As the new post-pandemic normal settles in and people adapt to a context of uncertainty, constant adversities, and pessimism, we are moving away from a moment in which consumers expected brands to rise up to society's challenges and into one when they’re demanding genuine allyship from businesses.

Packaging doesn't just protect contents and indicate ingredients – it now talks like we're best friends. It’s friendly, cheery and even cheeky. But do we really want our food and beauty products to hit on us? What makes successful chatty packaging, and when do we want it to shut up?

Most parcels we receive are of the bland, cardboard variety. But Amazon is now using its packaging as an advertising platform, starting with bright yellow ads for the Minions movie. As people more actively block and ignore brand messaging, is this a smart way to get ads under noses and into homes?

Digitisation is helping brands and their customers communicate, forming narratives and relationships. Whether it's Netflix taking its viewers to prom, orAnchorman's Ron Burgundy reading the regional news, brands are manifesting in the real world, disguised as human beings.

Michel & Augustin is arguably the coolest brand the French food industry has seen for decades. But how did a tiny food company selling shortbread manage to compete with French food industry giants? And what strategy has the brand used to conquer French hearts?

One in ten women can’t go a day without using an exfoliating product. Frank is a coffee body scrub born in Australia, with natural credentials and a ‘cheeky personality’ that encourages its fans to post semi-naked selfies. But can it become a hit with Gen Y women worldwide?

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.

When it comes to food, it’s all about flavour – right? Canvas8 spoke to Charles Spence, the psychologist behind ‘gastrophysics’, to discover howallsenses impact on how we taste and to find out how brands are using packaging, colour and sound to radically alter our flavour experiences.

The US oral care market is dominated by the big four of P&G, Colgate, J&J and GSK. With its design-led packaging, fruity flavours and ‘natural’ ingredients, Hello is looking to take a bite out of their 72% market share. But is good-looking toothpaste enough to stop people buying Colgate?