Innovation research/news site PSFK.com recently published their Good Brands 2009 Report, a list of 2009’s top 10 global brands that are doing “good” in regards to innovation, environmental responsibility and social collaboration.

While the brand names weren’t surprising (chances are, you’ve seen them on a list or two already), but the insight is really fresh. We can learn a lot from these brands and PSFK’s research. I recommend downloading it, reading it, and posting it next to your computer for inspiration.

Tomorrow’s great brands will be much more than a product offering and a sales pitch…they will innovate with great thought leadership and design; they will interact with their target markets by building dynamic, transparent communities; and they will work towards creating a more sustainable environment.

If you ask us, it’s the future of brands. It builds trust in a much more memorable, meaningful and authentic way than a clever $10 million dollar ad buy. It’s much more holistic. It keeps brands fresh and it holds brands accountable. It’s going to be hard work if your company’s heart isn’t in the right place.

In Fuelhaus’ opinion, Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong brand is the freshest and most innovative brand out there right now. That’s why it’s no surprise that they would be the first to develop a unique way to spread support and awareness via Twitter. Capitalizing on the ingeniously simple, authentic and wildy successful yellow wristband campaign started during Lance’s previous Tour de France rides, you can now add the wristband to your Twitter photo and continue to share the love.

With a simple visit to their site and a little information, you’ve got yourself a yellow wrist band supporting Lance Armstrong’s Cancer Foundation and his return to the Tour. The yellow Livestrong avatar follows in the footsteps of the organic response to the recent Iranian riots, where Tweeple began to turn their profile photos green to show support of free and fair elections in Iran.

On a marketing front, The Livestrong avatar is a great way to spread brand awareness on Twitter without being tacky.

If you’re a Twitter user, you’ve probably gotten unwanted tweets from companies trying to sell us with some transparent, scammy sales pitch. Twitter is new skool. It sees through the scam. The old skool adage of “any exposure is good exposure”  is finally being challenged. We make our own rules and we can show our distate in an instant “unfollow” response. It may change, but, for now, scammy sales pitches in 140 characters or less is DAMAGING to your brand. If you’re going to Tweet, make it topical, meaningful and authentic to your followers (your tribe).

Want to create a banner ad that builds your brand, sells your product and gives you killer click-through rates? Check out this banner ad from Pringles.

AdWeek reports that it won a gold Cyber Lions at Cannes last week…and it truly deserves the kudos. It is truly fresh. I have NEVER stayed on a banner ad more than a second…and I clicked this dang ad almost 50 times. Designed by Bridge Worldwide in Cincinnati …this ad takes banner ads beyond the expected garbage we usually see on the side of our web pages.

It’s fresh, engaging and ground-breaking work. A banner ad with personality! I now have renewed respect for Julius Pringles (Wikipedia says this is his official name). It’s been years of hard, painstaking work trying to give this guy with it’s audience (we know…we worked on the brand well over 15 years ago).

If you have a minute…check out the ad.

See how long you stay with it.

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