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Coca-Cola raises guidance on pricing power as North American volume flatlines

Higher prices to customers with fewer options. The company admits it is no longer competing on volume.

CNBC2026-10-28

02
Molten Zero Proof Whiskey Cola launches in collaboration with Disturbed
Rock band co-branding on a zero-proof spirit signals the category has moved past wellness signaling into lifestyle positioning.
CPG launch scanner
03
Left Coast Brewing launches Zero Proof Mai Tai
Canned non-alcoholic cocktails arrive at scale. The category is no longer a footnote to premium spirits.
CPG launch scanner
04
Former NBA star Kenyon Martin launches No.4 lager
Athletes moving into beer the way they moved into tequila. The playbook is now portable.
CPG launch scanner
05
Vera Bradley says its second turnaround in two years is finally moving the needle
Execution beats trend-chasing. The brand stopped guessing and started shipping.
Modern Retail2026-10-28

The Buzz

Culture

The Dropdrops + premieres

Pitchfork
Shelved David Bowie Concert Film Revived for Immersive Live Show
A lost film gets a second life as an event. Museums and brands are learning that scarcity plus experience plus archive equals margin. ) https://pitchfork.com/story/shelved-david-bowie-concert-film-revived-for-immersive-live-show/
Pitchfork
Dead Man's Bones Unveil First New Song in 17 Years
Ryan Gosling's side project returns after nearly two decades with "Lost in the Night." Actor-as-musician stays evergreen; the IP holds. ) https://pitchfork.com/story/dead-mans-bones-unveil-first-new-song-in-17-years/
Stereogum
Macklemore Kicks Off Free Palestine Tour With Hozier, Kneecap, & Ed Sheeran's Backing Band
After getting dropped from Sheeran's European run, Macklemore stages a counternarrative tour with lineup firepower. Message monetizes; the platform pivots. ) https://stereogum.com/2515683/macklemore-kicks-off-free-palestine-tour-with-hozier-kneecap-ed-sheerans-backing-band/news/
Page Six
'Verity' is now streaming, Where to watch the Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson movie
Colleen Hoover IP lands on screen. Book-to-film still prints; the format holds. ) https://pagesix.com/2026/10/27/entertainment/verity-is-now-streaming-where-to-watch-the-anne-hathaway-dakota-johnson-movie/
Rolling Stone'The One About Matthew Perry' Reveals Emotional Way His 'Friends' Cast Said Goodbye at His Funeral
Rolling Stone
BillboardKings of Leon to Celebrate New Album 'O My Beloved' With Surprise Intimate London Show
Billboard
Sufjan Stevens Makes Rare Onstage Appearance, Readies New Christmas SongStereogum

NYT Sunday Review
Jane Schoenbrun's First Novel is Another Exploration of Weird Pop Culture
The filmmaker goes long-form with a 600-page sci-fi novel about a sinister video store. Auteur reach expands via IP. ) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/27/books/review/jane-schoenbrun-public-access-afterworld-book.html
Vanity Fair
The Child-Actor Conundrum That's Plagued Hollywood Forever, and How to Fix It (Maybe)
Young stars have been suffering for decades. The labor problem in entertainment has no easy fix, but the conversation is finally visible. ) https://www.vanityfair.com/story/child-actor-safety-hollywood
Vanity Fair
Sacha Baron Cohen and Nathan Fielder Reveal Just How Shameless America Can Be
Two former collaborators made films arriving at the same bleak read on the country. Shame has left the building. ) https://www.vanityfair.com/story/sacha-baron-cohen-nathan-fielder-death-of-american-shame
The Atlantic
Music for the Movie-Brained
A meditation on A24 aesthetic and Sophia Stel's instrumental sound as the texture of a certain gen's interior life. The playlist becomes the identity. ) https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/2026/10/sophia-stel-a24-music/689149/

TheTeamAroundYou
I Run a Music Marketing Agency. You Probably Don't Need One
A founder reflects on five years in music marketing. DIY tools have eaten the agency moat. ) https://theteamaroundyou.substack.com/p/i-run-a-music-marketing-agency-you

Wardrobe

Closet

Runway Diarydrops + runway

Vogue
Kith Spring 2027 Menswear
Ronnie Fieg's New York house keeps the downtown heat alive. Clean execution at luxury price. ) https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2027-menswear/kith
Vogue
Naeem Khan Spring 2027 Ready-to-Wear
Evening luxury stays in the frame. The customer still buys occasion. ) https://www.vogue.com/fashion-shows/spring-2027-ready-to-wear/naeem-khan
Highsnobiety
Nike's Oceanic Air Force 1 Sneaker Blue It in a Good Way
Monochromatic Air Force 1 in deep royal blue. The franchise shoe keeps shipping. ) https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/nike-deep-royal-blue-air-force-1-07-lv-8-sneaker/
Highsnobiety
Up Close With Frank Ocean's Fave New Prada Sneaker
The elusive artist endorses quietly. Luxury sneakers land harder when the celebrity stays invisible. ) https://www.highsnobiety.com/p/prada-frank-ocean-sneaker-new/
ElleVelvet Shoes Are the Luxe Trend Making Every Outfit Look More Expensive
Elle
Elle2026 Is the Year of Berry Tones in Fashion
Elle

Fashionista
How Brands Are Licensing 'ACOTAR''s Fantasy World Without a Visual Blueprint
Sarah J. Maas' book series spawns beauty and fashion collabs without a film to anchor the look. The IP scales on reader imagination alone. ) https://fashionista.com/2026/10/a-court-of-thorns-and-roses-fashion-beauty-brand-collaborations
GQ
The George Lucas Museum Embraces Kitsch. Will the Art World Follow Suit?
A $1.5B collection assembled without donor or grant pressure embraces the fun. When money is patient, taste gets weird. ) https://www.gq.com/story/george-lucas-museum-kitsch
Time
Nocturne Is a Slow-Burning Crime Drama That Struggles to Stay Lit
A prestige crime show on Apple TV+ aims for mood but loses momentum. The crime format needs a reason to exist now. ) https://time.com/article/2026/10/27/nocturne-review-apple/

WWD
Aritzia Targets Up to $10.5 Billion in Revenues in Bold Five-Year Agenda
The Canadian women's brand pushing "everyday luxury" is charting a path to $10.5B. North American appetite for accessible elevated wear holds. ) https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/aritzia-five-year-plan-10-billion-goal-1239387208/
WWD
Brightfiber Halts Amsterdam Fiber Production Amid Funding Shortfall
Dutch fiber-to-fiber recycler hits the wall. Sustainable textiles need capital; the model is still broken. ) https://wwd.com/sourcing-journal/sustainability/brightfiber-amsterdam-fiber-production-suspension-1239386420/

III

Counter

Shop Talk

What's workingDTC + brand wins

Retail Dive
Walmart's chief marketer breaks down retailer's Muppet-fueled holiday campaign
Recreating the world of "The Muppet Christmas Carol" for Q4. Nostalgia + family + IP = the holiday moat. ) https://www.retaildive.com/news/walmart-cmo-breaks-down-retailers-muppet-fueled-holiday-campaign/872773/
Inc.
Sweetgreen Will Pay Top Restaurant Managers Over $200,000
The salad chain ties 'head coach' pay to store sales, growth, and equity. Management becomes a long-term career. The bet: retention beats hiring. ) https://www.inc.com/amaya-nichole/sweetgreen-pay-top-restaurant-managers-more-than-200000-dollars/91425746
Adweek
People Inc. Ramps Up Social Video as Google Traffic Fades
InStyle's "The Intern" series nets 20 sponsors by building episodic TikTok-native content. Search traffic is dead; owned platforms win. ) https://www.adweek.com/media/people-instyle-intern-social-episodic-television/

Business Insider
A 'never-ending' cruise has halted operations and told residents to disembark in Cambodia after fuel costs rose over 300%
Villa Vie's continuous voyage hits fuel shock. When variable costs spike 3x, the margin model collapses overnight. ) https://www.businessinsider.com/villa-vie-cruise-never-ending-halt-fuel-prices-surge-2026-10
Forbes Business
Why Carrick Had To Drop Manchester United Captain Bruno Fernandes
Dressing-room disputes metastasize into lineup decisions. Management moves reveal the culture problem underneath. ) https://www.forbes.com/sites/chrisevans/2026/10/27/why-carrick-had-to-drop-bruno-fernandes
Modern Retail
Retailers are still figuring out how to tie AI goals to executive compensation
Retailers want AI ROI but can't measure it. When you can't link pay to output, adoption stalls. ) https://www.modernretail.co/operations/why-retailers-are-having-a-hard-time-tying-increased-ai-usage-to-executive-compensation/
SF Standard
MTS is Silicon Valley's new favorite media machine
A16z-backed news outlet streams for hours daily on X. Venture money is buying narrative now. ) https://sfstandard.com/2026/10/27/a16z-mts-silicon-valley-s-new-favorite-media-machine/
Business InsiderGlobal soccer star Kylian Mbappé is losing sponsors in China after he joked about Chairman Mao
Business Insider
Fast CompanyWhy the new Lego x Daft Punk collab makes perfect sense
Fast Company
AI Agents Are Media's New Favorite AudienceWIRED

Adweek
Jay-Z Will Finally Headline Super Bowl 61 Halftime Show After Years Behind the Scenes
After years as league curator, Hov takes the SoFi stage on Feb. 14, 2027. The power move: artist takes control of the moment. ) https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/jay-z-will-finally-headline-super-bowl-61-halftime-show-after-years-behind-the-scenes/
Inc.
Southwest Airlines Is Posting Record Revenue. But Will Its Loyal Customers Stick Around?
Record revenue but loyalty fractures. When you scale price faster than experience, the customer leaves. ) https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/southwest-airlines-is-making-more-money-but-will-its-loyal-customers-stick-around/91425483

Coca-Cola raises guidance on pricing power as North American volume flatlines

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