Essential Trends for 2011

It’s that time of the year when the experts tell us what we can expect for the next 12 months. To add to everyone’s enlightenment Thinktank have scoured Twitter for the best of 2011 crystal ball gazing. Beyond the bland and oft-told (everything is going social, people willl use their mobile phones even more, Apple will make lots of money blabla), we bring you our five favourite less obvious trends and suggestions for next year: 1. Use Your Pet As Marketing Tool Remember 2009 as the year of the Meerkat? Well, according to this biz expert 2011 will, apparently, be the year of the branded hamster, guinea pig or budgie: “Companies have new policies where you can bring your pet to work, there are new pet day care centers that offices offfer, and I think this trend will grow even further into ways to incorporate your pet into your business, whether it be marketing strategies, product integration, etc”.
— Linsey Tilbor, 5wpr.com Spotted on Business News, 50 Big Ideas, Predictions and Trends for 2011 and Beyond 2. Think Protein Judging by the number of Twitter entries, food and weight management are key themes for forecasters – and Trends included digestive health (number 1 in a list compiled by Research and Markets. Though apparently, proteins will be the No.1 ‘micro-trend’) http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/46bbfa/10_key_trends_in_food_nutrition_and_health_2011 3. Stop Brunch If you look across the pond for trends in eating out, you may be interested that in New York queueing for brunch will be soo over: “Brunch backlash: (Hopefully) in 2011, people will finally realize that waiting on line for an hour to eat poached eggs isn't worth it. Because eggs are never, ever, worth an hour's wait.” By Lauren Shocke, spotted in Village Voice Blogs, 5 New York City-Centric Food Trends for 2011 4. Get Married What about the really important trends though, I hear you ask - what guidance is there for people who are planning to get married - what ARE next year’s trends in wedding invitations? invitationcrush.com has issued its forecasts for next year and bullishly predicts ‘that patterns will explode in popularity in 2011’ ‘ 5. Have Cutsey Nails And finally if you worry what to do about nail fashion in 2011 Becomegorgeous.com er, nails it with these lovely Hello Kitty designs … There you go, you’re sorted! Happy 2011!