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I wanted to write a longer post that explores the idea of "Actual Value" vs "Perceived Value" as introduced in this Knowledge Project podcast with Rory Sutherland. I think this is a great axis to divide brand value and equity into two core areas. Most brand strategies would adopt aspects of both. However, a definitive call on which type of value you want your consumer to recognise would aid marketers in delivering clear and simple messages.

I recently returned to Dublin following a year living in New York City. Amongst many things, working and living in the city gave me a great insight into some of the latest and best brands currently making waves in the US. Below are some of my favourite items and trends that I came across in a whole host of industries during my year in NYC. I found it really interesting to see how my generation of "Millennials" can share incredibly similar tastes with older generations for certain brands and simultaneously there are a wave of new brands rewriting the rules of popular culture. For some of the categories, the products are going to be more male focused, just given what I was personally catching my own interests.

I often wonder in a modern connected world of Yelp ratings and online reviews, how do the restaurants and places with one/two star reviews stay open and compete? We live in a ‘Black Mirror’ type world where everything is increasingly rated and quantified for us. This certainly doesn’t bode well for poorly rated establishments. Surely, the negative publicity would cause everybody to turn their backs on the lowest rated local eateries and restaurants?

Hi, I’m Derek, I’ve never done anything like this before but I’ve got to come clean. I’m addicted to coffee. Wow, it feels good to get that off my chest. Is there a word for it? Coffeeholic? Coffeephile? Anyway I have attended this coffeeholic anonymous meeting to share my story with you, a tale of excess, staring at the bottom of coffee mugs wondering where the next hit with come from. Coffee became my life, caffeine controlled me. I’m here today to share my story.