This week, The WWF have a sports take on a broken world, Gamers cosy up to destress, Samsung flips out in London, and TikTok goes full capitalism in Ireland.
Broken-World Records
With the Olympics in full flow, the talk around breaking records is everywhere this week. World Wildlife Foundation has hijacked this conversation to remind us of some records that we should not being putting on a podium. Their video, with an Olympic-style sports commentary, ‘celebrates’ the many climate records that are being broken every year, such as 2023 being the hottest year ever and Greece setting the European record for the largest wildfire in history.
We love this use of relevant topics to communicate their message. Check out the video here.
Settle into a cosy game
Ah, cosy gaming—where the action is light, the vibes are right, and the stakes are delightfully low. The genre took off during lockdown when people got bored baking banana bread and instead sought comfort in these wholesome virtual worlds.
Many cosy games are set in small towns or farms, surrounded by nature and welcoming characters (think Animal Crossing or Sims). Calming music, chirping birds, and natural beauty create a relaxing atmosphere. Sure, you could actually get off your screen, go outside and be in nature, but why risk encountering bugs when you can virtually potter in the garden without getting dirt on your clothes?
Cosy games typically have a gentle difficulty curve and prioritise contentment over challenges. And the vibes match the mood—think fairy lights, virtual fireplaces, and low-fi soundtracks. In a world where fast action games can leave you frazzled, cosy gaming offers a sanctuary. Embrace the warmth and fuzziness of cosy gaming, and let your adventures be as comforting as a kitten in a sweater.
Return of the flip
Image: Samsung UK
That L-shaped bus is not a training vehicle for learner bus drivers.
Samsung have marked the launch of their Galaxy Z Fold6 and Z Flip6 phones by turning the Old Street area of London into Fold Street, an avant-garde town centre with more corners than we care to count. To celebrate the return of the savvy, old-school flip-phone, installed some not-so-straight décor to show that even when things are bent, they’re still pretty cool.
From park benches, lamp posts and iconic red London telephone boxes, Fold Street has got our heads tilted.
If this activation shows anything it’s that simple straightforward (or er not straight?) ideas can have a long-lasting effect. And yes, we’re talking about the pain in our necks!
Get those braces ready because the flip is well and truly back folks.
TikTok Shop is coming
Image: TikTok
We’ve all been there — we see the next viral product that we know will make our lives infinitely better, but need to do a Google search to find it. Who has the time?
Thankfully, social media giant TikTok is launching TikTok Shop on the Emerald Isle this October.
In 2023, it’s estimated that 2.8 million customers made a purchase through TikTok shop in the US and the UK. Even better, live TikTok shopping events allow users to see the product being used in real time and ask questions, creating an interactive shopping experience. Like telly shopping, but for Gen Zs.
TikTok shop creates a seamless experience from watching content to immediately purchasing the products in the video. It’s capitalism at its finest. From an Irish perspective, it opens up a whole new world of opportunities for consumers and businesses alike and brands would do well to get their TikTok Shop strategies in order, stat!