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FuturistU > Consumers > Consumer Behavior > Module 5 / 5

Consumers and Personal Brand

Instructor: Shelby Walsh
Social Media
Download the Social Media Trend Report
This final module in the consumer behavior course will explore how personal brand has become a 24/7 affair, how brands are successfully co-creating with their customers and how micro-influencers are driving authenticity. One of the key trends unpacked during this module is "Influencer Ubiquity" which details how consumers are curating their personal brands. It also explores thought-provoking examples from brands like Adidas who have increased awareness of new products and launches through the use of influencers.

It's not just micro-influencers or user-generated content that is making a splash when it comes to how people are behaving and their purchasing patterns, however. Celebrities are still playing an important role when it comes to shaping the preferences of consumers today; they're just using different platforms to connect, allowing them to strip down the layers between them and their fans. We'll look into how big names like Dwayne Johnson, Will Smith, and Selena Gomez have used visual platforms like IGTV and YouTube to reinvigorate their brand and provide inspiration on how your brand can provide a more effective platform for self-expression.
Related Trend Report: Social Media
Workshop Questions:
1. How can you provide a more effective platform for self-expression?
2. How can your brand become more authentic on social media?
View Innovation Webinars

Featured Insights

Influencer Ubiquity
The influencer industry is no longer limited to marketing and artistic spaces
Implications - From micro to pet influencers, the influencer industry is expanding to accommodate and transform a variety of spaces. With social media giving every individual the opportunity to make themselves "brandable," this shift directly correlates with the individualistic preferences that can be seen in any given group – reflecting both niche and broad consumer interests in a way that is inherently authentic.
Workshop Question - How could your brand leverage influencer popularity?
5.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends

Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Shoppable Short
Shoppable short-form video content enhances digital shopping experiences
Trend - Shoppable short-form video content and ads are becoming increasingly prominent digital strategies among brands across industries. This content merges traditional ads with modern tech habits--offering customers more engaging and convenient forms of online shopping.
Workshop Question - How could your brand more effectively engage customers with its online experiences?
7.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Latinx Platform
Content-based platforms are creating Latinx-specific offerings and benefits
Trend - Content platforms are catering to Latinx consumers with additional features and products, or reduced costs, in order to elevate these demographics on their platforms. This shift coincides with the cultural push towards inclusion and more accurate representations of different demographics.
Workshop Question - How could your brand better cater to demographics it currently overlooks?
5.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Private Socials
Emerging social media platforms are focusing on privacy
Trend - With criticisms around excessive social media use and the data-selling that goes along with it, some brands are releasing social media platforms with limited functions and privacy features that help protect users' data, while still enabling sharing between family and friends.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing the overall wellness of its customers?
3.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Family Content
New streaming services are prioritizing content for children and teens
Trend - Standalone streaming services are becoming more niche by narrowing down their targeted demographics. Now, emerging services are specifically targeting Gen Z customers with niche child and teenager-focused content.
Workshop Question - How is your brand shifting focus to better cater to Gen Z?
3.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Eco Organization
Apps help consumers prioritize eco-conscious fashion choices
Trend - With the fahion industry being an enormous contributor to worldwide pollution, some brands are releasing apps that help users make better choices when it comes to buying, repairing and generally extending the life cycles of their wardrobes.
Workshop Question - How is your brand prioritizing sustainability?
6.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Social Wellness
Social media wellness initiatives aim to counter some of its ill effects
Trend - As the negative impact of social media continues to be studied, businesses in this space are aiming to combat some of that bad press by prioritizing wellness initiatives and offering users resources that help them maintain their physical and/or mental health.
Workshop Question - How is your brand responding to criticism and customer feedback?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Digital Boomerlennials
The concept of Baby Boomers acting similar to Millennials extends online
Trend - 'Boomerlennials' refers to the phenomenon of Baby Boomers displaying behaviors typically associated with younger generations. Though this was first evident in spaces such as wellness and travel, it has expanded into the social media space. As a result, the aging demographic is seeking online platforms suited to their needs.
Workshop Question - What needs to change about the way your brand connects with Baby Boomers?
3.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
AR Holiday
Brands leverage augmented reality when advertising around the holidays
Trend - Brands are leveraging augmented reality technology to reach consumers at home for the holidays. These initiatives include product testing, demonstrations, and mixed reality portals to interact and engage with consumers.
Workshop Question - How can your brand interact and engage with consumers through technology?
5.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Adventurous Marketing
Brands are offering exclusive content to consumers through specialized apps
Trend - Brands are turning to content subscription services like OnlyFans to market their products during the stay-at-home era. While popular with creators and influencers, fashion brands, media publishers and others are just entering the game with exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and more.
Workshop Question - How can your brand utilize a content subscription service?
6.3
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
Virtual Lab
Virtual innovation labs let consumers test and design products remotely
Trend - Pre-pandemic, brands in a range of industries experimented with innovation labs where they could display and test their most innovative products and ideas with consumers. Now, they're doing the same but virtually--as retailers remain restricted with how they curate in-store experiences.
Workshop Question - How could your brand create distinct virtual experiences for customers?
6.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends