W+K’s Marcus Collins on culture's influence on what and why we buy

Marcus’ book demonstrates the risks of chasing product-based value propositions and losing sight of how much influence culture and identity have on our purchase decisions. Identity in terms of how we signal who we are or how we want others to think of us. From the clothes we wear to the cars we drive, to where we live, to what we eat. All are signals of implied membership, status, attitude or aspiration. And none are rational decisions.