Change is definitely ahead and Mike Maddock and the Maddock Douglas team were at the Future Trends 2009 Conference in Miami, Florida to be a part of the conversation. Brands like Starbucks, Best Buy, IBM Corporation, Unilever and General Mills were in attendance this year to talk about the topic on everyones mind: the future. Among the many inspired thought leaders and concepts presented at this years Future Trends, Maddock Douglas found the following innovative companies and ideas had the exceptional ability to get our wheels turning:

Coca-Cola

Tom LaForge, Director, Knowledge and Insights

1) Happiness is what every brand aspires to be.

2) Its not who you are but how you relate to others.

3) What kind of world are you buying into with the brands you buy?

Coca-Cola had a standout presentation, examining the core beliefs and ideas behind Happiness and Other Concepts Your Business School Forgot to Mention. Asking What does your brand mean and how will it change, Coca Cola tapped into the heart of a now consumer-driven market and addressed why understanding it is so crucial to a brands success. Ultimately, a brand isnt just a brand. Its a choice.

Nokia

Ville Tikka, Senior Futures Specialist

Nokia presented The Morph concept device, a flexible, self-cleaning communication tool that utilizes nanotechnology. While nanotechnology is already used in foods, chemicals and fabrics, this utilization of stretchable, transparent materials for a mobile device is utterly groundbreaking. The Morph has the ability to change shape and ultimately size by using the same principle behind spider silkwoven, mesh-like coverings that allow elasticity, enabling the device to bend and morph without damage.

Motorola

Bruce Claxton, Senior Director, Design Integration

1)Technology based innovation vs. User centered design

2) High velocity human factors

3)Revolutionizing the Mission Critical Design process

Motorola uses observational research and insight to innovate communication products for police departments, firefighters and the likethe Mission Critical applications. And in these cases, nothing is more important than functionality. Motorola innovates for the sake of the market theyre servingnot just for aesthetic appeal. Demonstrating the importance of focusing on what matters, the insight and the quality of the product, Motorola innovates for purpose. At Maddock Douglas, an innovation agency, we see Motorolas insight as directly correlating with the actual quality of innovation. By considering the high velocity human factors, and gathering observational and application data and using real-life stories to develop concepts, Motorola is evolving toward the future with purpose-built design.

After all of the meeting, greeting and innovating at Future Trends 2009, weve decided the future is looking bright indeed. Are you ready to evolve?

Have you seen the new Maddock Douglas homepage?