# Character-centric Branding Playful business approaches that project both brand and personality. By [Marissa Brassfield](https://www.trendhunter.com/Marissa), Ridiculously Efficient CEO | Published Sep 23, 2009, updated Nov 19, 2009 | Category: [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/marketing-strategy) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/peculiar-self-promotion-playful-business-cards-that-project-both-brand-and ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.7/10 - Evidence articles: 10 ## What is the Character-centric Branding trend? **Character-centric Branding:** As advertisements becomes more visually stimulating, eye-popping brand images that reflect both purpose and personality allow for more effective forms of self-promotion. By letting go of traditional designs and marketing ideals, clever companies can create viral marketing ploys that won't get filed in the round file. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 10 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 27 to Sep 17, 2009 - Published: Sep 23, 2009 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Co-creation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/co-creation), [Instant Entrepreneurship](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/instant-entrepreneurship), [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Character-centric Branding trend ### Character-centric Branding By creating eye-catching brand images that reflect both purpose and personality, companies can create effective forms of self-promotion. ### Customized Business Card Medium Incorporating unique materials such as beef jerky, X-rays, light-up circuits, and natural leaves can change the game of creating business cards and generate more memorable impressions. ### Interactive Business Cards Interactive design on business cards can act as the innovative edge that is now expected when presenting your brand or personal image to professionals. ## What the Character-centric Branding trend means for industry ### For Marketing and Advertising New ways of designing business cards that focus on character and interactivity can bolster branding strategies. ### For Printing and Manufacturing By pushing the boundaries of customized designs and materials for business cards, innovative disruption in materials, manufacturing, and design can be realized. ### For Career and Networking Business cards act as the first impression on possible future clients and they must be as creative as possible since it's a preview of what an individual or company can do. ## Trend signals for Character-centric Branding Trend score 5.7 out of 10, from popularity 84%, activity 79%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 84% - Activity: 79% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Character-centric Branding trend 10 featured examples from Feb 27 to Sep 17, 2009. - [X-ray Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/business-cards): 10 Clever Ways to Help You Stand Out in a Recession (Category: Marketing) Implication: The trend towards creative and unique business cards presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in graphic design and printing, such as the development of new materials and… - [Pop-Up Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-up-business-cards): Clifton Alexander's 3D Creation Features a Pop-Up Self-Portrait (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Graphic designers can use interactive and personalized business cards as a tool to showcase their design skills to potential clients. - [Cocky Self-Promotion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/google-me-business-card): ‘Google Me' Business Card is Perfect for the Pretentious (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The printing and graphic design industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by creating customizable and visually appealing business cards that incorporate digital el… - [Interactive Fitness Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/yoga-one-interactive-business-cards): 'Yoga One' Business Cards Turn Your Fingers into Thighs (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Leveraging advancements in printing technology to produce interactive and visually captivating business cards. - [Leafy Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tatil-design-natural-medium): Tatil Design Creates 'Natural Medium' as Unique Promotional Tool (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The design and printing industry can leverage customization marketing to offer unique, personalized promotional materials to clients. - [Toys as Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slickest-business-card-lego-custom-made-miniature-figures): Custom Made Miniature LEGO Figurines To Represent You (Category: Business) Implication: Toy manufacturers can explore creating custom miniature figurines for businesses to use as merchandise or collectibles. - [Light-Up Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/light-up-business-cards-sparkle-labs): Sparkle Labs DIY Kit Illuminates Your Contact Info (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The printing and stationery industry can explore disruptive innovation opportunities by offering customizable and interactive business card solutions. - [Color-Changing Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/thermo-sensitive-business-cards): Mumure Contact Creates Thermo-Sensitive Communication (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Printing companies can explore the use of thermo-sensitive materials to offer unique and innovative products, such as business cards and promotional materials. - [Beef Jerky Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/raw-meat-business-cards-your-details-seared-onto-beef-jerky): Edible Cured Meat Seared With Your Contact Details (Category: Unique) Implication: The meat industry can explore new frontiers of advertising and promotion by developing edible meat products as unique and entertaining business cards. - [Augmented Reality Business Cards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/augmented-reality-business-card): James Alliban's Tech-Savvy Self-Promotion is Awesome (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Augmented reality and digital business cards can transform traditional advertising methods and create new, engaging experiences for customers. ## 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)