News 17.12.2024

Need to Know

AI-generated Frank Sinatra joins Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg in new ad, paying with your nails is now a reality and Tinder unveils the top dating trends in 2024.

Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg re-imagine the Rat Pack with AI campaign

Still GIN by Dre and Snoop Dogg, US

US – Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg have unveiled the new tech-powered Still GIN campaign, blending classic sophistication with cutting-edge technology. The ad, featuring AI-generated versions of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr, celebrates timeless artistry through a lens of modern innovation. 

The ad transports viewers to a glamorous cocktail bar where the suave pair, Dr Dre and Snoop Dogg, encounter the AI-resurrected Sinatra and Davis. The duo order a round of Still GIN for the entire bar, sparking cheers and culminating in a toast between the legends. 

Produced by Rosewood Creative and directed by Dave Meyers, the ad uses generative AI by Metaphysic, developed in collaboration with Sinatra and Davis’s estates. Tina Sinatra, daughter of Frank Sinatra, called the campaign ‘thrilling and surreal’, praising its respectful homage to her father’s legacy. 

Still GIN, a nod to Dre’s Still DRE, exemplifies the pair’s ability to merge music with entrepreneurial creativity, proving that innovation, like a fine gin, only improves with time. 

In The Synthocene Era macrotrend report, we discuss the transformational journey creativity is undertaking, powered by the ascent and adoption of AI.  

Strategic opportunity

Consider incorporating iconic figures or nostalgic elements into campaigns to evoke timeless values. It is essential, however, to collaborate with the estates of deceased celebrities to ensure that AI-generated representations are respectful, accurate and legally compliant

Nail tech meets fintech with Cash App and Chillhouse partnership

Cash in Hand Press-on Nail by Cash App in collaboration with Chillhouse, US Cash in Hand Press-on Nail by Cash App in collaboration with Chillhouse, US
'Cash in Hand' Press-on Nail by Cash App in collaboration with Chillhouse, US 'Cash in Hand' Press-on Nail by Cash App in collaboration with Chillhouse, US

US – Financial services app Cash App and New York-based nail studio and spa Chillhouse, have teamed up to create an innovative Cash in Hand manicure.

The collaboration fuses beauty and technology by embedding Chillhouse’s award-winning press-on nails with RFID chips, allowing customers to send money with their manicures. By simply holding a phone near the thumbnail of the set, the chip technology will take you to the Cash App payment pad to make peer-to-peer payments.

Priced at £14.18 ($18, €17.15), the festive nails feature Cash App-inspired designs with green gradients and chrome accents, blending style and functionality.

In 2023, we covered crowdsourced beauty brand Kiki World’s NFC-embedded press-on nails, which allowed users to share contact details through their manicures. By putting a financial spin on the concept, the Cash in Hand nails offer exemplifies the potential for innovation from financial services designed for women, a topic we explore in FemFin: Female-forward Finance.

Strategic opportunity

Develop financial tools that seamlessly align with women’s routines by integrating technology into wearable devices or beauty products. Consider extending this concept to jewellery – such as rings, bracelets or necklaces – or clothing accessories that also function as wearable payment solutions

Shanghai Airlines to launch direct route from Shanghai to Casablanca

Adidas and Rimowa, Germany Adidas and Rimowa, Germany

China – Shanghai Airlines, a subsidiary of China Eastern Airlines, is set to launch a direct route connecting Shanghai and Casablanca, Morocco, starting 19 January 2025. This marks the airline’s second African route following the success of its Egypt service, with hundreds of Chinese tourists travelling from Shanghai to Cairo.

As reported by Shine, operated with Boeing 787 aircraft, the route will run on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flight FM871 will depart Shanghai Pudong International Airport at 1:55am Beijing time, make a stopover in Marseille, France, and arrive at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport at 1:10pm local time. 

Morocco offers visa-free entry to Chinese citizens for up to 90 days, making Casablanca an attractive destination. Known for its rich culture, coastal beauty and industrial significance, Casablanca is dubbed both The Lung of Morocco and The Bride of the Atlantic. Chinese tourists, who could only fly into mainland China or Hainan during the strict Covid-19 lockdown are now searching for new destinations. 

In our Future Forecast 2025 macrotrend report, we analysed how Indian and Chinese travellers embody swathes of opportunities for the travel and hospitality industry. But businesses must adapt to meet the demands of these more affluent and adventurous new emerging Asian travellers.

Strategic opportunity

Consider how to develop bespoke travel packages and tours for Chinese tourists visiting Morocco, focusing on cultural immersion, culinary adventures and luxury experiences with local guides fluent in Mandarin

Stat: Tinder reveals the top dating trends in 2024

No Ordinary Love zine produced by Dazed Studio for Hinge, UK No Ordinary Love zine produced by Dazed Studio for Hinge, UK

Global – Tinder’s 2024 Year in Swipe report offers a snapshot of modern dating in the US, the UK, Australia and Canada, showcasing how singles are planning to meet their black cat girlfriend, golden retriever boyfriend and cinnamon rolls. Among the many trends mentioned, such as having a brain rot romance, love potioning and cherry bombing, a prominent one is the friends-to-lovers pipeline, which highlights a shift towards deeper emotional connections. According to the report, 25% of singles surveyed now prioritise friendship as the foundation for romantic relationships, reflecting a desire for long-term compatibility. 

In addition, running club relationships, where fitness intersects with romance, are also emerging. More singles are joining running groups and intramural sports to bond over shared interests, with 28% of survey respondents listing shared passions as their top must-have for potential partners in 2025. 

Technology plays a growing role in modern matchmaking with D-AI-ting, where AI tools assist in crafting profiles, selecting photos and boosting communication confidence. A remarkable 68% of those surveyed said they would welcome AI assistance in photo selection. 

For more insights on the social behaviours of Gen Z, check out our Gen Z Dating Futures report.  

Strategic opportunity

Consider how you can foster a safe and inviting environment for singles to harness organic platonic and romantic relationships. Create slower-paced dating alternatives like book clubs, hobby meet-ups or creative workshops to cater for the friends-to-lovers pipeline 

Previous News Articles
SXSW 2025: The Continuum of Experience

News

SXSW 2025: The Continuum of Experience

At SXSW, the concept of world-building extended far beyond the realms of entertainment and into the future of brand-consumer relationships.
Design : Experiences
Adidas partners with Kaf by Kaf to launch collection rooted in Saudi heritage

News

Adidas partners with Kaf by Kaf to launch collection rooted in Saudi heritage

Adidas has launched a Spring/Summer 2025 Sportswear Collection in partnership with Saudi label Kaf by Kaf.
Fashion : Sports & Leisure : Luxury
Stat: The White Lotus fuels luxury hospitality boom in Asia

News

Stat: The White Lotus fuels luxury hospitality boom in Asia

The White Lotus is redefining luxury hospitality in Asia, with new data from media intelligence firm Carma revealing its significant influence on h...
Travel & Hospitality : Society : Pop-culture & Media
SXSW 2025: Reclaiming social connection with Mozi

News

SXSW 2025: Reclaiming social connection with Mozi

Storyteller Baratunde Thurston led a conversation with Molly DeWolf Swenson and Ev Williams, co-founders of Mozi, exploring the evolution of social...
Design : Technology : Media
FKAHaeckels pilots Pay What You Feel pricing model

News

FKAHaeckels pilots Pay What You Feel pricing model

British skincare brand formerly known as Haeckels (FKAHaeckels) has introduced a Pay What You Feel initiative, allowing customers to choose from fo...
Beauty : Retail : Society
Stat: English trip-hop collective sets a new standard for sustainable gigs

News

Stat: English trip-hop collective sets a new standard for sustainable gigs

English trip-hop collective Massive Attack has broken a world record for the lowest-emissions live music event.
Pop-culture & Media : Sustainability : Travel & Hospitality
SXSW 2025: Manifesting a better future for all

News

SXSW 2025: Manifesting a better future for all

SXSW is a festival of future-thinking, but how can we truly anticipate what’s next? In a thought-provoking session, Rohit Bhargava, bestselling aut...
Design : Technology : Society
Netflix opens new restaurant residency in Las Vegas

News

Netflix opens new restaurant residency in Las Vegas

Netflix is expanding its entertainment empire into immersive dining with Netflix Bites Vegas, a year-long residency at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Food & Drink : Pop-culture & Media : Retail
Stat: Tennis participation surges in the US

News

Stat: Tennis participation surges in the US

Tennis participation in the US has hit a record high for the fifth consecutive year, with 25.7m individuals picking up a racket in 2024 – an 8% inc...
Sports & Leisure : Society : Health & Wellness
SXSW 2025: MIT’s vision for the next era of innovation

News

SXSW 2025: MIT’s vision for the next era of innovation

SXSW has evolved from a music and film festival into a global stage for technology and media innovation. With that transformation, it’s only fittin...
Design : Technology : Climate Change
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN