Jul 21, 2026
2 min
They are soft, colorful, collectible—and often difficult to find.
“Squishies” have become the latest must-have product for children and teens, driven by social media videos, limited releases and the thrill of tracking down a rare design. But their popularity is about more than the toy itself.
Ellen Harrison, a marketing expert and Adjunct Professor at Hofstra University’s Frank G. Zarb School of Business, can explain why tactile products resonate so strongly with younger consumers. The physical experience of squeezing the toys can be calming and satisfying, while their playful designs and collectible nature give children another reason to keep buying, trading and sharing them.
Social media adds fuel to the trend. Unboxing videos, influencer posts and online “squishy hunts” expose young consumers to new products and create a sense that they need to act quickly. When certain colors or designs become difficult to find, that scarcity can make them even more desirable.
Harrison can also explore how retailers capitalize on fast-moving consumer fads and trends. Limited-edition releases, seasonal collections and carefully managed inventory can create excitement and encourage repeat store visits. Influencer marketing and in-store displays can then turn a simple product purchase into a larger experience.
The challenge for brands is keeping consumers interested once the initial craze fades. Harrison can speak to how companies use new product drops, collectible lines and customer experiences to turn short-term excitement into longer-term brand loyalty.
Ellen Harrison is available for media interviews about the consumer behaviors and retail strategies driving the squishies phenomenon and other fast-moving product trends.
Consumer products expert on the psychology behind viral retail trends.
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Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, talked to Newsday about Katie Zacharia’s five-day tenure as White House press secretary. He explained that the person in that challenging role needs to have a high level of credibility with the press. “It is a tough job, but successful press secretaries – and there have been several in the two Trump administrations – I think take a different approach, which is not the kind of bumbling approach that this press secretary took,” Lukasiewicz said. “You have to have a very deep command of the facts and policies of the president … so we’ll see who’s next in line.”
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Martine Hackett, associate professor and chair of population health, spoke with Newsday about health and wellness advice disseminated by social media influencers. People looking to make a lifestyle change are likely to look at posts by influencers. Dr. Martine Hackett, chair of the population health department at Hofstra University, said posts from these influencers can be helpful to people looking for detailed wellness information that they might not be able to get at a routine office visit with their doctor. “You can go for your annual health checkup, but if you are younger and don’t have a chronic disease, you might be told to exercise, but they don’t have the time to tell you how,” she said. “And you may not be able to go to a nutritionist or a trainer.”
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1 min
A Newsday story on the forecast for a warmer and wetter winter features an interview with Dr. Jase Bernhardt, associate professor of geology, environment, and sustainability. “We expect it to be a wetter winter, but whether that’s big snowstorms or tilting more towards rain, that’s harder to say,” Bernhardt explained. “More precipitation could mean more snow, but then if it’s not cold, then you have more mixed precipitation or rain.”
1 min
Mark Lukasiewicz, dean of The Lawrence Herbert School of Communication, talked to Newsday about Katie Zacharia’s five-day tenure as White House press secretary. He explained that the person in that challenging role needs to have a high level of credibility with the press. “It is a tough job, but successful press secretaries – and there have been several in the two Trump administrations – I think take a different approach, which is not the kind of bumbling approach that this press secretary took,” Lukasiewicz said. “You have to have a very deep command of the facts and policies of the president … so we’ll see who’s next in line.”
1 min
Martine Hackett, associate professor and chair of population health, spoke with Newsday about health and wellness advice disseminated by social media influencers. People looking to make a lifestyle change are likely to look at posts by influencers. Dr. Martine Hackett, chair of the population health department at Hofstra University, said posts from these influencers can be helpful to people looking for detailed wellness information that they might not be able to get at a routine office visit with their doctor. “You can go for your annual health checkup, but if you are younger and don’t have a chronic disease, you might be told to exercise, but they don’t have the time to tell you how,” she said. “And you may not be able to go to a nutritionist or a trainer.”
