Designers of all stripes today are seeking social and civic projects that have a mission to serve the greater good at their core. Part of this growing trend stems from the desire to use skills for their highest potential. But the real payoff is the ability to use new design tools and approaches to help solve usability and communication issues in the social space at scale. In this O'Reilly report, Gretchen Anderson-VP of Product for a national non-profit...

Explores the subtle, secret influences that affect the decisions we make--from what we buy, to the careers we choose, to what we eat.

Copper Falls, Maine. The local junkyard is burning, and town pariah Lizzie Oullette is dead-- with her husband, Dwayne, nowhere to be found. Detective Ian Bird's inquiries unexpectedly lead him to a swank city townhouse several hours south. Adrienne Richards, blonde and fabulous social media influencer and wife of a disgraced billionaire, had been renting Lizzie's tiny lake house. As her connection to the case becomes clear, so too does her connection...

Pollster Mark Penn argues that the biggest trends in America are microtrends, the smaller trends that go unnoticed or ignored. One million people can create new market for a business, spark a social movement, or effect political change. In 1996, a microtrend identified by Penn ("soccer moms") helped re-elect Clinton. Now, Penn identifies the new microtrends sweeping the world, from Extreme Commuters and Working Retired to Old New Dads, from Bourgeois...

Filled with fascinating case studies; interviews; and insider advice; this essential guide explores how brands are identifying and leveraging the worlds most powerful bloggers; tweeters; and YouTube celebrities to build product awareness; brand buzz; and new sales. --

"Four-time New York Times bestselling author Gary Vaynerchuk offers new lessons and inspiration drawn from the experiences of dozens of influencers and entrepreneurs who rejected the predictable corporate path in favor of pursuing their dreams by building thriving businesses and extraordinary personal brands. In his 2009 international bestseller Crush It, Gary insisted that a vibrant personal brand was crucial to entrepreneurial success, In Crushing...

Joseph Armagh is a poor Irish immigrant who is determined to create a better life for his family. He arrives in America in the mid-19th century. Through personal struggle, heartache and perseverance, he becomes one the the wealthest and most powerful men in the country.

"Do you want to make social media your microphone to the world? Maybe you're a trend-setter or a social justice leader. Now is your chance to set out a path to social media domination. Face real-life choices that will help you learn about marketing, messaging, and what it takes to make it as a social media star"--