‘Hamilton’ and Mobile Shopping During the Pandemic

This week, we’re talking about a surge in mobile shopping app downloads, Broadway’s way forward through the pandemic hiatus and a pro-mask wearing ad campaign.

More people are shopping on their phones during the pandemic. Shopping apps for mobile had more than 14 million downloads in the U.S. between March 29 and April 4, a 20% increase from January, according to App Annie. Younger shoppers said mobile browsing was their preferred mode to shop, while respondents 55 and older were less likely to say they preferred mobile shopping. (eMarketer)

Live-capture TV specials could be the next big thing for Broadway. With live productions mostly shuttered for the time being, live-capture television could be what musicals and plays need to survive. The success of Disney’s “Hamilton,” for instance, shows that there is demand for live-capture content on streaming platforms. (The Hollywood Reporter)

Vistaprint’s campaign, “This is not a mask.” The online print brand launched a spot showing kids playing outdoors and adults visiting their local haunts and all wearing face masks. “This is not a mask,” the ad says. “This is a sign of love. This is solidarity.” Along with becoming a mask supplier, the brand has also donated $1 million to the Save Small Business fund it co-founded with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and $500,000 to the NAACP to support Black-owned small businesses. (Adweek)

A Les Misérables reunion. Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman reunited for a Zoom conversation focusing on their experience filming 2012’s “Les Misérables,” which brought him an Oscar nomination for best actor and her a win for supporting actress; Hathaway’s show “Modern Love” and Jackman’s movie “Bad Education”; as well as Jackman’s turn hosting the Oscars in 2009. (Variety).