These communities not just provide an additional communication channel, but a possibility of establishing linkages with devoted users (Anderson, 2005). Customers could be a valuable source of information for companies. Von Hippel (2005) posits that already existing customers can be a rich source of innovative ideas and thereby could lead to a chain of actions that might produce the right product or product modifications. Companies like Dell and Cisco Systems transformed suppliers and customers into members of their corporate communities, thereby enabling exchanges of information and knowledge. Furthermore, Schau, Muniz, and Arnould (2009) identified practices in brand communities that create value for both companies and consumers. McAlexander, Schouten, and Koenig (2002) show that through participation in brand-fests, companies are able to manage and increase the feelings of integration into the brand community (Jeep) and positive feelings about the brand and product category. It has also been shown that participants derive social and hedonic values which they cherish as an additional benefit for their efforts. According to gift giving theory (Sherry, 1983), customers perceive these social and hedonic values as a gift, without pushing for direct reciprocity, thereby a sense of indebtedness and goodwill on their part would be enhanced that eventually increases their loyalty.