Introduction to a special issue of the IASPM journal. This special issue on fan studies aims to build a bridge with the study of popular music in order to inspire further investigation of music fandom.

Fans constitute a very special kind of audience. They have been marginalized, ridiculed and stigmatized, yet at the same time they seem to represent the vanguard of new relationships with and within the media. ‘Participatory culture’ has become the new normative standard. Concepts derived from early …

Adidas Originals is one of the sub-brands of the German based sports manufacturer company, adidas. It offers sports-inspired clothing, footwear and accessories that are targeting the young and active lifestyle consumers. For years being a lifestyle and fashion brand that is originally inspired by sports, …

In this thesis, the luxury coffee company Starbucks has been well described, although many aspects of the company have been left out of consideration in order to keep it relevant and clear. However, while Starbucks has not entered the Netherlands yet, there is much more for the Dutch to learn about the …