How brands can learn to tap into the power of fandoms

Playboi Carti is proving once again that he’s a force in hip-hop. His new album, MUSIC, just had the second-biggest debut week of 2025, showing that his fanbase is as loyal as ever. Hypebeast has the details.

Looks like Disney’s Snow White isn’t getting the fairy tale ending it hoped for. The live-action remake, starring Rachel Zegler, had a sluggish box office debut after facing backlash over casting and creative choices. As The New York Times points out, this could be a sign that audiences are growing tired of Disney’s endless reboots.

Did Netflix just drop $275 million on a flop? The Electric State, directed by the Russo brothers and starring Millie Bobby Brown, hasn’t made the splash many expected. The New York Times notes that with Netflix more focused on keeping subscribers hooked than box office wins, the film’s lackluster reception may not be a major concern.

YouTube is getting serious about podcasts—and now, it’s bringing ads into the mix. Semafor | Max Tani notes that the platform is testing audio ads, giving creators a way to make money and brands a way to reach engaged listeners. With Spotify and Apple already dominating the space, YouTube’s latest move could shake things up.

Think you have ADHD? TikTok might be convincing you—but not always accurately. Fast Company reports that the platform is flooded with ADHD content, but experts warn that much of it spreads misinformation, leading to self-diagnoses and misconceptions that could make it harder for people to get real help.

Groceries are so expensive now that you might need a loan just to stock your fridge. Grace Snelling, writing for Fast Company, reports that Klarna and DoorDash are rolling out a buy-now-pay-later option for food deliveries, making it easier to pay in installments—but also easier to rack up debt on everyday essentials.

Substack is putting its money where its mouth is—literally. The platform is offering upfront payments to entice creators to bring their audiences over from rivals like Ghost and Beehiiv. As Digiday’s Krystal Scanlon reports, the bet is that short-term payouts will lead to long-term platform loyalty.

Apple’s AI rollout isn’t going exactly as planned—some features are getting pushed back. Fast Company’s Michael Grothaus reports that while the company will reveal its AI strategy at WWDC 2024, not everything will be available right away. Still, Apple’s commitment to privacy-first, on-device AI could give it an edge over the competition.

Want to build a brand that people obsess over? Fast Company’s Jocelyn Mintz breaks down how brands like Taylor Swift’s Empire and LEGO turn casual customers into die-hard fans. The secret? Let fans take the lead, create experiences they actually care about, and keep your story consistent across platforms.

NYC’s egg shortage just got a bizarre marketing twist—thanks to The Ordinary and MSCHF. They set up a vending machine giving away free eggs, but only if you grabbed a bottle of The Ordinary’s squalane cleanser too. Famous Campaigns (Jamie Hesketh) reports that the stunt was part social commentary, part genius brand play, and it got people talking.