| | | We blinked, and suddenly found ourselves on the other side of Cannes and in the dead of summer. The airports are packed, group chats have transformed into high-level logistics operations, and half your feed is posting from somewhere with better light than wherever you are. Is your out-of-office message scheduled yet? |
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| An unusually hot summer is creating more seasonal agita and wanderlust, pushing people to flee cities, seek out a seaside reprieve, or really even somewhere with reliable AC will do. Whether people are finally packing for the trip they planned almost a year in advance, or booking a spontaneous long weekend away in search of fresher air, this is one of the most fertile windows of the year for brands. Is it the warmer weather, slower pace, or tacit protection of the sanctity of the summer vacation? Perhaps, it’s all three. No matter the reason, this is when audiences are most open to being moved and most ready to say yes. |
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| This issue explores this receptivity to novelty and exploration. How brands are showing up along the way, and how the business of getting them from here to there continues reinventing itself to keep up. |
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| Wherever you're headed, consider this your boarding call. |
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| BMF Connects With Arnaud Champenois |
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| For our Summer Travel Edition, BMF Founding Partner Brian Feit caught up with Arnaud Champenois to explore why slow travel is resonating with today's travelers, the creative partnerships that bring Belmond's world to life, and the future of luxury hospitality. ➔ |
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| | The New + The NoteworthyEverything Worth Doing/Seeing/Getting/Booking |
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| | When exotic beaches call, BMF client Tourism Fiji answers with a trip for every kind. Offerings include Kokomo Private Island, with 21 beachfront villas and five residences, all with private pools and room to spread out for families and couples. Or go off the beaten path at The Remote Resort, with eight oceanfront villas on a 64-acre plantation, capped at 20 guests. Whatever your occasion, Fiji's ready for you. See more and book here. ➔ |
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| | BMF PR client Spanx is back in swim for 2026 with three SPANXeffect™ levels, from barely-there smoothing to full support, so the suit can match the mood you're in. All of it runs in premium Italian fabric that's chlorine-resistant and UPF 50+, with cover-ups, beach shorts, and midi dresses to mix in for whatever the day turns into. Feel as good as you look all summer long. Shop here. ➔ |
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| | The summer of citrus picked up a new travel partner. Fresh off its first-ever canned lemonade rollout, BMF client poppi teamed up with Beis, actress Shay Mitchell's travel label, on a 13-piece capsule of rollers, cooler totes, and beach-ready accessories pairing Beis's utility with poppi's iconic visual language. There's even a charm for your can, so your thirst stays quenched without hassle all summer long. Shop the collection here. ➔ |
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| Photo via Hidden Valley Ranch | Instagram |
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| The World Cup brought everyone to America, and that's where everyone discovered ranch, dressing of course. Demand spiked enough that TSA started posting reminders to keep the dip under 3.4 ounces or check the bottle, turning airport ranch seizures into a running bit. First-timers don't know the half of it: BMF client Hidden Valley Ranch, America's No. 1 ranch, makes more flavors than most Americans could name. Explore the full lineup and find where to buy here. ➔ |
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| | Your summer plans deserve a suitcase that can keep up. Enter the new Travelpro Optima®—sleek, lightweight and ready for everything from city trips to long planned beach resets. The real win? Its patented wheel systems glides so effortlessly through the airport, that getting to your gate in time might just become the easiest part of the trip. Shop the collection here. ➔ |
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| | The FrequencyWhat We’re Listening To Now. |
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| | Summer in Europe comes with a stadium-sized bonus this year. Bruno Mars is bringing The Romantic Tour to Madrid, Milan, and six nights at Wembley this July alone, making his first solo album in a decade the soundtrack to half the continent's summer travel plans. Anderson .Paak joins every date as DJ Pee .Wee, with Victoria Monet and RAYE rotating as openers. Stateside dates pick back up at MetLife in August. Take a listen and book your tickets here. ➔ |
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| | That’s Fire By Sir Candle Man 🔥 |
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| Photo via P.F. Candle Co. |
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| BMF tapped fragrance aficionado Kudzi Chikumbu, AKA Sir Candle Man, for this edition's scent spotlight. We're burning Watermelon & Chili by P.F. Candle Co., a summer-in-a-jar blend of watermelon, zingy lime, peppery geranium, and a grounding grass note that makes any room feel like a backyard somewhere warm with nowhere to be. Carefree, fun, and perfect for your summer staycation. Shop here. ➔ |
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| | The DestinationNow Departing… Mexico City |
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Photo via Carlos Aguilar | Unsplash |
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| Summer in Mexico City means rainy season is in your favor: clear mornings, afternoon storms that wash the city clean, and the greenest it looks all year. Add the FIFA World Cup at Estadio Azteca through early July, and there's never been a better time to go. We've pulled our picks for where to stay, eat, drink, and explore. Read here. ➔ |
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| | | | Let’s chat about how we can keep your brand in tune with the pulse of culture. |
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| | The SublimeCreators, Innovators, And Cool $#!+ You Should Know About. |
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| | Holiday planning just got smarter. BMF Client Virgin Voyages' new AI concierge, Rovey, helps sailors find the right voyage, discover experiences and answer questions in seconds. Travel just got a lot less stressful. Explore more here. ➔ |
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| | BMF client Belmond turned its website into the trip itself. Start with the British Pullman's Cygnus carriage, redesigned by Wes Anderson in the symmetrical, pastel-soaked style that's made him one of film's most recognizable visual minds, then keep scrolling through Belmond Stories and Legends, which walk us through the many elements of their properties so well that by the time we hit the bottom of the page, we're hunting for the book button. Read the stories and book here. ➔ |
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| | As PR AOR for BMF client Sunglass Hut, we carried the "Own Your Moment" campaign series into summer with three ambassadors spanning sport, music, and entertainment: WNBA star Breanna Stewart in the US, Spice Girl Melanie C in the UK, and Elite actress Maria Pedraza in Spain. Along with their curated edit, each hosts a local event tied to their market, with meet-and-greets, customization, DJs, and giveaways. Shop the summer styles here. ➔ |
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Photo via One&Only Aesthesis and Burberry |
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| Burberry checked into two hotels this summer and redecorated both. On the French Riviera, Hotel Belles Rives got the house check reimagined in the hotel's signature blue across umbrellas, surfboards, and lounge chairs, with Burberry-branded waterskiing and ice lollies on the terrace. In Athens, One&Only Aesthesis received the same treatment in a light blue Mediterranean check spanning the pool, gardens, tennis courts, and even the buggies and boats. Check out the collection both properties carry on-site here. ➔ |
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Photo via Megan Thee Stallion Official Store |
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| | The Week in ReviewICYMI... |
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| Travel Europe's Historic Heat Wave Is Disrupting Summer Travel—Here's What Visitors Need to Know ➔ What Is Literary Tourism? The BookTok Travel Trend Taking Off This Summer ➔ 10 Travel Trends That Will Shape Summer 2026 ➔ 5 Trends That Will Define Luxury Travel This Summer ➔ Airbnb's 2026 Summer Travel Trends: Playcations, Hidden Gems and Nostalgia Trips ➔
Fashion & Beauty The Summer Color Trends We're Warming Up To This Season ➔ 27 Basics, Beauty Products, And Accessories That Are Coming On Every Summer Trip With Me ➔ 51 Items To Consider Adding To Your Summer Vacation Packing List ➔ 7 Stunning Summer Getaways—And What To Pack for Each One ➔ The Best TSA-Approved Travel Essentials To Pack Before Your Summer Trip ➔
Entertainment Summer Trips Inspired By Movies: 'Rocky,' 'Hidden Figures,' More ➔ Your Favorite Artist Is Coming To One Of These Cities This Summer—Here's How To Build A Trip Around It ➔ How To Plan A Trip That Feels Like A Nancy Meyers Movie ➔ Gen Z Drives Event Tourism Boom This Summer: Allianz ➔ Live Events Are Becoming The Main Event For Summer Travel ➔
Technology 15 Simple Gadgets That'll Take the Stress Out of Your Next Travel Day ➔ How Technology Is Shaping The Future Of Travel ➔ I Review Tech For A Living, And These Are The 7 Essential Tech Buys I'd Recommend For Your Summer Travels ➔ Uber Adds Hotels To Its App In Big Travel Swing ➔ How To Use AI Tools To Plan Travel This Summer, According To Experts ➔
Media TikTok Loves This Mom's List of Kids' Summer Break Duties ➔ 'A Great Board Is An Archive, Not A Shopping List'—This Is How Interior Designers Actually Use Pinterest In 2026, And Say You Should Follow Suit ➔ The Vogue Business TikTok Trend Tracker ➔ Move Over, 2016—This Summer, We're Turning Back To 2006 ➔ What Are The Cool Kids Doing In NYC This Summer? Ditching Their Phones. ➔
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