What's happened
Russell Brand's rise as a public intellectual and his influence on British politics.
Why it matters
The story is significant as it explores the intersection of celebrity, media, and politics, and the impact of social media on traditional media outlets.
What the papers say
The Times highlights the mainstream media's panic about elitism and declining audiences, while The Guardian discusses the excitement among left-leaning individuals and the speculation over Brand's endorsement of Labour in the 2015 general election.
How we got here
Brand's political engagement coincided with the rise of social media and the anti-establishment sentiment following the 2008 financial crash.
More on these topics
-
A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one seller's good or service as distinct from those of other sellers.