Du bonheur d’être fan
Fan de hockey, de Britney ou… de tueurs en série. Fini le temps où on levait le nez sur les fans et leurs groupes. … More Du bonheur d’être fan »
The dark appeal of Coronavirus-themed toys
Late last July, mindless social media scrolling led me to an ad for something called the Mysterious Doctor Plague. This turned out to be … More The dark appeal of Coronavirus-themed toys »
Adjacent | ‘It’s So Cute I’m Gonna Die!’: Manipulation and Violence in Designing the Adorable
From the key elements that make a stuffed animal lovable, to the aggression behind our affection for babies and puppies, an article that deconstructs … More Adjacent | ‘It’s So Cute I’m Gonna Die!’: Manipulation and Violence in Designing the Adorable »
Why these Harry Potter fans are standing with the LGBTQ community against a J.K. Rowling tweet
Organizers called it an unusually good turnout for their niche activist group, in which fans of J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world promote literacy, human rights … More Why these Harry Potter fans are standing with the LGBTQ community against a J.K. Rowling tweet »
Como os fãs de Harry Potter livraram o Sapo de Chocolate da mão de obra escrava
Até a década passada, a mente de fãs era pouco compreendida por executivos à frente de empresas que alimentam o mercado da cultura pop. … More Como os fãs de Harry Potter livraram o Sapo de Chocolate da mão de obra escrava »
HuffPost | How Reality TV And ‘Everydayness’ Redefined Celebrity
While superstars like Beyonce and Marilyn Monroe found stardom in the traditional sense, the Kardashians gained popularity through a whole new medium. Here’s how … More HuffPost | How Reality TV And ‘Everydayness’ Redefined Celebrity »
HuffPost Between The Lines | How Celebrity Fandom Can Make You Happier
Do you ever feel like you’re friends with celebrities you don’t know? Here are some psychological and historical reasons why that may not be … More HuffPost Between The Lines | How Celebrity Fandom Can Make You Happier »
The Atlantic | Instagram Has a Massive Harassment Problem
When Brandon Farbstein first joined Instagram in 2014, he was 14 and optimistic. Farbstein was born with a rare form of dwarfism, and he … More The Atlantic | Instagram Has a Massive Harassment Problem »
MGMT Magazine: Superfandom: un libro racconta come l’ossessione dei superfan abbia conquistato il mondo
I consumatori alfa della nostra società. Così vengono definiti i fan, o meglio i ‘super fan’, persone talmente appassionate da un prodotto, o da … More MGMT Magazine: Superfandom: un libro racconta come l’ossessione dei superfan abbia conquistato il mondo »
The Times of India | Sport India and its fandom menace
February 2003, Durban, South Africa: The ICC Cricket World Cup was in full swing and ahead of India’s much-hyped clash with England, I found … More The Times of India | Sport India and its fandom menace »
JHU Engineering | The New World of ‘Superfans’
What do you do when you’ve founded a successful company and an unexpectedly strong online culture arises that threatens to overwhelm your carefully curated … More JHU Engineering | The New World of ‘Superfans’ »
LA Review of Books | Cosplay and Clotted Cream: The Lasting Appeal of Jane Austen
DURING MY DAYS in middle school in the rural Midwest, I accompanied my friend Beth to several of her father’s Civil War reenactments. Along … More LA Review of Books | Cosplay and Clotted Cream: The Lasting Appeal of Jane Austen »
Quartz | Spotify and Kylie Minogue Reminded Me That I’m a Fan, Not Just a Click
So it turns out I’m one of the top Kylie Minogue listeners on Spotify. I found this out one morning recently, when I sleepily opened … More Quartz | Spotify and Kylie Minogue Reminded Me That I’m a Fan, Not Just a Click »
The Verge | How Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program toys with the passions of fandom
Being a fan is a matter of life and death. The day of Ticketmaster’s presale for Taylor Swift’s upcoming Reputation tour, one fan wrote on Tumblr, “When … More The Verge | How Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan program toys with the passions of fandom »
Up This Way | Superfandom
Fans create the world around us. And that’s even more so in the digital age where creators, athletes, companies – whoever – can communicate … More Up This Way | Superfandom »
CNET | Things work differently for YouTube celebrities. It’s all about the devoted fan base.
It’s a different story for traditional celebrities, who often all but vanish after massive scandals. Movie star Mel Gibson kept a low profile for … More CNET | Things work differently for YouTube celebrities. It’s all about the devoted fan base. »
Buzzfeed | This Year’s Best Books For Everyone In Your Life
Speaking of history, two books cross genre lines to examine social and cultural concepts through music: Ann Powers’ Good Booty: Love and Sex, Black … More Buzzfeed | This Year’s Best Books For Everyone In Your Life »
The Daily Fandom | #amreading — Superfandom: A Book About All Things Fandom!
The entire book is stellar, and the storytelling is marvelous throughout. It is more of a ride through fandom-try than anything else. Not only … More The Daily Fandom | #amreading — Superfandom: A Book About All Things Fandom! »
Financial Express | Magnificent obsessions: Book Review on Super Fandom by Zoe Fraade-Blanar and Aaron M Glazer
An entire episode of popular television series The Big Bang Theory centres on the main character, Sheldon, obsessing over a vintage 1975 Mego Star … More Financial Express | Magnificent obsessions: Book Review on Super Fandom by Zoe Fraade-Blanar and Aaron M Glazer »
MGMT Magazine | Superfandom: un libro racconta come l’ossessione dei superfan abbia conquistato il mondo
I consumatori alfa della nostra società. Così vengono definiti i fan, o meglio i ‘super fan’, persone talmente appassionate da un prodotto, o da … More MGMT Magazine | Superfandom: un libro racconta come l’ossessione dei superfan abbia conquistato il mondo »
Inside Higher Ed | ‘Superfandom’, Audiobooks, and Audible.com
Are you a superfan? Is there a particular service, product, company, or activity in which you are unreasonably obsessed? If so, you may want … More Inside Higher Ed | ‘Superfandom’, Audiobooks, and Audible.com »
Marketing Daily | What’s Driving A Sense Of Ownership In The Stories We Follow?
Engagement in the participation age has evolved. Over the past few years, new online tools and platforms have emerged which have enabled communicators to … More Marketing Daily | What’s Driving A Sense Of Ownership In The Stories We Follow? »
The Verge | Watching a TV show no one else likes has never been lonelier
In 2015, when Netflix debuted Bloodline, I didn’t think I was taking much of a risk by investing my time. Here was a moody … More The Verge | Watching a TV show no one else likes has never been lonelier »
Business Line | It’s all about hooking the buyer
A book looks at how brands go about perpetuating their existence in admiring hearts and minds Engaging customers is one of the biggest concerns … More Business Line | It’s all about hooking the buyer »
North Star Podcast
Authors Zoe Fraade-Blanar and Aaron Glazer delve into the history, sociology and psychology of fan culture, and how it impacts business. In this episode, … More North Star Podcast »
The Business Standard | The rise of the random ‘superfan’
Superfandom How Our Obsessions are Changing What We Buy and Who We Are Aaron M Glazer and Zoe Fraade-Blanar Hachette 318 pages; Rs 499 … More The Business Standard | The rise of the random ‘superfan’ »
Wired: How businesses can turn one-off customers into loyal fans
When does a loyal consumer become a dedicated fan? Zoe Fraade-Blanar and Aaron M Glazer, authors and founders of US toy firm Squishable, have … More Wired: How businesses can turn one-off customers into loyal fans »
Innovation Hub | The Rise Of The Superfan
Okay, yes, you might have a poster of your favorite band on your wall. But, do you follow them on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook? … More Innovation Hub | The Rise Of The Superfan »
Johns Hopkins Magazine: Book review
Squishables, the stuffed-animal company Fraade-Blanar, Engr ’02, and Glazer, A&S ’02 (BA/MA), founded in 2007, uses its online fans to develop new products. With … More Johns Hopkins Magazine: Book review »
KFNN, Business for Breakfast
Full Interview:
Monacle | What’s the Role of a Fan?
In the good old days fans tended to adore from behind a barrier but now the lines between them and their adored subject have … More Monacle | What’s the Role of a Fan? »
The Daily Beast: Being a Cumberbitch Is Good for You
I like the BBC show Sherlock. I mean, I really really like it. I shame acquaintances I have no business in shaming for refusing … More The Daily Beast: Being a Cumberbitch Is Good for You »
Quartz | “May the Fourth be with you”: What the “Star Wars” holiday can teach us about brand loyalty
May the Fourth be with you! Today is Star Wars Day, the fan-created international celebration of all things Jedi. (Fans of the Dark Side … More Quartz | “May the Fourth be with you”: What the “Star Wars” holiday can teach us about brand loyalty »
WHYY: NFL Draft; “Superfandom”
The 2017 NFL draft is in town. Thousands of football fans and draft pick hopefuls from around the country have taken over the Benjamin … More WHYY: NFL Draft; “Superfandom” »
Huffington Post: The Connection Between Fans and Brands Continues to Evolve
Watching football, whether at home or in person at a game, is more fun when using the #mondaynightfootball hashtag. Dressing up as the anime … More Huffington Post: The Connection Between Fans and Brands Continues to Evolve »
Quartz: Pro-wrestling fans are experts on authenticity
On the afternoon of May 26, 1987, a New Jersey state trooper doing routine stops on the Garden State Parkway pulled over a rental … More Quartz: Pro-wrestling fans are experts on authenticity »
Twin Cities Business | Book Review
Collect them all. Those three words put a smile on every marketer’s face and fear in every parent’s heart. “Collect them all,” as … More Twin Cities Business | Book Review »
KUOW: The Record
We’re talking about plans this hour. First, a plan to keep you away from your cell phone and your tablet while you’re driving. Also, … More KUOW: The Record »
KPCC: How zealous fans are creating a new type of business and marketing model
Defined as a community or subculture united by its obsession with some aspect of pop culture, fandom has also become a driving force for … More KPCC: How zealous fans are creating a new type of business and marketing model »
Apple News: What should everyone know about the psychology and sociology of fandom?
For the best reading experience, open this story on a device with Apple News. It may also be available on the publisher’s website. [Read … More Apple News: What should everyone know about the psychology and sociology of fandom? »
Marketplace Weekend: ‘Superfandom’ looks at the economic power of fans
The new book “Superfandom,” written by Zoe Fraade-Blanar and Aaron M. Glazer, explores the powerful ways fans can influence business. Sometimes it’s in support … More Marketplace Weekend: ‘Superfandom’ looks at the economic power of fans »
Huffington Post: When Does Fan Devotion to a Favored Celebrity Become a Problem?
We’re often asked if fandom is just a form of marketing. In a way, yes. At the heart of almost every fan object, these … More Huffington Post: When Does Fan Devotion to a Favored Celebrity Become a Problem? »
Inc | The Future of the Brands and Fans Digital Connection
Watching football, whether at home or in person at a game, is more fun when using the #mondaynightfootball hashtag. Dressing up as the anime … More Inc | The Future of the Brands and Fans Digital Connection »
Psychology Today: Superfandom as its Contents
Each time Justin Bieber launches a new CD, his fans organize a “buyout.” They march through Kmarts and Best Buys in an attempt to propel … More Psychology Today: Superfandom as its Contents »
Boing Boing | Ikea vs Superfans: how paranoid trademark lawyers make everything suck
In 2014, IKEA, the Swedish-based global furniture company, sent a cease-and-desist letter to a blogger by the name of Jules Yap. Yap ran the … More Boing Boing | Ikea vs Superfans: how paranoid trademark lawyers make everything suck »
Inc. : How Warren Buffett Built a Massive Base of Superfans
In their book, Superfandom: How Our Obsessions Are Changing What We Buy and Who We Are, authors and cofounders of toy company Squishable Zoe … More Inc. : How Warren Buffett Built a Massive Base of Superfans »
CNBC: Obsessed: How superfans took over the world
What do people dressed up in Harry Potter costumes waiting for a book release have in common with the pilgrims to the annual Berkshire … More CNBC: Obsessed: How superfans took over the world »
Salon: Rise of the superfans: Obsession drives social change
These experts say “superfans,” like those who obsess over Harry Potter, are changing how brands approach consumers. “Fans often know the ‘fan object’ better than … More Salon: Rise of the superfans: Obsession drives social change »
NPR/WNYC: How Superfans Run The Economy
Zoe Fraade-Blanar, faculty member of New York University’s Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) and Journalism and Chief Design Officer of the crowd sourced toy company … More NPR/WNYC: How Superfans Run The Economy »
New York Magazine/The Cut: Why Manic Panic Is Still Cool
Tish Bellomo looks to be in her fifties, but it’s difficult to know for sure — there are few pictures from the past forty … More New York Magazine/The Cut: Why Manic Panic Is Still Cool »
NBC News: How Superfans Took Over the World
What do people dressed up in Harry Potter costumes waiting for a book release have in common with the pilgrims to the annual Berkshire … More NBC News: How Superfans Took Over the World »
NPR Wisconsin Public Radio
What does it mean to be a fan of something? For some, it’s lining up outside a bookstore in order to get their hands … More NPR Wisconsin Public Radio »
Review: Booklist
Here’s an insightful and entertaining look at the culture of fandom, from its early days right up to the present. The authors focus on … More Review: Booklist »
Praise from Jonah Berger
“Superfandom is the ultimate guide to making the most of the new fan-based economy. It presents the new way businesses interact with their customers, … More Praise from Jonah Berger »
Praise from Robert Thompson
“In a 1986 sketch on Saturday Night Live, William Shatner told a gathering of Trekkers at a Holiday Inn in Rye, New York, to … More Praise from Robert Thompson »
Praise from Clay Shirky
Clay Shirky: “Fans aren’t just customers―they care more about what your company does, both good and bad―and no one understands how fans tick and … More Praise from Clay Shirky »
Mashable
Toy companies like Lego have experimented here and there with crowdsourcing, listening to customers’ input and churning out products they’re looking for. But it’s … More Mashable »
Fast Company
The great German writer and realpolitik statesman Goethe once said “talent is nurtured in solitude.” The only way to achieve true creativity, then, was … More Fast Company »
The Wall Street Journal
When was the last time you went to a party that had a ball pit made out of stuffed animals? Exactly. This was one … More The Wall Street Journal »