News
New PSA from the Ad Council and NHTSA Highlights the Human Cost of Buzzed Driving
The Ad Council and the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the launch of a powerful new public service advertisement (PSA) aimed at preventing buzzed driving across the United States. The latest creative encourages responsible driving behavior at a time when 30% of traffic fatalities nationwide involve an alcohol-impaired driver.
How Brands Should Navigate Recession Anxiety on Social Media
For brands, 2025 has posed a critical moment. Economic uncertainty has become a constant backdrop to consumer life, and it's showing up online as recession anxiety, shaping what people post, how they shop, and whom they trust. From the return of "victory gardens" as emblems of resilience to the continuing spread of #recessioncore memes on TikTok, social media is where collective anxiety is meeting cultural expression.
Audio Brings Better Moods, Joy, Coping to Gen Z [REPORT]
The Gen Z Audio Report includes a new online survey of more than 2,000 listeners ages 13-24 and reveals not only how Gen Z discovers new content and what they consume, but how audio enhances their lives.
Median Age in 192 Metro Areas Higher Than National Median of 39.1
Between April 2020 and July 2024, the median age rose in 329 of the nation’s 387 metro areas. At the same time, 47 metro areas experienced a decline in median age — many of which were in the South, including some in Florida.
Even States Like Florida With High Median Ages Have Counties Younger Than the National Median
Many assume Florida is one of the nation’s oldest states and Utah to be among the younger. But while a retirement magnet, not every corner of the Sunshine (or any other) state is “old” or, for that matter, “young.” Some older states like Florida have counties with much younger populations, while some counties within the youngest states like Utah are graying fast. In both instances, these intra-state discrepancies are driven by migration patterns combined with the numbers of births and deaths.
From 2023 to 2024, the Hispanic or Latino population increased by 1.9 million; this gain was larger than the change for all other race and ethnicity groups combined.
The U.S. population age 65 and older rose by 3.1% (to 61.2 million) while the population under age 18 decreased by 0.2% (to 73.1 million) from 2023 to 2024, according to the Vintage 2024 Population Estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 2025 CHAPTER TOOLKIT [REPORT]
In recent years, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives have faced challenges across various sectors, from corporate boardrooms and state legislatures to educational institutions and government agencies Amid debates over affirmative action and diversity metrics, the need for robust DEI policies remains critical These discussions underscore the complexities of integrating diverse perspectives and the ongoing necessity for constructive dialogue
POV: What the Pew LGBTQ+ Report Means for Inclusive Brands This Pride Month and Beyond
At SSG, our national study with Target 10, “From Blocked to Unlocked: Unlocking Growth Through Authentic LGBTQ+ and Ally Engagement*,” was conducted in 2024 with over 1,600 LGBTQ+ and ally respondents through both quantitative and qualitative research. The study found that 67% of LGBTQ+ individuals and 60% of allies are more likely to engage with advertising that reflects multiple aspects of their identity, including race, gender, and sexuality. Marketing does more than drive sales. It shapes perception, signals inclusion, and influences belonging.
The Experiences of LGBTQ Americans Today [REPORT]
June 26, 2025, marks 10 years since the Supreme Court ruled in Obergefell v. Hodges that the right to same-sex marriage is guaranteed across the United States. The decision, which represented a major change in U.S. family law, reflected shifting public opinion on same-sex marriage. In 2004, 31% of Americans supported it, while 60% opposed. By 2015, 55% supported same-sex marriage, while 39% opposed. And support has continued to grow: In 2023, 63% of Americans expressed support for same-sex marriage.
Beyond Trends: How Gen Z Spending Habits Are Reshaping the Market
Forget everything you thought you knew about consumer loyalty – Gen Z is rewriting the rules with every purchase. Recognizing this trend, many brands are now leveraging marketing-to-Gen-Z strategies to better connect with these digital natives. Born into an era of constant connectivity and social change, they hold unique expectations. They demand authenticity, transparency, and ethical practices from the brands they support. Unlike previous generations that trusted traditional advertisements and in-store experiences, Gen Z spending habits rely heavily on digital interactions and peer recommendations. This shift compels businesses to adopt holistic marketing strategies that integrate ethical stances, digital ecosystems, personalized engagement, and strong financial sensibility.
Cultural Inclusion Isn’t a Campaign, It’s a Strategy
At Cannes Lions 2025, Carlos Santiago, CEO of Santiago Solutions Group, Inc., Co-Founder of ANA AIMM , and Co-Architect of the Cultural Inclusion Accelerator™, made a strong case for why cultural inclusion is more than a trend. It’s a critical driver of brand relevance, consumer trust, and scalable business growth.
TELEMUNDO kick off production of on DINASTÍA CASILLAS
Telemundo unveiled the official cast of its latest Super Series®, Dinastía Casillas, starring Iván Arana (El Señor de los Cielos, La Jefa) as the infamous Ismael Casillas, María Fernanda Yepes (Sin Senos No Hay Paraíso, José José: El Príncipe de la Canción), with acclaimed actors Raúl Méndez (El Señor de los Cielos) and Isabella Castillo (El Señor de los Cielos, Sed de Venganza) rounding out the lead ensemble.
The Cuban Dividend: A Refugee’s Perspective
I arrived in the United States in the fall of 1967, a child of exile brought over by my family on one of the now-historic Freedom Flights. Like so many others fleeing Fidel Castro’s regime, we came not in search of comfort, but of freedom. We left behind everything we had ever known—our home, our friends, our sense of certainty—in exchange for the chance to begin again in a country that, even then, represented possibility. By Tony Hernandez
Grupo Garnier Expands Operations to Miami with the Launch of SHIFT U.S. by Grupo Garnier
Grupo Garnier, a holding company with a diverse portfolio of leading agency brands across a wide range of marketing disciplines and a presence in the Caribbean, as well as North, Central, and South America, announces the opening of its new office in Miami, Florida: SHIFT U.S. by Grupo Garnier, as part of its international expansion strategy.
Language of the Heart: Code-Switching as Culture, Strategy, and Belonging
Language practices like code-switching, bilingualism, and Spanglish are completely intertwined with personal and collective identity among U.S. Hispanics; oftentimes, these linguistic practices are signals of belonging, adaptation, community building. By Alexa Ramos - B.A. in Literature, Media, and Culture Florida State University, Class of 2024 - M.S. in Applied American Politics and Policy Florida State University, Class of 2025
How Language Usage Influences Hispanic American Consumer Behavior
For most Hispanic Americans, language is a crucial marker of their identity. According to our research, “both the behavior and perceptions of consumers who speak more than one language might change depending on the language in which the interaction takes place”. By Hector Rodriguez & Sean Happel
Beyond Translation: How Language and the Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis Inform Hispanic Advertising
Language is a fundamental element in developing thought, identity, and behavior. Among U.S. Hispanic populations, language serves as a communication tool and a conduit of culture, memory, and emotional resonance. In this essay, I explore two language-related topics that are crucial to understanding Hispanic consumer behavior and marketing communication: (1) whether language influences how Latino consumers behave in the marketplace, and (2) the implications of the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. By Madison Pellicer
Mainstream Media and the Spanish Language: Change, Representation, and Expression
The origin of the Spanish language in media dates back to 1598. The definition of “media” at the time was much narrower and included newspapers, manuscripts, and performing arts. It was at this time that conquistador Juan de Oñate’s men improvised a performance based on their adventures in New Mexico. This marked the first European-style live theater performance to take place north of the Rio Grande (Wilkinson, 2016). Since then, the media has always played a powerful role in the lives of Hispanics. By Meghan Bannister & Samantha Humphrys
The Growing Hispanic Market: From Workers to Consumers
Over time, the U.S. workforce has experienced a demographic evolution. The workforce has become a melting pot of people, just like the country itself. The workforce of the U.S. is comprised of more and more minorities, such as Hispanics. Furthermore, there is a positive association between the rise in Hispanic workers and Hispanic buying power (Korzenny, Chapa, Korzenny, 2025). This implication is one that marketers must be proactive in responding to. By Samantha Humphrys
Critical Essay on Hispanic Consumer Trends in the U.S.
Are Hispanic Brands Taking Over the Grocery Store Shelves? For this paper, I’ve chosen to focus my research on food brand marketing and the influence that the Hispanic population has had on this industry. By Sofia Martinez
