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Dua Lipa's one-off concert An Evening with Dua Lipa at London’s Royal Albert Hall, featuring a 53-piece orchestra and special guest Sir Elton John, will make its television debut on Dec. 15. Fans will see live debuts of songs from her 2024 album Radical Optimism, alongside hits like "Don’t Start Now" and "Levitating." The show will also include a duet of "Cold Heart" with Elton John and behind-the-scenes interviews with Dua reflecting on her career. The special will air on CBS in the U.S. and ITV in the U.K.
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Tyler, the Creator has announced a 2025 world tour in support of his upcoming album Chromakopia, which is set to release on Oct. 28. The Chromakopia: the World Tour will feature special guests Lil Yachty and Paris Texas and will cover North America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand throughout 2025. The announcement comes after Tyler debuted the single and music video for "Noid," which stars actor Ayo Edebiri. Tickets will be available starting Nov. 1.
The NFL recently hired its first-ever fashion editor, stylist Kyle Smith. Smith previously worked as a fashion stylist for the NFL Network, where he dressed show hosts and documented player fashion on his Instagram account, PlayTheLook. In his new role, Smith helps run the official NFL and NFL Style Instagram accounts, captures and coordinates getting-ready content in players’ homes and works with agents to create and manage relationships between athletes and various fashion houses.
The NFL has become one of the most fashionable leagues in sports, and the gameday experience now extends beyond the field to fashion statements for both players and fans. By leveraging our existing team collaborations, our brands can lean into the synergy between sports and fashion with co-branded merchandise (e.g., Bud Light x NFL), limited edition bottle designs inspired by partner team colors, or by hosting fashion-centric events during big moments like Super Bowl weekend.
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Megan Thee Stallion and Atlanta rapper Hunxcho partnered with True Religion for its newest holiday campaign showcasing the brand’s holiday collection of jeans, tops and jackets. Both rappers will share their favorite looks for the season on True Religion’s website and social media over the holiday season. Additionally, True Religion is also partnering with the Megan Thee Stallion’s Pete & Thomas Foundation for “Where Wishes Come True,” a community-driven holiday gift giveaway being held later this year for those in need.
When collaborating with talent on a campaign, selecting individuals who are culturally relevant and passionate about the brand can have a significant impact on success. This partnership with Megan Thee Stallion and Hunxcho exemplifies how leveraging notable figures, especially those who embody the culture or community a brand caters to, can create a genuine connection with audiences and resonate more deeply with diverse communities.
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At an annual fan forum in London ahead of last Sunday’s game between the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell indicated that the league is exploring the possibility of hosting a Super Bowl outside the U.S. While Super Bowl locations are set through 2028 (New Orleans, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Atlanta), Goodell’s comments mark a shift from his previous stance maintaining that the event be held in cities with NFL franchises. The league is also continuing to expand its international presence, having hosted its first ever game in South America earlier this season and with matchups still to come in Munich and Madrid. Goodell expressed optimism about hosting an NFL game in Dublin soon, as the Steelers, Jaguars and Jets have international marketing rights in Ireland.
Should the NFL and its owners agree to host the Super Bowl internationally, they may face a great deal of resistance for disrupting the economic boost U.S. cities traditionally enjoy from hosting the game. However, if an overseas Super Bowl does indeed happen eventually, brands should focus on showcasing their product’s international adaptability with market-relevant campaigns that reinforce their position as official NFL sponsors.
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The NBA regular season tipped off Tuesday, marking the launch of the league’s most extensive creator initiative to date for the 2024-25 season, which includes an expanded NBA Creator Cup Series and a new content-sharing network. Key creators like popular streamer Kai Cenat and multi-hyphenate creator Drew Afualo will provide unique behind-the-scenes content throughout the season and deliver insights from diverse fields such as basketball, fashion, food and more at marquee NBA events. Additionally, the NBA will work with over 100 creators to promote voter participation and share educational resources about the importance of voting, further solidifying the league’s commitment to inclusivity and creativity within its content ecosystem.
The NBA’s expansive creator program serves as inspiration for brands aiming to connect with younger audiences for both upcoming and established campaigns. For example, brands could explore engaging creators from the NBA’s network (or creators with similar influence) to provide behind-the-scenes POVs or day-in-the-life series – an approach that can enhance storytelling and foster a more authentic connection with audiences.
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WNBA players have opted out of their current collective bargaining agreement, putting the league at risk of facing a potential work stoppage if a new deal isn't negotiated by the end of the 2025 season. Citing higher television ratings and increased attendance (including record-breaking numbers from Sunday’s Liberty-Lynx Finals) coupled with rising franchise values, the union believes the time is right to renegotiate with the league and owners in search of "a business model that reflects (players’) true value, encompassing higher salaries, enhanced professional working conditions, expanded health benefits, and crucial investments needed for long-term growth."
Though next season won't be impacted by the lack of a CBA, brands should monitor negotiations to stay prepared for any changes.
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Adidas is making a return to college football by signing Miami Hurricanes quarterback and Heisman hopeful Cam Ward to a season-long NIL deal. This follows last year’s NIL contracts with Washington’s quarterback-wide receiver duo Michael Penix and Rome Odunze, who are now in the NFL – and this year’s “Team Mahomes” NIL initiative with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Adidas and other sports brands are leveraging NIL deals with emerging stars like Ward to seemingly build a college-to-NFL pipeline, fostering brand loyalty as these athletes transition throughout their professional careers. Brands can draw inspiration from this approach by aligning with rising talent and creating partnerships that connect them to their target audiences, ensuring long-term brand visibility.
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In collaboration with the upcoming premiere of “Wicked,” Starbucks launched two new drinks on Tuesday inspired by the movie: Glinda’s Pink Potion and Elphaba’s Cold Brew. As part of the promotion, fans can also purchase themed gift cards, tumblers and mugs, with merchandise collections inspired by Glinda, Elphaba and Emerald City. The “Wicked” movie, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, will premiere on Nov. 22, with “Wicked Part Two” following in 2025.
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Wendy's has launched Boo! Bags for Halloween, featuring a Dave's Single meal, a glow-in-the-dark Bone Chiller Frosty figure and a Boo! Book with coupons for free Jr. Frostys and a discounted kids' meal. The Boo! Books also raise funds for The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, with $0.90 from each book sold donated. Available from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3, the Boo! Bags cater to both kids and "kidults," offering a festive twist on Wendy's meals for a limited time.
Wendy’s Boo! Bags uniquely cater to both kids and “kidults,” combining festive fun with a classic meal and a charitable twist through the Boo! Book. Brands can create products that tap into cross-generational nostalgia, appealing to a wider range of diverse audiences to foster a sense of community and shared experience.
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Goldfish has temporarily rebranded as "Chilean Sea Bass" to remind adults, particularly Millennials and Gen Z, that the snack isn't just for kids. The playful name change comes with limited-edition packaging and a focus on flavors designed for adult tastes, such as Old Bay, Spicy Dill Pickle and Frank’s RedHot. Fans can purchase the limited-time Chilean Sea Bass crackers online, but the traditional Goldfish branding and flavors will still be available in stores.
Goldfish’s playful rebranding highlights a growing trend where brands actively promote their products as accessible to all consumers, not just kids. This strategy exemplifies a refreshing approach that showcases how brands can creatively engage consumers across demographics while maintaining their core identity.
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This week, Chick-fil-A announced its new, free app called Chick-fil-A Play, which will provide video content, games and more designed for families to enjoy while eating a meal. The app launches on Nov. 18 and will feature original animated shows, kid-friendly original scripted podcasts, games, video-based recipes, and e-books. According to the brand, the app is a digital extension of the chain’s commitment to “hospitality and fun.”
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Dave Chappelle and Killer Mike are joining forces for the Still Talkin That Sh*t! tour, bringing a unique mix of comedy and music to seven cities. The tour kicks off on Nov. 15 at Detroit’s Fox Theatre, with additional stops in Atlanta, Chicago, Boston, New York City, Oakland and Long Beach. Known for their powerful social commentary, Chappelle and Killer Mike previously collaborated on the 2022 music video for "Run," which highlighted themes of social justice and resistance. All shows will be a "phone-free experience" with attendees required to hand over their devices upon entry. Tickets will be available to purchase on Ticketmaster starting Oct. 25.
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump staffed the fry station at a McDonald’s in suburban Philadelphia on Sunday. He also staged an impromptu news conference, answering questions through the drive-thru window. The visit came as a counter to Democratic nominee Kamala Harris’ campaign-trail accounts of working at the fast-food chain while in college. While the restaurant itself was closed to the public for Trump’s visit, the location attracted a large crowd in Feasterville-Trevose, a key swing voter area north of Philadelphia.
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After decades sitting on the sidelines of politics, Bill Gates has recently donated about $50 million to Future Forward, a nonprofit organization that is supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential run. The donation was meant to stay under wraps and Gates has not publicly endorsed Harris, although his donation represents a significant change in strategy. Gates calls this upcoming election “different” and says he “supports candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to improving health care, reducing poverty and fighting climate change in the U.S. and around the world.”
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Donald Trump will join Joe Rogan on his podcast for an in-person interview in Austin on Friday. Rogan’s show “The Joe Rogan Experience” is one of the most popular podcasts in the world with more than 14 million followers on Spotify and 17.5 million subscribers on YouTube. The interview continues Trump’s trend of sitting for interviews with non-traditional media figures, many of whom boast young, largely male audiences. As also seen with Kamala Harris’ recent appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, the 2024 presidential candidates are taking opportunities outside of traditional media spaces in order to reach voters ahead of Election Day on Nov. 5. Last week, it was reported that Harris campaign officials met with Rogan's team about appearing on his show, but no confirmation has been announced yet.