The other day I met an out of town friend for drinks after work and as soon as I sat down he asked me: ‘So, what’s the word on the street?’

Now, dear AdHoles I must tell you that this question is somewhat a pet peeve. The very question assumes underground consumer insight tactics circa 1989 when people like Nike sent out folks called “trend scouts” to lower Broadway in SoHo to spy on what tennis shoes the hip hop kids were buying.

It also assumes that New York City is still the central core of worldwide trends which we all know isn’t necessarily true in this digital age [and after all, hip hop was born in Detroit!].

But the more I thought of it – the more I bemused myself with what the “word on the street” actually was - - not spoken per say, but what was going on around us in the everyday that somehow translated into something more extraordinary…

So I give you [with a bit of jest - but real insight behind them]…the word on the street in New York City and the world around it…8 ‘patterns’ that could just possibly lead to bigger, global trends ….you heard it here first…so start the buzz now…

MUSIC: Big Bands. No. Not the swing kind. The marching kind. It started in the hallway that connects the ‘L’ train to the 2/3 train. I noticed a kid with a tuba playing it like mad hoping to make spare change to pay rent…then a trio in central park playing jazz standards…and suddenly there was a full 6-piece band complete with tuba, trumpets and French horn standing in Union Square. And man-oh-man did they draw the crowds! A little jazz, a little new Orleans - - there’s something big and powerful about these sounds that draws everyone in.

BARS: If the names of bars are any indication of how folks like to drink – it’s quite obvious that more and more folks are drinking at home. Or maybe not. In New York where a 400 sq foot apartment will only fit your four closest friends - why not go drink on a bed with 40 total strangers? Recent bars popping up all over the city bear such names as Loft, Boudoir and the ever popular Apt. and Bed.

ALCOHOL: We’ve been reading how today’s youth are drinking more wine. But I’ve noticed two things as of late. A growing interest in Sake [Sake Bars, Sake dedicated websites, Sake tasting classes] and the thirst for clear liquids [vodka, rum] has turned to brown sophisticated and grown-up drinks like Scotch and Bourbon… I’m sad to say [less for me] that I’ve asked several bartenders how often they stock that wax covered bottle and was told ‘lately we can’t keep it on the shelf’.

ADVERTISING: The middleman is getting cut. Having attended a trend conference, a design conference and several global creative showcases, it recently struck me: has anyone else recognize the number of clients who are skipping ad agencies to go straight to design firms, special effects and animation houses to create ads and content? These places are getting more strategic about their creative approach. And dinosaur agencies aren’t delivering fresh thinking. All this makes for a perfect opportunity for clients to, cut out the middleman and go straight to the source for something truly original.

CLOTHING: I predict that the continued trend of high-end luxury goods made available to the masses continues. Stella McCarthy debuted at H&M this week to crowds waiting up to 6 hours to enter the store. My favorite quote [form the oh-so-gossipy New York Post]: "Back off my dress, bitch!" Oh to hear the same elegance out of Gwyneth Paltrow’s mouth shouting to Kate Hudson while they both sit in the front row of McCarthy’s latest show.

ONLINE: The buzz this week: Tyson Ibele’s demo Sony spot. You may have seen and read about it in other blogs – it’s spreading like wildfire all over the world. As of last Tuesday the work was featured on one message board. As I write this Google tells me “Tyson Ibele” can be found on 1,500 sites. If you haven’t seen this spot for yourself, you can see it here: Click to Open Web Page

RETAIL: American Apparel’s 15 minutes of fame is over. For the past few years there’s been buzz about American Apparel’s green sweatshop free approach to clothing manufacturing here in the U.S. But last weekend I walked past a store front at 2:00 on a beautiful sunny afternoon and it was completely empty [cuz the word on the street is that the founder is a bit of a perv]

LITERATURE: John Stewart is the new Oprah. Okay so Oprah’s pick of the month “A Million Little Pieces” is #1 on Amazon’s list today. But did anyone else out there notice #3, 4, 5 and 7? Yup. All guests on the John Stewart show. A poster boy for the American Literacy Foundation.

So, what have you heard?