Happy Friday! This week, there was a bear loose in Disney World and an airplane loose in the skies. But first…
📡ON OUR RADAR
This week, the UN General Assembly highlighted the ongoing global challenge of climate change as leaders and corporations find actually implementing effective measures challenging. Governments and brands will likely reposition how they communicate sustainability efforts in light of this reality. The American Climate Corps launch, for example, signals a potential fresh start.
What do snails, small businesses, and suspicious sales have in common? TikTok, of course. This week, the tech behometh’s foray into ecommerce launched to mixed reviews. Namely, concerns were raised about fraudulent sellers, unregulated products, and limited homemade sales from small businesses. It’s too early to say if the shop will translate into more gains or headaches in the long-run.
There’s a storyline consuming college football (and all of sports) this year: NFL and MLB legend, “Coach Prime” Deion Sanders crushing his first year as head coach of the Colorado Buffaloes. Coach Prime is leading in a way that is unapologetically himself, drawing interest from top-tier media outlets, celebrities, and plenty of doubters. In addition to giving interviews and responding to haters, he’s turned his team around from the bottom of the pack to a 3-0 start this season, all while staying true to his personal brand. But is the hype too much about him and not the team? The rest of the season will tell.
💡ON OUR MINDS: Dress For the Job You’ve Got
Basketball shorts, suits, and bikinis, oh my! This week, Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer, quietly relaxed the Senate dress code, making it casual Friday in the hallowed halls of Congress, every day.
The new casual Senate dress code is under fire from both sides of the aisle, as old-guard Republicans and Democrats are claiming the lack of formal wear requirements is disrespectful to the stature of the chamber.
Most are pointing the finger at Democratic Sen. John Fetterman, who is often seen sporting Sandlercore style in the form of (undeniably comfy) gym shorts and hoodies.
Fetterman responded to colleagues throughout the week with a clear and consistent message; clothes don’t affect how you do your job. While that may be true, fashion has always been a storytelling device for wearers and designers—and a reflection of our zeitgeist.
Individual Senators' outfit choices may not make for much of a meaningful story about the Senate. How the Senate navigates an ongoing debate around dress codes in midst an impending government shutdown, however, will surely be a lasting tale.
🥊QUICK HITS:
In case you missed these reads.
Second time’s the charm? Billy McFarland is out of jail and organizing Fyre Fest 2. Attend at your own risk…and maybe check some extra water or Kraft singles.
Drew Barrymore put the (often failed) art of the celebrity apology back into the spotlight amidst a will-she-won’t-she saga to bring her daytime talk show back on air during the WGA/SAG strikes.
KKR's $1.62B acquisition of Simon & Schuster has an interesting twist: employees get a piece of the ownership pie to enhance engagement in its acquired companies.
Thanks for reading,
HL
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