ShortTake is your weekly FYP from The Shorty Awards for quick, new and thought-challenging takes on culture, creativity and TLDR. Things that need a closer look and things that need a completely different perspective.
Oura Gives Us the Finger
Oura’s cheeky new campaign, “Give Us the Finger,” reimagines aging and wellness with sass. Featuring seniors proudly rocking their Oura Rings, the campaign is a refreshing spin on self-care, proving you’re never too old to flex.
Laura Petruccelli dropped a masterclass on why a clear, sharp brief is worth its weight in gold—and sanity, making this more than just a finger joke. As she perfectly put it, “A sharp brief is an enormous creative head start.” Honestly, without one, you’re basically free soloing a brainstorm. Let’s all agree to sharpen our briefs and stop sending creatives into the wild with nothing but a “vibe” and a prayer.
Instagram’s $20K Reels Offer: Enough to Entice Top Creators?
Instagram’s latest play—offering up to $20,000 a month for posting Reels—is certainly eye-catching. But in this economy (where eggs still cost $7 and Zillow is just for entertainment), is that enough to keep top creators loyal? Or will they take the cash and keep shopping around for better algorithm love? Either way, Instagram is showing they’re ready to pay to play—but will it be enough?
Phil Ranta’s Spicy Take on Creator Outreach
Phil Ranta’s recent post doesn’t just call out stale outreach strategies—it sets them on fire. He’s over the endless, unpersonalized “Hey, we’d love to work with you!” messages that flood creators’ inboxes. His advice? Cut the copy-paste, bring genuine interest, and make your outreach actually worth a reply. He even shared 10 actionable tips for brands to up their cold email game. Too spicy, or not spicy enough?
Kaitlyn Roche’s Vision of Better Brand Sponsorships
Kaitlyn Roche said what we were all thinking: Brands, stop treating sponsorships like bad one-night stands and start treating them like long-term relationships. She spotlighted how Cash App’s Atlanta Dream partnership sets the bar for genuine, impactful brand collaborations. It’s not just about jersey patches—it’s about building community, making financial literacy cool, and showing the world that sponsorships can (and should) mean something.
Jim Louderback on the Billion Dollar Micro Drama Gold Rush
Jim Louderback’s breakdown of the micro drama phenomenon is everything we needed to hear. Micro-dramas (duanju) are rewriting the script in China, racking up $6.9 billion in revenue in 2024 and surpassing traditional box office numbers. Platforms like Kuaishou and Douyin are dominating with binge-worthy short videos that fit perfectly into mobile-first lives.
