Which Came First, the Consumer or the Brand?

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertpassikoff/2014/03/18/which-came-first-the-consumer-or-the-brand/

The chicken and egg question of whether the consumer or product/service should come first has been a popular subject in recent years, as brands are shifting from the traditional product production then marketing to more consumer-focused product development. However, as we learned in class, consumers cannot be trusted completely because of social desirability bias, inaccurate memory, among other reasons.

I found this article interesting because it explores the question of which should come first: consumer or product. The author argues that really it's a little of both, and just like the chicken and egg question, there is no right answer. Companies need to depend on market studies to develop the next popular product, but consumers also depend on new products to expand their expectations. The article gives the example of the new organic and healthy foods trend; it's been really a combination of brands seizing the opportunity of marketing healthier options, educating the consumers on the importance of organic ingredient, and consumers demanding more healthy options that started this trend. Perhaps the best answer is that marketers need to follow consumers' voices, while keep their eyes open to innovate and create products that consumers don't even know they need.