January 2025

New year, same obsession with the trends. Let’s get into it.??

• Two words: butter sculptures.

• A group of Brits took U.S. fast food by storm on TikTok.

• KFC launched a Gen Z-friendly dip + chicken concept - Saucy- with much fanfare in Orlando.??

• Taco Bell launched Live Mas Cafe, a beverage-focused concept... and chicken nuggets bc why the hell not???

• Speaking of fast food, McDonald’s tested a prototype for an “on the go” concept with drive-thru and no in-store dining option.?

• American Single Malt officially became its own category. Cheers!?

• Kiss those hidden fees goodbye – the FTC banned surprise fees for hotels, vacation rentals and more.??

• Slow travel is in, and its helping to fix America’s “vacation deficit” (yikes!)??

• Get those points! Alaska Airlines to launch a new credit card.??

• Assigned seating and other changes coming to Southwest.??

• From Detroit to Valle de Guadalupe, these are the 50 best places to go in 2025.

• Mama I’m in love with a criminal... the country became obsessed with Luigi Mangione??

• Hailey Bieber and the entire internet are trying NAD+ booster supplements in pursuit of the fountain of youth.??

• The friend breakup heard ‘round the (podcasting...) world.?

• But where will we get helium balloons? All Party City stores abruptly close.
• Hit up the couch. "Brain rot" is the word of the year.

• Have we hit the decline of influencer brands? Matilda Djerf takes on toxic workplace criticism while Parke x Set Active received complaints of order delays.??

• The pink pilates princess is a consumer heavyweight.??
• Matthieu Blazy joins Chanel as creative director??

• The U.S. Supreme Court agrees to hear TikTok’s case.. but the ban may go on.??

• Meta rolls out more prominent affiliate links.??

• Video AI is coming to Instagram?

• Hashtags officially serve little-to-no purpose. #endofanera??