Mintel vs Planet

Carter's Brand Refresh Targets Gen Z and Millennial Parents

Carter's has unveiled its first major brand refresh since 2000, aimed at appealing to Gen Z and millennial parents. The refresh includes a new logo (with an apostrophe replaced by a shooting star), a new visual identity, and a brand commitment: 'to let every child's light shine.' The accompanying 'Watch Them Glow' campaign launched on September 16, 2026, features a 60-second commercial on CTV platforms like Nexxen, Roku, Disney+, and Hulu, as well as digital and social channels. The campaign emphasizes self-expression and individuality, supported by Pew Research data. Carter's also introduced a creator program called 'Light Makers' with up to 15 Glow Grants in the first year. The rebrand follows new CEO Sharon Price John's appointment and increased marketing spend, contributing to a 5% net sales increase in Q2 2026. Partnerships with Outward Bound and Boys & Girls Clubs of America support children and families.

• Carter's launched its first major brand refresh since 2000, including a new logo, visual identity, and brand commitment: 'to let every child's light shine.'
• The 'Watch Them Glow' campaign launched on September 16, 2026, with a 60-second spot airing on CTV platforms like Nexxen, Roku, Disney+, and Hulu.
• The new logo replaces the apostrophe in 'Carter's' with a shooting star.

Global Beauty Ingredient Trends 2026

Mintel added a new featured research report: Global Beauty Ingredient Trends 2026 (Beauty and Personal Care).

Planet Launches Suncatcher, Tanager-2, and 18 SuperDove Satellites

Planet announced the launch of Suncatcher, Tanager-2, and 18 SuperDove satellites, along with several other major announcements including a landmark German federal contract, a new AI tool for the Amazon, and a 7-figure defense agreement.

Google Sends AI Chips to Space for Testing

Google's Project Suncatcher has launched its first AI chip, a Trillium TPU, into orbit as a step toward space-based data centers. The prototype satellite, built with Planet Labs and launched on SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission, carries four TPUs and tests them against radiation, vibration, and extreme temperatures. The mission runs Google's Gemma model in 15-minute intervals due to thermal constraints in a vacuum. The one-year mission aims to validate endurance; ground tests showed higher radiation resistance than expected, but silent data corruption remains a challenge. Economic viability requires launch costs below $200 per kilogram, needing about 1,800 Starship flights over ten years to transport 370,000 tons. Google published findings in Joule and plans two more satellites with laser links by early 2027, aligning with Elon Musk's vision of solar-powered orbital data centers.

• Google launched its first AI chip (TPU) into orbit via Project Suncatcher, with a satellite built by Planet Labs and launched on SpaceX's Transporter-18 mission.
• The satellite carries four Trillium TPUs, the same AI chips used for Gemini, and runs Gemma in 15-minute intervals due to thermal constraints.
• The mission lasts one year; two more satellites with laser-linked chips are planned for launch by early 2027, with networked satellite launches from early 2027.

Google to send TPUs to space with Planet

Google has provided an update on Project Suncatcher, its initiative to put AI compute in space. In collaboration with satellite imaging company Planet, Google will send some of its Trillium TPUs to orbit on the SpaceX Transporter-18 rideshare mission. The company has conducted stress tests, confirming the chips can withstand radiation doses beyond a five-year mission requirement. Cooling in the vacuum of space remains a challenge. This move reflects the growing energy and space demands of AI training and inference, potentially shifting significant compute operations off-planet.

• Google will send Trillium TPUs to space on SpaceX Transporter-18 with partner Planet.
• The chips survived radiation doses greater than a five-year mission requirement.
• Cooling in space remains a challenge for the project.