FuturistU > Innovation & Change > Adaptive Innovation > Module 5 / 5

Ideation

Instructor: Jeremy Gutsche
When it comes to ideation, people are often worried that they are sticking to the path and missing out on ideas that are so close within one's grasp. In this module Jeremy will walk you through a number of workshops and tactics that will help you extract better thinking from yourself and your team.
Workshop Question:
How might you incorporate workshops and brainstorm sessions to extract better thinking from yourself and your team?
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Insights by Trend Hunter AI

Smoothie Rush
Portable blenders enable convenient, wellness-focused daily nutrition
Trend - Portable blenders are evolving into performance-focused wellness accessories through lightweight travel-ready designs, USB-C charging, and leakproof blending vessels that support mobile lifestyles while sustainable materials and high-powered motors are also being incorporated into design elements.
Workshop Question - How can your brand develop products that better support consumers’ increasingly flexible and wellness-focused lifestyles?
7.3
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Functional Tumbler Blenders
Functional Tumbler Blenders
Ninja Introduces the 'Ninja BlendBOSS' Blender for Busy Lifestyles
Ninja has unveiled the 'Ninja BlendBOSS™,' a next-generation tumbler blender that redefines how wellness fits into fast-paced, modern life. Designed for people constantly on the move, it combines... MORE
Race-Inspired Kitchen Appliances
Race-Inspired Kitchen Appliances
Nutribullet® Partners with the McLaren Formula 1 Team
Nutribullet® has entered into a high-profile collaboration with the McLaren Formula 1 Team to introduce a limited-edition product line that merges performance-driven design with the aesthetics of... MORE
High-Performance Portable Blenders
High-Performance Portable Blenders
The Salter ActiBoost Has a 100W Motor for Quick Preparation
The Salter ActiBoost blender is an optimized portable appliance that responds to the popularity of smoothie culture as more consumers seek to optimize their nutrition from anywhere. The appliance... MORE
Chromatic Portable Blenders
Chromatic Portable Blenders
The nutribullet Flex Portable Blender Has a 7.4V Motor
The nutribullet Flex portable blender is the brand's latest appliance that's engineered for use out of the house to offer consumers who lead fast-paced lifestyles with a way to whip up freshly... MORE
Bean Beauty
Mung bean is used for soothing, plant-forward skincare formulas
Trend - Mung bean, a legume traditionally used in food, is gaining popularity in skincare for its gentle, naturally beneficial properties. Within the beauty landscape, this unconventional ingredient is used to help calm irritated skin, absorb excess oil, and aid in balancing complexions.
Workshop Question - How can your product strategy adapt to consumers seeking supportive ingredients?
6.2
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Soothing Mung Bean Skincare
Soothing Mung Bean Skincare
The mixsoon Mung Bean Seed Essence Relieves Uncomfortable, Red Skin
Cica, mugwort and green tea are among some of Korean skincare's most trusted soothing ingredients for calming irritated, red, and sensitive skin, but the minimal-ingredient mixsoon Mung Bean Seed... MORE
Depuffing Mung Bean Masks
Depuffing Mung Bean Masks
The beplain Mung Bean Cooling & Slim Face Mask Features Microcell Fabric
The 'beplain Mung Bean Cooling & Slim Face Mask' is formulated to support the temporary reduction of facial puffiness and the appearance of enhanced firmness following topical application. Through... MORE
Bean-Infused Wash-Off Masks
Bean-Infused Wash-Off Masks
The House of Dohwa Mung Bean Wash Off Mask Supports Dry & Oily Skin
The House of Dohwa Mung Bean Wash Off Mask isn't just another clay mask for removing impurities and excess sebum, it's a solution for soothing, balancing and nourishing delicate facial skin, and... MORE
Mung Bean Cleansing Oils
Mung Bean Cleansing Oils
beplain's Cleansing Oil is Lightweight, Moisturizing & Deep-Cleansing
Clean Korean beauty brand beplain bridges heritage and innovation by reimagining time-honored ingredients through a contemporary lens, delivering effective, no-stress formulations—like Mung Bean... MORE
Gamer Support
The esports industry takes action to make mental health care more accessible
Trend - Esports companies are teaming up with mental health organizations to provide guidance and promote safety within the gaming community. Through expert partnerships and campaigns, these initiatives aim to make online spaces safer, inclusive, and better equipped to support those who may be struggling.
Workshop Question - How can your brand ensure its social impact initiatives resonate with its target consumer?
5.1
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Esports Mental Health Apparel
Esports Mental Health Apparel
Team Vitality Debuts the KARE Merch Capsule to Support Mental Health
Team Vitality, a prominent European esports organization, has unveiled an exclusive merchandise collection under its KARE project aimed at supporting the Twisted Foundation’s mental health... MORE
play_circle_filledApproachable Mental Health Sessions
Approachable Mental Health Sessions
The Talk Squad Supports Gamers' Mental Health
Men’s care brand Harry’s, charity mental health service Shout, and UK organization Guild Gaming teamed up to create The Talk Squad to bring mental health support to the gaming community. With... MORE
Mental Health-Supporting Initiatives
Mental Health-Supporting Initiatives
BLAST Partners with Movember to Engage Esports Fans
Esports production leader and tournament organizer BLAST has announced a strategic partnership with men’s health charity Movember. This partnership focuses on supporting the mental well-being of... MORE
Esports Harm Prevention Programs
Esports Harm Prevention Programs
Ygam Launched a Mental Health Programme for Gaming Communities
The UK-based charity Ygam has launched an esports and gaming harm prevention programme aimed at safeguarding young people engaged in gaming and esports activities. This initiative is designed to... MORE
AI Companionship
Retail brands are using AI to create more genuine human connections
Trend - Retail companies are deploying AI systems that work behind the scenes to enhance rather than replace human interactions with customers. These technologies analyze consumer behavior, preferences, and emotional cues to help staff members provide more personalized and meaningful service experiences.
Workshop Question - How might we leverage AI to enhance authentic human interactions and create more personalized connections with our customers?
5.8
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GenAI Coffeehouse Companions
GenAI Coffeehouse Companions
Starbucks Green Dot Assist Helps Baristas in Real-Time
Being a barista comes with the challenge of mastering complex drink recipes and working with various pieces of equipment, and Starbucks Green Dot Assist is a new virtual assistant powered by... MORE
AI-Powered Retail Advisors
AI-Powered Retail Advisors
Lowe's Mylow Companion Enhances Service & Associate Onboarding
Lowe's Mylow Companion is a new AI tool for associate sales floor devices and it's poised to enhance the in-store customer experience and the associate onboarding process. The app quickly provides... MORE
GenAI Furniture Sales Assistants
GenAI Furniture Sales Assistants
Evoneer's Store Assistant AI Was Designed for the Sales Floor
Evoneer's Store Assistant AI is a first-of-its-kind GenAI copilot, specifically made for the modern furniture retailing experience. Store Assistant AI, purpose-built for small and medium-sized... MORE
Employee Support AI Tools
Employee Support AI Tools
These Walmart AI Tools are Being Rolled Out for Associates
These new Walmart AI tools are being rolled out by the retailer to help support its associates when it comes to a variety of tasks. The artificial intelligence (AI) tools are being launched as part... MORE
NIL Ecosystem
Collegiate athlete influencer programs expand beyond elite players
Trend - The Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) landscape is rapidly evolving beyond superstar athletes, with universities and brands creating structured programs to transform everyday student-athletes into micro-influencers. Rather than focusing exclusively on top-tier talent, these initiatives aim to democratize earning potential across entire athletic departments.
Workshop Question - How might your brand create opportunities for emerging content creators rather than pursuing established influencers?
6.3
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Dynamic Basketball-Informed Marketing Campaigns
Dynamic Basketball-Informed Marketing Campaigns
March Madness' New Campaign Features NCAA Athletes
Mondelēz International is making a significant return to March Madness with a dynamic marketing campaign featuring NCAA athletes and engaging fan experiences. The company has enlisted college... MORE
Varsity Influencer Teams
Varsity Influencer Teams
UNC Turns Student-Athletes Into Social Media Monetization Experts
The University of North Carolina has launched a groundbreaking initiative transforming its 850 student-athletes into social media influencers. Through a partnership with Article 41, an influencer... MORE
Esports-Focused Creator Programs
Esports-Focused Creator Programs
Team Vitality Unveils a New Epic Games Creator Programme
Team Vitality has officially joined the Epic Games Creator Programme, a digital endeavor that allows the organization's team members to reap the benefits from affiliate codes and other influencer... MORE
Collegiate Athlete-Supporting Brands
Collegiate Athlete-Supporting Brands
C4 Energy Signs 128 Collegiate Basketball Players
C4 Energy has made a groundbreaking move by signing 128 collegiate basketball players, marking the largest Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal in history. This initiative is part of the brand's... MORE
De-Stresser Beverage
Brands are replacing stress-generating ingredients with calming alternatives
Trend - Food & beverage brands are creating drinks designed to alleviate stress. This is achieved by swapping out stressing ingredients, such as processed sugars and caffeine, with stress-relieving alternatives, such as magnesium and lion's mane, generating healthier energy for consumers.
Workshop Question - How can we redesign our products by identifying and replacing stress-inducing elements with calming alternatives to better serve our customer's well-being?
6.6
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Alternative Energy Drinks
Alternative Energy Drinks
AVVIKA Delivers a Natural, Better-for-You Boost Without Caffeine
AVVIKA nourishes minds and bodies with caffeine-free energy drinks that help health-conscious individuals avoid undesirable side effects like crashes, jitters and other downsides of caffeine. The... MORE
Mental Well-Being Beverages
Mental Well-Being Beverages
The TRIP x Calm Cucumber Mint Mindful Blend Helps with De-Stressing
Calm, the number-one app for sleep, meditation and relaxation teamed up with functional beverage brand TRIP to create the co-branded Cucumber Mint Mindful Blend with soothing ingredients like... MORE
Viral Mocktail-Inspired Smoothies
Viral Mocktail-Inspired Smoothies
The Smoothie King Sleepy Girlzzz Smoothie Has Tart Cherry
The Smoothie King Sleepy Girlzzz Smoothie is a new item hitting the menu at participating locations that’s perfect for curious TikTok users to try out on their next visit. The smoothie is... MORE
Adaptogenic Alt Milks
Adaptogenic Alt Milks
Floatmilk's Original Oatmilk +Adaptogens Won a World Dairy Innovation Award
Floatmilk’s Original Oatmilk +Adaptogens is a premium alternative milk with a coffeehouse-style formula for creating rich, creamy drinks without dairy.   Consumers want plant-based milk... MORE
Sparkling Hibiscus Flower Water
Sparkling Hibiscus Flower Water
Amaí's Drinks are Rich in Flavor & Health Benefits
Amaí‘s Sparkling Hibiscus Flower Water is made with organic hibiscus flowers, a multi-benefit ingredient that has been incorporated into health and wellness practices for centuries. Now, the... MORE
AI Leadership
Artificial intelligence enhances manager support through emotional intelligence
Trend - Leadership teams are now utilizing automated tools to connect with employees and gain deeper insights into their emotional states. These AI systems enhance employee satisfaction by conducting surveys and providing targeted coaching, offering support that aligns with individual feelings and needs.
Workshop Question - How can your business utilize automated tools to enhance its company culture?
4.3
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Engaging Workplace Wellness Apps
Engaging Workplace Wellness Apps
This App Helps Managers Support Employee Mental Health
‘Kona’ is an innovative new workplace wellness app that is designed to be built into the Slack messaging platform, infusing it with a range of features that enable managers to do a... MORE
AI-Powered Management Tools
AI-Powered Management Tools
Zavvy Helps HR Teams with Talent Management and Development
Zavvy is a new HR tool designed for businesses who want to connect with their employees smarter and more naturally. The company is transforming the employee experience by honing in on four essential... MORE
AI-Powered Employee Surveys
AI-Powered Employee Surveys
Inpulse's AI-Powered Survey Platform Improves the Employee Experience
Employee engagement consultancy firm Inpulse is revolutionizing employee engagement using artificial intelligence technologies. The company partners with businesses to elevate their employee... MORE
Employee Engagement Tools
Employee Engagement Tools
Triibe Offers Interactive Newsfeed, Polls, Surveys, and More
As remote work becomes the norm, gauging employee satisfaction can be challenging as many employees, particularly newcomers, may feel hesitant to voice concerns or lack appropriate channels –... MORE
Seamless Engagement
Pop-ups that require minimal time to engage consumers are gaining traction
Trend - Brands are creating passive pop-ups, such as billboards or signposts, that beget consumers to engage with only a brief action. These are more engaging than regular billboards while not requiring much time from consumers. Additionally, brands do not need to staff these pop-ups, thus reducing costs.
Workshop Question - How could your brand benefit from passive engagement opportunities to enhance its marketing strategies?
5.6
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play_circle_filledHug-Activated Marketing Machines
Hug-Activated Marketing Machines
UNIQLO France and The Pull Launch the Hug to Unlock Ad
UNIQLO France unveils the Hug to Unlock campaign with the help of Paris-based marketing agency The Pill. The campaign encourages passersby to embrace in a hug to initiate a surprise by the brand. It... MORE
play_circle_filledIllusory Fry Billboards
Illusory Fry Billboards
KFC is Promoting Its Fing Fing Cajun Chips with a Clever Billboard
In China, KFC is promoting its new Fing Fing Cajun Chips with an optical illusion billboard that has people literally shaking their heads. With “fing fing” meaning “shake” in... MORE
play_circle_filledFood Truck Billboards
Food Truck Billboards
McDonald's Transformed Billboards into Digital Food Truck Displays
McDonald’s Sweden recently launched a new fried chicken burger inspired by street food culture. As part of the launch campaign, the fast-food giant transformed digital-out-of-home (DOOH)... MORE
play_circle_filledRecord-Breaking AR Mirrors
Record-Breaking AR Mirrors
Maybelline New York & FFFACE.ME Debuted a Large Interactive Experience
Maybelline New York worked with XR company FFFACE.ME to unveil a record-breaking augmented reality mirror with a screen size of 43,000 square feet on the side of the Gulliver Mall in Kyiv. This AR... MORE
play_circle_filledDeserted Island Billboards
Deserted Island Billboards
Silk & Spice Set Up a Billboard for Fans to Go and Find
While most billboards are strategically positioned in high-traffic areas to maximize visibility, Silk & Spice is taking a different route, opting to set up a desert island billboard and initiate... MORE
Melatonin Mint
Sleep supplements are being made in hard candy and mint formats for variety
Trend - Health & beauty companies that make melatonin-based sleep supplements are releasing these supplements in new hard candy or mint formats. These mints appeal to consumers who do not enjoy the traditional melatonin gummies, offering more variety for consumers who struggle with regular sleep habits.
Workshop Question - How could your company expand the available options for its products or services to appeal to more consumer preferences?
5.4
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Megatrends
Infused Sleep-Enhancing Mints
Infused Sleep-Enhancing Mints
Kikoko's Sleep Helper Mints Feature a Sleep-Encouraging Recipe
Sleep Little Helpers Mints from Kikoko are designed to aid sleep through a combination of cannabinoids and natural ingredients. Each mint contains 2 mg of THC, 3 mg of CBN, and 1 mg of melatonin,... MORE
Chewable Melatonin Mints
Chewable Melatonin Mints
Oh My! Mints Released a Sleep Time Formula with Melatonin, Magnesium
Oh My! Mints Sleep is a dietary supplement designed to support better sleep through a combination of melatonin, magnesium glycinate, and L-theanine. Each mint contains 2 mg of melatonin, which is a... MORE
Sleep-Supporting Mints
Sleep-Supporting Mints
Neuro's Sleep & Recharge Meltaway Mints Boast a Quick-Release Formula
Neuro is adding to its portfolio of functional chewing gums and mints with the all-new Sleep & Recharge Meltaway Mints. These vegan-friendly, sugar-free and aspartame-free mints were... MORE
Melatonin-Infused Chocolates
Melatonin-Infused Chocolates
ZenEvo Sleepy Sweet are Functional Chocolates That Inspire Rest
Anyone with a sweet tooth will appreciate adding ZenEvo Sleepy Sweet to their bedtime routine, as these functional chocolates are boosted by melatonin to support solid nights of sleep. The... MORE
In-Game Advertisement
Gaming companies are allowing non-intrusive in-game live advertisements
Trend - Game developers are implementing live billboard advertisements into their games. These advertisements are non-intrusive, meaning they exist in the game world but do not inhibit the players' interaction with the games. This is a value-add for advertisers while adding legitimacy to the game world.
Workshop Question - How could your brand ensure it is advertising its products or services through its best-suited medium?
6.4
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Megatrends
Clear In-Game Billboard Advertisements
Clear In-Game Billboard Advertisements
SCS Software's Truck Simulator Uses Real-Life Advertising
American Truck Simulator, developed by SCS Software, has introduced in-game advertisements for real-world trucking companies. This initiative began with Schneider National, a major logistics company,... MORE
In-Game Billboard Advertising
In-Game Billboard Advertising
Gameloft Enables Partners to Advertise Natively in its Games
Gameloft for Brands has introduced in-game advertising within its popular titles, including Asphalt 9: Legends. This initiative aims to create meaningful connections between brands and players by... MORE
Contextual Intelligence Companies
Contextual Intelligence Companies
GumGum is an AI-Powered Marketing Company with Dynamic Placement
GumGum is a contextual intelligence company that uses artificial intelligence to see and analyze the full content of a web page in a whole new way. It offers high-impact and dynamic ad solutions... MORE
In-Game Advertising Services
In-Game Advertising Services
StackAdapt Offers Engaging Game Advertising for its Clients
StackAdapt’s in-game advertising service offers marketers the ability to integrate their brand seamlessly into various gaming environments. This service targets a highly engaged and influential... MORE
In-Game Advertising Platforms
In-Game Advertising Platforms
Anzu Partners Integral Ad Science to Legitimize Gaming Ads
Anzu, a leading in-game advertising platform, has teamed up with verification standard company Integral Ad Science to legitimize gaming ads by standardizing measurement tools, further establishing... MORE