Are you a vegetarian? Are you trying to lose weight? Or are you an eco warrior? Everyone is different, and everyone's purchasing decisions are influenced by different factors. A concept app called Disclosed aims to help you ‘shop the way you care’ – you'll never buy anything mindlessly again.

Over the last decade, brands have made a real effort to ‘go green’ – and they expect a positive response. But a study by Yale suggests that people are actually less likely to buy if the environmental benefit seems intentional. So how should a brand demonstrate its green credentials?

Less than 20% of Americans trust the government. Gen Y is demanding that authorities are transparent and accountable. Greenhouse, a plugin created by a 16-year-old, aims “to shine light on a social and industrial disease of today: the undue influence of money in our Congress.”

Beautiful craftsmanship and fine fabrics aren't cheap, especially given the 800% markup between factory and shop floor. But now that US start-up Everlane is cutting the middle man to make ethical premium clothing affordable, its ‘radical transparency’ could really shake things up.

Religious people can find that everything from ethical codes to long-term decisions are affected by their choice to believe. Yet despite the fact these belief systems hold such weight over those that adopt them, marketers and media outlets alike shy away from religion. Why?

According to the world of online dating, coming across as an arse to some can make others love you more. If having haters makes those who like you like you all the more, does the same psychology apply to our relationships with brands? And does it actually pay for a brand to rub part of its audience up the wrong way?

People want big brands to consider the planet as well as their patrons. Chipotle is ahead in this game, with the recent release of their app-game hybrid campaign The Scarecrow demonstrating the power of emotional storytelling.

Online retailer Zady sells products with a story. Founded by Ms. Darabi and her friend Maxine Bédate, Zady sells clothes dyed in a 1869 family owned factory, paperclips from a 1931 stationery company and leashes from a company founded by two friends who met while walking their rescue chihuahuas.