The Cassandra Report® has been projecting what's coming next in consumer trends, lifestyle and consumption for nearly 15 years. Over that time, it has remained the most critical business decision making tool for companies and brands seeking to engage the hard-to-reach youth market. So, it is with great pride that we announce the Fall 2009 issue, our 50th edition, of Cassandra.

In addition to the scores of insights that comprise every Cassandra Report, this issue will feature our NEW MEDIA guide, a comprehensive look at the social networks, mobile apps, interactive games and online video platforms that are changing the way we inform, connect and entertain. New media is a constantly evolving and confounding environment for marketers, so this report will help you identify and adapt to shifts in young consumer behavior, filter through hundreds of topical need-to-know statistics, and understand relevant pop culture trends across the digital landscape.

A few of our favorite items from this issue include:

Social Media Tastings: Want to experience a whiskey and cheese tasting but live in another zip code? This trend has people anywhere and everywhere utilizing social media, specifically Twitter, to join in on the fun and share their tasting experiences in the digital space. Services such as Twitter Taste Live have turned this concept into a full-fledged trend, giving interested parties the chance to sign up for a tasting, order the products being tasted, and participate via tweet in the actual event.

Square: Currently in Beta testing, this payment system application made specifically for the iPhone aims to make retail transactions as seamless (and paperless) as possible. Eliminating the need for a wallet, Square consists of a small white square apparatus with a card swipe slot that plugs into the earphone jack on the iPhone. When making a payment, the user swipes the card, and enters the amount, signature, and email address where the receipt (with a map of the location of the purchase) will be sent. As paper becomes increasingly dated, we expect to see an increase in consumers opting to get digital receipts which can more easily be integrated into their e-banking lifestyle.

Remixable Albums: In the latest race to leverage technology to rescue the music industry, labels are looking to the remixable album as a potential cash cow. The $5 Romplr iPhone app lets fans mute or separate eight elements of a particular song and mix in seven extra samples. Soulja Boy Tell 'Em released the first iteration of Romplr. Custom remixes can be created and saved for later listening and shared via email, Facebook, or artists' websites. Such artist-branded apps are opening the door to new music revenue streams while also facilitating deep engagement among fans who have become so accustomed to customization that they have come to expect it.

Besides the new media guide, this edition of Cassandra will inform you about the critical social themes (Macro Trends) that are impacting youth culture today and stand to alter the marketing landscape in the future. These include how young people are now living in the moment, embracing a movement towards HEALTHY HEDONISM; how Gen Y is seeing the world differently through a TECH-EYE VIEW; and how the down economy has spurred a HUMAN WARMING trend, where good Samaritans and marketers are lending a hand spreading simple acts of kindness.