What does it take to become a brand people actually want to spend time with?
The Contagious Brands Report 2026 brings together 45 brands finding unconventional answers to some of marketing’s biggest challenges - from earning attention and building communities, to making products more desirable, embracing AI and responding to affordability concerns.
This episode reveals some of the standout brands in the report, from sunglasses sold in art-gallery-like spaces to tractors-as-a-service, AI film festivals and a pickle brand turning students into creators. Along the way, they explore what marketers can learn from brands finding new markets, new opportunities and new ways to keep people coming back.
We’ll explore
Why destination retail overindexes on ROI per square foot
How brands are designing products to generate stories and attention
Why some brands are turning employees and students into their marketing department
How brands can turn customers into communities, and communities into value
Why reframing value can be as powerful as changing the product
Why the thrill of potentially owning crab-soup sake is attracting Gen Z in Japan
If you work in marketing, you should almost definitely subscribe to Contagious IQ - an intelligence platform that helps brands and agencies supercharge their creativity by learning from the world's most impactful brands, campaigns and trends.
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