The pop culture branding explosion
From to Shrek eyeshadow to Squid Game whisky, nothing is left untouched by IP.
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Reviewing politics
and culture since 1913
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Amelia Tait is a freelance journalist, and was previously tech and digital culture writer at the New Statesman.
From to Shrek eyeshadow to Squid Game whisky, nothing is left untouched by IP.
By Amelia Tait
We know that being online can make us feel worse about ourselves – but we also do so to…
By Amelia Tait
“It’s what’s inside that counts” was the message that defined my childhood. Now, faux-empowering it-feels-good-to-look-good branding reigns supreme.
By Amelia Tait
It started with TikTok. So I deleted TikTok. But then I found myself on YouTube Shorts – then Instagram…
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In the social media age, autobiographical works invariably end in harassment for the individuals depicted. Can real-life storytelling ever…
By Amelia Tait
The grown-up Disney superfan has become a much-mocked phenomenon online. But creating these consumers was always part of the…
By Amelia Tait
The YouTuber Ruby Franke, who was convicted of abusing her children, claims she believed they were “evil and possessed”.
By Amelia Tait
Something is wrong when ten-year-olds are seeking out anti-ageing products.
By Amelia Tait
In 2023, for the first time in my adult life, a friend’s success made me bitter and resentful. Why?
By Amelia Tait