2025 – Vanderbilt Business Review

When Memes Sell: The Power of Meme Marketing in Advertising

02

Dec

All Posts, Businesses

When Memes Sell: The Power of Meme Marketing in Advertising

imaginima via iStockPhoto The Rise of Meme Marketing In today’s digital world, memes have become one of the most influential tools in modern marketing. This is mainly fueled by the rise of short-form content, which allows brands to connect with their audiences more directly. Social media trends and memes combine…

Who Pays for Progress? Examining the Cost of Nashville’s Success on Small Businesses

22

Nov

By Gigi McMahon

All Posts, Economy, Nashville

Who Pays for Progress? Examining the Cost of Nashville’s Success on Small Businesses

Kirk Fisher via iStockPhoto There is no doubt that Nashville has become more than just “Music City.” Now one of the nation’s hottest tourist destinations, the city is experiencing a sharp rise in capital and developments. However, the small businesses that helped create Nashville’s vibrant culture and authentic appeal now…

Austin vs. Nashville – Where’s Business’ Biggest Boom?

21

Nov

By Claire Auffermann

All Posts, Economy, Nashville

Austin vs. Nashville – Where’s Business’ Biggest Boom?

Ong-ad Nuseewor via iStockPhoto Weather isn’t the only thing that's hot in the Sunbelt – so are the job markets in rapidly growing cities like Austin and Nashville. The cities are often comparable regarding their presence in the business world, but Austin recently has come to be known as ‘the…

20

Nov

By Nicolette Tolitano

All Posts, Finance, Technology

The Nuts and Bolts of Crypto

asbe via iStockPhoto Crypto moves faster than you can say crypto. But what is actually behind this revolutionizing digital currency? According to Pew Research, roughly 63% of Americans say they are not confident in cryptocurrency as an investment—but most can’t even explain how it actually works. 60% of Americans say…

When the Analyst Never Sleeps: How AI Is Redefining Work in Private Equity and Beyond

15

Nov

By Samantha Sullum

All Posts, Businesses, Careers, Finance

When the Analyst Never Sleeps: How AI Is Redefining Work in Private Equity and Beyond

metamorworks via iStockPhoto The Rise of a New Associate If private equity previously relied on gut instinct, twelve-hour Excel marathons, and interns equipped with endless caffeine and anxiety, today it is certainly bringing a new type of associate into the picture: artificial intelligence. This new employee never sleeps, and brings…

The Reusable Water Bottle: A College Student Ever-Changing Accessory

14

Nov

By Brenna Tucker

All Posts, Businesses, On Campus

The Reusable Water Bottle: A College Student Ever-Changing Accessory

PeopleImages via iStockPhoto As college students, we are prime victims of reusable water bottle trends. But just when you’ve pulled the plug and bought your Stanley, suddenly everyone has Owalas. The popularity of water bottle brands seems to skyrocket almost instantaneously, while their predecessors disappear from use. Of course, fads…

13

Nov

By Morgan Sweeney

All Posts, Businesses, On Campus

How Vanderbilt Volleyball is Building a Brand, Not Just a Team

Photo taken by Morgan Sweeney After nearly half a century of silence, the Vanderbilt Volleyball team is back in action at Memorial Gymnasium. The program’s restart wasn’t just about recruiting new top athletes – it’s about selling a vision, building a brand, and marketing the team’s success. For its rebuilding,…

The Future of F1 In The US: Is Nashville Next?

11

Nov

By Manuel Beck

All Posts, Businesses, Nashville

The Future of F1 In The US: Is Nashville Next?

dszc via iStockPhoto The 2025 Formula 1 (F1) season is near its end, and we have experienced a roller coaster of emotions: Tsunoda’s crash in Imola, Hülkenberg’s first podium, and Hamilton’s debut season at Ferrari. F1 has recently arrived at Las Vegas, making it the third American city to host…

Reformation’s Identity Crisis: How Private Equity Compromised their Sustainability Promise

10

Nov

By Penelope Fitzsimonds

All Posts, Businesses, Finance, Opinion

Reformation’s Identity Crisis: How Private Equity Compromised their Sustainability Promise

Chaosamran_Studio via iStockPhoto Most people know Reformation—if not for its sustainability and marketing, then for its signature aesthetic and prominent brick-and-mortar location, a physical store, on 12 South. Founded in 2009, Reformation was originally a curated vintage store which quickly began manufacturing its own clothing line. In 2013, they opened…