Latest Stories from Flo
M&S ad controversy highlights social responsibility of brands
Amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza, marketing blunders like these demonstrate the urgency of brand due diligence. Each year, the arrival of Christmas creeps slightly earlier. Nowadays, we’re still busy binning Halloween decorations and transforming pumpkins into a buffet of soups and risottos when Mariah Carey starts defrosting. And it hardly raises an eyebrow if major brands launch their festive campaigns on the 1st November. We might still be waiting for...
How the cost-of-living crisis is pushing Britain to the brink
As bankers’ bonuses increase and government action stalls, a new cost-of-living documentary has highlighted the urgency of our country’s wealth gap. The same day that Channel 4 released its new cost-of-living documentary, a cap on bankers’ bonuses was scrapped in the UK. The irony hasn’t been lost on many, as the reality of many Britons’ living situations – some living on just £1 a day – ignited outcry on social media and...
14-year-old develops new bar of soap to treat melanoma
Heman Bekele may have found a strikingly simple answer to skin cancer treatment: a bar of soap. Despite extortionate amounts of fundraising and tireless research, a cancer cure still often feels like a pipedream. But as far as cancer research goes, it's long been suspected that the answer to one of humanity’s biggest killers could lie anywhere, or be discovered by anyone. This week, a 14-year-old from Virginia is the latest...
The Rock’s wax figure is part of a much bigger problem
The actor reached out to a Parisian museum after his wax figure was revealed to have a much paler complexion than his own. Last week, the unveiling of a Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson statue raised eyebrows not for its impeccable likeness, but for a glaring issue that’s sparked a broader conversation about whitewashing in major cultural institutions: the colour of its skin. Musée Grévin is modelled on London’s Madame Tussauds, where...
UNESCO is planning a virtual museum of stolen artefacts
The project aims to highlight Britain’s colonial history, and its ongoing impact on global communities. The subject of imperialism has surrounded British museums since their inception, but the topic has gained particular momentum in recent years. Discussions of cultural heritage and restitution have started to drive tangible changes in the museum sector. From curatorial amendments to projects with indigenous communities, institutions are constantly working to grapple with their...
Study finds period insecurity may stop girls from playing sports
The Youth Sports Trust has found low confidence related to menstruation stops girls from enjoying PE in schools. Government efforts have been geared toward the health and fitness of UK children for the past few years, as campaigns around obesity and physical activity begin to infiltrate more aspects of our daily lives. But despite a new plan to improve equal access and the quality of PE in schools,...
Should violent criminals be allowed on social media?
The successful TikTok career of a US school shooter has raised questions around the accessibility of online spaces. Many people dream of going viral on social media. After all, it promises overnight fame and widespread influence. The growing capability of almost anyone to gain internet notoriety has increasingly aroused controversy. Whether it’s a seemingly mindless dance video or a unique soundbite, people are turning into overnight sensations – and capitalising...
SailGP announces new plastic-free sportswear
What does the launch mean for the future of sustainable fashion? And, more importantly, do consumers want it? Ask anyone, and they’ll probably tell you that sustainability is fashion’s new black. Eco-consciousness – authentic or not – has become the trendiest accessory of late, and brands are hitching a ride on the sustainability train anyway they can. But amongst all the green-washing and false information, the fashion industry has also been...
Is free-speech under threat in UK universities?
Newly appointed university free-speech tsar Arif Ahmed certainly thinks so. Conversations around free-speech, particularly in our education systems, can often feel like a minefield. The growing concern around ‘culture wars’ and ‘cancel culture’ in recent years has only exacerbated this fact, with many expressing fears of academic freedom in UK universities. Government figures have shared beliefs that many figures in higher education, whether students, teachers, or other members of staff, are being...
Opinion – Turning Hitler’s birthplace into a police station is too on the nose
As work begins on the controversial project, Austria’s Ministry of the Interior is facing criticism from both locals and the global online community. When Austria announced its decision to turn Adolf Hitler’s birthplace into a police station, their Ministry of the Interior was met with bemusement and criticism. At the centre of the conversation was a debate about the symbolic implications of such a move. Those spearheading the project said...
