TGIF, FutureParty people. ICYMI, the 20th anniversary of Lollapalooza kicked off yesterday in Grant Park, defying Mother Nature and drawing thousands of fans to see acts like Chappell Roan, Megan Thee Stallion, Stray Kids, and more… but mostly, Chappell Roan. Much of the buzz from day one was centered around the Midwest native’s main stage debut. Based on all the pink cowboy hats in attendance, don’t be surprised if the pop sensation gets bumped to headliner at her next festival stop. We’re looking at you, Outside Lands.

In other news… Gen Z puts a label on Olympic athletes, microtrends lose their magic, and X vanishes from the App Store.

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• YouTube – “Guess” - Charli XCX feat. Billie Eilish

• X (Twitter) – Britney Spears

• Google – Lollapalooza

• Reddit – Lisa Kudrow

• TikTok – “Drop It Like It’s Hot” - Snoop Dogg

• Spotify – “Perfect Pinterest Garden” - Porter Robinson

.CULTURE.

“Aura” is the hottest commodity at the Paris Olympics

The Future. Inspired by the Greek goddess of breeze, the concept of “aura” has become a trending label of admiration among Gen Z, especially during the Paris Olympics, where several athletes have captured the public’s attention for their certain je ne sais quoi (despite not being typical sports stars). Personal aura will likely continue to influence how public figures are perceived, with social media amplifying their unique energy and creating new outlets for fame beyond professional success.

The new Olympic gold standard
Athletes from all corners of the globe are emitting one-of-a-kind vibes as they flex their talents on the world stage.

• South Korean pistol shooter Kim Yeji, known for her futuristic look and cool demeanor, has intrigued audiences, overshadowing her teammate Ye Jin Oh’s gold medal.

• American gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik has gained a cult following for his performance on the pommel horse, defying critics with his skill… and Clark Kent glasses.

• Turkish pistol shooter Yusuf Dikec, with his lack of specialized gear and his left hand casually tucked into his pocket, has become a huge internet sensation.

• Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina wowed viewers with an impressive mid-air maneuver (likened to walking on water) that prompted some people to suggest it was Photoshopped.

The ultimate status symbol
So, what’s the secret to winning aura points? According to these athletes, looking unbothered while being unapologetically themselves is enough to raise their aura quotients. Score.

72.5% of you said Exclusive in yesterday’s poll: Do you think Hollywood is inclusive or exclusive?

“Having worked in the industry myself, Hollywood is Hollywood. Their inclusivity endeavors still lead to choosing people based on how many followers they have, who someone knows, etc.”

“There is more inclusivity with talent onscreen but not in the business of Hollywood, those running the studios.”

“Hollywood has never been inclusive, and when they’ve tried, it’s been a half-hearted attempt.”

.A WORD FROM OUR FRIENDS AT CLICK FUNNELS.

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Media, Music, & Entertainment

• Inside Out 2 has raced past Furious 7 and The Avengers to break into the Top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time, earning $1.5 billion worldwide. [Read More]

• Over 300 video game performers and Hollywood actors rallied outside Warner Bros. Studios, demanding fair AI regulations and protections for union voice actors and motion capture workers. [Read More]

• Disney Advertising hit a record in upfront commitments with a 5% revenue boost, driven by strong sports and streaming growth. [Read More]

Fashion & E-Commerce

• Sneaker trends that are in: hiking trainers, sleek indoor soccer shoes, Y2K styles, and vibrant colorways. And out: plain basketball shoes, chunky “dad shoes,” and all-white shoes. [Read More]

• Reebok has teamed up with the Texas pickleball company Recess on a new sneaker collection designed specifically for the fast-growing sport. [Read More]

• Simone Biles celebrated her gold medal win at the Paris Olympics by wearing a custom diamond-encrusted goat necklace, cementing her status as the “Greatest of All Time.” [Read More]

Tech, Web3, & AI

• Apple’s latest earnings report highlights declining iPhone sales in China, reflecting competition in the global market. [Read More]

• X has unexpectedly vanished from the Mac App Store, leaving new users without an official way to download the platform on Apple devices. [Read More]

• AI startup Suno argues that copyright law permits the training of AI models using copyrighted material without permission, potentially challenging traditional copyright doctrines. [Read More]

Creator Economy

• Couples are using workplace productivity tools like Slack, Asana, and Trello to manage their marriages, organizing everything from chores to parenting. [Read More]

• Gen Z is shaking up office communication with informal, humorous OOO emails, challenging traditional expectations of professionalism. [Read More]

• Saudi Arabia has unveiled a futuristic, cyberpunk-inspired design for a potential World Cup soccer stadium, blending cutting-edge architecture with ambitious tech features. [Read More]

.FASHION.

Microtrends may have lost their magic

The Future. As consumers increasingly seek meaningful and practical wardrobes, they’re ditching microtrends and opting for lasting garments instead. If brands want to avoid fad fatigue, they may have to prioritize timelessness over virality.

From fast fashion to fade out
Microtrends are yesterday’s news.

• The office siren trend, influenced by Bella Hadid’s paparazzi shots, has been gradually replaced by casual preppy styles and old-school academic references.

• The maximalist “mob wife” and quiet luxury looks have recently declined in popularity (despite a brief ascent earlier this year), giving way to “old-money” and holiday-inspired collections.

• Fashion gimmicks post-pandemic have also tapered off, as consumers choose practicality instead of bold and eclectic looks.

Finally over the quick fix
Hopefully, a renewed interest in quality will also encourage brands to create more durable and ethically produced garments, appealing to a market that values longevity over hype.

.A WORD FROM OUR FRIENDS AT GROWTH FORUM.

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• Learn: Wired explores how Telegram’s popular crypto game Hamster Kombat gained 300 million users in just a few months and disrupted the presidential election in Iran.

• Read: Variety sits down with Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap to discuss tracksuits, geopolitics, and the Oscar buzz behind the group’s self-titled biopic.

• Watch: The Verge’s Becca Farsace spends the day with sneaker influencer and content creator Jacques Slade, unboxing a 10-year career that’s led him to the PGA.

Yeah, “field research.”

LATEST PODCAST EPISODE

Today, on an extra special bonus episode of Future Forecast, our hosts Boye and Chris sit down with Andrew Kenward, the President and COO of Almost Friday Media. Andrew was an agent at WME in the digital media department at WME before being brought into the Almost Friday universe in 2021. We chat with him about his career, his goals for the brand moving forward, and what it's like working in media today.