A few weeks ago Fast Company released their annual Fast Company 50, The World’s Most Innovative Companies. I’ve always liked how they included agencies in their list — this year The Barbarian Group, TBWA\Worldwide, and Crispin Porter + Bogusky. IDEO of course is always a staple.
They also include top 10 lists by industry. I was surprised to see Pentagram on the design list. There’s no question that they’re an amazing design firm, but I’ve never thought of them as innovative, nor have I ever heard any other design professional classify them as that as well.
Which brings me to the one thing that about the Fast Company 50 that irks me: they don’t reveal their methodology — if in fact there even is one. But I guess that would only really matter if anyone really cared. Do they? Does the Fast Company 50 carry any clout? Are there any other innovation lists out there that matter?
At any rate, as humans we love our lists ... so enjoy.