To read

The Fan Report (WHOOP)

Ever wondered which country drank the most during the World Cup? WHOOP knows. For the duration of the tournament, the fitness wearable brand tracked metrics like stress and sleep across different fan groups.

Eurocoded (A Color Bright)

‘For a new generation of tech companies, Europe is no longer just a headquarter location but an identity marker.’

The ‘unquantified self’ movement is rejecting wellness optimisation (Dazed)

On the flip side, Dazed writer Rachael Akhidenor identified the rising trend of anti–surveillance culture when it comes to wearable devices. I stand by the fact there’s nothing cooler than a runner who doesn’t use a watch or Strava. One day.

To listen

New Avatar, Kelela

To notice

Chelsea FC became the first football club to officially partner with Strava

A Chelsea Strava run club might be my worst nightmare.

Could skipping be the next big sports trend?

London it–girl Miquita Oliver launched ROPES — a high–end skipping rope brand. This feels like the alignment of several trends, like the premium-isation of household items and the rise of sports like yoga and pilates that offer a softer mode of exercise compared to the optimised running and HYROX bros.

I think we’re about to see a lot more brands lean into marketing and strategy content

Victoria Secret just partnered with – a trend reporter based on Instagram and Substack.

A lot of you agreed with this

It turns out girls are still looking for a guy in finance

Olivia Rodrigo’s rumoured new lover works in AI investment, and had previous roles at JP Morgan. *We don’t cover celebrity gossip on PC, but this news has me waiting for a ‘Is it embarrassing to have a boyfriend now’–like Vogue article.

Aimé Leon Dore competed in a sailing competition

Very Loro. Very Prada.

Nothing – the London-based tech brand – have a dedicated page for community

Last month they announced a competition for club night ideas with a prize of $10,000. As spotted, it looks like brands are finally putting their money where their mouth is. Palace opened Manor Place with Nike. Morning FYI and Zora annonced a £10k ‘Hardware Fund’. And A-Cold-Wall* announced a competition for creatives with London-based day festival RALLY.

Is ice the next brand trend?

‘Custom ice’ company The Nice Company Paris have worked with GANNI, Hugo Boss and Louis Vuitton.

To watch

Cole Buxton turned their recent sneaker drop into a film inspired by The Office

Humour is still such an underused device in marketing. Few brands get it right. Most take themselves too seriously.

I’m excited for this new Greta Lee and Willem Dafoe film

From writer Samy Burch and director Kent Jones. In cinemas August 7.

Professionally Curious is a reader–supported project by Strategist Harry Salmons. If you enjoyed reading this letter, subscribe for more thoughts on brand and culture.

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To read

The rise of “surveillance chic” (Embedded)

Alexa Chung has been posting outfit photos from her Ring door bell. Kate Lindsey explores why CCTV and Meta glasses are emerging as creative instruments during a time of privacy concern.

Americans are already seeing AI’s downsides (Americans on AI)

Americans on AI is a ‘biweekly survey tracking how Americans feel about artificial intelligence (AI)’ that launched two days ago on Substack. Crazy stat here: 82% of Americans say people are struggling to tell what’s real from what’s fake.

How Bending Spoons built a $23bn tech empire from struggling brands (The FT)

“This week, the business, which has morphed into a sprawling technology conglomerate through some 50 acquisitions, including AOL, Eventbrite and Vimeo, went public, raising $1.68bn from investors.”

The End of Reading Is Here (The Atlantic)

Fewer than half of all adults reported having read a book of any kind in 2022. Rose Horowitch explores how a literacy divide is affecting society.

Forget logos, young people in China want ‘spiritual’ luxury (CNN)
“Young city-dwellers are spending more on “lucky” accessories, crystals and Zen-inspired fashion and fragrances in an apparent bid for emotional release, however temporary.”

The Rise of Intellectual Clout (SSENSE)

In the age of doomscrolling and brainrot, J’Nae Phillips explores why deep focus and intellectualism has become aspirational.

To listen

Nirosta Steel, MY SKYSCRAPER (ULYSSA)

A new release representing 40 years or so of demos from Arthur Russell collaborator Steven Hall, a.k.a Nirosta Steel. It’s funky, weird, and super fun.

To watch

The Invite (A24)

What’s your relationship like with your neighbours? I watched this at the cinema last week and laughed a lot. Rogan, Wilde, Norton, and Cruz, all brilliant.

The Shards (Hulu)

Ryan Murphy — director of Glee and American Horror Story — is back with a limited series based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel.

Martin Weigel’s new book on lessons from the front line (YouTube)

Martin’s writing was my introduction to Strategy. His book ‘Strategy Is a Verb’ came out earlier this year. It’s a must read.

To attend

CASSIUS is returning to London

The legendary French touch DJ is playing Outernet, London, on October 31st.

Professionally Curious is a reader–supported project by Strategist Harry Salmons. If you enjoyed reading this letter, subscribe for more thoughts on brand and culture.

Subscribe now