# Crowd Creations Brands are using crowdsourcing to let consumers pick flavor and design. By [Hayley McGlone](https://www.trendhunter.com/hayley_mcglone), Manager, Client Research & Strategy | Published Aug 11, 2016 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/crowd-creations ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.5/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Crowd Creations trend? **Crowd Creations:** Brands using crowdsourcing to have fans pick a flavor or design for a product easily raise brand engagement with consumers. Utilizing social media to promote crowdsourcing, campaigns increase brand awareness since the brand and participants alike will be sharing the campaign on their various social networks. This signifies a new approach to loyalty in an era where consumers prefer authenticity to advertising; inviting consumers into the creation process enhances their emotional investment in the brand. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 29, 2016 to May 12, 2017 - Published: Aug 11, 2016 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Crowd Creations trend ### Crowdsourcing Brands are using crowdsourcing to let consumers pick flavor and design ### Social Media Influence Volkswagen's #PinkBeetle was named after its own hashtag ### Consumer Influence ZTE is asking consumers to build its next smartphone ## What the Crowd Creations trend means for industry ### For Food and Beverage Crowdsourcing and fan votes are changing how new flavors are introduced ### For Automotive Social media influences design decisions and introduces new models ### For Technology Consumers have a direct impact on the design and functionality of new devices ## Workshop question How much influence does your brand's consumer base have on your offering? If you were to make it a priority, how would you increase that engagement? ## Trend signals for Crowd Creations Trend score 3.5 out of 10, from popularity 56%, activity 41%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 56% - Activity: 41% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Crowd Creations trend 5 featured examples from Mar 29, 2016 to May 12, 2017. - [Fan-Picked Candy Flavors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/flavor-vote): The 'Flavor Vote' Promotion Allows Fans to Choose the Next M&M’s Flavour (Category: Marketing) Implication: The food and beverage industry can explore fan voting to innovate new flavors that cater to consumer preferences and preferences. - [Social Media-Inspired Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pink-beetle): Volkswagen's #PinkBeetle is Named After Its Own Hashtag (Category: Autos) Implication: Automakers can leverage social media-inspired car trends to create innovative marketing campaigns and develop personalized vehicles that resonate with target audiences. - [Crowdsourced Phone Design Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/phone-design): ZTE is Asking Consumers to Build its Next Smartphone (Category: Tech) Implication: Smartphone manufacturers can benefit from crowdsourced design by developing products that better meet the needs of consumers. - [Crowdsourced Snack Bar Flavors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raise-the-bar): KIND is Inviting Fans to Vote for a New Flavor with 'Raise the Bar' (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Opportunity for companies in the food and beverage industry to leverage crowdsourcing for flavor innovation. - [Crowdsourced Soda Flavors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dewcision-campaign): Mountain Dew Let Fans Vote for Flavor Return in the 'DEWcision' campaign (Category: Social Media) Implication: In the beverage industry, companies can implement crowdsourcing strategies to involve consumers in the flavor selection process, driving engagement and product innovation. ## Recent trend clusters - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Marketing - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Nostalgic Beauty Mascots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bliss-girl-series) - [Athlete Beauty Ambassadorships](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/athlete-beauty-ambassadorships) All articles: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing)