Gen Z getting fired after a few months of getting hired?
Hello there,
Welcome back to our newsletter, How was Valentine’s Day? Hope it was great!
Let’s get into our latest update without further delay!
What’s popping this week:
Valentine’s Day campaigns for the win
Valentine's Day has long been a prime opportunity for brands to connect with audiences through creative and heartfelt campaigns. Over the years, numerous companies have crafted memorable advertisements that not only promote their products but also resonate deeply with consumers. Some of which have been really amazing and have stuck with us .
In February 2025, Coca-Cola celebrated Valentine's Day with its first-ever drone show in Hong Kong. Dubbed "Meet on 2.14: Together, share your heartfelt wishes with Coca-Cola," the event featured drone formations depicting Hong Kong-specific scenes, synchronized animations, and interactive workshops. This spectacle aimed to bring people closer, blending innovation with tradition to create unforgettable shared experiences.
Directed by Ryan Reynolds, Match.com's 2020 campaign introduced viewers to an unexpected couple: Satan and the personification of the year 2020. Set to a re-released version of Taylor Swift's "Love Story," the ad humorously depicted their whirlwind romance amidst the chaos of the year. This creative narrative garnered significant attention, amassing over 40 million views and sparking conversations across social media platforms.
In 2019, Ryanair offered an alternative to traditional Valentine's celebrations with their "#EscapeTheNonsense" campaign. Targeting singles and those weary of conventional festivities, the airline promoted affordable single fares, encouraging individuals to treat themselves to a getaway. This refreshing take resonated with a broader audience, positioning travel as a means of self-love and adventure
Also in 2014, Coca-Cola unveiled the "Two-Way Straw," a specially designed straw that allowed two people to sip from the same bottle simultaneously. Packaged with the message, "This Valentine's Day share a Coke," the straw encouraged couples to share both their beverage and a moment of closeness, embodying the brand's theme of togetherness.
Gen Z getting fired after a few months of getting hired?
Recent reports indicate a growing trend of employers terminating Generation Z employees—those born between 1997 and the early 2010s—shortly after hiring them. A survey by Intelligent.com revealed that 60% of employers have dismissed Gen Z hires within months, with one in six expressing reluctance to hire them due to perceptions of entitlement and sensitivity.
Key Factors Contributing to This Trend:
What Gen Z Thinks:
Work-Life Balance Over Money – Unlike previous generations, Gen Z prioritizes flexibility and well-being over salary. A survey found 62% would take a pay cut for better work-life balance, and 83% expect mental health support from employers.
Purpose Over Perks – They want jobs that align with their values, seeking meaning in their work rather than just financial stability or office perks.
Burnout & Disengagement – Many started working during the pandemic and feel disconnected from rigid workplace norms. Long hours, return-to-office mandates, and high-pressure environments often lead to burnout and job-hopping.
Desire for Faster Career Growth – Many Gen Z employees feel frustrated with slow promotions and traditional career paths. They expect quick progress and are more likely to leave jobs that don’t offer clear advancement opportunities.
What do you think? Is the workplace evolving, or is this a clash of expectations?
The Latent Controversy reaches the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court has intervened in the ongoing controversy surrounding YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, granting him relief while delivering a scathing rebuke over his comments on the stand-up show India’s Got Latent. The court ruled that no further FIRs could be registered against him but imposed restrictions, barring him from participating in stand-up comedy or roast shows until further notice.
A bench comprising Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh heard Allahbadia’s plea to club FIRs and seek anticipatory bail, following multiple complaints and death threats. While the court acknowledged his concerns about safety, it did not hold back on criticism, calling his remarks obscene and questioning their impact on society.
In a sharp reprimand, Justice Kant remarked, "If this is not obscenity, then what is?" and accused Allahbadia of spreading "dirty thoughts" through his content. The court further expressed concern over the influence of such remarks, stating that they cause embarrassment to families and society.
While Allahbadia has been granted protection from arrest, he must surrender his passport and cannot leave the country without court approval. The controversy has also drawn the attention of the National Commission for Women and law enforcement agencies across multiple states.
Allahbadia has publicly apologized, calling his comments a lapse in judgment. However, with investigations still ongoing, the debate over free speech, social media influence, and responsible content creation continues to escalate.
Brands shifting to IRL campaigns for promotions
As our world becomes more digital, people crave real-world experiences. The shift from URL to IRL isn’t just a trend—it’s how brands are building deeper connections. Consumers want more than just double-tapping; they want immersive, shareable moments. Experiential marketing works. Studies show 74% of consumers are more likely to buy after engaging in a brand experience.
When Spotify brought its Wrapped feature to life through immersive installations, it wasn’t just about visualizing data—it was about creating moments people wanted to share. Similarly, Rhode’s pop-up photobooth in London became a viral moment, proving that even IRL experiences seamlessly make their way back into the digital world. From “day in the life” vlogs to “come along with me” posts, consumers love showcasing exclusive brand moments with their online communities.
The evolution from URL to IRL isn’t just about large-scale activations—it’s about transforming everyday touchpoints into brand experiences. Whether it's turning a morning coffee run into a fashion moment or blending city exploration with retail therapy like Glossier’s NYC summer tour, brands are finding ways to elevate what consumers already love. Instead of building experiences from scratch, smart brands are enhancing familiar moments. Kendall Jenner’s 818 Tequila, for example, partnered with SoHo House to offer exclusive tasting experiences, creating a luxury association without a traditional sales pitch.
Limited-time experiences like these drive both immediate participation and lasting social media impact, increasing engagement, user-generated content, and long-term customer retention. The ROI of experiential marketing extends far beyond sales, influencing brand perception and community growth.
For smaller brands with limited budgets, large activations might not be feasible, but impact isn’t always about size. Partnering with local cafés for branded coffee sleeves, hosting intimate workshops in co-working spaces, or using Instagram Stories to offer behind-the-scenes moments can create immersive experiences on a smaller scale. Digital-first experiences, such as live streams, virtual product launches, or community previews, can also help brands bring the IRL experience to their audience, no matter where they are.
Social Media Updates
BuzzFeed is coming for Meta and TikTok? Last week, BuzzFeed teased that it was planning to launch a new, more positive, social media platform.
This week? A landing page and a manifesto have been released.
Instagram, in the hopes of establishing more signals that it can use to down rank comments that users find to be overly negative and/or harmful to their in-app experience.
As you can see in this example, some IG users are now seeing a new downvote arrow to the right of the comment functions, which they can tap to signal that they don’t like a particular remark.
Trending Audio’s
Reel of the week
Why this works?
That’s all for this week folks we’ll see you again next week, we hope you have an amazing rest of the week, if you don't….eh- maybe the next one will be better <3
Is it happy hour yet? The writer needs a stiff drink (or five).
Toodles!