Maybe they’re fed up with the lack of progress, or just have other things to worry about, but new data from direct-to-consumer ecommerce firm ESW reveals that US consumers are less sustainably minded than they were just a year ago. Scoring just 49 this year vs. 51 in...
Workplace woes: Both employees and managers are burned out and checked out, says new research—here’s what they need to thrive
The growing complexity in the workplace is starting to take its toll on both employees and managers—a torrid list of employee issues over the last year or so has had managers frequently pivoting to new approaches in search of harmony. The result is that this constant...
New research gauging consumer stress finds levels today just slightly below uber-stressful holiday levels—what brands can do
What’s stressing consumers out? New research from the Kearney Consumer Institute (KCI) is examining this situation on a quarterly basis. Its inaugural report for Q4 2023 revealed some seriously high stress, which is hardly uncommon for the crazy holiday season. And a...
As brand reputation becomes a top determinant of success, new reputation rankings and analysis from RepTrak take on more significance
Brand reputation has always been a critical factor for success, but it’s a different world these days for consumer-facing businesses—and a great reputation may be the most precious asset you can have. Intertwined with other hard-won measures like trust and loyalty,...
High concern revealed worldwide over misinformation and its potential impact on elections
The 2020 American presidential election was a wake-up call for the kinds of things that can go wrong with modern voting. Ballot tampering or other misbehavior doesn’t seem too unrealistic, and whether it happens or not, it now (I guess) creates the possibility for a...
Comms pros speak out on AI’s biggest challenges, saying the greatest obstacles to comms digitalization are human, not technical
Like the rest of the business world, marketing and PR leaders have been busily attempting to get AI incorporated into their operations so they can enjoy the productivity benefits that the tech has been dangling before them. But in this fast-moving effort, many are...
5 ways AI can help small businesses save significant money
Small businesses aren’t moving as fast as enterprises when it comes to integrating AI, perhaps feeling like the benefits are more designed for larger-scale operations. Plus, these leaders find it harder to find the time to work in their AI acumen—only 29 percent of...
Taking stock with teens: Longstanding study of Gen Z teens offers insights into the sector’s spending trends in a variety of retail categories
Teenagers have always been a tough crowd to market to, but never as complicated as today’s Gen Z batch, the most digital-savvy, highly informed group yet. But if any research group has developed an understanding of the year-to-year patterns of teens, it’s investment...
The state of generative AI today: New status report offers five priorities for organizational readiness on the road to revolution
Generative AI is the future of business, as we know. Its vast potential promises to redefine the contours of innovation, efficiency, and competitive advantage. But are brands and businesses ready? New research from business consultancy Guidehouse and CDO Magazine...
Podcast listeners pay more attention to ads than other media consumers
Unless they’re watching the Super Bowl, a great many viewers and listeners tend to tune out ad messages on TV, radio and other media with audio—and increasingly so in this age of hyper-skeptical consumers. But new research from digital audio industry resource Sounds...
AI efficiency isn’t the end goal for data modernization: Senior data and tech leaders say better decision-making is the primary aim
Many brands and businesses are putting all their eggs in the AI-mastery basket, thinking once their skillsets are firmed up and data quality and productivity improve, then all the promises of AI will be revealed and everything else will fall into place. Well, it sure...
Sustainability mandate intensifies for US brands: Consumers are severing relationships with those that aren’t prioritizing eco-practices
Brands and businesses that assume sustainability is just a “best case scenario” for consumers, but not a significant factor in purchasing, are not paying enough attention—consumers have been clear about the importance of green practices for the brands they choose to...