There’s no doubt about it, consumers are cutting back. But some businesses are thriving, not just surviving in this uncertain economy. They are the ones who are up to date with consumer trends and the latest understanding of branding. Here are ten trends to watch, including 2009’s most influential Marketing concept....

Being asked to choose a name for a company is akin to being asked to name someone else’s baby – an honour and a privilege of course, but fraught with potential pitfalls… Agusta Wind, Faye Slift and Drew Lingidiot – its difficult to tell if these strange-but-true names are examples of bad planning or just plain bad parenting…...

If people have a clear, consistent idea about what you stand for, they let you rent a space in their heads. Customers, employees, communities and everyone else you want to engage with as an organisation will need to have an image in their mind of what you are, and what you can do for them, before this space can be let. Branding is key to any company’s long-term survival and market leadership....