The importance of brand partnerships is now more critical then ever before. As more aspects of our lives are becoming more and more integrated with each other, it is also important for brands to create partnerships amongst each other.

When brands partner up with each other, it allows their consumer to get a better idea of the brands personality. The shift of power from brand to consumer in the past years has allowed the consumer to choose from a wide variety of brands. The importance for a brand to stand out amongst the crowd is now more valuable than ever before. A way that a brand can do this is by creating an ecosystem. This can be done through brand partnerships that allows the consumer to see what the brand aligns with and what the brands personality is.

Creating an ecosystem is both challenging and yet simple at the same time. The simple side is that the brand has to find another brand that aligns with their ideas and overall personality. This is simple because brands already have a strong understanding of who they are so finding someone similar shouldn't be too difficult. The challenging aspect of brand partnerships is making sure it is the right partnership. Doing extensive primary and secondary research to find out what qualities align best with their current target market. The partnership has to make sense for both brands and also both of their target markets, which ideally should be the same target. 

By creating these partnerships, both brands can strive and increase brand awareness because of the exposure from both sides.
 here to edit.

                For those already on social medias biggest and best invention Instagram, you've probably already seem some advertisements pop up in your news feed. It may have been for a movie, a consumer product good, or a political campaign (since that's just around the corner). Regardless, you probably scrolled down your feed and saw the advertisement posted as either an image or video posted and then thought, "which one of my friends is promoting the new movie Train Wreak by posting a 10 second clip of it, and most importantly, why?". After the confusing thoughts you got you probably figured to look and see who posted it. Not surprisingly enough it wasn't your friends, but the actual brand sneaking their advertisements into your feed. (If your anything like me, you probably double-checked to see if you randomly followed the Instagram account at some point. I'll give a tip right now, you didn't.)

                Now the real question probably is, "how do I stop this?". The simple answer, you can't. Additionally, you can probably expect to see a lot more advertisements and promotions sneak their way over to your Instagram feed in the coming time. 

                The positive side of this for consumers is that they can expect to see a wider range of customized advertising. Although many may find ads tailored to them as repetitive or annoying, think of it this way: Would you rather have an ad customized to something you are slightly interested in, or would you rather have random ads thrown on your feeds? The truth is customized advertisements do a lot for us. They reestablish our interests, ideas, and overall reflect our personalities. 

                 We can't stop these ad's, but with new and innovating products and services constantly hitting the market, wouldn't it be the easer and most effective way to learn about them is by sneaking one every once in a while into our rapidly updating feed? I say, show me ad's that will be tailored to my interests, just please don't overdo it.

         Once again the yearly Met Gala came and went but this year it left many of us wondering about some of the fashion choices presented by celebrities. An ongoing trend of go-naked-or-go-home really seemed to take first priority this year. It seemed that Beyonce, JLo, and Kim Kardashian received more recognition for their flawless bodies than their actual outfits. This year's Gala seemed to have an ongoing list of outrageous outfits and hairstyles to match. There wasn't any consistency with their wardrobe choices. Although the Met Gala is the perfect opportunity for designers to shell out extravagant pieces for their celebrity clientele, many of the outfits seemed off-putting and somewhat strange. 

          Alongside the extravagant pieces were also some very simplistic and minimalistic choices. Kendall Jenner, Jennifer Lawrence, and Anne Hathaway all opted for very simple pieces. So simple that it seemed almost casual. 

          Overall it's clear there was some mismatches in fashion communication. While some celebrities like Rihanna opted for an opulent neon yellow robe, there were celebrities beside her that were wearing basic black mini dresses such as Miranda Kurr. It seems like people attending the Gala are forgetting such an important aspect of it: THE INNOVATION OF FASHION. The Met Gala happens in the beginning of spring, a perfect time to send some new innovative designs down the red carpet and this years fashion choices were less than impressive.    

           Regardless, it is necessary to still think of all of those designers that put in countless hours gluing all those tiny crystals onto the majority of gowns that showed up. But hopefully Met Gala 2016 will be more impressive.

         The recent release of Apple's iWatch has brought a variety of feedback from consumers. But wearable wrist technology isn't something new. Samsung had released their wearable wrist technology that synced with their Samsung phones over a year ago. This continual development of wearable wrist technology by phone companies is attempting to reinforce consumers lifestyle beliefs associated with the brands. But sales aren't as high as expected. So why aren't consumers biting?
        
          Although wrist technology does have some benefits not supported by phone technology, the companies releasing these wearable bracelets have yet to tell consumers the point of it all. Both Samsung and Apple have stated all the 'cool' features that are available and how compatible they are with their phones/computers but what they are not telling consumer is why. Why do consumers need something on their wrist that has many of the same features as their phone? What is the benefit? 
         
         These companies are using lifestyle positioning to create ideals that loyal consumers can base their lives around. You obviously can't be a die-heart Apple fanatic without the companies newest gadget. But it seems like that is the only place their sales are coming from. Those consumers that aren't die-heart in love with their phone brands are more likely to not purchase it because they're not seeing the need for it. The prices of those wearable wristlets are also affecting those consumers who are on the line between to purchase or not to purchase. 
 
           Overall, these companies need to start stressing the benefits that everyone can get from owning these new gadgets. They also need to convince consumers what these arm bands are going to do that a digital watch, FitBit, or any other wearable technology can't do. Focusing on just the brand loyal consumers will continue to affect sales. Convince us all! 

            Many have probably already heard the devastating news. Marc Jacob official announced yesterday that the high end retailers sister brand Marc by Marc Jacobs is closing it's doors once and for all. The line featured Marc Jacob's iconic styles but as a more ready-to-wear line and also at a much friendlier budget.

          The brand hasn't been in the business very long, only opening their doors in the early 2000's but it seem that things aren't going exactly as planned. The brand has seen a constant downward shift in their revenues for quite some time now and it looks as though they're finally calling it quits.  

         But although Marc by Marc Jacobs is closing it's doors, that doesn't mean that we've seen the last of this label. Jacob is intending to integrate the sister brand into its original brand Marc Jacobs. Although this would seem understandable to some, others are becoming highly concerned for the brand. It seems too far of a stretch to integrate the two brands into one. Although they are from the same organization, the branding, target audience, and positioning is highly different between the two. 

        Although we do not know what exactly will happen with the brand overall, fashionistas are becoming highly concerned. Regardless, this isn't the last we'll be seeing of Sir Marc Jacobs and his creative mind.