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Since Michael Jordan and Nike changed the rules of sports marketing, signature shoes ranging from LeBrons to Currys have defined basketball footwear. With few exceptions, its only in the last few years that WNBA players have been given similar opportunities. And now, amid a surge of interest in the league, the WNBAs most glamorous player, Angel Reese, has revealed her first shoe with Reebok, called the Angel Reese 1. The mainstay brands of athletic shoesNike and Adidashave been struggling, as a combination of scale and brand fatigue have left windows for smaller competition to grow, and new tariffs threaten the bottom line of the industry. Adidas actually sold off Reebok in 2021 to Authentic Brands Group for $2.5 billion. Authentic Brands manages a variety of recognizable names, including Champion, Eddie Bauer, Brooks Brothers, and Frye. [Photo: Reebok] Since the sell-off, Reeboks profits are up. Focused less on marketing and product innovation than licensing the known name, the companys revenue jumped from $196 million in 2022 to $276 million in 2023. But Reebok, like its larger peers, is focused on rekindling its cultural relevance to establish its next act. The company has declared that its cultural comeback begins with basketballa strategy revealed in late 2024 by Shaquille ONeal, president of the companys basketball division. In his pocket was his very first recruit at Reebok: The 2024 first-round draft pick and Bayou Barbie, Reese. In the two seasons since, Reese has been a force, bringing a new sense of competition and fashion to the WNBAwhile solidifying herself as a two-time All-Star in the process. For her first shoe at Reebok, the Angel Reese 1 in the Diamond Dust colorway, Reese says she wanted a shoe that you couldnt ignore. I wanted something that was really bold to go with my identity, she says, noting that the shoes subtle iridescent finish is meant to capture how she became a star despite coming from nothing in Baltimore. You could be a diamond that shines anywhere. The silhouette itself features an almost old-school layering of textures, reminiscent of vintage Reebok (or, dare I say, dad shoes). However, its low-cut white profile also looks like it could tag in for the ever-popular court shoe in some contexts. Reese herself says she wanted it to cross seamlessly between basketball and street wear, teasing that many more colorways are on the way. As of now, theres no price or release date for the Angel Reese 1. But Reebok says the launch is coming soon.
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E-Commerce
As recent graduates proudly showcase their use of ChatGPT for final projects, some may wonder: What kind of person turns to AI to cheat on college assignments? A new study may shed some light. The paper, published in the journal BMC Psychology by Jinyi Song of South Korea’s Chodang University and Shuyan Liu of Baekseok University, surveyed 504 college-level Chinese art students. Researchers assessed traits like narcissism, psychopathy, and Machiavellianism, all of which are collectively known as the Dark Triad. They found that students who scored highly on these traits were significantly more likely to use AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney to complete their assignments. Why? According to PsyPost, narcissists may cheat to bolster their self-image or gain recognition, while those high in Machiavellianism may view AI as a way to gain an edge over their peers. Psychopathy, meanwhile, is associated with impulsivity and a lack of remorse. The study also found that students with higher dark trait scores were more likely to pass off AI-generated work as their own. These same students were more anxious about academic performance and more prone to procrastinationfactors that made them more likely to rely on AI to finish their assignments. Researchers also examined materialism. Students who scored higher in materialistic values, or who were driven by external rewards and praise, were similarly more likely to misuse AI. While those surveyed face a perfect storm of competition, pressure to produce original creative work, and the increasing presence of generative AI in their field, the ChatGPT dilemma now extends across creative industries, academia, and beyond. Thanks to artificial intelligence, the temptation to turn to AIwhether for homework or even just writing a texthas never been more pervasive. Next time you reach for ChatGPT, consider what it might reveal about you.
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E-Commerce
Mattel has released its latest Barbie doll, and its a win for better representation. The new Barbie doll visibly lives with type 1 diabetes, wearing an insulin pump and all. Along with the insulin pump around her waist, the doll has a Continuous Glucose Monitor on her armheld in place with Barbie pink tapeand a phone displaying her blood sugar statistics. The Barbie team worked with Breakthrough T1D, a research and advocacy organization, to design accurate-looking medical equipment. They also collaborated on the dolls blue polka dot dressa blue circle is the global symbol for diabetes awareness. “More kids can see themselves” Introducing a Barbie doll with type 1 diabetes marks an important step in our commitment to inclusivity and representation, Krista Berger, senior vice president of Barbie and global head of dolls, said in a statement. Barbie helps shape childrens early perceptions of the world, and by reflecting medical conditions like T1D, we ensure more kids can see themselves in the stories they imagine and the dolls they love. The announcement coincided with Breakthrough T1Ds 2025 Childrens Congress from July 7 to 9, which featured a donation of Barbie dolls. The Washington, D.C.-based event brings together over 170 children living with type 1 diabetes and gives them face time with members of the U.S. Congress. The event aims to garner ongoing funding for type 1 diabetes research. Condition affects hundreds of thousands of U.S. children Diabetes is a chronic condition in which a persons body doesnt produce enough insulin, causing their blood sugar levels to spike, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Individuals living with type 1 diabetes require insulin therapy and typically wear a pump attached to their skin at all times. The CDC reports that about 352,000 children live with diabetes in the United Statesa majority of whom experience type 1 diabetes. This number jumps to about 1.7 million when looking at individuals 20 or older who live with type 1 diabetes and use insulin. Mattel has introduced other Barbies living with medical conditions in recent years. In 2019, the company released a Barbie who had a prosthetic leg and another who used a wheelchair. More recently, 2023 saw Mattel launch a Barbie living with Down syndrome. In October 2024, Mattel reported a 17% dip in Barbies gross billingsdespite the enormous success of the Oscar-winning Barbie movie the prior year. The company had hoped for a 3% increase in sales this year, but it pulled that guidance in May after uncertainty around tariffs. Shares in Mattel Inc (NASDAQ: MAT) are up roughly 13% in 2025 so far.
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E-Commerce
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