»  bytes from the bird

That's what was discussed, explored, and pontificated about at the 2010 Fuse conference I attended recently in Chicago. The Fuse community brings together brand strategists, designers, creative directors, and trend forcasters from around the world (but mostly North America) for an annual three day conference, and at this year's event, as in years past, there was a big emphasis on shopper marketing and retail branding. 

What made the biggest impression on me? It might have been the panel session in which marketers from Hershey, Kraft, General Mills, and Quaker gave their CPG perspective on the nexus between design and marketing: great packaging is the best marketing.