This week’s edition covers storiesÂ
from October 2nd to October 8th, 2025.
Today’s issue is 850 words, a 7.5-minute read
Hey folks, Isabella here.
Pop culture and chaos are colliding this week. Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” has fans debating whether she’s redefining performance art or just living her Vegas-show fantasy. Meanwhile, headlines out of L.A.’s Palisades bring a reality check: a man has been charged in connection with the wildfire that scorched the area and reignited climate-crisis anxiety. One’s a story of reinvention under neon lights. The other’s about reckoning in the smoke. Both define the American moment: spectacle meets survival.
So buckle up. We’ll talk booming Latino businesses to meme-marketing madness, so you know what’s lighting up feeds and currently shaping the culture.
Latino Business Is Booming —
But Where’s the Data?
Latino biz is vibing and scaling in Minnesota. Latino Business Week in Minneapolis throws the spotlight on owners, pop-ups, workshops, and cultural events that double as economic engines and community glue. It’s an ecosystem moment, not a one-off fair. Down in Richfield, immigrant-owned kitchens like El Tejaban show how flavor becomes footprint: multigenerational shops creating jobs, identity, and daily foot traffic.
But here’s the plot twist, for all this growth, the data’s playing catch-up. A University of Minnesota professor, Jimmy Patino, recently pointed out that Minnesota barely scratches the surface when it comes to research on Latino communities. Translation: policymakers are trying to build support systems with half the map missing. Without real numbers, we miss the nuance, such as the differences between a first-gen bakery owner in Richfield and a tech startup founder in St. Paul.
So while the businesses are thriving, the spreadsheets are… not. And that’s a
Meet Your Mayor: Politics,
But Make It Interactive
Sahan Journal just dropped Meet Your Mayor, an interactive quiz that helps Twin Cities voters figure out which mayoral candidates align with their views. Both Minneapolis and St. Paul races are included, covering issues like rent control, police reform, and downtown revitalization. After answering, you’ll see which three candidates match your stances—perfect for ranked-choice voting prep. The project, built with the American Journalism Project, is a creative twist on civic engagement. Basically: take the quiz, learn your match, and brag that your local journalism is this innovative.
👉 Try it here: Sahan Journal – Meet Your Mayor
Collab Culture: The New Brand Power Play
Brand collabs are having their Renaissance era, and honestly, they’re saying more about culture than most ad campaigns ever could.
Gap x Gwyneth Paltrow + daughter Apple gave us soft-focus nostalgia meets nepo-baby chic. It’s not just denim; it’s a legacy moment. Two generations, one aesthetic, and a subtle flex that says “timeless sells.”
JCPenney x Ashley Graham? (see full reel) Major reset energy. The plus-size icon built a line for plus bodies, not around them — sizes 0X–5X, made to actually fit, not squeeze. It’s giving empowerment over performative inclusivity.
F1 Academy x Hello Kitty took the Vegas strip and said, “Let’s make racing kawaii.” Think pink pit lanes, themed merch, and girl-power crossover energy that turns Formula 1 into fan art.
Bratz x Hello Kitty? That’s chaos and cuteness shaking hands, where streetwear meets sweetness.
And Bentley x Joe & The Juice? Pure luxury-meets-latte core, because even millionaires need their post-spin smoothie.
These collabs aren’t gimmicks — they’re cultural algorithms, remixing aesthetics and values to vibe with audiences online. The future of marketing isn’t who you reach; it’s who you resonate with.
Watch: Interactive Reels & Meme Mastery
Interactive Reels = social media UX getting spicy
Brands are leveling up from static posts to interactive Reels. Think polls, quizzes, clickable overlays, and AR effects embedded in a short video. It’s not just eye candy; it’s engagement built right into the format. Reels let you reach non-followers via Explore, making your brand the plot twist in someone’s feed.
Memes = the vernacular of today’s marketing
If you’re not meme-ing, you’re missing. Brands are using memes not as joke fillers but strategic storytelling tools that speak in the language of relatability. Memes trigger dopamine, evoke shared experience, and amplify organic reach. In 2025, smart memes = cultural literacy + engagement ammunition.
Why we should care
Because people don’t scroll for ads anymore. They scroll for experiences, emotions, and community. Interactive Reels and memes blur the line between brand and culture. They let you participate rather than push. And in a world with shrinking attention spans, that’s how you survive (and thrive).
Stay informed, stay connected.
See you next week!
–
Isabella and the NewPrensa team
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Hi, friend: Isabella here!Â
I’m a Communications Specialist by day and
walking the dog by night!
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