D/R DOWNLOAD 9.11
Special Announcement
D/R has been named to The PR Net 100 for 2026, the annual list recognizing 100 leading agencies shaping the marketing and communications industry. The list celebrates agencies pushing the industry forward through standout creativity, purpose and measurable impact, and we’re proud to be among this year’s honorees.
What’s Trending
01/ On Google
“Best places to travel to in December” rose +250% this week as travelers searched for winter escapes around the holiday season.
02/ With Media
This week, the media were interested in fall travel and beauty trends, farm fun activities, unique skillcations, family-friendly boutique hotels, all things vintage-inspired weddings, nervous system reset resorts and more.
WMagazine is launching WYouth, a new print magazine designed for younger audiences stemming from their growing interest in physical media. The magazine is demonstrating the way print is connecting with a younger generation by focusing on fashion, culture and entertainment.
03/ In the Zeitgeist
Apple has unveiled the iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone and one of the biggest changes to the series since its launch. Priced at $1,999, the phone opens like a book into a 7.6-inch screen, giving users a more tablet-like experience.
Saturday Night Live has announced its first hosts and musical guests for season 52, with NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson kicking off the season as host and continuing New York’s celebration of the Knicks’ historic championship win.
NFL fans traveled nearly 10,000 miles to Melbourne to watch the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams face off in the league’s first regular-season game in Australia, demonstrating how major sporting events can inspire long-haul travel.
Industry Insights
TSA is bringing back the ability for some people without tickets to meet or say goodbye to loved ones at the gate through its new Gateside program. TSA PreCheck members can apply for a free pass at 13 participating airports, with more locations expected to be added.
Europe’s new greenwashing rules, under the EU’s Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, take effect September 27, 2026, putting pressure on hotels to back up claims such as “environmentally friendly,” “eco-friendly,” “green” and “climate friendly.” Businesses that cannot substantiate generic environmental claims could face penalties.
The U.N. warns that the current El Niño is being “supersized before our eyes” and could become one of the strongest on record, with conditions expected to continue through February 2027 and potentially bring significant weather shifts this fall and winter.
Southwest Airlines is opening its first-ever airport lounges, with new locations planned for Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville in late 2027 as the airline leans further into a more premium travel experience. At least seven more lounges are in the works.
Marriott Bonvoy is teaming up with the NFL to launch 37 player-curated City Guides covering every U.S. and international city hosting an NFL game this season. The guides offer recommendations from current and former players, giving fans a way to explore each destination beyond the stadium through the places and local traditions players know best.
As luxury hotel rates increasingly reach $3,000 or $4,000 per night, travelers are questioning the value of high-end properties. Guests remain willing to spend, but expect elevated prices to come with exceptional service and generous inclusions rather than added charges.
“Throwback Trips” are emerging as a travel trend, with travelers planning getaways around artists and experiences tied to their childhood nostalgia. Fans are willing to travel to other cities to see acts like Hilary Duff and No Doubt, with one traveler spending an estimated $1,550 to see No Doubt in Las Vegas.
“Home-swapping” is gaining popularity as travelers look for ways to cut accommodation costs, allowing them to stay in someone else’s home instead of booking a hotel. The savings can make longer trips more attainable, while also giving travelers a more local way to experience a destination.
“Sweat-jetting” is emerging as a major travel trend, with travelers building trips around fitness and athletic experiences. Tripadvisor named it the No. 1 travel trend for 2026, while Accor reported a 50% increase in interest in “workout vacations,” from destination marathons to cycling tours and yoga retreats.
The Good
Ahead of New York Fashion Week, Duolingo launched The Phonetic Collection, a capsule line that cleverly connects the app’s core purpose to a timely cultural moment by turning the pronunciations of hard-to-say designer names into wearable designs, including an “air-mess” purse for Hermès and a “zhee-vahn-shee” jacket for Givenchy.
The Bad
The Metropolitan Museum of Art canceled its planned 2027 Costume Institute exhibition honoring designer John Galliano following backlash over his past antisemitic and racist remarks, with a new exhibition and Met Gala theme to be announced.
