Beige is The New Rich
Plus: F1's hefty new price tag & Star Wars brand building
Welcome to Small Talk, an email I serve out every Monday morning exclusively to our Breakfast Club members in NYC and Charleston. The premise is simple: my top of mind topics for the week’s worth of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners ahead anytime some chatter is required. From now on, I’ll be sharing it with subscribers of The Supersonic as well. Enjoy, and crib topics as necessary.
Rest in peace Pope Francis, and godspeed to anyone running the Boston Marathon today — I hope you’re caffeinated.
For consideration …
Putting the Ken doll in Obi-Wan Kenobi
Speaking of religion, let’s turn to another one: The Force. The annual Star Wars Celebration—something that’s been going on since 1999—took place in Japan last week. Say what you will about Disney’s stewardship of the brand, the global community of Star Wars fans couldn’t be stronger. Which is of course something that anyone building a brand should take note of. As for the news out of the celebration, here's what we're getting: more movies, a Darth Maul animated series (for my Sith-heads in the back), and a Ryan Gosling vehicle, because we all know that a galaxy far, far away could use a little Kenergy. One Star Wars steward not getting any heat? That would be Tony Gilroy. While known for more serious stuff like Michael Clayton, the director returns with the much anticipated season two of Andor (premiering tomorrow), and early reviews are calling it a masterpiece.Will Sinners kill Hollywood?
Here’s another masterpiece: Sinners, or so say the critics. The thriller is currently enjoying a 98 percent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, reviews that helped propel it to box office supremacy this weekend, dethroning Minecraft. You’d think Hollywood would be happy, but here’s the rub: Sinners might presage the demise of the studio system as we know it, something execs are less than thrilled about. In an eye-popping deal, director Ryan Coogler will get both a percentage of the box office (known as “first-dollar gross,” a practice that has all but disappeared in Hollywood), as well ownership of the film after 25 years. It’s a contract that rival studios are rumored to be horrified by, and definitely something that will make it difficult for Warner Brothers to recoup the film’s purported $150m budget. Also taking a bet on itself? Formula 1. The global four-wheel racing series (owned by Liberty Media) wants as much as $180m per year for U.S. TV rights — that’s double what ESPN currently pays. Despite the sport’s global sex appeal, networks aren’t exactly champing at the bit to pay the hefty price tag. Still, in today’s increasingly fractured media landscape, owning your rights is certainly the name of the game — ask any TikTok creator. With that in mind, Neptune—a TikTok competitor launching in the App Store this week—is giving creators an interesting value prop: the option to hide their likes and follower count so that they can focus on quality over quantity. The app already has some 400k folks on its waitlist.Beige bloods + Gen Z golfers
Breaking old money news: the global elite now prefer the neutral hue of beige for their attire. So reports the Times, who say that said blue bloods like to keep a low profile, especially in glitzy, high profile enclaves like St. Moritz. In keeping with generational wealth, a growing trend among Gen Z in this economy is joining the family business. Yes, it pays to belong to a dynasty, especially when you’re getting into golf, another trend among Gen Z (much to boomers’ chagrin). For anyone who’s not into beige, but needs to make a little extra cash to support the country club habit, there’s apps Pickle and Yoodlize, which allow you to rent out your clothing to people who want to steel your style.
Quicker hits …
A skull-shaped hill was found on Mars and astronomers say it doesn't belong there.
Parents are crashing their kids' spring breaks.
Why are NYC bars closing earlier than ever?
Enjoy your week.
BL
Ben Leventhal
Founder + CEO
Blackbird