Nike needed Skims. The reverse isn't true.

Hi all,

Welcome back to our weekly companion podcast to the Sunday letter. Hit the links to skip to what strikes your fancy!

I’m coming to SF (March 11-15), LA (March 17-19) and NYC (April 1-5). Let’s connect!

As always, this pod dives into the biggest trends, shifts, and brands.

THIS WEEK’S PODCAST EPISODE:

* Every brand is misbehaving. And it works because it’s human.

* Luxury brands are all in on hospitality and food. I’d like a side of ‘no logos’, please.

* Chili’s made a Lifetime movie. But is it timely?

* ‘What should we do this weekend?’ is a forever opportunity brands should consider.

* Nike needed Kim. That’s quite the coup koup.

* I fear Apple’s fear is killing its innovation.

* Women’s sports are having a moment. Adidas gets it’s not just about the players.

* Beauty brands keep trying to be ‘good’. Diptyque is pulling it off.

* Luxury barges have entered the group’s travel chat. We’re on board.

* Is Petit Bateau moving out of its perma-sale mindset?

Enjoy!

What we get into:

CULTURE

1:38 — MORE MISBEHAVING // IKEA is sliding into DMs, Dunkin’ is dropping innuendos, and brands everywhere are ditching the ‘well-behaved’ playbook. We unpack why it works, and why people love it.

F&B

04:02 — THE NO LOGOS PLS // Luxury brands are all-in on hospitality, but Saint Laurent’s new sushi concept takes a quieter approach. No logos. No obvious branding. A stark contrast to Louis Vuitton’s branded ravioli. And honestly, it’s refreshing. We also talk about the Sushi Park’s similarities with the new experiential Quarters bar. And Ray’s in a totally different way.

DRUGS & BOOZE

09:13 — LIFETIME BUT TIMELY? // Chili’s made a 15-minute Lifetime-style movie starring Taye Diggs and Maria Menounos for National Margarita Day. Cute? Sure. Timely? Not so much. We get into how it could have been better.

SILVERS, ALPHAS & ZS

11:27 — PARENT TRAP // “What should we do this weekend?” is an eternal problem for parents. Netflix gets it. Their new immersive dining experience in Vegas, Netflix Bites, is designed to solve it. And yet, most brands fail to make themselves indispensable to parents—it’s a missed opportunity.

RETAIL

15:13 — KIM’S KOUP // Nike didn’t just collab with Skims. They gave Kim her own brand under the Nike umbrella—à la Jordan Brand. We talk about how Kim just pulled off the ultimate coup koup, and why Nike needed her more than she needed them.

TECH

18:13 — FEAR IS A BRAND KILLER // Microsoft’s big on AI is paying off. It got brave and leaped. Apple is doing the opposite. It seems as afraid to fail that it’s not doing anything. We talk about what might be going on.

SPORT

25:27 — THE FUTURE IS FEMALE (FANS) // Women’s sports aren’t just a moment—it’s arrived. In a big way. Adidas gets that it’s not just about the players, but about the fans. Female fans included.

WELLNESS & BEAUTY

28:48 — GOOD GOOD // Beauty brands keep trying to be ‘good’. Diptyque is actually pulling it off. We break down why their new foundation is not your old-school CSR program. And why now is the best time for brands to take a stance.

TRAVEL

31:46 — BOOK ME A BOAT // Luxury barges have entered the group’s travel chat. Belmond’s take on slow, high-end travel is here, and we’re on board.

FUN FOR THE WEEK

35:18 — BATEAU MOVES // Seeing Petit Bateau permanently on sale hurts. We discuss why the Miu Miu collab might signal a turning point.

NY TOUR

This is the perfect segue to my NY visit. In addition to being at Brands & Culture April 2nd (come see my talk!). I’m planning a GOOD THINKING NYC TOUR April 3RD.

What’s on the tour? We’ll hit something in every category of this letter. Culture, Food & Bev, Drugs & Booze…you get it. It will be the best-of-the-best of what’s new and interesting in the city. Everything I think is moving the needle and worth knowing about.

Want in? RSVP HERE!

Missing the letter this all ties back to? This way:

That’s all folx.

-Chris

If you read this and liked it, that little heart is there for that. The algo and I appreciate it.

PS. If you prefer Apple, Spotify, or YouTube you can listen there too.

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