Julia Hodges

This is unbelievable to me. Kathryn’s post and your comment just sent me down a wormhole of reading articles about TikTok’s haphazard censorship. I still don’t understand how having the word “nazi” in your bio wouldn’t automatically get you banned… what alternative context is there? Based on my minimal understanding of algorithms, I can maybeee…[Read more]

Oooo I didn’t know about this “did you read the article” retweet prompt. I love that. Who knows if it will do any good, but I think it would push me take a step back and actually read the article.
However, I’m not sure if the new warnings that Dan mentions will help as much… I feel like a lot of people will think to themselves “yeah! that’s why…[Read more]

I totally missed this news! I remember when Instagram first starting hiding likes for random accounts as part of a test, and oh boy, did it throw my agency’s influencer and social media departments for a loop.
I think putting the power in people’s hands is definitely a positive change for mental health. I’m wondering if hidden likes impacts the…[Read more]

I echo Dan’s concerns about the mental health impact of social media on youth…well, on all of us but especially kids and teenagers.
Your post prompted me to Google existing laws, or I should say one single law from 1998: the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and of course, one of the first search results was a study titled…[Read more]

I don’t know what I’d do without Venmo, but then again, you’re right that a lot of the functionality isn’t really unique. A lot of my Venmo payments are to/from people whom I’m not physically with, so NFCs wouldn’t help there. However, I can definitely see NFCs becoming the defacto way to pay at places like farmers markets, artist booths, etc.…[Read more]

I sometimes like the convenience of QR code menus, but I think it depends on the establishment. For example, if it’s an order-at-the-counter, fast-casual spot, I think convenience is paramount, so they make sense. However, I agree that they can detract from the communal dining experience at sit-down restaurants. In addition to the connection…[Read more]

I relate to Kathryn’s perspective. I’m solidly on Team Physical Books, but your post has me questioning if I’ve written off audiobooks too quickly, because I do enjoy podcasts while driving. It’s interesting how closely we associate mediums with different experiences even when the content is the same (e.g., how a physical beach read signals…[Read more]

I remember I was immediately drawn to these fries when I saw the ads (the mouthwatering photography is what got me) and haven’t gone to Wendy’s since without ordering them. What’s interesting to me is that I’ve never thought of the sea salt as a healthier alternative, and had Wendy’s led too strongly with the “healthy” message, it probably would…[Read more]

I agree with you, Lesley (and everyone else) that this will change Reddit, likely for the worst for users and better for advertisers (who will have more control over where their ads and promoted content run w/ Reddit’s new “walled garden” approach- link interesting article on that below.)
I respect how clearly Reddit marks promoted posts versus…[Read more]

I agree, Sunaina! Dove is an OG when it comes to cause marketing and authentic content. I’ve been impressed by how they continue to make headlines with fresh, meaningful campaigns 20 years after the first real beauty ads ran, (like the 2021 “Show Us, It’s on Us” campaign where Dove offered to cover modeling fees for its diverse talent pool.)…[Read more]

Oh wow, thank you for this awesome insight. I don’t want to discount the talent buying process at established venues, and you bring up a good point about the artist relationships. To that point, I think it’s strategic how GigFinesse’s brand messaging focuses on its relationship with artists. Once COVID is over and surviving venues try to recover…[Read more]