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EDGES

Staying ahead and understanding the latest shifts in culture is key. 

The emergence of a new trend is something we call an EDGE, as it highlights territories that aren’t necessarily established yet, but are certainly emerging and growing.

 

An Edge is a meaningful cultural shift that has the scale and longevity to propel a brand toward a greater share of the future.

EDGES 2023

39 Cultural Shifts Shaping Our World

In 2023, culture is introducing a new benchmark for chaos and complexity. 

“Permacrisis,” “goblin mode,” and “gaslighting” were deemed 2022’s less-than-inspiring words of the year.  Not only are the headlines hectic in nature— they’re also coming and going at a nauseating pace. It’s becoming harder to decipher what’s actually worth paying attention to, and all too easy to fall into the trap of “vibe shifts,” aesthetics, and buzzy terminology.

In the face of cultural complexity, our Edges offer a way to codify the chaos and map out a blueprint for the future. They also provide plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the year ahead, as you’ll see in this year’s 39 cultural shifts. A push to redistribute power at scale; growing calls for less polarization and more understanding; a refreshing resurgence of play; and a worldwide movement to future-proof our cities are just a few of the Edges pointing to a very promising 2023.

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Download the  Full Report here.

INSIGHTS

sTORYTELLING IN THE NEXT CREATIVE RENAISSANCE 

A brand's biggest creative efforts shouldn't be saved for key moments, but allowed to flourish every day.

 

In this report, we partner with TikTok to explore how brands can harness the power of creativity for their business, and the central role that technology plays in helping us tell meaningful, diverse stories that relate to a new generation of consumers. 

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HOW ASIA IS BATTLING THE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC

We’re simultaneously more connected and more isolated than ever before. With our world no longer built to facilitate face-to-face interactions, businesses are stepping in to fill the void with new social spaces, community concepts, and apps for intentional companionship.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR VIRTUAL INFLUENCERS IN SOUTH KOREA?

We take a look at the use of virtual influencers in brand marketing and the importance of building authentic character, connection, and context.

brIdGing the attribution gap between creativity and business growth

TBWA\Asia explores the impact of creativity and its effect on brand growth.

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ROOTS REVIVAL

We dive into ‘Roots Revival’ in Asia, a growing cultural movement of people taking more interest in exploring and evolving their heritage and roots – and what it means for brands.

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'FUTURE OF' travel

Our report outlines how businesses can reset tourism the right way, by trading mass-produced solutions for more intentional services.

 

To achieve better balance, the category will need to shift focus from high volume to high value. Trips personally planned by locals will distribute visitors more evenly. And a nomadic new business class will stay longer, marking the end of disposable turnaround trips.

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THE PROGRESS CARD OF EDUCATION

The report encapsulates how technological leaps, increasing investment in education, changing mindsets, and new policies are leading to a paradigm shift in the education sector of India

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'FUTURE OF' RETAIL

Our global Future of Retail report identifies shopping trends that don't just impact how a brand communicates, but point to emerging sources of demand. 

Within each opportunity we’ve outlined specific ways for businesses to take action, whether that be through addressing untapped audiences, introducing new services, or investing in product innovation. 

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'FUTURE OF' FINANCE

'Future of,’ are quarterly reports that explore what will—and more importantly what should—come next in must-watch categories.

Our debut report, ‘Future of Finance,’ leverages cultural intelligence to unlock four opportunities for disruptive growth in finance.

 dark social communities

Dark social is harder to measure and intercept, which creates barriers for brands to consider. But the high trust and engagement in these communities can provide valuable opportunities for brands if they are authentic and thoughtful in their approach.

TBWA\SMP Philippines explores these direct communication channels and their accelerated adoption since the pandemic.

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marketing TRENDS in
SOUTH KOREA

With subscription marketing, live commerce and tech marketing emerging as the dominant forces shaping the future, marketers should transform their business methods and product design to face a new wave of disruption.

Online Shopping

From Bland
to brand

How to avoid getting lost in the sea of digital sameness.

TBWA\Melbourne outlines how brands can avoid becoming forgettable in the race to be seamless, frictionless, personalised and data-driven.

 

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the changing cultural flavours of india

A report by TBWA\India identifies the changing relationship with food culture, the evolving mindsets of India and ways in which the pandemic is changing the palate of the country.

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HOW asian
beauty brands can stay ahead 

Asian players are shifting American beauty standards with their innovative approach, attractive packaging and growing consumer base.

But they are also facing fierce competition from new beauty brands vying for the average US consumer’s attention and money.

Beauty
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Wellness
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WHAT IS THE NEXT WAVE OF WELLNESS

What is the next wave of wellness? TBWA released ED\GE, an interactive magazine that unpacks the cultural forces driving the $4.5 trillion dollar global wellness industry forward.

 

From sleep to science to sex, explore the digital edition of ED\GE to learn why we believe every brand is now a wellness brand.

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Covid Recovery
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COMMUNITY SPIRIT IN THE PHILIPPINES

While the pandemic has reshaped how people interact with the world around them, the communal spirit is not something new to Filipinos and is a deeply ingrained custom commonly referred to as the “Bayanihan Spirit”.

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Wanderlust

How to gamify a country

Digital tourism experiences, which bring the world closer to home, are in demand and tourism brands are striving to deliver.

 

We provide a walkthrough of Tourism New Zealand’s PLAY NZ campaign and explore how tourism marketing can embrace new ways of storytelling.​​

 

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Halal Wave

COVID
RAMADAN & EID

After five weeks, observing, experiencing and capturing cultural changes during the recent Covid-Ramadan and Eid in Indonesia and Malaysia, we have created a special report evaluating how the pandemic has created new behaviours and values among Muslim communities in Nusantara.

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Gender Rules

THE ROLE OF GENDER IN ADVERTISING

For International Women's Day 2020, TBWA offices across Asia delved into some of the local nuances and cultural traditions that may be contributing to gender inequality. 

 

We reflect on what role advertising might have played in creating gender stereotypes, and how the industry can do better going forward.

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generational differences

We examine the reality of generational differences in Indonesia and explore if brands miss out on opportunities when targeting solely based on generational assumptions. Is there more commonality across generations in Indonesia than marketers are made to believe?

Healthcare

DIGITAL HEALTHCARE

In a span of ten years we have become tethered to our mobile devices, changing how we access dozens of services, among them, healthcare – which is moving ever faster toward being digitally delivered.

A look at trends and initiatives that are shaping healthcare's future, and the technologies that will help everyone access it.

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REPOSITION
WITH RIGOUR

We examine how changing the frame of reference for brands creates new opportunities for unlocking growth.

Rural Reach

SACRED TENANTS OF RURAL MARKETING

There are many conventions of rural marketing that have lived well past their expiry date. It is time to retire them and for brands to connect more richly with the emerging rural Indian consumer.

They should also see past the narrative of rural Indians being poor. Access and aspiration of rural Indian consumers is soaring to keep pace with their urban counterparts..

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eSports

Virtual reality is, finally, the new reality

Most brands and marketers look at gaming as a place for a short-term public relations spike or as a new touchpoint to connect with ‘gamers’ as an audience. The truth is that gaming is a virtual reality (headgear optional) that’s an entirely new reality – and brands who underestimate its power are missing one of the biggest opportunities out there.

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Audio

STORYTELLING
IN A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

It has been a core part of advertising since the early days of radio, as brands attempted to cement themselves into the audiences’ memories using jingles. But now, music plays a more important strategic role than simply trying to boost brand recall.

 

Nothing compares with its capacity to embrace diversity, transcend borders, and bring different people together. That’s why people call it the world’s universal language.

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ROTM

THE MACHINES
HAVE RISEN

First in a series of articles presenting our Rise of the Machines research in partnership with Hall and Partners, with contributions from innovative marketers and digital leaders discussing the rise of the machines and whether brands are ready.

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Fempowerment

THE CASE OF CLOSED DOORS

AND BROKEN CEILINGS

TBWA\India explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lives of women in India.

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