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Who Americans Really Follow on TikTok & Black Friday Battles

Americans love pop culture and Shein/Temu will dominate Black Friday

Thanksgiving Week Edition: THANK YOU ALL.

Hope everyone had a lovely Thanksgiving! This year, I’m extra thankful for all of you… I think back to how much this platform has grown in the last year (>10x… from 16K to 165K+ in less than 12 months), and I’m so excited to share even more with you all in 2025.

Stay tuned for a 🌟special-edition newsletter🌟 over the next few weeks where I deep dive my personal branding strategy and my playbook for finding the best ways to stand out on social media.

I’m taking the rest of this year to think about how I can continue to show up more as my authentic self next year, while also creating content that is even more interesting, entertaining, and of course, educational. I want to double down on what’s worked, remove what hasn’t, and find new ways to connect with you all. Sending each of you a heartfelt thank you, and I hope the last four weeks of this year treats you extremely well.

🛍️📈💸 Business, Economy & Culture 🎁🎄:

Who U.S. Adults Follow on TikTok 📱👀 You’re going to want to bookmark this one. This analysis confirms my personal thesis on the types of content that Americans like to consume on TikTok: Americans skew to consuming entertainment and pop culture over news and politics 📰 . There are a ton of fabulous findings here, this is a must-read🌟🎥. (pew research center)

This Week: On Black Friday, It’s Shein and Temu Versus the World  The Black Friday battleground just got intense. 🛍️🆚💥 Shein and Temu are duking it out with extra discounts and savvy marketing 👑 Get ready for cart wars and credit card chaos 💳🔥.(bof)

AI Ads Can Look Weird. Brands Like Coca-Cola Are Making Them Anyway Coca-Cola and other brands are diving into the weird and wonderful world of AI-generated ads 🤖✨. These quirky visuals may look slightly off, but they’re catching eyes and sparking conversations 💬👀, proving that "odd" can be a winning strategy. AI advertising is setting new trends, challenging traditional aesthetics, and keeping brands ahead in the digital game 🧠📈. (wsj)

Aaron Levine Dressed America. Now He Wants to Dress You.  From Banana Republic to Abercrombie, Aaron Levine 🎩 has been the mastermind behind America’s mall brand revolution 🧥👖. Now, he’s stepping out with a personal project—tailoring fashion to individuals who crave his signature style 🎨✨. Levine’s approach is all about blending innovation with wearability, I’m excited to see this brand performs 🌟.(nyt)

Will HeyDude Trip Up Crocs’ Winning Streak? Crocs’ 👜🎯🙌 winning streak 👟⚖️ might hit a stylish bump as HeyDude enters the scene. Will the funky clogs hold their ground, or will HeyDude strut into the spotlight? I’ve been one of the few people who’s been saying that HeyDudes will finally become cool next year, so we’ll see if Sydney Sweeney’s star power is enough to help 🦶💼.(bof)

From window displays to private dining, Saks Fifth Avenue is polishing its holiday marketing playbook  From glittering window displays 🎄🏬✨ to private dinners, Saks Fifth Avenue is pulling out all the stops this holiday season. This is their SuperBowl. 🛍️🎁🍷(modern retail)

Telfar’s First Store: A Block Party for the ‘Bushwick Birkin’  👜🎉🍾 The “Bushwick Birkin” 👜 got a home, and it’s more than a store—it’s a vibe. Telfar turned its first shop launch into an epic block party with fans lining up for the must-have bags.🎈✨(bof)

Steph Curry Is Spotlighting Black and Brown Designers With His NBA Tunnel Outfits This Season Steph Curry isn’t just balling on the court—he’s scoring style points too! 🏀👔 His tunnel fits now spotlight Black and Brown designers, turning pre-game walks into cultural catwalks. 👏🔥 (wwd)

Shoppers Are Picky Heading Into Black Friday. Retailers Could Win or Lose Big From strategic discounts to exclusive bundles, brands 🛍️ must work smarter to capture consumer attention 🎯. This Black Friday is less about chaos and more about calculated shopping moves! 🛒✨(wsj)

Gen Z Leads in Favoring ‘Pay Later’ Options for Personal Spending This Holiday Season Holiday spending just got easier (and sneakier)💳📅💸. Gen Z shoppers are all about "Buy Now, Pay Later"—because budgeting is for January. 🤑🎁 (wwd) 

Giving Thanks at Work: An HBR Guide Gratitude in the workplace isn’t just a feel-good gesture—it’s a productivity booster 🥳📈. This guide offers tips on expressing thanks to colleagues 🙌, fostering stronger connections 🤝, and creating a culture of appreciation 🌱. Perfect for leaders and teams looking to end the year on a high note! 🌟🎁 (hbr)

🍁🍂🍁 Style/Trends/ Resources (Thanksgiving Special) 👗✨💅

The Art of Competitive Tablescaping Forget fancy meals🍽️💐🎉—it’s all about the table! Competitive tablescapers are turning dinner parties into art shows with wild, Insta-worthy displays. Pass the centerpiece! 🌸✨📸(nyt)

Has the Cardigan Become the New Black Leather Jacket for Women? Who needs edgy leather when cozy cardigans are taking over? 🧥➡️🧶✨ Wrap yourself in warmth and sass this fall. Grandma chic is here to slay! 🧵❤️(nyt)

Stuart Weitzman, Swarovski Release Crystal-encrusted Fantasy Pumps Fit for Cinderella Stuart Weitzman and Swarovski teamed up for crystal-encrusted pumps fit for royalty—or your next gala. Just don’t lose one at midnight! 🕛💎(wwd)

Hanni, The Body Care Brand For Busy Millenials, Expands to All Sephora US Doors Hanni, the minimalist body care brand 🚿, is now available in all Sephora US locations 🛍️. Known for chic and eco-friendly products like their weighted razors 🪒💚, they’re redefining routines for time-crunched millennials ⏳. The expansion highlights their growing influence in sustainable beauty 🌍✨. (beauty independent)

Mephisto, the World’s Dorkiest Walking Shoe, Is Suddenly- Cool? The orthopedic shoe brand Mephisto 👟🤓➡️😎 is having a fashion moment. Comfort meets street cred—who knew? Call it the “ugly shoe glow-up.” 💼👣🔥 (wsj)

Why Is Everyone ‘Sober-ish’ All of a Sudden? 🍹🚫✨ Mocktails are making waves, and “sober curious” is the lifestyle trend of the moment. Who needs hangovers when you’ve got creative concoctions and clear mornings? 🥂➡️🍹💪(wsj)

Women's Health Shop Gifts That Keep on Giving! Curated with health-conscious goodies like yoga mats 🧘‍♀️, skincare kits 🌸, and wellness journals 📔, this shop is a treasure trove of self-care surprises 🎁. Perfect for the holidays or any day you need a little extra TLC ❤️(Women’s Health)

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P.S. - If you see any typos in this newsletter, know that I did it on purpose just to make you giggle.

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