As non-traditional marketers and publicists we are fueled by a natural curiosity to uncover emerging trends, new sources of inspiration and methods of engagement to help inform our thinking. It keeps us sharp, our clients in-the-know, and the creative we develop feeling fresh and relevant.

Below are a few of the things that have caught our attention lately, and our insights about the bigger trends and opportunities they reveal.

Polyvore.com:
A user-generated fashion magazine (think paper dolls where you can take your virtual scissors all over the web to clip as many designer fashions as you can possibly unearth) founded by a former Yahoo! exec that has grabbed the attention of aspiring fashionistas along with a range of fashion labels and brands who want to connect with them, from Tory Burch to Nike to X.

Grow Insight: With Yelp!, Netflix and Amazon reviews, the Internet was initially about putting the power in the hands of the people with all opinions being equal. The trouble is, it doesn’t always get you to the movie, book or restaurant you’ll love. Personal taste is more nuanced than that. Sites like Polyvore take the customer review a giant leap forward. Yes, everyone can still participate and offer their two cents, but it is those users who have demonstrated their style savvy (as validated by the group) who are looked to by both brands and consumers for their expertise.

Prefab structures:
From high-end tree houses to schools to community smart buildings, prefab is emerging as a cost-effective and stylish way to build green. The interim Chrissy Field Center in our own backyard features high-performance classrooms, a science lab, an art room, administrative space as well as a café.

Grow insight: A thoughtful approach makes all the difference. Whether the environment being created is for an individual, a community or a brand, the space must feel differentiated, relevant and above all, functionally right for the task.