Meta launched two new AI-powered apps for Gen Z and Gen Alpha kids. Waddle World has users engaging with a virtual pet who can remember things they have said and create content based on their interests—Meta calls it a “modern take on tamagotchi-style pet raising.” Meanwhile, for older users, Style Sketch uses AI to generate outfits based on clothes they own (yes, like the Clueless closet), pulling clothing items from photos users have posted on Instagram. Of course, Meta is excited to use AI to design apps more quickly, putting more out in the market in hopes of an unexpected hit. Currently, Style Sketch is only available in Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand, and Waddle World in the Philippines, but clearly the brand is experimenting with AI-generated apps for future broader release. (Social Media Today)
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Hollywood is signing AI-critic comedians, even as they bring AI into production. Graham Raabe, Matt Husk, and Sam Wassef each went viral by satirizing chatbots and have since signed with talent agencies or managers. Raabe’s “How to Fail Your AI Interview” series, where he answers an AI recruiter with pure nonsense, doubled his Insta following to more than 100K in two months. Husk, with about 2M followers across platforms, films ChatGPT cheerfully botching simple tasks, and one video even got a reaction from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Wassef plays a human parody of a chatbot, which has earned him over 860K Insta followers. An agent at Dulcedo says the gap between AI’s hype and its actual performance is rich comedic territory, and that the jokes help audiences laugh at something intimidating. AI developers don’t seem to mind being made the punchline either, with some product managers telling Raabe his videos revealed skill issues they can now fix. (Wired)
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MilkPEP is focusing on winning Gen Z. This gen just doesn’t drink milk like older ones did as kids or even do now, with one report finding Gen Z in the U.S. drinks 20% less than the national average. The “got milk?” slogan doesn’t quite work on the oat milk latte generation, but influencers do! So, MilkPEP has adjusted their “Gonna Need Milk” platform with new messaging. Their MilkXP YouTube series is bringing popular Gen Z influencers in to speak not only about the health benefits of drinking milk, but topics like financial literacy that could be more appealing to young viewers. (If the goal is to beat the “embarrassing” identity of drinking whole milk, leading with it probably won’t work.) The company is also using video game activations, cinematic (read: anime) advertisements, and even Calvin Klein-esque thirst traps with celebs to push this gen back to dairy. (Yahoo!)
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7 Brew is booming thanks to Gen Z and their bevvies. The chain has experienced major growth in less than a decade, expanding from a single drive-thru coffee shop in Arkansas in 2017 to more than 900 locations across the U.S. That momentum has earned the chain recognition as the “fastest-growing brand in the U.S.” in a Yelp report and the “third-fastest-growing brand among TikTok users,” according to Morning Consult. Part of the growth comes from their ability to attract young consumers throughout the day, not just during the morning rush, and their loyalty program gives budget-conscious Gen Z an incentive to keep coming back. And, of course, the drinks are a major draw. 7 Brew’s offerings are sweet, customizable, and relatively affordable, a natural fit for Gen Z’s little treat culture and—as we call it—“bevolution.” Plus, the menu’s eye-catching combinations, from banana bread mochas to Pixy Stix-inspired drinks, are practically made for social media. (Bloomberg)
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