UPLAND

5th Day of Innovation: Senior Activity Kits Most brands obsess over designing for Millennials and Gen Z, but they often overlook one of the wealthiest and most under-entertained demographics: seniors and the elderly. This group craves meaningful products that provide mental and physical engagement, yet their needs remain underserved. Imagine activity kits blending nostalgia, cognitive stimulation, and light physical activity—tailored to their interests and abilities. Brands like #Relish could create accessible, non-dementia-specific kits. Crayola or the LEGO Group could explore intergenerational kits to bring families together. It’s time to unlock the potential of this growing and loyal demographic.

Innovation Day 3 of 12: As a gamification nerd and pet parent, I’d love to see a Yuka-like scoring system for dog food in 2025. Pet parents often struggle with the lack of transparency in dog food, making it hard to compare brands. A third-party platform—led by a vet association or brands like PetPlate, Pawfect Foods, or Chewy—could score products on ingredient quality, sustainability, and nutrition, resolving this frustration. This tool would simplify choices for pet owners and push brands toward higher standards. Would this change how you choose food for your pets?

🎶 The Eras Tour has officially come to an end, and Swifties everywhere are feeling all the feels. Fans’ emotional reactions to the tour's conclusion highlight the profound connection Taylor has built with followers of all ages. Others are reflecting on the masterclass in #brand building that she has delivered. Love her or hate her, Taylor is undeniably one of the most powerful brands in the world. With the tour generating over $2 billion in ticket sales and an estimated total economic impact of nearly $5 billion, she’s rewriting the rules of engagement in real time. So, as we bid farewell to an era (pun intended), I’m resharing an UPLAND blog post from earlier this year. It explores how Taylor’s strategies—storytelling, community building, and constant evolution—serve as blueprints for brands everywhere. And yes, I’m an unabashed fan of her music. Like many moms, my interest began as a shared experience with my kids but has since grown into my own fandom. As a consultant, though, I can’t help but admire what Taylor has accomplished in the world of #branding. ✨ #innovation #disruption #marketing https://lnkd.in/g-TsPAiv

12 Days of Innovation, Day #2: As a parent, I quickly learned how expensive baby gear can be. Like many families, we relied on hand-me-downs, hunted for deals on Facebook Marketplace, and made tough decisions on what to buy new. The average family spends $6,000 to $12,000 in the first year alone, with gear being a major expense. Yet most of it is outgrown within months, leaving parents with piles of unused items. Consumers are seeking flexible, sustainable solutions, and we see an incredible opportunity for baby gear clubs. A service that grows with your child—offering premium strollers, cribs, and car seats tailored to each stage—could save time, money, and reduce waste. Brands like Loop, BabyQuip, and Happiest Baby (the maker of SNOO) are already innovating in this space, and bigger players like UPPAbaby, 4moms, or Amazon could take it even further.

Love this insight from Evan Millman! The shift toward all things experiential is clear—as are the opportunities for brands to innovate and connect with consumers. Excited to follow along with the rest of the 12 Days of Innovation series. 🎁✨ #Innovation #ConsumerTrends #GrowthStrategy 

Disruption isn’t slowing down, not by a long shot. We don't see that reality changing anytime soon. What we do see is brands that thrive aren’t just reacting to change − they’re anticipating it. That’s where #foresight comes in. Foresight helps businesses: 🔹Build resilient strategies that can adapt to multiple future scenarios. 🔹Create future-ready products that meet consumer needs as they emerge. 🔹Shape brands that matter, embedding values like sustainability and wellness to earn lasting loyalty. In her latest blog post, Jackie Holliday explores how Upland's structured foresight tool, DisruptorID™, helps companies to uncover relevant disruption, map trajectory, seize opportunities, and prepare for what’s next with confidence. 💡 Ready to transform your approach to the shifting landscape? Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gTXeCGZP Reach out to learn how we can help. It's not too late to impact 2025 (and beyond)! #Innovation #StrategicPlanning #Branding #BusinessResilience

We are so thankful for family, friends, our team, and our wonderful clients! #GiveThanks #Celebrate

How can you better anticipate and respond to what is coming? Some brands to watch in key areas: 1️⃣ Invisible Wellness: Under Armour’s smart clothing embeds sensors to monitor vital signs; Eight Sleep’s smart mattresses adjust temperature in real-time to optimize sleep. 2️⃣ Holistic Pet Parenting: Assisi Animal Health's Calmer Canine provides anxiety relief wearables. 3️⃣ Packaging That Speaks: Kraft Heinz’s personalized ketchup labels add a personal touch; Notpla creates biodegradable packaging from seaweed. 4️⃣ Smarter Shields: BioCatch analyzes typing and swiping behavior to flag anomalies; Zelle® uses AI-driven fraud detection to keep peer-to-peer payments secure without disrupting the user experience. 5️⃣ AI Takes a Bite: Miso Robotics Flippy automates fry stations in QSRs like White Castle; Nestlé AI chef platform creates custom recipes based on dietary preferences and ingredients on hand. Let’s connect on how we help organizations and brands map emerging opportunities and create #FutureReady solutions. #Disruption #Innovation #Trends #StrategicPlannig #Brand

As a long-time fan of paper folding, I’ve been eagerly anticipating trying these new to-go cups with a built-in lid. The other day at my local cafe, I gave it a whirl with a golden oat milk. I watched as the barista carefully followed the instructions to fold the built-in lid, featuring a patent-pending locking mechanism designed to prevent spills. This clever design makes sipping easy while also minimizing the chances of messy spills, perfect for when on-the-go. The overall shape of these SOFi Products, especially the spout, gives me Dr. Seuss vibes, but in a good way. I am curious to learn more about how it can be both recyclable and compostable. Their website claims it can naturally break down in about three months. I recently visited a thermophilic composting facility, and they mentioned how another brand of compostable single-use items still gives them a bit of trouble (long story, it involves crows), so I can see how this shorter span could be beneficial. Ultimately, while the best option is to drink from a reusable cup, I’m a firm believer in not letting perfect get in the way of good. Innovations like this pave the way for a more responsible future in food and bev. Have you had a chance to try drinking your favorite hot bev in one of these cups yet?