Breaking Rules, Riding Waves, & Raising Spirits in 2025

Welcome to The Beat’s latest drop—a playlist of perspectives from the influencers and innovators moving the needle. Here’s what’s on repeat from the voices moving culture forward:

• Brands in 2025 must go bold and rogue, breaking traditional marketing molds with unconventional strategies to capture consumer attention in an oversaturated market.
• Tech leaders can ride the 2025 tsunami of innovation, leveraging emerging markets, evolving digital IDs, and transformative AI applications to redefine competitive landscapes.
• Despite economic swings and changing consumer tastes, vodka maintains its stalwart dominance in the spirits industry, driven by its versatility, celebrity endorsements, and newer craft distillation methods.

For the uninitiated: The Beat is a free, biweekly newsletter designed for the influencers, tastemakers, and innovators in the worlds of music, entertainment, media, food & beverage, fashion, sports, gaming, and more. Each article featured below is penned by a member of Rolling Stone Culture Council, a community of influential leaders across an array of industries.

With the lineup set, let’s turn up the volume on this week’s insights.

Fortune Favors the Bold: How to Craft a Rogue Brand Strategy in 2025

Steven Le Vine - CEO ROGUE

In 2025, brands must break tradition and challenge the norms to captivate attention. Playing it safe is passé, and the new rule is there are no rules. This bold approach isn’t just advisable; it’s essential to pierce through the clutter of a desensitized market.

Brands that dare to be different by embracing risk, engaging with authenticity, and surprising their audience stand out and resonate more deeply.

Here’s all you need to know:

?? Consider Alternative Media: Ditch the mainstream. Podcasts and niche digital platforms are where the engaged audiences play. Dive into these less conventional waters to fish out loyal followers.

?? Create Subversive Campaigns: Forget the played-out scripts. Look at Jaguar’s car-free ad—a cinematic nod to luxury that traded product shots for storytelling, creating buzz and breaking the mold.

???Embrace Unapologetic Messaging: 2025 calls for raw, real communication. Shed the sugarcoating and connect truly—acknowledge flaws and challenge the usual, winning trust and depth in the narrative.

???Unpredictable Social Media Content: Surprise and delight on social. Shake up the feed with content that breaks expectations and sparks emotions, like True Classic’s dramatic, humorous ad that turned a crisis into a catwalk.

???Reimagine Your Customer Touchpoints: Every interaction is a scene in your brand’s story. Make each count with unexpected, memorable experiences that defy the ordinary and captivate.

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2025 Tech Predictions: Harnessing the Tsunami of Innovation

Jessica Billingsley - Founder, CEO, Public Speaker, Investor, Public & Private Board Member - Sona Capital

As we barrel into 2025, the speed of innovation isn't just fast—it's explosive, reshaping industries and redefining the boundaries of what's possible.

With a solid track record in predictions boasting an 85% accuracy rate, this analysis isn’t about gazing into a crystal ball but rather making calculated forecasts based on observable trends and cycles.

Explore key insights below:

?? Europe & Emerging Markets Lead in Venture Capital: Watch as Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa redefine venture capital landscapes. Their unique market conditions and burgeoning tech ecosystems attract global investors looking for exponential growth.

???The Era of Personal Digital IDs: 2025 marks a pivotal year for adopting personal digital IDs, enhancing security and convenience across digital and physical realms. This innovation promises streamlined processes and empowered personal data control.

???AI Transforms Human Support Roles: AI continues to automate and enhance support functions, filling gaps in global talent shortages and augmenting human capabilities with efficiency that reshapes workforce dynamics.

???Year of Regulations in Emerging Tech: Expect significant regulatory frameworks to emerge around AI, cryptocurrency, and tokenized assets, steering these industries towards greater structure and legitimacy, particularly in the U.S.

?? Evolution of Bitcoin Mining Companies: Bitcoin mining entities are set to expand their influence, emerging as major computing infrastructure providers across various industries, driven by the escalating demand for high-performance computing power.

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Vodka in 2025: The Unstoppable Spirit Through Every Storm

Patrick S. - CEO HOLLA

Despite the swells of shifting consumer tastes, economic turbulence, and geopolitical challenges, vodka remains the enduring titan in the spirits industry as we enter 2025.

Its stable presence and robust sales, which top $7 billion annually in the U.S. alone, underscore its unmatched appeal across various demographics. Despite the rising tides of luxury tequilas and brown spirits, vodka consistently holds its ground in the top ranks, proving its timeless allure and versatility in every pour.

Check out the latest insights below:

?? Versatility Reigns Supreme: Vodka's unmatched adaptability in mixology makes it a favorite for classic and innovative cocktails. Its neutral profile allows endless flavor combinations, sustaining its popularity in bars and homes.

???Celebrity Influence & Mainstream Credit: High-profile personalities like Sabrina Carpenter and Ina Garten champion vodka, spotlighting it in everything from cocktail kits to everyday essentials, further solidifying its trendy status.

???Discerning Generations Demand Transparency: Today's savvy consumers push for clear labeling and quality products, influencing brands to ditch dubious additives. This movement towards transparency could reshape brand strategies in the spirits sector, much like in the broader food industry.

???Craft & Authenticity Lead the Way: Local craft producers are redefining vodka with authentic, locally sourced ingredients, challenging the big names with chemically flavored profiles. This shift not only appeals to the palate but also supports community-based production.

???The Ideal Party Companion: As the festive season unfurls, vodka’s role extends from high-end events to casual gatherings. Its adaptability and affordability make it a perennial favorite, proving that vodka remains a versatile, crowd-pleasing staple whether it’s sipped, mixed, or canned.

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Wrapping Up

If these articles sparked your interest, we have a network that you will love: Rolling Stone Culture Council.

This exclusive, vetted community brings together influential leaders and innovators in art, media, gaming, theater, social impact, fashion, film, hospitality, sports, and more.

Put yourself at the forefront of innovation with access to publishing opportunities on RollingStone.com, a personalized, SEO-friendly Executive Profile, and the chance to network with other respected leaders in the field.

Join Rolling Stone Culture Council today and become part of a group driving innovation in entertainment.