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Netflix South Korea tackles rugby with new reality show Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die

Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die on Netflix, South Korea

South Korea – Netflix is set to premiere Rugged Rugby: Conquer or Die on 10 December, aiming to introduce Korean audiences to the intense world of rugby. The 14-episode reality series will release its first four episodes on the release date. It will feature seven teams – Kepco Rugby, Hyundai Glovis Rugby Team, Posco ENC, OK Savings Bank Okman Rugby Club, Korea Armed Forces Athletic Corps, Korea University and Yonsei University – competing for the championship.

Producer Chang Si-won, known for the nationwide tv network JTBC’s A Clean Sweep, was inspired to create the show after witnessing the players’ dedication despite the sport’s limited popularity in Korea. In a press release, he remarked: ‘I began wondering what drives the players to give everything during the game, even though there isn’t any prize money.’

To authentically capture the sport’s physicality, the production employed 140 cameras and custom microphones to record the visceral sounds of gameplay. Chang emphasised the importance of this auditory experience, stating: ‘The sound of bones crashing together and bodies colliding gave me chills.’

In our Game-Changers: The Future of Sports Fandom macrotrend report, we forecast new sporting epicentres in the Middle East and APAC region, shifting the focus away from the historically sport-dominant West.

Strategic opportuntiy

Explore sponsorship opportunities in underrepresented sports such as rugby in emerging markets, leveraging their growing popularity and untapped fan bases

The Rolling Stones debuts a fragrance that captures the spirit of a cultural revolution

Rs No.9 by The Rolling Stones, UK

RS No 9 by The Rolling Stones, UK

UK – In an unexpected yet fitting evolution of the iconic brand, The Rolling Stones has launched its first fine fragrance, RS No 9. A collaboration with Nirvana Brands and Bravado, the scent celebrates the band’s storied legacy and cultural influence, drawing inspiration from the vibrant energy of London’s Soho in 1962 – the year of their first gig.

The fragrance, crafted by perfumer Catherine Selig, offers a sensory homage to the era when a new cultural wave of discovery and freedom emerged. Limited to just 999 numbered bottles, RS No 9 embodies the band’s timeless individuality. Each 100ml bottle features a striking apothecary-inspired design with graffiti-style lyrics and the iconic tongue and lips logo.

Available in RS No 9 stores in London and Tokyo, as well as online, this fragrance brings the rebellious spirit of The Rolling Stones into an entirely new dimension within the Beauty sector.

Strategic opportunity

Leverage iconic heritage to craft limited-edition, story-driven products that evoke nostalgia and exclusivity, forging emotional connections while expanding brand influence into markets such as luxury fragrances

Tesla builds teleoperations team for upcoming robotaxi service

US – Tesla is currently assembling a teleoperations team as it prepares to launch its robotaxi service. A recent job listing reveals that the company is hiring a software engineer to develop a teleoperations system for remotely controlling its upcoming robotaxis and humanoid robots. Based in Palo Alto, California, the role will involve designing and implementing the teleoperation system, marking a significant step for Tesla as it works toward autonomous vehicle deployment.

The formation of this team signals the company’s commitment to rolling out robotaxis on public roads. While Tesla has used teleoperations for its Optimus robots, remote control for robotaxis will require more complex systems, including real-time mapping and decision-making support.

The American manufacturer revealed its robotaxi prototype last month and plans to begin production by 2026 or 2027. Elon Musk, co-founder and CEO of Tesla, also aims to launch a self-driving taxi service in selected states by 2025, although details on the timeline remain unclear.

In our CES 2024: Smart Living Futures report we analysed the latest innovations in the mobility sector including groundbreaking innovations in electric vehicles, urban mobility and in-car experiences.

Nissan NEV Epic concept, China

Strategic opportunity

Prepare to handle robotaxi delivery services that could change how customers receive goods. Can you develop systems for receiving, loading and dispatching goods via autonomous vehicles or robot couriers?

Stat: TikTok drives holiday shopping trends among users with gift inspiration

Photography by Sylwester Ficek, Poland

US – TikTok is shaping the way its users discover and purchase holiday gifts, with 55% of shoppers finding inspiration on the platform, according to a survey by marketing agency MGH. Videos featuring unboxings, customer reviews and user experiences were cited as key influences by 69% of respondents, highlighting the power of authentic content.

The survey of 1,142 US adults who are TikTok users, revealed the most sought-after gift categories on the app. Food and beverage led the list at 45%, followed by personalised gifts (42%), tech gadgets (41%) and beauty products (39%). Other popular choices included apparel, DIY projects, home decor and experiences, with 36% of respondents seeking children’s games and toys.

TikTok isn’t just a discovery tool; it’s also a marketplace. Nearly half of users have purchased items for themselves through the app, and 37% have bought gifts for others.

MGH’s chief marketing officer Ryan Goff encourages brands to leverage TikTok’s influence during the holiday season, stating, ‘Compelling content and reviews can significantly sway purchasing decisions in this competitive market.’

The findings echo broader trends showing the growing role of social platforms in modern consumer behaviour, a topic we discussed in our Content Commerce report. For more insights into possible food and drink gifts check out our Functional Feasting macrotrend report.

Strategic opportunity

How can your business use TikTok as a marketing tool? Invest in creating engaging, short-form video content, such as hauls, unboxing, reviews or tutorials, to capture the attention of TikTok users