Strands of Genius: Decoding K-Pop Magic, Inclusivity Through Innovative Tech, Power of Everyday Interactions

Guest curated by Shreya Jayanna, Social Account Executive @ BBH

May 30, 2024

:: A BIT MORE ABOUT GUEST CURATOR, SHREYA JAYANNA ::

LOCATION: London, UK

Hiya! I’m Shreya and I know Rosie and Faris through my Master’s in Advertising course at London College of Communication, where they gave us insights into the industry about current and future trends. Their insights didn’t just shape my final project; they kicked off a journey that's brought me right back here! I’m excited to be your guest curator for this week’s newsletter. Having recently graduated from LCC, the course re-shaped my idea about advertising. It wasn’t just about making adverts, but thinking of how you can push ideas, creatively and strategically, and pushed me to think about how advertising looks in the future. I’m currently a Social Account Executive at BBH and in my free time, you'll often find me illustrating (Instagram) or roaming around galleries (I highly recommend Unit and Serpentine Gallery).

Editor’s Note (Genius Steals): We always love when we get to host students and recent graduates here, especially if they came from Paul Caplan’s program at the London College of Communication! Thanks for brining your amazing energy to this edition, Shreya!

:: THE LINKS ::

DECODING K-POP MAGIC

If you’ve ever been curious about K-pop and what makes it stand out so much from the others, have a read of my MA Final Major Project! As a fan myself, it was a new experience to observe K-pop from a different lens and see what makeup brands (or any brand!) in the West could learn from K-pop marketing. (Heyzine)

INCLUSIVITY THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECH

While the media and advertising industry has come a long way in terms of inclusivity, Pinterest is a company that’s a good example of actively using developing tech, like AI, to actively impact its platform. Having previously launched skin tone technology, and now with their body type technology, their algorithm increases representation across different searches. Given their platform is a space to inspire, this reflection of how the world is and intentional changes to being inclusive creates a positive place online, something other social media platforms need to start focusing on. (Newsroom)

POWER OF EVERYDAY INTERACTIONS

As someone who’s had the opportunity to meet and connect with people from different parts of the world and form meaningful relationships with them, I really resonated with the work Mesmin Destin talks about in this TEDXChicago video. He delves into the subtle, yet profound impact of everyday interactions – those fleeting moments that might just spark inspiration, challenge perspectives, or unveil something entirely novel. Given I'm in the industry of communicating, to me it's a reminder of a certain magic to take away from our daily exchanges, something with the potential to leave a mark on someone's journey. (Ted)

Looking for more from Shreya Jayanna? Coming Friday, look for an interview from her in your inbox!

:: AND NOW… SOME FAST FAVORITES ::

:: Game :: Gang Beasts (for a good laugh with your friends)

:: City :: Bengaluru (home)

:: Book :: Kim Ji-young, Born 1982

:: Song :: No.2 - by RM

:: A SERIES I LOVE ::

I really love this series by Vanity Fair, it just shows everything that goes into the art of acting and storytelling.

Thanks for exploring these with me! Wishing you a day filled with discoveries and good vibes.

Cheers,
Shreya

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It's called Genius Steals because we believe ideas are new combinations and that nothing can come from nothing. But copying is lazy. We believe the best way to innovate is to look at the best of that which came before and combine those elements into new solutions.

Co-Founders Faris & Rosie are award-winning strategists and creative directors, writers, consultants and public speakers who have been living on the road/runway since March 2013, working with companies all over the world. Our Director of Operations is nomadic like us, our accounting team is based out of Washington, our company is registered in Tennessee, and our collaborators are all over the world. Being nomadic allows us to go wherever clients need us to be, and to be inspired by the world in between.

Hit reply and let’s talk about how we might be able to work together :)

Strands of Genius