TheFutureParty
A Community-based Media Company
A new report estimates that roughly 15,000 US retail stores are set to close this year — a record for modern times — which could reshape how people shop for typical consumer goods. Why It Hurts: The dual forces of a rollercoaster post-pandemic economy and a major shift to ecommerce have upended the business models of many tried-and-true […]
As the survivors of the destructive Palisades and Eaton Fires try to recover, they’re now dealing with soaring rental and mortgage costs as some landlords try to take advantage of the crisis. Why It Hurts: The LA housing market is already one of the most challenging in the nation, thanks to a lack of available homes and sky-high […]
Memecoins — the crypto offerings that are simply pure financial speculation masked as a joke — are set to have their heyday this year as digital gambling isn’t just accepted but encouraged. The Big Bet: The crypto industry is at a crossroads. While the new presidential administration supports the technology, and bitcoin excites investors by surpassing $100,000, memecoins […]
Disney’s new state-of-the-art cruise ship, Disney Treasure, set sail on its maiden voyage a couple of weeks ago… setting off a new focus on the cruise business as one of the biggest growth sectors of its experiences division. Why It Hits: Disney is pouring $60 billion into its experiences division over the next decade, demonstrating that the Mouse […]
As bitcoin continues to soar in value, many in government, including the president-elect Donald Trump, are angling to make the top crypto a part of the national reserves. The Big Bet: The incoming Trump administration is far more accepting of the crypto industry than Biden’s, which could give the industry a more prominent seat at the policy […]
A startup called Prospinity is connecting college students in income-sharing “success pools” that redistribute wealth among a cohort of ambitious peers. Why It Sells: The students already involved with Prospinity’s success pools know they all have the potential to realize their dreams and strike it rich… but the odds of all of them actually doing so are slim. So, they’re investing in […]
Kia is turning to TikTok — and top creators — to give people a novel, interactive way to customize and purchase its new 2025 Kia K4. Why It Hits: Kia is already getting plenty of positive buzz for the marketing campaign. It’s a microcosm of the shift to interactive, gamified marketing across Gen Z’s favorite platforms, including Fortnite and Roblox. Behind […]
The United Nations is on the brink of passing one of two treaties that could reshape the world’s relationship with plastic, its global production, and, most importantly, the pollution it creates. Why It Hits: It’s no shock at this point how terrible plastic is for our bodies and the environment. Yet, its malleability for use […]
Amazon has partnered with Hyundai to launch Amazon Auto — a one-stop shop where you can browse, purchase, finance, and have cars delivered to your door like any other package. The Big Box: Amazon Auto is hoping to remake the dealership experience — which car buyers overwhelmingly hate — for the internet age. If Amazon is successful in […]
Production and management company Sugar23 is teaming up with studio Fifth Season to launch a new development, finance, and production venture to make movies and shows with top brands. The Big Picture: Contraction in Hollywood is making it increasingly harder to get movies financed. Finding new sources of money — with some pre-built awareness in, to boot […]