Gen Z had eluded Subway. Teens are watching less live TV, so they don’t see its ads, and they don't like direct advertising. So Subway launched sitcom The 4 to 9ers, and the first season attracted 18 million viewers. But who wants to watch a TV show created by a fast food chain?

Research from Vibrant Media has found that branded content is almost as trusted as editorial content - while 35% of people trust editorial content, branded advertorial content only lies 2% behind this at 33%. How will brands respond to this surprising revelation?

People want big brands to consider the planet as well as their patrons. Chipotle is ahead in this game, with the recent release of their app-game hybrid campaign The Scarecrow demonstrating the power of emotional storytelling.

Digitisation is helping brands and their customers communicate, forming narratives and relationships. Whether it's Netflix taking its viewers to prom, or Anchorman's Ron Burgundy reading the regional news, brands are manifesting in the real world, disguised as human beings.