It seems the internet has finally found something we can all agree on - the cuteness of pygmy hippo Moo Deng. In entirely unofficial (and totally made-up) data analysis,100% of the world agrees this little hippo is an overload of adorable. It’s time to take a break from the chaos of daily life and enjoy what the internet does best - turning animals into global superstars.
Scroll down to read about NERF guns, Flappy Bird, and Germany’s exceptional work-life balance.
Stats to power your week
💸 DINKs (dual income, no kids) are generally seen as couples who skip having kids in favor of spending on luxuries like travel. But here’s where it gets interesting: 31% of US/UK DINKs say they’ve spent the majority of their money on travel in the last 6 months, which is the same as households with children under 18. It seems travel is a top priority regardless, though DINKs may opt for Tahiti instead of Disney. GWI Zeitgeist
📺 Want to know which streaming services have the most viewers on ad-supported tiers? Companies like iQiyi (72%), Hulu (64%), and Disney+ Hotstar (58%) are at the top of the list, while Netflix’s relatively new ad tier is used by just 13% of its viewers. GWI Core
🔫 There’s been no shortage of toy talk lately. Whether it’s about Barbie, Trolls, LEGO, or Transformers, these toys have all had their big-screen moment. But one toy has been making waves without a blockbuster boost. Since Q1 2021, the number of US kids who say NERF is their favorite toy has shot up by 149%. And it’s looking like NERF is eyeing for a spot in the National Toy Hall of Fame. GWI Kids
🍽️ There’s big movement when it comes to the influencer space in the world of Gen Alpha. In the US, 12 to 15 year-olds who watch influencers are 26% more likely than the average American kid to choose their own food. Globally, the number of kids with this decision-making power has jumped 19% since last year. This could be great news for creators like MrBeast and Logan Paul, who recently launched their own Lunchables competitor. GWI Kids
📊 The number of professionals who say their company or team is struggling with a lack of strategy has grown by 14% in the last year, making it the fastest-growing business challenge. Between reshuffling due to layoffs and new technologies like AI being introduced, many workers aren’t clear on what’s happening and why. GWI Work
What’s on our radar
We’ve got a double dose of nostalgia for you this week. Flappy Bird is making a comeback at the same time PlayStation is dropping a limited edition console that nods to its very first release.
In response to ongoing conversations around social media’s impact on teens’ mental health, Instagram’s restricting their accounts just weeks after the Australian government announced its plans to ban younger teenagers from social platforms.
Makeup and women’s sports make a good team. WNBA players are showing off Glossier’s iconic lip gloss in a new campaign, Serena Williams is launching her own makeup brand, and Milani Cosmetics has partnered with several Olympians.
The era of the micro-influencer is in full swing, and YouTube’s leaning in. It’s just rolled out a new feature that acts like a discovery page, designed to give up-and-coming channels more reach.
Walmart’s working to make in-person shopping trendy. Its new virtual fitting rooms let you try on clothes digitally and share the look with friends to get their opinions.
The US central bank’s first interest rate cut since the pandemic will make borrowing cheaper for consumers and companies, which is good news for retailers.
The iPhone 16 hit the shelves late last week, and here’s what we know about it so far. It has a new battery design, is said to be Apple's most repairable model in years, and the first one to be built for Apple Intelligence.
Chart of the week
We love the meme, “No I don't watch TikToks, I watch Instagram Reels of TikTok videos that were popular two weeks ago, LIKE A GROWN UP” because it speaks to the idea that trends originate on certain apps and then do the rounds on others.
While TikTok’s reach is impressive, the real story lies in the impact it has on users. The platform doesn’t just deliver content - it shapes conversations, sparks movements, and influences entire communities. Just take a look at what’s going on with Nutter Butter, the viral #ActYourWage hashtag, and the sales surge due to #booktok.
And Reddit’s also among the apps driving online culture right now. Not only are we seeing signs of its cultural influence climbing in our data, but screenshots of threads like “Am I the A**hole?” are reportedly blowing up on Instagram and TikTok.
Local lowdown
Germans are out of office, out of mind
If there’s one thing Germans are known for, it’s their efficiency and a large part of that is knowing when to switch off. In fact, across 19 global markets, Germans lead for saying they never check emails outside normal working hours. So, we know they place a strong emphasis on work-life balance.
But it’s not just a personal preference - Germans are 84% more likely to say flexible working hours are broadly permitted at their place of work. And back in 2012, Volkswagen famously decided to stop email servers sending messages to employees after hours.
So, what’s behind this? "Feierabend." It broadly means “quitting time”, and it’s actually linked to the capitalist idea that businesses get more productivity out of workers if clear periods of rest are encouraged. It’s deeply ingrained in the nation’s culture, so if you’re emailing a German colleague on a Friday evening, don’t be surprised if you get a reply sometime Monday morning... at the earliest.
.png?upscale=true&width=1160&upscale=true&name=OTD%209_23%20(1).png)
