# Crowdsourced Branding Obsessed consumers create homage marketing for wearable cameras. By [Michael Hemsworth](https://www.trendhunter.com/Michael.Hemsworth), Contributing Researcher | Published Feb 3, 2014, updated Feb 21, 2014 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/adventurous-cameratising ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.0/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Crowdsourced Branding trend? **Crowdsourced Branding:** Consumers are becoming marketers themselves by publicizing their use of products, particularly those that can be easily shared online. This level of intimacy creates a connection between consumers that's more community-based, which in turn establishes a trustworthy image for the brand in question. This notion of grassroots marketing is taking precedent as an effective way to garner attention without blatant product placement, which can be negatively received within niche groups that crave intimacy and community engagement. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Aug 15, 2012 to Jan 7, 2014 - Published: Feb 3, 2014 - Patterns: [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Many to Many](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/many-to-many) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Themes within the Crowdsourced Branding trend ### Crowdsourcing The crowdsourced branding, tourism commercials, design contests and Veronica Mars trailers all show a trend of crowdsourcing for content creation and promotion. ### First-person POV The parkour video and GoPro footage in the Canadian tourism commercial illustrate the increased popularity of first-person point-of-view for immersive experiences. ### Grassroots marketing The use of grassroots marketing, community engagement, and intimacy as a way to establish trustworthy brand connections is seen in the crowdsourced branding and delivery design contests. ## What the Crowdsourced Branding trend means for industry ### For Marketing All of these trends point towards exciting marketing opportunities that utilize crowdsourcing and immersive experiences to connect with consumers in meaningful ways. ### For Film and Television The Veronica Mars example showcases the potential for crowd-funded and fan-supported film and television projects to find success outside of traditional channels. ### For Extreme Sports The Red Bull Illume contest highlights the use of advanced technology like GoPro cameras in capturing and promoting extreme sports, opening up opportunities for innovative storytelling and immersive content creation. ## Trend signals for Crowdsourced Branding Trend score 3.0 out of 10, from popularity 45%, activity 37%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 45% - Activity: 37% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Crowdsourced Branding trend 6 featured examples from Aug 15, 2012 to Jan 7, 2014. - [Galvanized Sequence Photography](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/red-bull-illume-contest): The 'Red Bull Illume' Contest Shares Energized Sequence Captures (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The growing trend of sequence photography in competitions like Red Bull's 'Illume' presents an opportunity for innovation within the action sports industry. - [Crowdsourced Tourism Commercials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/canadian-tourism-commission): The Canadian Tourism Commission Uses Home Video Footage in Ad (Category: World) Implication: The tourism industry can leverage user-generated content to create immersive and authentic promotional videos. - [Crowdsourced Pizza Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dominos-ultimate-delivery-vehicle): Domino's Ultimate Delivery Vehicle Contest Asks for Consumer Help (Category: Marketing) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Food delivery companies can explore new vehicle designs to improve efficiency and customer experience. - [Cat Space Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hello-kitty-in-space): A Grade Seven Class Impressively Puts the First Hello Kitty in Space (Category: Tech) Implication: The space technology industry has the opportunity to capitalize on the DIY space exploration trend by creating accessible and affordable technologies for this market. - [Frightening POV Parkour Videos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pov-parkour): This Video from Ampisound is Both Thrilling and Frightening (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Sports apparel companies can partner with urban explorers and extreme athletes to showcase their gear being put to the test in high-energy and physically demanding situations. - [Crowdsourced Hit Film Trailers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/veronica-mars-trailer): The Full-Length Veronica Mars Trailer Will Have Fans Excited (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: The Veronica Mars film's Kickstarter success and theatrical release showcases the potential for disrupting the traditional film production and distribution model. ## Recent trend clusters - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Autumn Teasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autumn-teasers) (Business) - [Ambient Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/ambient-assistance) (Tech) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)