Understanding the behavioral science foundation behind customer “brand love” provides marketers with key levers that can be pulled during launch – and connecting brands to the core components of the self at a subconscious level (human brand connections) is a critical step before building social media buzz. Brands can now create owned, virtual communities enabling them to gather insights from category enthusiasts or activate and involve their most vocal champions. This panel explores the ways brands like Pepsi, New Balance and Frito Lay brands are engaging customers throughout the stage gate process using innovative new methods, and discusses future applications.