The Weeknd is co-writing and starring in a new HBO drama series with the Euphoria guy, Bumble is finally opening their NYC cafe (which has been in the works since…2019?), young people are “trying to kill flirting,” Four Loko’s giving out STD testing kits, and…
DIGITAL MEDIA FIRM BRUT. RAISES $75M FROM JAMES MURDOCH’S LUPA SYSTEMS, OTHERS
What could go wrong with a VC-backed media startup? Brut, fwiw, is a French company that makes “socially conscious news and entertainment videos for Gen Z and millennials.” Again, what could go wrong? hollywoodreporter // In other funding news: Shoppable virtual store platform Obsess — who has partnered with brands like Coach and Tommy Hilfiger — just raised a $10 million Series A. I’m all for immersive shopping experiences but “fully shoppable virtual stores” sounds like a concept from 2002. Would you go shopping in a digital rendering of a store? forbes
ARIANA GRANDE PARTNERS WITH BETTERHELP TO GIVE AWAY $1 MILLION USD IN FREE THERAPY
The offer will give users a free month of therapy, as well as 15 percent off their second month — which is good for young people who need therapy, but it’s even better for Betterhelp’s CAC. hypebae // Related: Megan Thee Stallion is launching an “Investing for Hotties” campaign (in other words, she’s helping others be in their bag, but in his, too) and is giving away $1 million in stock as part of a partnership with Cash App. complex
AMAZON IS BUILDING OUT ITS INFLUENCER PROGRAM AND RECRUITING YOUTUBE AND INSTAGRAM STARS TO LIVESTREAM
In addition to offering shopping livestreams and product collaborations, “new tools currently being beta tested include Creator Connection, a marketplace that matches brands and influencers for paid partnerships.” forbes // Plus: Forever 21 is hiring social influencers for livestream events at scale (i.e. “dozens or hundreds of live sessions monthly”). csa
YOUNG ADULTS WHO SAVED MONEY DURING THE PANDEMIC LIKELY TO PUT IT TOWARD A DOWN PAYMENT
Three in five young adults plan to use funds saved during the pandemic to put toward a down payment on a home — good for them!, says one young(ish) adult who will be renting for the rest of her life — and one-quarter of those surveyed say social media influencers and celebrities impacted their housing decisions (which, what?). wire
MAJORITY OF MILLENNIALS LIVE PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK
Millennials no longer really fall under the “youth culture” umbrella — let’s face it, we’re old — but highly depressing that 70% of millennials live paycheck to paycheck (vs 56.2% of Gen Z workers). nypost // Similarly depressing: According to a new poll, the majority of older millennials say middle age begins at 40. 40!!!!! I have a birthday coming up and this makes me feel, as the kids say, very seen. (I will not be turning 40, but this stings nonetheless.) fastco
One last thought:
Ed note: As a few folks pointed out, there was a typo in Monday’s letter — I spelled “their” as “they’re” — and I’d like to apologize and let it be known that I do know they’re/their/there. (And though it sent me into a tailspin of self-loathing that I’m only beginning to dig myself out of, I do appreciate these typo emails because I’m able to update the web version of the story.) So…thanks! But also lmk if you want to be my pro-bono editor.
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