1. trendwatching.com’s free Monthly Trend Briefing November 2012
PRESUMERS
The product, the story, the status: why consumer involvement with products and
services pre-launch is set to go mainstream.
trendwatching.com/trends/presumers

2. PRESUMERS Examples:
Definition:
In today’s EXPECTATION ECONOMY, consumers want the best, they want it MASS CROWDFUNDING
now and first, and they want real, human connection, too. PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
In fact, they demand all that. Thanks to crowdsourcing platforms and new
manufacturing technologies that are finally tipping into the mainstream NICHE CROWDFUNDING
(and a cult of entrepreneurialism at large), consumers are increasingly
PRESUMERS; able to satisfy those demands through engagement with
PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
products and services pre-launch*.
INNOVATIVE ‘PRESUMPTION’
Whether it’s all about the perfect product, or the excitement of being a
passionate supporter, PRESUMERS love to get involved with, push, fund, and
BRANDS
promote products and services before they are realized.
* Obviously consumer involvement in products and services pre-launch has been building
for years. Think co-creation / CUSTOMER-MADE which is still an active trend. But a
consumer engaging in co-creation is often looking to showcase his or her own design or
marketing talent, while PRESUMERS are primarily about getting what they want – ideally
a great product AND an amazing STATUS STORY – by getting involved early.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 2

3. Drivers | So why will PRESUMERS be more numerous, more relevant, more active, and more powerful in the coming
years? Here are five drivers turning consumers into PRESUMERS:
1. FIRSTISM: 2.STORIES: 3. BELONGING:
More, faster, better, Great story, Come together,
special, now great status right now
Consumers in developed economies face choice- Status has always been THE driver deep at the STATUS STORIES are even more potent if they’re not
saturation. Their response? Worshipping the cult of heart of all consumer behavior. When PRESUMERS simply about a great product or service, but about a
NEWISM, with its (legitimate) promise of newer, more, connect with a pre-launch product or service, and broader movement or cause that the consumer believes
better, special, faster and so on. support that project towards launch, it makes for in, providing a sense of belonging that goes beyond the
a great STATUS STORY to tell, tweet, post, and thrill of possession.
The ultimate in NEWISM? Consuming in the future
otherwise share. Now, many PRESUMERS are passionate about the
tense. No wonder PRESUMERS are coming together
around pre-launch products or services they love: by So, PRESUMING puts consumers one step ahead: not products they support, which is why Kickstarter (for
helping to make a product become a reality through only the status of having the right product, but also the example) can claim that a product idea is eight times
funding and feedbacking and supporting, they will be status of having been involved pre-launch. more likely to be fully funded on Kickstarter than sold
the first to have it – preferably with added perks – when and successfully launched through a US corporation.
it is finally realized. It doesn’t get more ‘newer’ or It also helps explain how US-based Razoo, an
‘FIRSTISM’ than that. early crowdfunding platform focused on non-profits,
announced in August 2012 that it had hit USD 100
million raised for projects it hosted on the site.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 3

4. Drivers | So why will PRESUMERS be more numerous, more relevant, more active, and more powerful in the coming
years? Here are five drivers turning consumers into PRESUMERS:
4. OFF = ON 5. NEW PLATFORMS:
Online is offline Disrupted funding, making and selling
is online...
Consumers LOVE online because when it comes to A platform for PRESUMERS has been building steadily in On to MAKE IT YOURSELF, and rampant entrpreneuralism:
online consumption, they can act (participate, talk, the biz world, thanks to the popularity of crowdfunding* first of all, there’s a new generation of small-time makers
create, adjust) to get what they want. Now, they expect and the MAKE IT YOURSELF movement, and to the cult who are using technologies such as 3D printing to
the same from ‘offline’ consumption. of entrepreneurialism at large. manufacture products, that just a few years ago, could only
First, some crowdfunding stats: roll off factory lines.
The pre-launch engagement that defines PRESUMING
• By April 2012, there were 452 crowdfunding platforms The cost of an industrial printer has fallen dramatically, from
facilitates that kind of dialogue. PRESUMERS don’t just operating globally, up from 100 in 2007 (Source:
around USD 800,000 in 1999, to around USD 15,000 today
pre-buy: they also buy into a two-way relationship in Massolution/The Economist, May 2012).
(Source: The Economist, September 2012). Home versions now
which they get to express their desires, and brands get • In 2009, crowdfunded platforms raised a total of USD
cost around USD 1,000 (Source: The Economist, September
valuable, early feedback. 530 million. In 2011 that figure was USD 1.4 billion. This
year, that’s on track to double to USD 2.8 billion (Source: 2012). Meanwhile, research firm Wohlers Associates says
And thanks to the 2012 Jumpstart our Business Massolution/The Economist, May 2012). the market for 3D printed products is currently worth USD
Startups (JOBS) Act – US legislation that eases several • Between launch in 2009 and February 2012, Kickstarter 1.3 billion a year; they estimate it will rise to USD 3.1 billion
federal financial regulations, and for the first time allows had no USD 1 million projects. Now, twelve projects by 2016, and USD 5.2 billion by 2020.
unaccredited small investors / consumers to buy equity have raised more than USD 1 million. Add to this the by now countless number of online
in startups – PRESUMERS in the US can in the near * Now, we need to talk INTENT here, too: while PRESUMERS entrepreneurs and innovators (TEENPRENEURS
future purchase equity in the projects they support. is about brands/business stating their plans for new products anyone?), and you’re looking at a true avalanche of small
That’s how quite a few PRESUMERS will actually and consumers responding, INTENT is about consumers and big initiatives that will forever look for funding from ‘the
stating their desires or purchasing intentions, and brands
become CUSTOWNERS, too. How big could this get? people’, while appealing to those who want the chance to
responding. You can think of INTENT and PRESUMERS as two
Well, if US citizens would invest one tenth of what they connect with a ‘special’ product before launch. Indeed,
sides of the same coin: brands and customers talking to each
gamble each year, that would equate to USD 55 billion not only do makers allow PRESUMERS to connect with
other before products and services are launched.
(Source: Fundable, September 2012) ;-) Other countries that special product, they let them tailor it to their individual
specifications. How’s that for the Long Tail of physical
to follow soon?
objects? ;-)
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 4

5. So who is PRESUMING?
As you’ll see in the examples below, PRESUMERS are drawn from all over the world and they’re
passionate about all kinds of products and services.
But it’s still possible to draw up a bit of a profile, based on September 2012 data on Kickstarter
users by Quantcast:
• Kickstarter users are predominantly (62%) male.
• 50% are between 18 and 34, and 20% are between 34 to 44.
• Almost half (48%) are college educated. That’s against 30.4% of Americans aged over 25 having
a college degree (Source: US Census Bureau, February 2012).
• 45% earn more than USD 50,000 a year.
In other words, PRESUMERS are mainstream consumers. If a little better educated than usual ;-)
Remember, more consumers are becoming PRESUMERS every day: we’ll keep tracking the
evolution of the PRESUMER profile, and you should too!
See the infographic »
A 1 miniute summary of trendwatching.com’s Trend
Briefing on PRESUMERS
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 5

6. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
The Porthole: Funded
Kickstarter: Platform for creative projects glass infusion vessel
Probably the best known crowdfunding platform, US-based Kickstarter bills itself The Porthole is a glass infusion vessel designed by
as the world’s largest crowdfunding platform for creative projects. Project creators Martin Kastner of the Chicago-based Crucial Detail
post details of their project, stating a funding target and deadline. Projects are vetted design studio. Intended to be used to make cock-
by Kickstarter. Meanwhile, backers pledge money in return for a “reward”: typically a tails, salad dressings, tea, coffee and other infusions,
promise of the product or experience in question. From launch, only US residents were the vessel was inspired by the shape of a submarine
allowed by Kickstarter as project creators; in October 2012 the site also opened to porthole, and the way such a porthole offers a, “win-
UK-based project creators. Backers are only charged if the project achieves its target dow on to another world”. A small batch of Porthole
funding, and goes into production. Kickstarter takes a 5% fee from the funding total of vessels were handmade at Crucial Detail, before the
successfully funded projects. By September 2012, Kickstarter had launched 73,065 design studio took to Kickstarter to raise funds for a
successful projects (think the Pebble Watch, Elevation iPhone Dock, and Ouya first production run. On September 4 2012, funding
Games Console), and helped successfully backed projects – ranging from technology, closed: Crucial Detail had raised USD 736,112 from
to design and fashion, to film and theatre – raise USD 377 million. 4,270 enthusiastic PRESUMERS.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 6

7. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Sedition Wars - Battle for Roominate: Engineering
Alabaster Game toy for girls
Sedition Wars is a horror-themed tactical board Funded in June 2012 on Kickstarter, Roominate is
game from renowned game designer and figurine a new, engineering-themed toy for girls. Motivated
maker Mike McVey (Studio McVey). Although by the fact that fewer than 11% of engineers are
already an established name in the games world, in women, toy startup Maykah designed a kit of
June 2012 McVey used crowdfunding to raise pre- wooden building pieces and circuit components
production funds, and build a buzz around the game with which a child can use her creativity to design,
pre-launch. Sedition Wars raised USD 950,000. build, wire, and decorate her own unique interactive
room. PRESUMERS who shared Maykah’s message
of gender equality – and loved the toy – funded the
product to the tune of USD 85,000.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 7

8. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
MATTER: Start-up funds for Like what you’re reading in this
long-form journalism mag Trend Briefing, but want more?
E
arl
Av P y-B
ail rice ird
abl
e!
Soon to launch, MATTER is a major new UK/ Trend Report 2013 (Released November 20)
US publication, focused on long-form journalism
about science, technology and ideas. A community Our 2013 Trend Report (just one part of the Premium
came together on Kickstarter to provide start-up Service) outlines the crucial consumer trends that
funds, and also build a pre-launch buzz around need to be on your radar for the year ahead. Split
the magazine. Benefits for these PRESUMERS will into major themes and featuring 40+ trends, the
include meetings with the editorial team and life-time report covers every major development in the (very
guaranteed subscription. turbulent!) consumer arena.
FIND OUT MORE & SEE WHAT ELSE YOU GET »
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 8

9. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
ToGather.Asia: Regional Cashew Chemists:
Asian portal Production for rock band
Singapore-based ToGather.Asia is the first Asian In September 2012, four-piece Singaporean indie
crowdfunding portal targeted at projects around rock band Cashew Chemists successfully
the region. Launched in July 2012, the site allows crowdfunded SGD 1135 from 40 backers on
creators to submit creative projects, which are Togather.Asia, for the production of their debut
approved by the site before being posted. Backers album. Cashew Chemist’s eponymous debut will be
can pledge money to projects, in return for the released in Q4 2012.
promise of rewards.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 9

10. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
DemoHour: First Chinese One Way Street Library:
platform Beijing bookshop re-location
Founded in May 2011 in Beijing, DemoHour is In June 2012 notable Beijing bookshop the One Way
China’s first crowdfunding platform. Operating on Street Library raised USD 37,000 via DemoHour.
the standard crowdfunding model, creators post The money was used to fund a business re-location
projects that backers can pledge money to in to Solana, a centrally-located shopping complex
return for rewards that include products, special popular as a spot for book launches and literary
experiences, and access to creators. DemoHour salons.
takes a 10% cut of funds pledged to successfully
funded projects. By July 2012, 70 projects posted on
DemoHour had hit their funding target.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 10

11. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Crowdcube: Equity Escape the City: Career
crowdfunding transition community
In February 2011 UK-based Crowdcube launched Companies that achieved investment via Crowdcube
as “the world’s first equity crowdfunding platform”. include UK-based Escape the City, an online
Small businesses seeking investment can post platform that helps professionals make career
on the site, and backers – who can invest as little transitions. In June 2012 Escape the City raised GBP
as GBP 10 – become owners of equity in the 600,000 on Crowdcube in two weeks, and now
companies they invest in. Crowdcube takes a 5% hosts a community of over 87,000 professionals.
cut of all successful fundraising. By July 2012 it had
raised GBP 3.7 million for 21 companies.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 11

12. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Indiegogo: International
crowdfunding Free Bread Inc Launch
US-based Indiegogo was launched at the Sundance In October 2011, Free Bread Inc launched, offering
Film Festival in 2008. Intially focused on film, the fresh gluten, nut, soy and sugar free bread around
platform is now open to creative projects of all kinds, New York City. The business was founded by
ranging from technology, to design, to community and celiac disease sufferer Karen Freer, and raised USD
charity projects. Indiegogo allows project creators 10,771 in start-up funds on crowdfunding platform
anywhere in the world to post a project to the site, and Indiegogo.
projects are not vetted. Money pledged by backers
is distributed to project creators immediately, and if
a project does not reach its funding target it is up to
project creators to refund their backers. Indiegogo
takes a 4% funding total fee from successfully funded
projects, and 9% from unsuccessful projects.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 12

13. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Who Gives a Crap? Toilet This Trend Briefing is obviously
Paper only the tip of the iceberg
Trend database + Monthly Updates + Tips
Launched in Melbourne, Australia in August
2012, Who Gives a Crap is a new brand of toilet
paper dedicated to building toilets in the developing
Our Trend Database (just one part of the Premium
world. Motivated by news that 2.4 billion people do
Service) gives you access to ALL our trends, insights
not have access to basic sanitation, founder Simon
and over 7,000 innovations we’re spotting on daily
Griffiths set out to create a use-every-day product
basis.
that could help change this. Who Gives a Crap will
give 50% of all profits to help build new toilets in the
developing world, forever. The new brand turned to FIND OUT MORE & SEE WHAT ELSE YOU GET »
Indiegogo to raise funds and support. PRESUMERS
embraced them, funding USD 50,000 of pre-sales in
50 hours.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 13

14. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Fundable: Equity Lulu Blossom: Beauty &
crowdfunding for start-ups skincare products
Launched in May 2012, Fundable is a US- Successfully funded start-ups on Fundable include
based equity crowdfunding platform for start-up US-based Lulu Blossom, a new range of all-natural
companies. Fundable aims to take advantage of the beauty and skincare products. Lulu Blossom raised
2012 JOBS Act legislation in the US, which for the USD 4,050 on Fundable in August 2012.
first time will allow non-accredited investors to buy
equity in start-ups. Implementation of the law will
not be complete until January 2013; until then start-
ups on Fundable may only offer “rewards”, such as
products or experiences, to investors. Start-ups
must provide a business pitch video, and are vetted
by Fundable before being hosted on the site.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 14

15. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Idea.me: Leading Latin Mi Huerto Urbano (My City
American platform Garden) Kit
Launched in August 2011, Idea.me is Latin Mi Huerto Urbano is a Mexico-based startup,
America’s leading crowdfunding platform. In August offering a kit intended to allow anyone to create
2012 the Argentina-based site bought Brazilian their own urban garden. The kit allows users to
competitor Movare, consolidating its market lead grow arugula, lettuce, basil, habanero peppers,
in Latin America. In its first year, the site grew from strawberries and many spices. With busy city-
an initial base of 250 users to 25,000 users, and 70 dwellers in mind, the garden is designed to be low-
project backers to 5,000. maintenance: growers need only add water and
nutrients once a week. By October 2012, Mi Huerto
Urbano had raised USD 7,000 of its USD 17,000
funding target on Idea.me.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 15

16. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Rock The Post: Crowdfunding Villy Custom: Fashion
& social networking bicycle design
Launched in October 2010, US-based Rock The Villy Custom, from Dallas, Texas, is on a mission
Post combines crowdfunding and social networking, to bring fashion to the bicycle. Aiming to change
allowing consumers to form communities around the way consumers see and purchase bikes, Villy
a start-up business, and provide funds, time and Custom will allow customers to design their “dream
advice, or materials in return for rewards. Users can bicycle” online, for assembly in Dallas. In September
also follow one another, and share details on the 2012 Villy Custom reached their USD 10,000 funding
projects they are supporting. target on Rock the Post.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 16

17. MASS CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
RocketHub: International Spira Stinger 2 Running
funding community Shoe
US-based RocketHub is a crowdfunding platform The Stinger 2 running shoe from US-based Spira
open to creators anywhere in the world. Projects Footwear is a lightweight running trainer containing
submitted can take financial pledges from “fuelers”, Spira’s special WaveSpring technology. The sole of
who receive perks if their chosen project achieves its the shoe contains two small springs in the forefoot
funding target. Fuelers can also vote for a project to and one in the heel: Spira claim this ensures the
be put forward for “Launchpad Opportunities”: these shoes cushion impact, and return energy more
are business and marketing assistance schemes effectively than any other trainer on the market.
offered by RocketHub, such as a chance to work According to Spira, runners wearing the original
with leading publicists. Spira trainer won over 150 marathons and major
races internationally. The Stinger 2 is currently
crowdfunding on RocketHub, and by early October
had exceeded its USD 25,000 goal, having raised
USD 36,160.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 17

18. NICHE CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Lucky Ant: Hyper-local Pie Corps: Artisanal pie
crowdfunding launch
New-York based Lucky Ant claims to be the world’s Pie Corps is an artisanal pie company that sells
first hyper-local crowdfunding site. The site – which quality, handmade sweet and savoury pies. In April
aims to let consumers help shape the consumer 2012 the company raised USD 7,150 on Lucky Ant,
landscape in their area – features one local business using the money to fund the launch of their first retail
a week for consumers to fund and support. Users of location in Brooklyn. The store opened in June.
the site can pledge money to their chosen business,
in return for rewards such as free products, and VIP
access to stores.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 18

19. NICHE CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Gambitious: Crowdfunding
for games Tink: Adventure game
Launched in September 2012, Gambitious is a Tink, a third person action adventure game from
Netherlands-based crowdfunding site connecting German studio Mimimi Production, is set in a world
devoted gamers to game developers. Gamers can in which everything is made of paper and glue. The
support video game ideas, providing funds and game won the Game Connection Europe Best Project
helping to build a pre-launch buzz around their 2012 award. Mimimi Productions started seeking
chosen games. Backers in Europe are also able to funding for Tink, and by September 2012 had raised
buy equity in their chosen game idea, turning them EUR 20,700 of their EUR 350,000 target. Mimimi
from PRESUMERS into CUSTOWNERS. Productions no doubt hope to follow in the footsteps of
San Francisco-based games developers Double Fine
Productions, who in March 2012 raised USD 3.3 million
on Kickstarter for their new point-and-click adventure
game, Double Fine Adventure.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 19

20. NICHE CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Wujudkan.com: Indonesian This Trend Briefing is obviously
platform only the tip of the iceberg
Launched in March 2012, Jakarta-based Wujudkan
Industry Trend Reports
is a crowdfunding platform focused on creative
projects in Indonesia. The site calls on Indonesian As a Premium member you receive instant access to
creative talents to post their projects, which backers 15 Industry Reports in the form of interactive PDFs
can fund by pledging money in return for rewards and PowerPoint - from Food & Beverage to Financial
such as special access to live performances, Services.
and credits on finished work. In May 2012, film
project Atambua 39° Celsius, posted by renowned FIND OUT MORE & SEE WHAT ELSE YOU GET »
director Rira Riza, raised USD 32,000 on Wujudkan.
The film tells the story of two Atambua refugees.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 20

21. NICHE CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
AppStori: App platform Trivi.al: Trivia & social app
Launched in April 2012, New-York-based AppStori Launched August 2012 after achieving its USD 2,000
is a niche crowdfunding and collaborative funding target on Appstori, US-based Trivi.al is a new
development platform for smartphone apps. The site trivia-based social game for iPhone. Users compete
takes the standard crowdfunding model and injects against one another to answer three rounds of trivia
more interaction between consumers and makers. questions, and can compare their “IQ Score” with
App lovers can search for and fund the apps they other players. The app achieved 30,000 downloads
want; and also make connections with developers during its first 30 days after release.
to help shape pre-launch ideas, provide feedback
on beta versions, and build pre-launch communities
around their favourite apps.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 21

22. NICHE CROWDFUNDING PLATFORMS (+PROJECTS)
Offbeatr: Adult The Importance of Being
entertainment platform Open Film
Launched in August 2012, Offbeatr is an LA-based The Importance of Being Open is a 22 minute
crowdfunding platform for the adult entertainment ‘dramedy’ about a poly-amorous relationship,
industry. Project directors can post details of currently seeking USD 10,000 on Offbeatr. The
proposed adult content, which backers can project creator claims his intention is to produce
support by pledging money in return for rewards. All a film that is sexually explicit, but also contains
proposed projects must result in a digital product, compelling characters.
available for users to download should the project be
successfully funded and go into production.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 22

23. INNOVATIVE ‘PRESUMPTION’ BRANDS
App.net: Ad-free social
ZAOZAO: Social pretailer network
nched in September 2012, Hong Kong based In July 2012 US-based App.net founder Dalton Caldwell
ZAOZAO bills itself “Your social pretailer”. The new wrote a blog post entitled “What Twitter Could Have
online platform allows fashion designers to post pre- Been”. The positive response prompted him to found
launch products and get funds for production via the App.net, a new, subscription-only, ad-free social network
site’s community of fashion-loving crowdfunders. in which users own and control all their content and data.
App.net ran its own crowdfunding campaign to raise
starting capital, and in the process built an enthusiastic
founding community, significant online buzz, and
mainstream media attention. By August 2012 – App.net’s
self-imposed funding deadline – the site had raised over
USD 800,000 from over 12,000 backers. The network is
now open, and membership is USD 36 for one year.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 23

24. INNOVATIVE ‘PRESUMPTION’ BRANDS
ZIIBRA: Pre-sale music
Cut on Your Bias community
Launched in February 2012, Cut on Your Bias, is Founded in June 2012, music community and pre-
an online platform where fashion designers are selling platform US-based ZIIBRA aims to let up-
invited to post product ideas. Site users are then and-coming and established musicians connect with
able to gather around posted concepts, customize fans. In the week before release, artists can upload
designs, and vote on their favorites. The most their new music to ZIIBRA – tagline “Play it forward”
popular customized designs go into production and – and make it available for pre-sale. The more fans
are made available to buy through the site: lucky who pre-buy the album, the lower the price becomes
PRESUMERS who voted for the winning designs are for everyone: turning fans who have pre-bought into
entitled to a 25% discount on the sale price. a community motivated to to become ambassadors
for the album, share their discovery, and persuade
others to buy.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 24

25. INNOVATIVE ‘PRESUMPTION’ BRANDS
Makeably: Custom-made MUUSE: Emerging fashion
creative items designers platform
Launched in Sept 2012, US-based Makeably, is Denmark-based MUUSE host designs from the
a new marketplace for custom-made designed world’s top fashion schools — with a focus on
objects. Buyers can search through designs in premium and hand-crafted clothing — for users to
categories ranging from clothes and shoes, to toys, vote on. Users can express their interest in designs
to household goods. Once they have settled on a exhibited in the “Concept” area of the website, and
design, a purchaser can then communicate with the the designs that receive the most votes are sent for
designer to make customization requests, and settle manufacture, and become available to buy as limited
on a price and a delivery date. The designer is then editions through the site.
responsible for manufacture and delivery of the item.
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 25

26. NEXT
No, not every consumer will want to be a PRESUMER, and those
who do want to be one, don’t necessarily want to be one all the time.
The mass markets of the future will still be those of zero-consumer-effort-
required products and services.
But PRESUMERS have opened the lid on a new kind of consumer
experience, one that revolves around getting the best and most relevant
products and services, and/or the status that comes with involvement
(from self-serving to serving the greater good), and the lid is not going to
be put back.
Need / want to get going with PRESUMERS yourself? Why not:
• Scan the platforms featured in this Trend Briefing for projects, firms,
designers, entrepreneurs etc. you can or should partner with. Bring their
products and ideas to your customer base.
• Set up a new community or social network that enables your customers
to engage with / support one of your products or services pre-launch.
• Partner with independent designers / makers. PRESUMERS choose the
best design, and you make and sell them. Or, if you’re an independent
designer / maker, find a big brand and persuade them to do this!
Basically, add PRESUMERS to your vocabulary, embrace PREDUCTION, not just production, consider
• Last but not least, follow the lead of major crowdfunding platforms, and
becoming a PRETAILER, and get going!
pre-sell at a range of prices. PRESUMERS may actually pay more to
get innovative extras, such as limited edition products, or behind-the- Meanwhile, we’re getting ready to publish our 10 Trends for 2013 Trend Briefing (free!) so make sure
scenes meetings / access to you. you (pre-)subscribe!
w w w. t r e n d w a t c h i n g . c o m presumers 26

27. NEXT
Enjoyed this Trend Briefing? Want more?
Click below and make sure you stay on top of all the trends, insights
and innovations that matter:
Previous Trend
sign up Briefings Trend Seminars
To receive our free monthly Trend Briefings Read all our previous free Trend Briefings, all the No time? Attend one of our exclusive trend seminars
by email way back to 2002! and hear about all the key trends, in just half a day.
Share tips Premium Service
Share this Trend Briefing your team, your Want to track and apply trends yourself? Click Need access to all the vital consumer trends, insights
clients or your friends, and make sure they’re and innovations? Our Premium Service is for you.
here for our top tips.
in the know too.
If you have any comments, suggestions or About us
questions then please do let us know. Just Established in 2002, trendwatching.com is world’s leading brands as clients, while our free
email: the world’s leading trend firm, scanning the monthly Trend Briefings go out to over 160,000
globe for the most promising consumer trends, subscribers in 180 countries.
ANDREA THORN
insights and related hands-on business ideas. More at
Head of Client Services
Our Premium Service counts many of the www.trendwatching.com
andrea@trendwatching.com