There’s something exciting about the Fourth of July. The nostalgia of cannonball contests, hot dogs, sunburns, big belly laughs, and the wonder of fireworks in the sky that make you think of stars. The uncertainty of our nation, whatever side of politics you sit on, makes this year feel a bit more serious. It makes me feel so grateful. I get to live a life filled of first world problems, and yet, the thoughts of how I can help those in need never leaves me. Even 3,000 miles from my hometown in Los Angeles county, my heart is with people struggling, feeling lost, and wondering how they are going to put food on the table.
Picnicking in Central Park with my favorite people was never something on my radar, but grocery shopping today made me reflect. I get to do this. Hard times make me appreciate the soft moments. Wherever you are this week, today, wherever you are reading this message, know that you are not alone. Make a list of the ways you are blessed, and reflect on those, rather than focusing on all the things that feel so outside of our control. Hug your loved ones extra tightly at the barbeque. Walk the dog an extra block, touch the grass, take that nap you need. We’re only here for a short time. Intention is so critical to living a good life. On this long holiday weekend, I hope that you find time to slow down and think about how good your life is, I know that’s what I’ll be doing.
Business & Marketing News
The Merchant of Venice
With over 200 A-list guests, 150 private jets and 85% hotel occupancy, the Bezos/Sanchez wedding generated $1.1 billion in total economic value for Venice, according to Italy's Ministry of Tourism.
Olipop’s Changing the PR Game
The trendy soda brand is allowing ordinary folks to enjoy influencer perks with a limited drop of PR boxes sold for just 5 cents a pop. After competitor Poppi’s influencer marketing disaster earlier this year, Olipop continues to make all the right moves.Unilever Acquires Dr. Squatch
The consumer packaged goods giant acquired the direct-to-consumer men’s grooming brand for 1.5 billion, just weeks after Sydney Sweeney partnered with them to start selling her bathwater. Coincidence? Unlikely.Hydration Gets Hot
With temperatures soaring in NYC this summer, Liquid IV’s ramping up its promo game with a new “I.V O’Clock” campaign in Times Square. Here’s how their marketing strategy helped them quadruple their growth since 2020.
Neutrogena Nostalgia
The skincare brand is dragging millennials with their new “Neutrogena Remembers” campaign, and it’s kinda brilliant. If you’re feeling the feels about your 90’s childhood memories, it may be time to invest in some eye cream.
Culture & Lifestyle
Vogue’s New Era
After 40 years at the helm of American Vogue, Anna Wintour is stepping down as editor-in-chief. She’s keeping her global Condé Nast titles, but a new “Head of Editorial Content” will lead the U.S. edition of the iconic magazine.
Glastonbury 2025
With performances from Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo and Doechii, this year’s Glastonbury Festival was one for the books. Peep the best moments.
Devil Wears Prada 2
The Devil Wears Prada sequel is officially happening nearly 20 years later. Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Emily Blunt return to theaters in May 2026Jennifer Aniston’s New Role
Aniston plays the domineering mom of a child star in a new Apple TV+ series inspired by Jennette McCurdy’s memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died. The iCarly alum’s bestseller was released in 2022 and recounts the struggles of working at Nickelodeon as a preteen.
Tech & Leadership
Bumble’s Buzzkill
Bumble’s laying off 30% of its staff, a move that comes amidst plummeting stock prices and declining revenue. (Here’s why women have left the dating app in droves over the past year.)
Perplexity’s Main Character Moment
Meta and Apple both have their eyes on AI startup Perplexity, though no official deals have been made (yet). With stiff competition from ChatGPT, this just may be Perplexity’s big break.Victoria’s Secret Under Pressure
Victoria’s Secret hired a new CEO last year to turn the brand around, but growth has been slower than expected thanks to tariffs and weak consumer spending. Investors aren’t happy and they’re demanding results in the next fiscal year.
I sat down with Saanya Ali, the storyteller, consultant, and founder of SOIRÉE - a platform that's connecting over 100,000 engaged foodies through her newsletter and social platforms.
What started as a New Year's Eve dare turned into a journey of pivots, purpose, and discovering that sometimes the scariest thing isn't failure - it's not letting yourself fail properly. Saanya's path from tech startup dreams to building something she truly loves is a masterclass in entrepreneurial authenticity, and her perspective on food as the ultimate cultural connector will change how you think about community building.
In this episode:
How Saanya pivoted from a tech-focused platform to a digital media approach.
Embracing failure is a crucial part of the entrepreneurial journey.
Food serves as a universal connector across cultures.
Experiences shape passions that can lead to a fulfilling career.
Pivoting with purpose can lead to new opportunities.
You’ll love this episode if you’re passionate about building community, but not quite sure where to start.
Listen to the full episode: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
We were warned about Big Brother. But what Orwell didn’t predict was how willingly we’d carry him in our pockets.
The latest op-ed, “Logging Off to Level Up: Why Digital Minimalism Is Having a Moment,” explores the quiet rebellion happening in response to digital burnout, and why more people are choosing slower, softer, more intentional lives. From grandma hobbies to “dumbphones,” it’s not about rejecting tech, but reclaiming our time.
Read the full piece on LinkedIn and join the conversation. Your attention is yours. Start treating it that way.
Your crypto crash course: everything you’ve been dying to know but weren’t sure who to ask
Dupe drama: One of your fave athleisure brands just filed a huge copyright infringement lawsuit
+ all the business, marketing, lifestyle and tech news you missed.
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