Back in the day when Doris Day ruled the earth, brands just used to shout at us their stories of whiter than white and cleaner than clean. The communication was pretty much all one-way as they blared away on our one and only screen, the TV. We had little choice, either tune in or turn off.

Of course today is not like the 50s. In the enlightened 10s, things are supposedly much more democratic. Now we speak of brands and people being involved in two-way conversations. Our relationships with brands are more sociable and we, the people, are in the driving seat.

You are welcome to share your thoughts on this article written by Ted Mininni, President of Design Force Inc, USA

Marketers have increasingly directed their messaging at children. Even for adult brands. Getting kids to endorse specific brands of cars, food and beverages as well as other consumer products has borne fruit. Kids have more influence than ever over the brands their parents purchase for them, and they have an increasing say over all family purchases in general.


You are welcome to share your thoughts on this article written by Tim Crow, Chief Executive Officer, Synergy, London

With less than a year to go to London 2012, Olympic sponsorship is virtually sold out, with over 50 partners signed up at global and domestic level by the IOC and LOCOG in deals worth $2billion combined. This makes it one of the biggest sponsorship programmes of its type in the world—it accounts for around one-third of total Games revenues—and certainly the most prestigious given that its members feature a plethora of iconic global brand owners such as BMW, Coca-Cola, Procter & Gamble and Samsung.