — often resorted to wearing men's cycling gear to achieve a covered fit, compromising both their performance and comfort. 

Rapha's new collection aims to empower them to cycle with confidence and style. The initiative aligns with a broader industry shift towards diversity and representation in sports and outdoor gear. By catering to Muslim women, Rapha isn't just expanding its cycling community. As major players like Nike and Adidas — who started selling performance hijabs and other modest sportswear over the past decade — have already recognized, inclusivity is both a moral imperative and a smart business strategy, fostering loyalty and growth among values-driven consumers.

The United Nations Development Programme just released its second edition of the Peoples’ Climate Vote survey. Over 73,000 people speaking 87 different languages across 77 countries were asked 15 questions on climate change. Key findings for 2024:

• Four out of five people worldwide want their governments to take stronger action on climate change, showing overwhelming support for more ambitious climate efforts.
• The survey found that 86% of respondents want countries to set aside geopolitical differences and collaborate on addressing climate change.
• Majorities in 20 of the world's largest greenhouse gas-emitting countries, including the US, China and India, support stronger climate action, with percentages ranging from 66% (US and Russia) to 93% (Italy).
• In five of the main emitters (Australia, Canada, France, Germany and the United States), women are more strongly in favor than men of their country strengthening its commitments. The gender gap is largest in Germany.
• 72% of respondents globally favor a rapid transition away from fossil fuels, including majorities in countries that are among the top 10 producers of oil, coal, or gas.
• Climate change is impacting people's major life decisions, with 69% of global respondents saying it affects choices like where to live or work, rising to 74% in Least Developed Countries.
• Over half of those surveyed are more worried about climate change than they were last year.

Representing 87% of the world's population, The People's Climate Vote survey is focused on understanding how people experience the impacts of climate change and how they want their leaders to respond. You can find the full report here.

In conjunction with Chinese Cultural Heritage Day in June 2024, Starbucks China opened its third cultural heritage concept store in Suzhou. Following similar openings in Beijing and Shanghai, the space is designed to showcase local Suzhou culture and Chinese artisanal skills. The interior mimics a Suzhou-style garden pavilion and sports design elements based on local craft, including Su embroidery, needle brush painting techniques and Yunnan’s Wa brocades.

The latest Starbucks cultural heritage store is part of the cafe chain’s broader strategy to ride on the Guo Chao movement, also known as ‘National Trend’ or ‘China Chic.’ Chinese consumers increasingly favor brands rooted in local culture and sensibilities, and in response, both local and global brands are reinventing their offerings to meet this preference. For Starbucks, leaning into heritage is especially important to fend off local competitors like Luckin Coffee that are winning on price.

🌏 More broadly, China's Guo Chao movement is just one example of a powerful shift across Asia, where Western culture is no longer the paragon of cultural cool. Asian kids who grew up in the 1990s might have clamored for hamburgers and Backstreet Boys songs. Today, Filipinos idolize their own P-pop artists (SB19, anyone?), Thais go crazy over their Boys’ Love series, and Indonesians flock to homegrown artisan coffee brands. And we don't even need to mention K-culture.

Culture will always be a key driver of commerce. Aligning your brand with the right players, personalities and properties is a powerful way to resonate with consumers. Is your brand’s cultural compass up to date?

New mothers in operational roles within the airline industry face unique challenges related to the nature of their work. One significant example is the lack of time and private space to pump breastmilk during and between flights. As a result, many are forced to take extended unpaid maternity leave or abandon their careers altogether.

Regional carrier AirAsia announced its Moms-on-Duty kit in May 2024 to address the issue. The kit includes a nursing cover to use while on duty, designed to match the airline's uniforms for pilots and cabin crew. Also included is a practical handbook with guidance on navigating parenting-related conversations and accessing essential support. The initiative is part of AirAsia's broader DEI strategy to build a more inclusive work environment for female employees.

Launched close to Mother's Day, the Moms-on-Duty kit stands out among the usual promotions, sentimental ads and #ThankYouMom activations. Adding a nursing cover to crew uniforms demonstrates an understanding of women's lived experiences and delivers a tangible solution to a genuine problem — a meaningful step toward normalizing physical aspects of motherhood and equalizing the playing field for working moms.

The latest edition of Reuters and Oxford's annual Digital News Report is out! Here are the key insights for 2024:

😓 News fatigue & avoidance: Despite a slight uptick in engagement during election years (+3% in the US), news consumption is becoming more selective. Of those surveyed, 39% now often or sometimes avoid the news, up from 29% in 2017, and 39% feel overwhelmed by the amount of news, compared to 28% in 2019.

🧐 Trust in news: Trust remains steady at 40%. Finland leads with 69% trust, while Greece and Hungary are at the bottom with 23%. Trust factors include openness (72%), accuracy (69%), fairness (65%), and lack of bias (61%).

🎥 Platforms: Facebook is losing ground (-3%), short-form video news is surging. YouTube is the top platform (31%), followed by WhatsApp (21%), TikTok (13%), and X (10%). TikTok is especially popular among 18-24-year-olds (23%) and in Thailand (39%) and Kenya (36%).

🎙️ Podcasts: News podcasts attract younger, well-educated audiences. In 20 countries, 35% listen monthly, with 13% tuning into news and current affairs.

🤖 AI-generated news: Concern about fake news is rising, with 59% worried, up 3 points from last year. It's especially high in South Africa (81%) and the US (72%), likely connected to 2024 elections. 

Whether or not you're in the media business, how will you help overwhelmed consumers navigate an oversupply of information, enabling them to find essential signals among intensifying noise?

Allowing readers to dive into the classics with renowned authors as their guides — that's the vision behind Rebind, a new publishing platform that could give well-known books an AI-fueled rebirth. To create those immersive experiences, Rebind extensively interviews luminaries like John Banville, Roxanne Gay and Bill McKibben about a literary work. That material forms the basis for conversational, AI-powered interactions.

As readers make their way through a book, they can pause at any moment to engage the expert, or 'Rebinder,' in a chat, asking questions and receiving contextual insights drawn from hours of recordings. It's like having a book club discussion seamlessly woven into the reading experience. Rebind is banking on people wanting a guided, interactive journey through potentially daunting literary texts. While some might balk at inserting technology into the natural flow of reading, Rebind believes its platform can make the classics more accessible without diluting their depth.

📚 By funneling insights from human experts into dynamic AI interactions, Rebind creates a context-rich layer for traditional books. The startup, which is currently in beta — is focused on contemporary thinkers providing commentary on older, public-domain works. But one can imagine branching out to authors expanding on their own writing or workshopping a draft, celebrities discussing their favorite reads, or stellar educators bringing textbooks to life. Competition for people's attention is fierce — Rebind hints at immersive ways for the written word to lure them back.

Related: Library uses ChatGPT to turn popular books into choose-your-own-adventure games