Mary Van Puymbroeck
Research Advisor at Trend Hunter
Toronto Ontario · Member since Mar 2017
788Published Articles
782.6KArticle Views
After graduating with Honors from the University of Waterloo, I joined the Trend Hunter team as a member of the Editorial department. My insatiable curiosity and customer service experience then brought me to the Client Relations team where I now write custom trend reports for some of the worlds leading brands. Fashion and lifestyle trends are my jam but I'm a sucker for a good tech or marketing idea. I also love to run fast, mostly so I can eat more chips.
Featured Ideas
Built-In Speaker Hats
The Atari Connected Life Speakerhat is Embedded with Audio EquipmentEmbedded Audio Wearables — Incorporating audio capabilities into wearable products provides new opportunities for high-quality sound experiences while maintaining portability.Naturalistic Laser-Cut Lamps
Marta Sansoni's Laser-Cut 'Maggio' Lamp Looks Like Woven BranchesLaser-Cut Designs — Explore innovative ways to incorporate laser-cut designs into various products and industries to create unique and visually striking pieces.Pop-Up Sitcom Diners
A Saved by the Bell-Themed Diner is Coming to Los AngelesSitcom-Themed Pop-Up Diners — Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create pop-up diners inspired by popular sitcoms to attract nostalgic fans and generate buzz.Wedding Photo-Compiling Apps
'Shoto' is an App That Tracks Down Misspelt Wedding HashtagsMisspelt Wedding Hashtags — Opportunity for innovative algorithms to track and compile misspelt wedding hashtags for easier photo sharing.Lichen-Like Carpeting
Mohawk Group Has Created a Collection of Lichen Carpeting Inspired by NatureNature-Inspired Carpeting — The trend of creating carpeting that mimics patterns found in nature presents opportunities for companies to tap into the growing demand for more sustainable and aesthetically pleasing interior design options.Cheesy Noodle Sandwiches
The New McDonald's 'Toastie' is Filled With Gooey Mac and CheeseGooey Mac and Cheese — Opportunity to innovate by incorporating gooey mac and cheese into various menu items.Austrian Cheese Bun Shops
Austrian Cheese Bun Shop Guschlbauer is Opening a Location in TorontoCult Food Followings — Capitalizing on cult food followings can attract young consumers.Rainy Tower Renderings
This Concept for 'The Boundary' Pictures a Gloomy Day to Set It ApartGloomy Day Renderings — Architectural renderings depicting buildings on rainy or overcast days instead of the typical sunny day to create a unique and memorable image for potential customers.Bag-Borrowing Programs
FRIETAG's Borrow-a-Travel-Bag Program Loans Its Bags For Up To Three WeeksBag-Borrowing Programs — Bag-borrowing programs can offer cost-effective, sustainable travel solutions for those who don't want to invest in expensive luggage.Statement-Making Beauty Ads
'philosophy' Launches a Campaign in Support of Mental WellnessSocial Good Marketing — Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create campaigns that support social causes and encourage meaningful conversations.Millennial-Inspired Concealers
The No Filter Concealer is the First Skin Item from ColourPopFull-Coverage Concealers — The rise of full-coverage concealers provides an opportunity for brands to cater to consumers seeking flawless, long-lasting coverage.Episodic Fantasy Merchandise
HBO's Game of Thrones Merchandise Collection is Now Updated WeeklyEpisodic Fantasy Merchandise — HBO Store releasing new Game of Thrones merchandise every week based on the most recent episode, capitalizing on the show's popularity.Q&A with Mary
What's your favorite accomplishment?
Running the Scotiabank Waterfront Half Marathon with my best friend.
How do you define cool?
It's a social construct. The people have the power!
What is your secret to uncovering trends?
Going out into the world, experiencing everything my community has to offer.
How do you reset to be creative?
I hang out with my dog and cat who hate one another but love me :)