Latest Stories from Charlie
Why brands must become ‘lighthouses’ for Gen Z skillsets
As the gig economy, hybrid working and entrepreneurship continue to surge in popularity with Gen Zers and students, brands will need to fill the gap that education is failing to address if they want to ensure long-term loyalty. Plus, the second-hand clothing market is set to grow and new Netflix show explores toxic Gen Z echo chambers. Remember the beginning of the pandemic, five years ago? Though it may not seem...
US music subscriptions surpass 100 million and vinyl still rising
Streaming remains hugely lucrative as US subscriber numbers pass the 100 million mark, according to a new report from the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA). Vinyl also remains on the uptick with young consumers. It’s official – streaming services remain the absolute champion of music consumption. According to a new revenue report by the Record Industry Association of America (RIAA), US subscriptions to music streaming services have surpassed...
Nasa astronauts return to Earth after months on ISS
Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have returned to Earth safely after being stuck on the International Space Station (ISS) for more than nine months. Two Nasa astronauts that were stuck onboard the ISS for over nine months have been rescued and safely returned to Earth. They were left stranded in space in June 2024 after Boeing’s Starliner capsule failed due to technical issues. Four astronauts returned back down to Earth in...
Pepsi purchases soda startup Poppi for $1.6 billion USD
The drinks giant PepsiCo has purchased Poppi, a prebiotic soda startup company first founded in 2018. It is part of the company’s efforts to attract Gen Z customers. It looks as though Pepsi is entering the prebiotic soda market, a particularly attractive sector for Gen Z consumers. In a statement released this week, PepsiCo announced it was purchasing Poppi, a prebiotic soda startup company that was founded in 2018....
Justin Bieber says he feels ‘unqualified’ amidst media speculation
Following months of social media concern over his health, the singer Justin Bieber took to his Instagram to update fans on his mental wellbeing. He has also recently faced scrutiny from previous relations with high-profile industry figures. Justin Bieber has opened up about some of his recent mental health struggles amidst a wave of online speculation about his life. In an Instagram story, Bieber said he regarded himself as ‘unqualified...
Underwater ‘doorbell’ helping scientists to catch coral-eating fish
Scientists in Florida used cameras to identify three corallivorous fish species that ate 97% of the coral initially laid out as bait in a controlled experiment. This information will help to tackle the massive decline in Florida’s coral reef populations. Did you assume that doorbells were only for… well, doors? You thought wrong. Scientists in Florida are using underwater ‘doorbell’ cameras to monitor and identify certain types of fish that...
Meta stops promotion of negative book by previous employee
Facebook’s parent company has successfully blocked the promotion and future publishing of ‘Careless People’ by Sarah Wynn-Williams, a tell-all book about working for Zuckerberg. This past Wednesday, Meta won an emergency arbitration ruling to temporarily stop the promotion of ‘Careless People’ by Sarah Wynn-Williams. The book is a ‘tell-all’ style shakedown of the company from Sarah herself, a previous employee who worked as a director of global public policy for...
Gen Z and the masterful art of ‘taskmasking’
Welcome to the latest edition of The Gen Zer. This week, we’re looking at the apparent rise of ‘taskmasking’ in the work place and its ramifications for the hybrid office lifestyle. Plus, young people are using AI in schools to help them with coursework and the nuances of the LGBTQ+ community continue to be ignored in research and surveys. When the intensity of the pandemic first began to subside...
Xbox to launch AI gaming coach ‘Copilot’
Next month, Microsoft will be testing out its new AI coach called ‘Copilot.’ The assistant will be able to guide players through game installations, tutorials, and even provide extra strategy advice. AI continues to make waves and cause industry disruption. We recently wrote about how Activision is doubling down on the use of automated artwork in game advertisements and asset designs, leading to a backlash from gamers across the...
Doctors say slushies a danger to children under eight
Slushies are a popular, colourful drink in the UK and US. However, doctors say they contain glycerol which can cause children to lose consciousness if consumed too quickly. New research suggests that children under the age of eight should completely avoid slushy ice drinks. This is because they contain glycerol, which can make young people very ill and even lose consciousness. Cases of 21 young children in the UK and...
