By Brittany Hutson

What do you define as a “cool” company? Are there brands that you just can not imagine doing without? Are there companies that you are proud to support and spend your hard earned money on  simply because they “get” you?

According to Marc Gobe, Chairman and CEO of Emotional Branding Alliance, marketing and branding is not the same as it once was. These days, leading brands are ones that have successfully established a “powerful emotional connection between their vision and people’s expectations.”

Additionally, DeeDee Gordon, president of Innovation at Sterling Brands says companies  that are successful have a “deep understanding of what’s happening in the culture and infuse these ideas into their businesses. Many of them invest heavily and continuously in innovation [and] are always thinking about how to update and develop new products,” she said.

With the assistance of Gobe and Gordon, we selected 7 companies that are considered “cool” not only for their ability to inspire, influence and engage with consumers, but also for their willingness to be creative and innovative. Not to mention, these companies also provide work environments that encourage diversity, creative thinking, and have a positive impact on society.

Apple

It may sound silly, but there are numerous people who couldn’t imagine life without Apple. Says Gobe, “Apple’s innovation strength is in its ability to create products that serve as media platforms for fun, enrichment and enablement.” Of course, Apple is not only innovative when it comes to their technologies and products, but also in how they market for retail.  According to ICSC, currently, Apple is the most successful brand in retail with in-store sales productivity that far exceeds any other retailer.