5 In 5: No Chicks or Treats, Franzia With Benefits, Fresh Prince Airbnb, Macy’s Parade Goes Virtual, Certified Young Person

Each week, Padilla’s Insights + Strategy team stands at the intersection of people, culture and brands to bring you five stories that you can read in five minutes.

1. No chicks or treats

In more pandemic fallout news, the maker of Peeps announced it will not be producing Halloween or Christmas Peeps this year. Why should you care? The famous candy, that people aren’t afraid to share their love or hate relationship with, will also skip Valentine’s Day 2021.The company plans to resume making Peeps on its most popular holiday – Easter. Just another reminder that 2020 is serving up one less treat and yet another trick. [CNN]

2. Franzia with benefits

Everyone’s favorite box wine brand has created a wine-dispensing backpack. Why should you care? If you haven’t been on a social distancing picnic this year, then you’re not living (in this pandemic). With picnics, hiking and biking being some of the outdoor activities that have grown in popularity during COVID, Franzia thought they’d accommodate this new normal with something that makes taking wine on-the-go even easier. [Elle]

3. Fresh Prince Airbnb

To mark the show’s 30th anniversary, Will Smith is turning the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ mansion into an Airbnb for five nights only. Why should you care? The real-life Bel-Air mansion will include all the best parts of Fresh Prince’s life in both Bel-Air and Philly, with “bold graffiti art, posh interiors, timeless family portraits, and Philly cheesesteaks served on silver platters.” We love everything about this nostalgic experience, and the donation Airbnb has pledged to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Philly.  [Travel + Leisure]

4. Macy’s Parade goes virtual

The holiday tradition of watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast live or in-person will be virtual-only this year. Why should you care? Even though there will be a way to watch the parade online and on TV, it’s just another bummer in 2020 – especially for those who call NYC home. Citing that large gatherings were still not safe, the mayor said at a press conference, “[Macy’s is] reinventing the event for this moment in history. And you will be able to feel the spirit and the joy of that day.” [THR]

5. Certified Young Person

In a new coronavirus PSA, Paul Rudd plays a “certified young person” urging millennials to wear masks. Why should you care? In partnership with the State of New York, Paul makes fun of both himself and the millennial/Gen Z generations with statements like, “Wearing your mask is the new not wearing your mask” and regarding TikTok challenges, “How about a stop the pandemic challenge or save your grandma challenge?” But by the end of it, he narrows it down to the simple fact of science and some censorship beeps, because yes, 2020 has been challenging. [People]

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