The WARC Podcast 2026 trends: Doomscroll fatigue fuels immersive experiences
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Nov 20, 2025 S. Subramanyeswar, Group CEO/CSO APAC at Mullen Lowe Lintas, dives deep into how digital fatigue is reshaping consumer behavior, shifting phones from companions to mere utilities. Rica Facundo, WARC's managing editor in Asia Pacific, connects escapism trends—like nostalgia-driven hobbies and the La Bu Bu phenomenon—to this digital exhaustion. The duo argues for marketers to focus on immersive real-life experiences and emotional connections, ensuring brand stories resonate in a world overwhelmed by algorithms.
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Technology Fatigue Is Psychological
- Consumers haven't fallen out of love with technology but with what it does to their inner lives.
- People now seek presence, agency and experiences that feel human rather than more digital inputs.
From Performance To Presence
- The era is shifting from performance to presence as people want fewer inputs and deeper experiences.
- Marketers must design for mental well-being and moments of meaningfulness, not just notifications.
Toys And Labubu As Emotional Relief
- Rica Facundo links trends like kidult toys and 'Labubu' to a desire for relief from adult stress.
- She frames escapism behaviours as attempts to revert to times when small treats dulled life’s pressures.