Media and Entertainment Industry Trends

Stay ahead of developments in the youth and media sector with the latest trends,
foresight and strategic insight

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Our Services

The Future Laboratory offers trend forecasting subscriptions and bespoke strategic foresight consultancy services to help you stay ahead of developments in the youth and media industry.

LS:N Global is our trends platform that provides members with original research, trends, analysis, market intelligence and qualitative insights to help them make informed decisions about the future.

We also offer youth and media trend presentations delivered by our world-class presenters, bespoke foresight reports to help you drive your marketing and spearhead your PR, as well as a suite of strategic foresight services, delivered by our in-house strategy department.

Find out more about our services below, or please click the link to book a meeting with our team.

Image credits: Photography by Stephane Boubert for The Future Laboratory; Set Design by Prop it; Food Styling by Lena Otvodenko; Fashion Styling by Chloe Cammidge. 


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New Report

Our new Youth & Media Futures report reveals the trends driving our interconnected future, from the emergence of a Digital Afterlife to the Curator Kids overthrowing the creator economy. And from Vietnam to the US, our Global Youth Snapshot sheds light on the ways in which Generation Z are balancing online and offline communities.

As well as our new The Zalpha Reckoning macrotrend, this report also includes Global Drivers, Market Shifts, Trends Rising and Strategic Implications that detail how to use the framework effectively.  

Purchase a copy of the report here. Members of LS:N Global can access the report for free here.

Image credit: Kaleidoscopic Home by Tin & Ed for SPACE10 and IKEA's Everyday Experiements, Denmark


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Kaleidoscopic Home by Tin & Ed for SPACE10 and IKEAs Everyday Experiements, Denmark

Social Learning Networks:

The edtech industry in Latin America is evolving away from academic structures to align with modern students’ preferred UX interfaces: their social networks.

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NFT-ainment:

The emergence of animated NFT characters is generating profit for owners through entertainment productions that bring their investments to life.

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Pliable Playscapes:

Inspired by Generation Zalpha’s productivity, an energetic and assertive visual language is emerging that reflects their can-do attitude and capacity to dream.

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Whisper Networks:

Generation Z are turning from identity-driven social media platforms to safe, anonymous and judgement-free spaces that are rooted in emotional honesty.

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Crowdsourced Companions:

Covid-19 has spelled disaster for those graduating in 2020. As it risks stunting Generation Z’s career prospects, brands are stepping in to nurture the next generation of talent.

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The Zalpha Reckoning:

A hybrid generation of Zalphas are entering brands’ consciousness. Wise beyond their years, these products of climate change are using their childhood as a time for productivity.

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Strategic Consultancy

Take our youth and media trends one step further

For those of you wondering what youth and media trends are going to have the biggest impact on your business over the coming years, our Strategy team are here to help.

The Future Laboratory’s Strategy department works directly with global brands and businesses to turn our LS:N Global foresight into a strategic decision-making tool that aligns clients’ current business objectives with these future scenarios. 

The aim: to equip clients with the cultural insights, strategic implications and solutions that enable them to navigate change, unlock opportunity and thrive in a world of continuous uncertainty.

Find out how you can use our Strategic Services to future-proof your youth and media strategy.


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Futures Presentations

Book one of our world-class speakers to deliver a virtual or in-house trend presentation or workshop for your business. Discover our presentations below or get in touch to book something bespoke.

The Zalpha Reckoning
Black Girls Code Lab in New York- Designed by architect Danish Kurani, US-1
A hybrid generation of Zalphas are entering brands’ consciousness. Wise beyond their years, these products of climate change are using their childhood – once a time of innocence – as a time for productivity.

Zalphas are carefully selecting which values they inherit from generations before them.

Our new macrotrend presentation offers a first look at what – or who – comes next: a transitional generation of Zalphas who are at the forefront of this technology paradox. As they learn how to navigate a world that both is and isn’t comprised of pixels, they are not seeing the physical and digital worlds as silos, but as equally important realities that can be layered on top of one another.

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Reformation Generation
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Marking a new era of collaboration between brands and Generation Z, opportunities are arising to re-assemble, decentralise and decolonise our outdated societal systems.

In this presentation, we explore how the institutions that have traditionally held society together – education, business, government and the mass media – no longer hold the power of governance they once did, leaving Generation Z to step in.

It will help your brand to establish a new approach that is defined by collaboration and decentralisation, inviting Gen Z along as allies. Businesses must be ready to assist Generation Z in their grand re-assembly of society at large.


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Pleasure Revolution
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With every second of our free time colonised by the cult of busyness, future consumers will turn away from a life of relentless productivity and shift their focus from enhancement to enjoyment.

Enjoyment will become a political act against the mechanisms of capitalism. We can now expect to see a more gracious approach to consumerism – where pleasure, inactivity and the desire to live ordinarily are as equally valid.

This presentation will help your brand to engage with consumers by tapping into cultural micro-shifts, decoupling self-worth from aspiration, and championing the anti-striver and the slacker. It features key trends, hard data, best-in-class case studies and consumer insight.


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Youth & Media Experts

Get in touch with our specialists if you are interested in discussing the research or if you have a press enquiry. Speak to our experts



Chris Sanderson (He/Him)
co-founder

Christopher Sanderson is co-founder of The Future Laboratory, where he is responsible for delivering the company’s extensive global roster of conferences, media events and LS:N Global Trend Briefings, which he co-presents with the team in London, New York, Sydney, Melbourne, Stockholm and Helsinki. Clients who have booked one of his inspirational keynotes include Gucci Group, the European Travel Commission, Retail Week, Selfridges, M&S, Chanel, Harrods, Aldo and H&M.

Martin Raymond (He/Him)
co-founder

Martin is editor-in-chief of LS:N Global, the online lifestyle news and consumer insight portal. Having written several books on trend forecasting, including The Trend Forecaster’s Handbook and The Tomorrow People, Martin contributes regularly as an expert on trends and business for the BBC, Channel 4 and ITV.

Emily Rhodes (She/Her)
creative foresight analyst

Emily joined The Future Laboratory in 2021 after graduating from Nottingham Trent University, where she studied fashion communication. Leading visual research for the youth, media and technology sectors, she also contributes to LS:N Global’s daily content, alongside visualising larger macrotrends and reports.

Rachele Simms
director of strategy and planning

Rachele plays a pivotal role in nurturing the Strategy team and developing the quality of our strategic thinking. With nearly 15 years of experience, she combines her creative background and strong commercial acumen to define and realise future strategies for brands such as Shiseido, lululemon, Jameson and The Chalhoub Group.

Louise French (She/Her)
strategy director

Louise is one of the lead strategists at The Future Laboratory. With over 12 years’ experience in brand and innovation strategy, she works closely with clients such as Dell, Sony, Selfridges and Gulfstream to identify inspiring and revolutionary opportunities for change, and to develop practical strategic frameworks that provide the blueprints for putting the future first.

Darian Nugent (She/Her)
senior strategic foresight writer

Darian creates tailored reports and thought-leading content across diverse industries. Unlocking future-facing strategies and new brand directions, Darian has written bespoke foresight reports for Jägermeister, Samsung and UBS. Before joining The Future Laboratory, she forecast fashion and youth lifestyle trends for Stylus.

Rachael Stott (She/Her)
senior futures analyst

Rachael is responsible for leading research to identify and visually communicate global cultural trends across the lifestyle sectors, inspiring our clients to prepare for the future. As our fashion and retail expert, she speaks regularly at our events, and has worked on projects for clients such as Adidas and the British Fashion Council.

FAQs

What is the entertainment industry?

The entertainment industry is made up of a diverse range of businesses involved in the creation, production and distribution of entertainment content.

How to identify entertainment trends in digital media

Entertainment trends can be identified by using market research and trend forecasting services. 

How to stay ahead of entertainment trends

Brands can stay ahead of entertainment trends by using The Future Laboratory's trend forecasting subscriptions and bespoke strategic foresight consultancy services.

What are some examples of entertainment trends?

Some examples of entertainment trends include:

AI Creativity:
A new wave of generative AI platforms are redefining the very nature of creative work.

Auto Entertainment:
The car sector is developing immersive and entertaining in-vehicle experiences.

What is the media industry?

The media industry, much like the entertainment industry, covers a wide range of businesses that are involved with the creation, production and distribution of entertainment content.

What are some examples of media trends?

Some examples of media trends include:

Gamer Wellness:
Lifestyle brands are helping gamers to level up their physical and mental health.

Local TV Market:
Around the world, disruptors are launching regional alternatives to streaming giants and telling hyper-local stories.

Future-proof your youth & media strategy

Learn more about the strategic foresight services that we offer


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