IGNITION ZEITGEIST

Ignition Zeitgeist is a handy resource for staying ahead of the cultural curve, covering the latest trends in entertainment, tech and marketing. Delivered straight to your inbox, Ignition Zeitgeist is designed for everyone who wants to stay informed, but only has time for the headlines. Whether it's the latest industry flash-in-the-pan, intriguing augurs of genuine cultural and societal change or the latest ephemeral viral sensation... Ignition Creative has you covered.

April 30, 2025

Trending 1: Audiences sink their teeth into Sinners

The what… Ryan Coogler’s supernatural horror movie ‘Sinners’ has achieved the rare feat of delivering a second weekend box office which almost matched its debut. This is unusual for any genre, but particularly noteworthy for horror which has a reputation for falling sharply after opening weekend.

Bloody amazing… 98% certified fresh

Trending 2: UK’s Culture, Media and Sport committee calls for levy on streamers

The what… The UK’s influential Culture, Media and Sport (CMS) committee has suggested that a share of the revenue streaming services make from subscription fees should be paid into a fund to support British high-end TV production. The proposed levy has been rebuked by streamers who have warned of potential price hikes.

Trending 3: Oscars’ new compulsory viewing rules spark backlash

The what… The Academy has been tinkering with the Oscars rules for the 2026 edition and a number of the changes are proving controversial. Can you guess which rule changes have produced the most online clamour?

Here are your nominees... The new rule changes

The award for most controversial rule change... Films made with AI can win Oscars, Academy says

Trending 4: WrestleMania 41 Breaks Multiple WWE Records

The what… The WWE juggernaut continues to go from strength to strength. The first WrestleMania of the ‘Netflix era’ provided further evidence that WWE’s partnership with the streaming partner was yet another commercial masterstroke for the wrestling powerhouse. The Netflix deal has not only reinvigorated audiences but has mobilised potential brand suitors.

Everyone has a price... WWE WrestleMania 41: sponsors watch

Trending 5: Nintendo Switch 2 Hype Continues To Build

The what… Wahoo! Nintendo recently unveiled further information about the long awaited follow-up to its iconic Switch console. The Nintendo Switch 2 will be released on the 5th June and pre-order demand has already seen pressure on stock levels. However, outperforming the original Switch will be an epic task with the 2017 console selling 150 million units since launch.

It’s a nearly here… Nintendo Switch 2 pre-orders live

Trending 6: Big Tech In The Dock 

The what… It has been a busy few weeks for the tech giants as they defend themselves in court against a variety of privacy, monopoly and safety charges. A number of these high profile trials could result in significant fines or structural reorganisation. I just hope they can afford the legal fees…

Facing up … FTC v. Meta live

Trending 7: Cannes Film Festival Updates

The what… With the Cannes Film Festival only a few weeks away, details for this year's festival are coming thick and fast. The two biggest news stories from the past few weeks were the announcement of the Critics Week 2025 Selection and the shock unveiling of this year’s official festival poster.

Coming to a screen in Cannes… Cannes Critics Week unveils 2025 selection

Monitoring… news to keep an eye on

Monitoring 1: Entertainment / Video Game Crossovers

The what… With 40+ video game based movies currently in development and a string of recent success stories to prove the model, we’re excited to see our two favourite sectors collide and are eagerly watching to see if these crossovers can continue to realise their potential. In this section we also cover video games based on entertainment IP.

Monitoring 2: AI Marketing

The what… Where to start… AI is already having a tangible influence on the entertainment and creative sectors, with the potential for greater impact yet to come. Ignition Zeitgeist will tease out the latest meaningful developments and noteworthy uses.

Monitoring 3: TikTok

The what… it’s been hard to escape the existential drama concerning the future of TikTok in the US. With an array of high profile suitors waiting in the wings and a change of administration, it feels like there are lots of twists and turns to come.

Insight Of The Week

Saturday 12th April saw the return of Record Store Day an annual event celebrating independent record stores. The event is celebrated internationally, with over 300 stores in the UK alone participating in festivities. The UK, as with other countries, has seen a resurgence in vinyl sales over the last few years. The Digital Entertainment and Retail Association recorded YoY physical growth in the music sector, when physical revenue in both video and gaming continues to decline. Source, ERA

Ads We Love

Did you know that Paul Rudd made his acting debut in an ad for the SNES way back in 1991? This fact certainly wasn’t lost on the canny folks at Nintendo who wheeled the movie star out for their Switch 2 campaign. Nostalgia, Hollywood, gaming… what’s not to love? Source: Polygon

WTF Of The Week

AI Jesus arrived just in time for Easter, answering your questions about life, death and everything between. As Creative Bloom put it, “AI Jesus is not just the Son of God. He's also an unnervingly insightful shopping assistant” - find out more here or try it yourself here

And Finally

We're looking for our next cohort of budding Editors, Finishers, Motion Designers, Producers and Audio Engineers to join us this Summer. If you or someone you know is interested in joining our 2025 internship programme, please send an application letter to [email protected]