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British Gen Z created a new slang term for their difficult job search: “Denized.”

Nov 04 2026

British Gen Z created a new slang term for their difficult job search: “Denized.” Gone are the days when landing an entry-level job was a straightforward next step after graduation. In today’s British job market, “entry-level” roles can require years of experience, and securing an interview is a challenge in itself. Youth unemployment in the U.K. reached 15.6% between June and August 2026, per the House of Commons Library, while job vacancies fell to 691K between July and September, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). On TikTok, users have made creator Deniz Kalayci and his experience with unemployment a running joke to represent all of their struggles. “Denized” now describes repeatedly struggling to secure or keep a job. It’s not the first time Gen Z has turned to social media to make a joke out of their job-market woes, but the familiarity with unemployment yielding its own vocabulary speaks to just how common the struggle has become. (Thred)

👀 Read more from YPulse: Ghosted, Overlooked, and Stressed: European Young Adults’ Job Hunt

Michael Kors is using TikTok Shop to reach Gen Z who barely knew the brand existed.

Nov 03 2026

Michael Kors is using TikTok Shop to reach Gen Z who barely knew the brand existed. Its TikTok Shop launch is running at almost four times initial expectations, according to an earnings call. The brand even admitted Gen Z consumers “almost didn’t know who we were” before since the brand’s hype kind of died off with suburban Millennial moms. With the launch, influencer buzz is driving demand for the $359 Hamilton Soft handbag, its strongest sell-through in years. The momentum matters because Michael Kors is also cutting promotional days by roughly 50% to sell more at full price. While quarterly revenue fell 8.6%, its customer database grew 8%, with Gen Z among the newest engagement. (Glossy)

👀 Read more from YPulse: Half of Gen Z is Using TikTok Shop in 2026

Svedka is doing an AI 180 for next year’s Super Bowl.

Nov 03 2026

Svedka is doing an AI 180 for next year’s Super Bowl. After their 2026 AI-created ad prompted backlash, the brand is asking customers to make the big game spot for them this year. Svedka acknowledges the negative reception of their AI ad in the video announcing the contest, where Andy Cohen calls it “bizarre and a dystopian nightmare”—while interviewing the Svedbot. (Yeah, we don’t totally get it either.) Participants can submit 15-second commercials that can be “AI-led, hilariously low-budget, unexpectedly cinematic or creatively ambitious,” with the winning ad creator getting a $500K prize. BTW, YPulse data shows that 45% of 18-24-year-olds DISLIKE when brands use AI-made commercials / ads. (Marketing Dive)

👀 Read more from YPulse: How Does Gen Z Really Feel About AI Marketing?

The Cheesecake Factory’s recent growth may be thanks to Gen Z virality.

Nov 03 2026

The Cheesecake Factory’s recent growth may be thanks to Gen Z virality. The restaurant has had a big year financially, with its stock outperforming major tech companies and a second consecutive quarter of more than $1B in revenue. According to the brand, part of that momentum is tied to their “expanded presence on social media,” where creators are vlogging their visits, sharing viral food hacks, and, maybe most importantly, channeling their inner Tuscan mom. Inspired by the early 2000s and the Desperate Housewives-esque vision of suburban luxury, the Tuscan mom aesthetic romanticizes a lifestyle filled with designer accessories, leisurely shopping trips, and yes, visits to The Cheesecake Factory. The trend reportedly peaked in popularity on Pinterest this summer, right around the time the restaurant was celebrating their billion-dollar milestone. And like the aesthetic itself, dining at The Cheesecake Factory offers a taste (pun intended) of upper-middle-class living that most Gen Z has never experienced firsthand but desires anyway. (CNN)

👀 Read more from YPulse: Gen Z Wants to Be a Tuscan Mom on The Viral List

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