Brands all want a stake in women’s sport but not all of them know what to do with its stories. While audiences and investment continue to grow, the real value lies in the depth, emotional resonance and just pure fun of the female athletes’ experience.
The ‘Richness’ of Female Athletes and Why Brands Need to Go Deeper
Brands are falling over themselves to get into women’s sport, but too many still treat it like a bolt-on sponsorship. The real wins, however, can be found in telling richer stories, tapping into their wider passions, and committing to the game long after the final whistle.
Why Creator Investors Are Becoming Football’s New Distribution Partners
KSI’s minority stake in Dagenham & Redbridge is the latest sign that celebrity ownership is changing how lower-league clubs grow. In this week’s issue: the rise of creator-backed football clubs, New Balance’s chess-inspired Eberechi Eze campaign, Kith and On’s cinematic running film.
Rich Hewes
From Worldbuilding To World Belonging: What Animal Crossing Can Teach Brand Experiences
A cozy island game where nothing much happens has quietly become a masterclass in building worlds people actually want to spend their time in. Here’s what brands can learn from games like Animal Crossing about designing calmer, more communal experiences offline.
Contributor
Why ‘Friction-Maxxing’ Is Catching On and Why Brands Are Starting to Care
From Polaroids to perfume stores with no websites, a cultural shift is pushing back against relentless convenience. As consumers add friction back into their lives, strategists and brands are exploring whether effort, not ease, could become the next marketing advantage.
Hannah Bowler