TeaTalk: TikTok to the movies

1. 🏈 NBC and Peacock are set to kick off the NFL season with the first game of the year between the Chiefs and Ravens. While it's not my Bills, I'll still take it.

2. 🎞️ A recent survey by TikTok found that 44% of users are more likely to see a movie in theaters than those who aren’t on the app — 33% even said seeing content about a new film on TikTok was the primary reason they went to see it. You're welcome, Hollywood.

3. 📺 ESPN is mixing things up as it enters the streaming era — in other words, get ready for a lot more personality-driven programming, sports betting, and even a personalized version of SportsCenter.

4. 🚗 NBC Sports has drafted seven influencers to go on a 10,000-mile road trip to make content around three NFL games.

5. 🎾 Pro tennis is having its luxury fashion moment as all eyes are on the viral, star-studded US Open. Call it a pickleball promotion.

Here’s why brands and creators should be getting involved now with new social shopping platforms like TikTok Shop, Instagram Shop, and Amazon Live.

• Seamless Shopping Experiences: Platforms like Instagram and TikTok are integrating shopping directly into social feeds, blurring the line between social media and e-commerce.

• Impactful Numbers: According to Forbes, global social commerce is projected to grow 3x faster than traditional e-commerce, reaching $1.2 trillion by 2025.

• Gen Z's Influence: Social commerce isn’t just a trend for Gen Z — it’s a natural extension of their digital lives. Social shopping gives brands an organic way to reach customers and allows creators to share their recommendations in an authentic way.

The takeaway: For brands and creators, the future of shopping will increasingly be shaped by Gen Z’s expectations and behaviors. As they emerge as the next generation of consumers, their preference for social commerce will redefine how businesses approach marketing and sales, making it essential for brands to adapt now to stay relevant.