23 MAY 2013
Sneak Attack

Marketers make an impression by staging practical jokes

16 MAY 2013
Sounds Good

Art and tech experiments provide some auditory healing

15 MAY 2013
Share the Road

Smart design puts a premium on the safety of cyclists

14 MAY 2013
Just Add Water

Water-based workouts are making waves

10 MAY 2013
Knock on Wood

Woodworking becomes an aspirational hobby

8 MAY 2013
Put a Spin on It

Food and beverage vendors harness pedal power

7 MAY 2013
Drink Up

Alcohol brands employ innovative digital tactics

3 MAY 2013
First Fridays: James Kennedy, Founder of Apothecanna

Q+A with a modern medical cannabis pioneer

1 MAY 2013
Talk to Me

Language learning platforms offer new tools to improve fluency

30 APR 2013
Trash to Treasure

New initiatives help locate salvageable goods

29 APR 2013
Light It Up

Modern light shows quench the public's thirst for multi-sensory spectacles

26 APR 2013
Meditate Me

Meditation apps offer on-demand serenity

18 APR 2013
Turning Japanese

Traditional Japanese goods are revitalized for modern use

16 APR 2013
Guest Shots

New photo-sharing tools help couples crowdsource their wedding albums

11 APR 2013
Oh, the Horror

New entertainment content resurrects classic horror films

10 APR 2013
Waste Not, Want Not

Community-motivated services facilitate leftover meal sharing

9 APR 2013
(Do) Play With Your Food

Food becomes an artistic medium

4 APR 2013
In Their Shoes

Simulated firsthand experiences encourage an empathetic outlook

2 APR 2013
Vital Signs

Billboards give back, providing disadvantaged communities with food, water, and shelter

2 APR 2013
Now Available: The Winter/ Spring 2013 Cassandra Report

Special Focus: Generation Z

Pay It Forward
Doing good helps new businesses do well
Life / 31 Oct 2011
Along with transparency, social responsibility is one of the most important factors in shaping young consumers’ opinions of corporations and brands. Increasingly, given the state of the economy, Gen Ys are seeking to leverage their consumerism in more benevolent ways. Several new companies have taken note, creating new business models that are as focused on giving back as they are on turning a profit.
Community Collection: Groupon has proven that daily deal sites can drive sales, but perhaps something’s missing, as some shoppers report experiencing post-purchase frustrations, or even guilt, when dealing with them. Enter Community Collection, the first-ever flash sale site to donate 20% from every purchase to a worthy cause. USC graduate Brooks Cook had the idea to pair hip designers such as Alexander Wang, Helmut Lang, LNA, and Alexis Bittar, with charitable organizations like Operation Homefront, Flying Kites, Partners in Health, and World Wildlife Fund. Categorized into ten distinct causes with over 200 brand partners and counting, Community Collection may be redefining the meaning of “retail therapy.”
Cycle House: Cycling studios are emerging across the US, making it hard to differentiate one from another when deciding where to break a sweat. LA’s Cycle House sets its spin class apart by motivating students off the couch and onto a bike with the promise of charitable giving in exchange for cardio exertions. Upon the completion of each 1,000-calorie-burning class, the studio provides two meals for a needy person on behalf of each student. Group fitness crazes may come and go, but donating those fourth meal calories to someone who needs them sounds like a workout plan worth sticking to.
Soul Kitchen: Jon Bon Jovi conceived of his new restaurant after learning about Denver’s So All May Eat (SAME) Café. Not to be confused with your run-of-the-mill soup kitchen, Soul Kitchen is an experimental restaurant with a priceless menu. Patrons have the option of paying what they can or donating their time. Those who can’t afford to pay are encouraged to work in the kitchen, bus tables or wash dishes. Meals are nutritious and locally sourced, and everyone who comes through the door is treated with respect. Soul Kitchen has become so successful that it’s now recognized for providing patrons not just with hearty meals but also with a genuine sense of community.
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