The Fast Company Impact Council is an invitation-only membership community of leaders, experts, executives, and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience. Members pay annual dues for access to peer learning, thought leadership opportunities, events and more.The economy is something of a rollercoaster and consumer behavior is shifting just as fast. From fluctuating costs to changing shopping habits, todays market represents a real opportunity to support transformation for brands.As trusted marketing partners, our role isnt to predict whats next but to help clients confidently navigate the complexity, adapt with agility, and stay closely attuned to what their customers need right now. The evolving climate requires media and marketing professionals to develop a deeper understanding of how macroeconomic forces directly impact their clients decision-making processes. For example, when tariffs increase for say, a tequila producer targeting the U.S. market, the ripple effects are immediate. Those costs must be accounted for, either through increased pricing, which affects consumer purchasing patterns, or adjusting allocations elsewhere, including ad and marketing budgets.It is imperative to maintain client-centricity. So how can we, as agency leaders, support clients during unpredictable economic times and show up as more strategic business partners?Stay informedEvery business is dealing with unprecedented shifts in how people shop, plus inconsistency in the market and supply chain. Everything is moving faster, and agencies need to move with agility, forecasting marketing plans for clients in real time. Theres HUGE opportunity out there, but also high risks.Clients consistently tell us they value partners who adapt quickly to changing circumstances and who not only keep pace with the changing tides, but anticipate the shifts. Earlier this year, one of our retail clients faced potential sales losses when a major publication was ending print circulation in a key market. We responded with a proposal to shift advertising based on data insights that could potentially exceed the lost sales. The ability to respond to shifts in real time can provide a competitive edge in client service.Instead of resisting this uncertainty, embrace it. Stay informed and stay current in the newsready to adapt, innovate, and lead the conversation. While we cant control market fluctuations, we can control our response.Focus on human, not just machineWhile businesses race towards AI adoption and automation, its easy to get swept up in the speed and scale of technology. Its important to remember that while these tools offer insights and efficiency, they dont provide the creativity, intuition, and strategic thinking that only human connection and emotional intelligence can provide.At Havas, we show up with a mindful understanding of what our clients are going through on a day-to-day basis. The heart of our approach is a commitment to people-centricity. Professionals are seeking environments where they feel genuinely valued, where personal and professional growth are nurtured, and contributions recognized in meaningful ways. Creating a culture where employees feel heard, supported, and empowered is essential in this market.This same value extends to client partnerships; our strategy emphasizes human expertise and technological capabilities working in harmony. Technology and automation are a means to an end (not the end itself!). Clients want more diagnostic data tools and increased media data optimization so their reporting can be more accessible and actionable. However, these tools enhance but dont replace the creativity, intuition, and strategic thinking that forge meaningful connections.Our clients are real humans, looking at data points of real customers. This requires their agency partner to go beyond the numbers, partnering with real people at the helm to interpret customers needs with empathy and humility.As businesses face constant recalibration with every news alert, they need their partners to care about the things they care about. By gaining a deeper understanding of their unique challenges and daily nuances, we can offer better visualizations, data granularity, collaborative insights, and recommendations, ultimately turning numbers into stories, patterns into strategy, and clicks into brand affinity.Act in real timeSpeed is currency in todays market. By staying informed and monitoring the market, youll be able to quickly recognize and respond to organic waves of market conversation.Success lies in agility. For one fashion client, this meant accelerating planning cycles from weeks to days to capitalize on a products viral moment, leading to increased budgets and stronger future campaigns. Because we spent the time building a trusted and collaborative partnership with this client, we understood their audiences, objectives, and goals. We established media and culture monitoring processes to better react in real time which allowed us to swiftly activate because of our shared understanding.Spot the trend and seize the momentum because in a world that moves fast, the brands that act in real time to consumers wants and needs gain consumer share.When wildfires hit Los Angeles earlier this year, the combination of global media attention, celebrity-driven social coverage, and AI-generated images of Hollywood in flames exacerbated the problem and led tourists to believe the cityand maybe even the statewas closed for business, sparking a wave of misinformation.For Visit California, a nonprofit 501(c) corporation with a mission to market the state as a premier travel destination, speed was essential to deliver a powerful message of hope, resilience, and community during the Oscars. We were able to produce a meaningful moment for our client in several weeks. Leveraging agency connections, the campaign coordinated a strategic integration with award season, providing an empowering message that California is open for business, rolling out the red carpet for visitors from around the world.Activating celebrity ambassadors, strategic media buys, and perfectly timed messaging helped negate misinformation and bolster the states tourism and the livelihoods of countless workers who depend on visitors.By staying informed about market conditions, not shying away from client pressures, demonstrating adaptability, and maintaining empathy, you can deliver better, stronger results for your clients. Tomorrows successful media agencies will embrace this and build meaningful partnerships that last longer than any economic turbulence.We only exist because our clients trust us. Understanding their business is our business and agile actions in times that are changing faster than ever before, is how we win together.Greg James is North America CEO of Havas Media Network.

When a couple decided to take their relationship further on the most recent season ofLove Is Blind,the moment was soundtracked with a familiar song:Billie EilishsBirds of a Feather.It wasnt a flash-in-the-pan musical surprise. The season was stacked with familiar needle drops Miley CyrusWrecking Ball,Justin BiebersHoly,Ariana GrandesInto You,Selena GomezsLose You to Love Me a gesture away from the little-known, sometimes generic pop songs that used to meet the shows most emotional moments.Show creator and Kinetic Content CEO Chris Coelen attributed the pivot to the shows anniversary.We decided, in this Season 8, to coincide with our fifth anniversary, to really embrace popular music in a big way, he said. And so, we ended up using throughout the entire season and in every episode we used popular music cues.Love Is Blind isnt the only reality show that walks the line between what viewers have labeled real songs and unfamiliar music.Where does the unfamiliar music come from?Its not artificial intelligence, where nobody controls the copyright, saysThe Bachelormusic supervisor Jody Friedman. Theres too much risk involved with using AI music in these projects.Excluding big-time pop records, the music used on television comes from a number of sources. It can be custom, original music by the shows composers. It can be licensed directly from artists, or from sync agents, production music libraries or a one stop, what supervisors call a company that has the rights to license both the master recording and the composition rights.Music supervisors might also turn to covers of well-known songs. On the most recent season of The Bachelor, Friedman used a cover of Phil Phillips Sea of Love, a classic 50s tune. Its more affordable to pay to license a cover than the original recording and creatively, its a modern take on an old song, he says.Love Island USAmusic supervisor Sara Torres also uses covers.That can bring in other listeners that may not necessarily be into pop, but if they hear the song in a different genre, it might pull them in, to go back and listen to the original version, she says.Music libraries companies that represent music catalogs for licensing purposes are key, too, because if a song is too expensive to license, a supervisor can instead find a song that evokes the feeling ofBTS Butterwithout having to pay for it.The indie libraries, lets say, for TV, could be anywhere from $1,000-1,500 per needle drop use, says Friedman. Generally speaking, bigger commercial songs can range from $20,000 to upward of $100,000 depending on the use, he says.A history of using real songs on dating competition showsThe use of instantly recognizable pop music differs from program to program.Love Is Blindhas used popular music in the past, but sparingly. Coelen points out the use of Lee Ann Womacks I Hope You Dance in Bliss Poureetezadi and Zack Goytowskis story in Season 4. But the frequency of Top 40 hits in the most recent season is new.He says the benefit of using these songs, creatively, is that it elevates the experience, for the viewer: Emotions are so connected to certain pieces of music, and they can conjure up feelings that we relate to.Kinetic Content declined The Associated Press request to speak with the shows music supervisor, Jon Ernst.Love Island USA featured songs likeChappell RoansKaleidoscope andSabrina CarpentersPlease Please Please in its most recent season. Executive producer James Barker points out that the original U.K. show has always used commercial music, and therefore the U.S. version has endeavored to do the same.The show is meant to feel like youre on vacation with your best friends. Of course, when youre on vacation, youre sharing music, he says. I think that translates into how we create the show.Torres agrees. She adds that the show typically uses more commercial music in the beginning of the season, and then again in the finale you want that big impact.Because the show has a quick turnaround time, with six episodes a week whatever happens in Fiji on Monday airs Tuesday in America, as Barker describes it the show team pre-clears over a thousand songs, just in case they work for a particular narrative moment. That means requests are sent out to publishers and labels ahead of time, but theyre not paid for until the tracks are selected.A show with more lead time, The Bachelor has long used commercial songs in its programming. This years season, the shows 29th, had several memorable musical moments, including aCardi B,Bad Bunny and J Balvin needle drop when I Like It played as the cast made their way to Madrid.This is my first season with The Bachelor, but historically theyve used Colbie Caillat, Boyz II Men, Backstreet Boys, lists Friedman. They used Billie Eilish last season. This season we used a David Guetta track, Dropkick Murphys for the episode in Boston. Theres aKarol Gtrack.He adds The Bachelor does use a lot of recognizable pop songs, typically one or two per episode.Each episode does have a budget. So, while they may splurge on a pop song, the rest of the budget is spent on other music that comes at a lower cost, he says.So, will there be more real song drops in the future?For Love Is Blind, Coelen says simply: The answer is yes.Barker from Love Island USA agrees.Not only are you engaged with the characters, but the songs and artists that you care about listening to at home are being represented on television, he adds. Its just a bridge between us all.Maria Sherman, AP music writer

Smartphone cinematography has evolved dramatically, but one barrier has remained: achieving true cinema-quality visuals without expensive, bulky equipment. The groundbreaking CINEMA//Mobile shatters this limitation, bringing Hollywood-caliber optics and professional filters directly to your iPhone. This revolutionary mobile lens and filter system represents a watershed moment for DOPs, independent filmmakers, and visual storytellers who refuse to let budget constraints dictate their creative vision.The system emerges from an extraordinary collaboration between TUSK, a global collective of award-winning filmmakers and cinematographers, and ShiftCam, which is recognized worldwide for pioneering mobile lens technology. Trusted for producing content for brands like Adidas, Coca-Cola, Skechers and more, the CINEMA//Mobile combines TUSKs deep understanding of cinematic requirements with ShiftCams optical engineering expertise, resulting in a system that transforms your iPhone into a legitimate filmmaking gear that delivers professional results while maintaining the mobility and flexibility that modern creators demand.Designers: TUSK x ShiftCamClick Here to Buy Single Lens Now: $199 $299 ($100 off). Hurry, only 9/40 left! Raised over $128,000.The system offers 7 distinct professional-grade lenses that cover virtually every shooting scenario: the CINEMA//15 and CINEMA//18 anamorphic lenses for that coveted widescreen cinematic look with horizontal flares; the CINEMA//60 telephoto for compression and reach; the CINEMA//16 wide-angle for expansive scenes; the CINEMA//75 long-range and CINEMA//25 traditional macro lenses for stunning close-up work; and the CINEMA//8 fisheye offering an impressive 200 field of view for dramatic perspective.The full kit also includes 8 versatile filters that are magnetic, stackable, and easy to swap thanks to the magnetic filter adapter. These filters include a Circular Polarizer (CPL) filter for reducing glare and reflections from non-metallic surfaces, a Black Mist 1/2 Filter for softening highlights, a Neutral Density (ND8) filter for reducing light intake by 3 stops to prevent overexposure in bright conditions, a Neutral Density (ND64) filter for reduces light intake by 6 stops, making it ideal for long-exposure effects, a Neutral Density (ND128) filter for extreme daylight conditions, a Neutral Density (ND512) filter for ultra-long exposure photography, a Variable Neutral Density (VND) 6-10 Stops filter to reduces light from 6 to 10 stops, and a Variable Neutral Density (VND) 1-5 Stops filter that provides adjustable light reduction from ND2 to ND32 without altering color balance.At the heart of the CINEMA//Mobile lies its exceptional glass quality. Unlike typical mobile lenses constructed from standard materials, each CINEMA//Mobile lens incorporates fluorite crystal, the same premium material found in high-end cinema cameras costing tens of thousands of dollars. In fact, every optical element is also made of flourite, not just the crystal. This extraordinary optical material virtually eliminates chromatic aberration, ensuring razor-sharp edges, true-to-life colors, and pristine image quality that stands up to professional scrutiny.The optical excellence extends beyond the base materials to include sophisticated multi-coating technology. Each lens has up to 7 fluorite elements, and each element has 14 specialized coating layers, 7 on each side, creating a complex optical system with up to 98 total advanced layers per lens. These coatings include anti-glare, scratch-resistant, hydrophobic, and UV/IR protective coatings that work harmoniously to minimize reflections, enhance contrast, and shield against environmental damage, ensuring consistent performance in diverse shooting environments.Complementing these exceptional optics is the ingenious S-Mount Quick Attach System, which addresses one of the most significant challenges in mobile filmmaking: changing lenses quickly while still tightly securing them in place. The system allows for instant lens swapping without threading or alignment struggles, keeping you in the creative flow without missing crucial moments. The secure lock system also ensures the attachment is never wobbly or loose. This efficiency extends to the 72mm magnetic filter adapter included with each lens, enabling quick attachment of the 8 included cinema filters.Constructed from aerospace-grade aluminum, the CINEMA//Mobile achieves remarkable durability while maintaining a lightweight profile essential for mobile shooting. This construction makes the system ideal for challenging shooting environmentsfrom crowded streets to remote wilderness locationswhere traditional cinema equipment would be impractical or impossible to deploy. The systems portability opens new creative possibilities for filmmakers working in tight spaces, extreme conditions, or situations requiring discretion.The versatility of the CINEMA//Mobile extends to numerous practical applications: capturing discreet footage in public settings, shooting dynamic B-roll sequences, filming in confined spaces, scouting locations, creating professional-quality livestreams, and even capturing footage in extreme weather conditions where traditional equipment would be at risk. This adaptability makes the system an invaluable tool for creators who need to work quickly, efficiently, and with minimal equipment footprint.To get the best out of your cinematography experience, you might want to grab the full kit that includes professional-grade optics, featuring 7 precision-engineered lenses and 8 cinematic filters, for just $1,949. You can, however, also opt for individual lenses and filters to fit your needs. For digital storytellers who demand high cinema quality but want the flexibility and budget effectiveness of mobile filmmaking, the CINEMA//Mobile represents a genuine paradigm shift. By bringing true cinema-grade optics to the iPhone, this innovative system democratizes high-end visual storytelling, allowing creators to focus on their vision rather than their equipment budget and flexibility. The result is a powerful cinema gear that delivers professional results without sacrificing the agility and spontaneity that make mobile filmmaking so compelling.Click Here to Buy Single Lens Now: $199 $299 ($100 off). Hurry, only 9/40 left! Raised over $128,000.The post CINEMA//Mobile: Worlds 1st Cinema-Grade Mobile Lens System Transforms Your iPhone Into a Professional Filmmaking Powerhouse first appeared on Yanko Design.

People who love the freedom of a mouse with a customizable trackpad, the Ploopy Classic is a no-brainer. The Canadian company respected for open-source peripherals made a name for itself with the customizable mouse launched in 2019, and now an upgraded version has landed with improved features and improved design that retains some elements for ergonomic success.The Ploopy Classic 2 trackball mouse makes subtle tweaks to how the peripheral functions for a more reliable and accurate scroll wheel experience. Being open source means the mouse can be easily 3D printed or even modified with custom cases in preferred colors for your convenience. The fresh version has a design and shape more or less similar to the predecessor. The large bulge on one side lets you rest the palm for more control over the big red ball trackpad input with the finger. There is a side-mounted scroll wheel that can be controlled with the thumb like any other editing or gaming mouse.Designer: PloopyHardware upgrades come in the form of a USB-C port swapped for the earlier USB Type-B port. That should make it more practical in your desk setup as third-party cables can be connected to the peripheral. To have more precise control over the scroll wheel, the mouse gets a Raspberry Pi RP2040 microcontroller that lets it run 15 times faster. One problem that the Classic had was the glitchy behaviour (unexpected directional switch) whenever the scroll wheel was rotated too quickly. Other hardware remains the same, like the PMW-3360 optical sensor and D2LS-21 button switches that have a satisfying button click.Since there is no way the original Classic can be upgraded with newer components as the printed PCB circuit board is non-removable, the company will discontinue the peripheral. Coming back to the Classic 2, it has the open-source QMK firmware that is installed on the trackball. That makes the mouse plug-and-play without any hassles that can sometimes accompany an open-source design. The open source plans for the mouse are available on GitHub, and you can make any number of modifications to suit your preferences.For the Ploopy Classic 2 trackpad mouse, youll need to buy the $101 kit that has to be assembled and soldered. If you dont prefer that option, go for the $147 pre-assembled version. Were sure DIYers and geeks will surely go for the raw kit option, as assembling the mouse will in itself be a very satisfying experience. Well need to test out the scroll wheel efficiency in real time to validate any claims by Ploopy, but it should be glitch-free for sure. As a personal preference, we would want a blue and black combo for the faceplates since itll match our work desk aesthetics.The post Ploopy Classic 2 trackball mouse has improved scrolling, retains satisfying click of the original first appeared on Yanko Design.

The news follows the breakout success of DeepSeek and growing pressure from rivals like Meta.

MacworldLast week, Apple announced that its big WWDC keynote will take place on June 9, which means we have about two months of rumors and speculation. The latest report from Mark Gurman might seem like a big clue, but Im here to assure you, its not.In the latest edition of his Power On newsletter, Gurman takes a moment to address the numerous images supposedly showing the look of iOS 19 that circulated the web last week. He reiterates his claim that the fake screenshots arent representative of what Apple will show when it announces the new software at WWDC, but doesnt offer any details on the new operating system save one: the code name is Solarium, defined by Oxford as a room fitted with extensive areas of glass to admit sunlight.Its natural to assume this is a clue that iOS 19 will be light and airy, with transparent layers designed to let light in. Its a logical conclusion, especially since Jon Prosser of Front Page Tech released avideolast week that showcased renders of iOS 19 with extra transparency. Gurman himself has teased that iOS 19 will take its cues from visionOS with greater transparency and new types of windows and buttons.If any of that is true, itll be easy to look back on this Solarium rumor and see how obvious it was. But historically, Apples codenames dont have anything to do with the shipping product. For example, last years iOS 18 codename was Crystal, and iOS 17s was Dawn. iOS 12? Peace.Now, if you really want to find meaning in those names, I suppose you can. Crystal could refer to the ability to customize icons with ease or as a reference to Apple Intelligence. Peace could refer to the new Do Not Disturb options introduced with iOS 12. Dawn could be related to using an iPhone in StandBy mode as an alarm clock.But they likely mean nothing. The last major change to iOSs interface came with iOS 7. That codename? Innsbruck, a mountainous city in Austria popular for skiing. Back then Apple was fond of naming iOS versions after winter resort cities, and being that iOS 7 introduced Apples first flat design, naming it after a city with nearly 70 named mountains could be a tongue-in-cheek nod to its new look. But like Solarium, it almost certainly wasnt.

A new rumor suggests Apple will cut support for three iPhone models in iOS 19, which contradicts a previous rumor.iOS 19 will be announced during WWDC 2025Apple has a lot of iPhone models available in the world, and many of them still get regular OS or security updates. A rumor shared in December suggested Apple wouldn't change its compatibility list for iOS 19, but that may not be the case.A new rumor claiming the compatible models would change with iOS 19 was posted on a private social media account and reported on first by 9to5Mac. The models being dropped in iOS 19 are rumored to be iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Apple has finalized and released its update for iOS 18.4, adding more Apple Intelligence changes alongside a new Apple Vision Pro app, CarPlay, Shortcuts tweaks, and a bunch of new emoji.An iPhone running iOS 18Following a beta testing cycle involving four developer betas and two release candidates, iOS 18.4 is now ready to be used by the general public. The build number, 22E240, is identical to the RC2's build, indicating they are the same content-wise.As usual, the iPhone operating system benefits from many changes in its updates, with Apple Intelligence continuing to feature prominently. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums

Marvel Architects and Garces de Seta Bonet Arquitectes (GdSB) have won a competition in Spain to deliver a new media district at a former power plant called 'Tres Xemeneies' ("Three Chimneys") near the heart of Poble-sec in Barcelona.The new development is to be named Catalunya Media City. Marvel and GdSB chose to title their presentation 'E la nave va' (or "As the ship goes on") in reference to Federico Fellinis 1983 drama. It will begin work later this year with an expected 2027/29 completion on the construction timeline.Esteban de Backer, a partner in the Barcelona office, says it has the potential to "become an interurban and metropolitan benchmark."

Nintendo and Sony Pictures have remained awfully tight-lipped about their planned live action Legend of Zeldafilm since announcing it in late 2023, but new details seem to have emerged nonetheless.Production Line a production tracking website operated by the Film and Television Industry Alliance reports that production on a planned trilogy of live actionThe Legend of Zeldafilms is set to begin later this year. The three movies will seemingly be produced together, with production scheduled to run from November 2025 to April 2026.Interestingly, a brief narrative summary of the project is also provided, suggesting that the movies story will feature a number of elements that series fans will find familiar, including the Triforce, dungeons, and more.The summary reads, The Legend of Zelda follows Link, a young warrior destined to protect the magical kingdom of Hyrule from the forces of darkness. The land is under threat from Ganon, a ruthless warlord who seeks the Triforcean ancient relic said to grant limitless power. To stop him, Link must embark on a perilous journey, battling monstrous creatures, exploring treacherous dungeons, and solving intricate puzzles to uncover sacred artifacts that can aid him in his quest.The Legend of Zeldamovie is being directed by Wes Bell (Maze Runner, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes) with series creator Shigeru Miyamoto and Avi Arad (Spider-Man, Venom, X-Men, Uncharted) serving as producers. As Nintendo recently announced, the movie will release worldwide on March 26, 2027.