People are willing to show support for social causes – provided they don't have to do much - and brands are finding new ways to tap into the strength of the herd. By re-engineering menial actions – from buying body lotion to having sex – there are ways to reward everyone.

From Just Giving Facebook updates to wearing H&M’s Conscious Collection, public displays of philanthropy have become a symbol of status. But does it really matter that these new do-gooders are motivated only by people seeing them do good if the outcome is still positive?

In his 2015 bookGamechangers, innovation expert Peter Fisk provides 100 case studies of businesses that have won the game, changed the game or even invented their own games via new strategies and innovations – from global giants to small start-ups. So what makes a game changer?

Public shaming is back on the agenda. From fears of being photographed eating on the tube, to apps that erase pics from the night before – the spectre of public criticism looms large. Has social media revived this age-old mechanism of control? Or can shame be a force for positive change?

What is radical transparency? Has giving become fashionable? How are social networks changing how we care? And how should brands talk about values?

Volvo's brand is synonymous with safety – it's even responsible for the invention of the seat belt. Now, the automaker hopes to show that even if you're not in a Volvo, it's got your safety in mind. LifePaint is a reflective spray to make cyclists more visible, but what do they think to this low tech solution?

The UK ranks in the top five most overweight countries worldwide, with 66% of people either overweight. Of that number, 29% of girls aged 5 to 18 are overweight, and 8% obese. A Sports England TV ad is encouraging women who are uncomfortable with their figure to get into exercise.

Cannes Lions Grand Prix winners’ creative genius is undisputed. Some stretch tech boundaries; others address tough issues. Post-recession blow-outs, an appetite for risk and a desire to make a difference are major themes for 2014's winners. But what human truths underpin them?