Your Fridge Just Got Thirsty

‍The Tariff Hangover Cometh. Sure, we're surviving 2025, but the world economy is expected to slow in 2026 as countries begin to feel the real effects of tariffs, according to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Global growth is expected to decrease from 3.2% to 2.9%, with US expansion expected to fall to 1.5%. Although some risk was minimized due to many retailers front-loading their shipments, that party’s about to end as we enter the new year. Other dynamics, including wavering consumer confidence and rising inflation rates, will also impact global markets.

‍The Weight Is Over. After several months of waiting, consumers will finally be able to get their hands on NikeSKIMS. The brands announced the official launch date (this Friday) with a social-first campaign featuring former tennis star Serena Williams, track and field Olympian Sha’Carri Richardson, gymnast Jordan Chiles, and snowboarder Chloe Kim. 

The collection features 40 new styles and pieces in SKIMS’ signature neutral color palette, as well as seasonal micro-collections that include layering pieces. NikeSKIMS’ launch was pushed back in June, which left us questioning whether both brands could maintain the marketing momentum for an effective launch. Social media feedback has been overwhelmingly positive this week, although some commenters have criticized the campaign’s “apparent” favoritism towards certain body types. (A clear departure from SKIMS’ mission of “celebrating every body.”) 

‍Netflix & Chilled. AB InBev and Netflix have inked a global partnership deal that brings beer brands closer to streamers via co-marketing campaigns. Whether you're binging "The Gentlemen" from the UK or "Culinary Class Wars" from South Korea, expect to see Budweiser, Corona, Modelo, and Michelob Ultra woven into the viewing experience through title integrations, limited-edition packaging, and digital promotions.

The real play? Live sports. AB InBev will sponsor Netflix live events and activations, with Cerveza Victoria already presenting the recent Canelo vs. Crawford fight in Mexico. Come Christmas Day 2025, it'll be less "watching the game, having a Bud" and more "streaming the game, sponsored by Bud." Netflix's NFL Christmas Game Day marks a new era where your beer brand follows you from cable to couch to connected TV.

The message is clear: wherever you're watching, they're watching you back.

‍Wake Up and Smell the Marketing. Dunkin’ has discovered a new way to fuel caffeine addiction: by delivering branded content while people sleep. In celebration of National Coffee Day (Sept. 29), the company is partnering with Hatch on a coffee alarm and “sunrise experience” delivered through the Hatch+ sleep service. 

If you’re someone who needs a jolt of caffeine to simply get out of bed, the “Brew and Renew” alarm will play an ASMR-friendly combination of beans tumbling, espresso steaming, and uplifting music. Paired with the “Dunkin’ Dawn” warm pink-and-orange lighting, and you’ll be set for a joyful day. It’ll just cost you one Restore 2 or 3 device (with an average price of $170) and a Hatch+ premium content subscription ($4.99/month or $49.99/year). 

Your Fridge Just Got Thirsty (For Ad Revenue). Have a Family Hub refrigerator? Well, you may start to see some ads on your display (whether you like it or not). Over the past year, Samsung has gone hard on its “screens everywhere” approach, slapping touch displays on its various appliances and devices. While executives noted that the goal was user accessibility and seamlessness, it’s increasingly apparent that the end goal is to offer as much sellable surface real estate as possible. 

We’ve previously discussed “Lammers Law”—the trendline where advertising will eventually be embedded into all surfaces. At the time, Drake’s pants were an extreme (and entertaining) symbol, but now they’re becoming reality. 

‍For the AI Shy Guy. Droga5 Dublin, part of Accenture Song, has created a new accessory for the social-media shy. The CAPtured cap protects wearers from being filmed for social content without consent. Using real-time AI-powered vision technology, the cap can “sense” if a phone camera is pointed at it. Once a camera is spotted, the cover drops.

While CAPtured puts more control in consumers’ hands in the era of TikTok fashion influencers and livestreaming gym bros, it does not interfere with CCTV and other security tech. The system is a one-of-a-kind proof of concept powered by a RaspberryPi, and is not a commercial product.