InStyle vs The Independent

Crocs Becomes Top TikTok Shop Seller via Audacious Social Strategy

Crocs has become one of TikTok Shop's top sellers through an early adopter strategy and a focus on engaging Gen Z and Gen Alpha. The platform named Crocs its Seller of the Year in May, and the brand generated an estimated $52.4 million in sales in the 12 months to April, making it the top footwear seller. Crocs chief brand officer Terence Reilly discussed this approach at ADWEEK's Brandweek event, emphasizing a test-and-learn mindset, a nimble team, and content that includes live commerce experiences like 'Croctober', a 31-day livestream marathon which tripled followers and generated 550 million impressions. The brand also demonstrated live selling on stage at Brandweek, selling 200 items in a 12-minute segment. Reilly advised against bureaucracy, advocating for permission to fail and scale.

• TikTok Shop named Crocs Seller of the Year in May.
• Crocs generated an estimated $52.4 million in sales on TikTok Shop in the 12 months to April, becoming the top footwear seller.
• Crocs' 'Croctober' livestream marathon tripled followers and generated 550 million impressions.

Nancy Guthrie Ransom Notes Are Finally Released Nearly 6 Months After Her Disappearance

The InStyle news section was updated with multiple new celebrity news stories, including an update on Savannah Guthrie's mother Nancy Guthrie, whose ransom notes were released nearly six months after her disappearance.

Taboola: Tesco Clubcard Readership Surges 1,876%

Taboola's Newsroom data shows UK readership of Tesco Clubcard articles rose 1,876% in the most recent 30-day period versus the prior 30 days, generating more than 335,000 page views across Taboola's UK publisher network (up from ~17,000). The surge is attributed primarily to the impending expiry of £11 million in Clubcard vouchers, which publishers warned would become invalid after 11:59pm on 31 August. Additional drivers cited include the return of Clubcard Challenges, Tesco’s "Know What You’re Sitting On" campaign and promotional activity such as the OVO Clubcard Millionaire prize draw. Taboola communications lead Dave Struzzi commented on publishers' role and the attention the Clubcard brand is generating for Tesco.

• UK readership of Tesco Clubcard articles increased by 1,876% over the last 30 days versus the preceding 30 days.
• Taboola’s Newsroom recorded more than 335,000 page views for Clubcard-related articles across its UK publisher network, up from approximately 17,000 in the previous 30 days.
• The surge was driven by the approaching expiry of £11 million worth of Tesco Clubcard vouchers, which were reported to become invalid after 11:59pm on 31 August.

Dolly Parton: Tributes pour in from around the world after country legend dies age 80

The Independent's homepage now leads with extensive coverage of Dolly Parton's death, including tributes, family statements, and details about her legacy and fortune.

Brands Say They Want Authentic Women—Only Skin Deep

Opinion piece by Sarah Owen responding to Hayden Panettiere’s account that her long-running relationship with Neutrogena ended after she spoke publicly about postpartum depression. Owen argues Panettiere’s experience highlights a broader issue: many brands prefer simplified or non-controversial representations of women and struggle when talent speak candidly about health issues such as infertility, menopause, endometriosis or pregnancy loss. Drawing on her charity work with the Fertility Futures Project and examples like Emma Barnett, Owen calls for brands to accept that customers and representatives are whole people whose health experiences may not fit neat campaign narratives.

• Hayden Panettiere was the face of Neutrogena for around a decade.
• Panettiere says Neutrogena wanted to end their relationship after she spoke publicly about receiving treatment for postpartum depression and that her contract was not renewed the following year.
• The article cites wider women’s health topics—including menopause, fertility/infertility, endometriosis and pregnancy loss—as subjects that remain stigmatized or uncomfortable for brands to engage with.