The Pace Report Volume 19

A24, renowned for films like "Moonlight" and "Lady Bird," is adopting a digital creator’s business model with its Instagram service, @a24closefriends. For $5/month, this service mimics platforms like Patreon, offering subscribers exclusive content and perks such as filmmaker-created zines, access to secret giveaways, and live event privileges.

This innovative approach allows the studio to engage directly with its audience while generating recurring revenue. This development illustrates how traditional media organizations can integrate digital-native strategies for content monetization, highlighting a macro-level shift towards more personalized, exclusive experiences in media consumption overall.

Luxury brands are increasingly finding their ideal audience on Pinterest, as revealed by a PA Consulting survey. With 482 million monthly users, Pinterest stands out for its young, affluent demographic, key for luxury brands targeting Gen Z's growing purchasing power. Notably, 70% of Pinterest's luxury audience is under 35, and one-third boasts annual incomes over $100,000. Pinterest differentiates itself by offering a non-toxic environment for brand engagement, with 60% of its luxury shoppers using the site to research luxury brands and products.

The platform's effectiveness for luxury brand marketing is exemplified by successful campaigns from Louis Vuitton and Carolina Herrera. These brands leveraged Pinterest's unique environment to engage with a young, affluent audience, demonstrating the platform's role in driving consumer behavior in the luxury sector. 

The reveal of "Grand Theft Auto VI" (GTA 6) has taken the internet by storm, with its first trailer amassing an impressive 85 million views within 22 hours, eclipsing a record previously set by YouTube celebrity MrBeast. This remarkable feat underscores the widespread eagerness for the game, marking a long-awaited sequel a decade after the release of "Grand Theft Auto V," which broke records with its massive day-one sales. 

Prompted by an early leak on Twitter, Rockstar Games accelerated the trailer release, fueling the already high anticipation. As the gaming world looks forward to the game's 2025 release, this trailer's success signifies the enduring popularity and excitement for the Grand Theft Auto series.

In a significant move underscoring the importance of transparency in influencer marketing, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued warning letters to two trade associations and twelve dieticians and health influencers. The FTC's concern revolves around Instagram and TikTok posts promoting aspartame and sugar-containing products without adequate disclosures of paid endorsements. The American Beverage Association and The Canadian Sugar Institute, along with individual influencers, were cautioned for potentially violating the FTC Act.

his action aligns with the FTC's recent updates to the Guides for Endorsements and Testimonials, highlighting the agency's ongoing scrutiny of influencer marketing practices, especially regarding health and safety claims. The FTC emphasized the necessity of clear, conspicuous disclosures in paid endorsements, ensuring consumers are not misled. The influencers and associations have been requested to respond to the FTC, detailing actions to address these concerns, with potential civil penalties for future non-compliance. This development reflects a growing regulatory focus on the ethical dimensions of influencer marketing in the digital age.