💙 We need 2,000 donors this fall to stay on track. Count me in! ✔

The search for the perfect "dupe" might be more valuable than the dupe itself

Jun 7, 2023
"It's gotten to the point where the logic of dupes has been sort of flipped on its head," said Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz. "And people are spending more time and in some cases, more money dupe-hunting than they would if they just bought the original."
Above, counterfeit Prada bags. "[Dupes] also include counterfeits and knockoffs," said Sangeeta Singh-Kurtz. "It's sort of a Gen Z-destigmatized rebranding of fakes, but fake goods definitely fall under the dupe umbrella."
Phillipe Lopez/AFP via Getty Images

Mississippi record store enlists student influencers to help business

Feb 24, 2023
Phillip Rollins, owner of Offbeat, wants to attract more college students and give them a place to hang out.
Valentine's Day brought an spike in record sales for Phillip Rollins, owner of Offbeat.
Martin Bureau/AFP via Getty Images

What's up with celebrities and cryptocurrency?

Jun 10, 2022
"Celebrities are rich for reasons having nothing to do with their crypto investments," says Vox's Emily Stewart.
Actor Matt Damon told viewers that "fortune favors the brave" during a Super Bowl ad for Crypto.com.
Valery Hache/Getty Images

Why are there so many celebrity beauty brands?

Jan 17, 2022
Beauty reporter Cheryl Wischhover says social media and industry profits are behind the abundance of celebrity makeup and skincare lines.
A display of Fenty Beauty products, a brand launched by Rihanna, is seen in the United Kingdom.
Ian Forsyth/Getty Images

In the post-“Survivor” economy, it's all about contestants’ brands

Oct 11, 2021
Social media has changed the game for former contestants on the CBS reality show “Survivor,” according to “Ringer” contributor Mara Reinstein.
Former "Survivor" players Mike Holloway, left, and Rodney Lavoie Jr. in 2015. Parlaying an appearance on the CBS reality show into a lucrative career is a game in itself, according to “Ringer” contributor Mara Reinstein.
Mark Davis via Getty Images

Conservatives flock to Parler, social media app funded by GOP donor Mercer

Nov 16, 2020
One issue for influencers is that joining a perceived ideological site like Parler could turn off some online fans.
In the past week, the number of people using Parler has rocketed to more than 8 million.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

In China, livestream sales flourish in time of COVID-19

Jul 27, 2020
Struggling retailers hope livestreaming will provide a lifeline. Aspiring influencers don't always strike it rich.
Former livestreaming influencer Sam Tian says making it in the industry is largely a matter of luck.
Charles Zhang/Marketplace

For public good, not for profit.

The influencer model has taken a hit during COVID-19. Can Instagram help?

May 28, 2020
Instagram is introducing new features, like ads on its IGTV, so influencers can keep making money.
Can the social media app keep its influencers in the face of competition from TikTok?
AFP via Getty Images

Inside a 6-hour e-commerce livestream in China

Jan 16, 2020
Eva Wang and Sam Tian quit their jobs to make a go of it selling on Alibaba's Taobao livestreaming service.
Sam Tian and Eva Wang during a livestream show. The couple quit their ad sales and teaching jobs last year to become Taobao influencers.
Courtesy of Sam Tian

Met Gala red carpet faces challenge from influencers

May 7, 2019
"Camp" was the theme this year. Some designers are rethinking their participation in the charitable event that's the highlight of the fashion calendar.
Lady Gaga attends the 2019 Met Gala celebrating camp at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 6 in New York City.
Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images

Let’s do the numbers together. 💙 

Here’s a number – 2,000. That’s how many donors we need this fall to stay on track. Can we count on you?