Sublime

How did ‘influencer’ become the stand-in for Gen Z ambition? A follow-up to this week’s earlier post about how social media and image culture have distorted the conception of young people’s identity, now with several data points to boot. And a call out to brands - instead of finger wagging at young people trying to self determine, maybe invest in some real solutions? Great to put things together with other strategists. #genz #marketing #brandstrategy #marketingstrategy #brandmarketing

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We relentlessly consume identity-related products, from fashion to music to activities, and consumption is only escalating as social media turns literally everything into an act of identity.

Matt Wallaert • Start at the End: How to Build Products That Create Change

Then there's social media—a constant showcase of certain business models and approaches being rewarded with visibility while others remain hidden. We see the same strategies glorified, the same success stories amplified.

The message becomes clear: "This is what success looks like. Deviate at your own risk."

Abby Hue • The Forgetting: Why Most Entrepreneurs Build Someone Else's Business

Kids these days don’t start magazines; they go straight to launching creative consultancies and editorial workshops, hustling for clients with a portfolio site and self-published zines that are almost not about marketing (“place making,” “identity building”). It used to be that you had to contribute to the culture first, establishing your reputatio... See more

Gen Z and the End of Predictable Progress

Kyla Scanlon kyla.substack.com

Matt Wallaert • Start at the End: How to Build Products That Create Change

Abby Hue • The Forgetting: Why Most Entrepreneurs Build Someone Else's Business

“They are the consummate consumers of a culture that they don’t produce.”

build a world, not an audience — kening zhu

Thom Bettridge • VIRGIL ABLOH: “Duchamp is my Lawyer”

Gen Z and the End of Predictable Progress