Stephen Brown is a professor of marketing research at Ulster University Business School. His research interests include the cultural and poetic elements of branding. He has been described as ‘the Antichrist of marketing’, and has written a book on the brand magic of Harry Potter.

Deanne Kearney is a dance writer and researcher based in Toronto. She is currently a PhD student in dance studies at York University, where she is looking at popular dance and music within hip hop culture.

Deanne Kearney is a dance writer and researcher based in Toronto. She is currently a PhD student in dance studies at York University, where she is looking at popular dance and music within hip hop culture.

Allen Adamson is a professor of branding and marketing at the NYU Stern School of Business. He has worked with a broad spectrum of consumer and corporate brands in industries ranging from packaged goods and technology, to health care and financial services, to hospitality and entertainment, as well as brands in the non-profit sector.

David Placek is the founder and CEO of Lexicon Branding. He began his career working for the Senate Commerce Committee, researching solar energy, before a stint as the press secretary for Missouri Governor Warren Hearnes in his run for the Senate. His career in branding began at San Francisco office of Foote, Cone & Belding, where he was assigned the Levi’s account. He then worked at S & O for a year, before founding Lexicon in 1982.

Mansoor Iqbal is a writer with a background in consumer and education journalism. He is fascinated by the way brands convey their personalities and the relationships we have with them. When not writing, he can be found doodling, baking or playing the bass guitar (badly).