<p> “When customers and companies truly understand the vision in We First, when they realize we have the power to make capitalism work in our favor, when they embrace just how powerful the social media tools are that we already have in our hands, they'll unleash an almost unlimited capacity to massively change our world. We First is more than a must read - it's a must do. Buy it, act it, and most importantly – LIVE IT!<img src="/wp-content/themes/wefirst/images/end-quote.png" style="padding-bottom: 5px;" alt="" /><br/><strong><span class="red">Gary Vaynerchuk, Author, ‘Crush It!’</span></strong></p>

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<p>“Few understand the power of brands and consumers better than Simon Mainwaring. In "We First," he presents a truly compelling vision of how to transform that power to the benefit of society and the good of capitalism.”<br/><strong><span class="red">Jeff Jarvis, Author, “What Would Google Do?”</span></strong></p>

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<p>“With his mastery of the branding process and his commitment to corporate responsibility, Simon Mainwaring is the perfect author to chart the path for capitalism’s enlightened self-preservation.</p>

<p>Capitalism and ethical behavior are compatible, but the relationship must become more symbiotic if capitalism is to survive in a world in which consumers are increasingly assertive about their own rights and the greater good.  Social networking makes possible an unprecedented level of dialogue between producers and consumers, and producers ignore this conversation at their peril. For their part, consumers will use their buying power as enhanced by these networks to advance personal and societal agendas.</p>

<p>Mainwaring’s book explains the practical aspects of how all this works. As such, We First is a critical resource for corporate leaders and will inspire consumers, individually and collectively, to recognize their inherent strength.  A renewed capitalism will be able to not only survive in the 21st century, but also become a stronger, more responsible force for social change. Led by consumers empowered by new media, as envisioned by Mainwaring, corporate responsibility will become far more pervasive. We First is an invaluable blueprint for building this new societal structure we so urgently need.”<br/><strong><span class="red">Philip Seib<br/>Professor of Journalism and Public Diplomacy<br/>Professor of International Relations<br/>Director, Center on Public Diplomacy, Annenberg School<br/>University of Southern California</span></strong></p>

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<p>“Capitalism as it exists, is not sustainable nor is it engendering the support and action needed for widespread global renewal. As new media transforms the business landscape and redistributes influence within markets, consumers are now in a position to dictate the actions of businesses based not only on buying power, but also what they say and don't say in online social communities - individually and collectively. Simon Mainwaring’s We First empowers socially conscious consumers to channel their online activity sparking massive social change while also awakening business leaders to earn critical relevance through positive, meaningful transformation. Mainwaring is an inspiring leader in his field that truly understands the dynamics in play in the new world of business, online consumer behavior, and how they can collaborate to rethink and rework paths to true global renewal.”<br/><strong><span class="red">Brian Solis, Author of Engage</span></strong></p>

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<p>“Today like never before the future of companies and brands are in the throes of change. This change is driven by a combination of human experience and learning combined with new technologies and capabilities that are changing the very mindsets of people and deeply impacting their expectations.</p>

<p>In the work that I do for some of the largest firms around the world the key questions that CEO’s, marketers, government authorities and communities ask are the following?
<ul>
<li class="dot">What is the purpose of a brand and a firm?</li>
<li class="dot">Who is behind this firm, brand and effort?</li>
<li class="dot">Are companies responsive to people and are they transparent?</li>
<li class="dot">Which companies and brands can I trust?</li>
<li class="dot">What do other people, employees, customers and community say about the brands and companies I am dealing with or would like to deal with?</li>
<li class="dot">Is there meaning for a brand and company besides profit maximization?</li>
</ul></p>

<p>Marketers, companies and people are realizing that increasingly how one acts is very important. Is one being authentic? Is there a respect and awareness of a greater community? Can we trust you?</p>

<p>Today because of Social Media everyone quickly gets to see the people, the values and the drivers behind a company. Marketers and managers and all folks in leadership positions now need to change and adapt to a new world.</p>

<p>Simon Mainwaring has been at the forefront of these changes both as a practitioner, thinker, early adopter and innovator of how markets and marketing can combine both art and science, profit and greater good as well as commerce and community.</p>

<p>For many of us we look to Simon Mainwaring as he works in this blurring world to guide us.</p>

<p>I am very excited about the prospect of a book that will not only allow us to tap the nearly two decades of wisdom and experience that Simon brings to these topics of the future of commerce and brands and community but also practical tips on making things actually happen.</p>

<p>There are a lot of wise folks and lots of wet under the ears early adopters. Then there is Simon who straddles these worlds and finds ways to connect them. We First is as prescient as it is visionary – a must read for marketers and consumers intent on creating a prosperous future for all.”<br/><strong><span class="red">Rishad Tobaccowala, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer for VivaKi</span></strong></p>

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<p>“Mainwaring offers an inspiring new vision for today's broken capitalist model, one that embraces human capital as much as economic. We First does away with the typical fluff-slinging of manifestos and instead offers a practical guide to how brands can do well by doing good, a guide as rooted in socio-cultural insight as it is in a keen understanding of emerging media and technologies – from social networking platforms to location-based mobile applications. Mainwaring shows, with the rigor of an innovation researcher and the passion of a postmodern philanthropist, that capitalism needs not a revolution but an evolution.”<br/><strong><span class="red">Maria Popova, Editor of Brain Pickings </span></strong></p>