News
HISPANIC SENTIMENT STUDY 2025 [REPORT]
Over the past few years, we've seen seismic shifts in how Latinos see themselves, how they feel about their place in society, and what they expect from brands, employers, and the country at large. With this wave of the study, following those from 2018 and 2023, we now have a clearer, deeper understanding of the Latino sentiment journey: where we've been, where we are, and where we’re headed.
Inflation is only beginning to bite
In a blog about inflation you might expect some reference to an obscure “law” of economics. I’m going to pivot and refer to an obscure law that doesn’t find its genesis in economic theory — Hofstader’s Law: “It always takes longer than you expect, even when you take into account Hofstader's Law.”
AI Is a Growth Engine, Not a Cost Cutter
Generative AI has the potential to transform marketing—not just by making existing processes faster or cheaper, but by enabling entirely new kinds of creativity, deeper connections, and new services for consumers that were never before possible. But if AI is viewed only as a way to cut costs and reduce headcount, we will choke off the far greater opportunity: to fuel growth, creativity, and innovation that benefit both sides of the client/agency partnership.
Reaching Latinx Consumers: Insights on Ad Engagement & Personalization
In fact, Latinx consumers are very receptive to ads that reflect their interest and behaviors. More than two-thirds (67%) agree digital technology makes it easier to find products and services that are the right fit for them. Even more telling, 46% say they like it when ads show offers or discounts based on their online activity. When done right, personalization can change the narrative from invasive to helpful.
Canela Media Included in the 2025 Inc. 5000 List of America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies
Canela Media, a leading technology and innovation multicultural media company, announced that for the second year in a row, has been included on the annual Inc. 5000 list, the most prestigious ranking of the fastest-growing private companies in America. The list provides a data-driven snapshot of the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment—its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, and Patagonia.
The State of GenAI Adoption 2025
Ultimately, when it comes to AI, the tech is the easy part. Leadership and change management are the hard bits. Navigating these tidal waves of AI requires strong leadership and a focused approach to change management to foster a culture of experimentation, manage risk, and redefine the agency’s value proposition for the AI era.
Unpacking Florida’s Immigration Trends
As demographers —that is, people who count people— we’ve noticed that this conversation has proceeded largely without the benefit of a clear description of Florida’s immigrant population.
Inclusion as Strategy: How Organizational Inclusion Drives Business Growth
In today’s increasingly complex market landscape, traditional DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) is going through an enormous transformation. While well-intentioned, many of these efforts remain siloed within HR or compliance, disconnected from business outcomes and vulnerable to shifting political and regulatory headwinds. By Santiago Solutions Group
Automotive “Share Of Ear”: Across Auto Brands, AM/FM Radio Represents 56% Of All In-Car Tuning And A Whopping 85% Share Of In-Car Ad-Supported Audio
Edison Research’s quarterly “Share of Ear” study is the authoritative examination of time spent with audio in America. Over the last eleven years, Edison Research has surveyed 4,000 Americans annually to measure daily reach and time spent for all forms of audio.
AI and the future of multicultural market segmentation
Are AI tools inclusive? We're halfway through 2025 and one thing is undeniable: AI is no longer on the horizon, it is in the room. For the market research industry, this has come faster than most expected. What felt like an existential threat just a year ago is now transforming how researchers approach everything from segmentation to recruitment to data analysis. By Mario X. Carrasco
More Than a Pun: How the “Gene/Jean” Platform Could Tap Gen Z’s Self-Identity
Beyond the noise and debate, the conversation that matters is about bold, memorable creative that sells. At its core, marketing is about connecting products to people in ways that resonate deeply and drive business results. The “Gene/Jean” concept holds real potential — not just as a clever pun, but as an invitation for consumers to share their unique genes and jeans, expressing pride in their heritage, identity, and style. Fully realized, this kind of inclusive platform could genuinely celebrate diversity. By Gabriela ‘Gaby’ Alcantara-Diaz, founder and President, Semilla Multicultural
The Chief Marketing Officer is quietly being replaced.
The Chief Marketing Officer is quietly being replaced. Not by a person but by a mindset. By Lauren Stiebing - Founder & CEO at LS International | Helping FMCG Companies Hire Elite CEOs, CCOs and CMOs
AI vs. mani-pedis
By Gonzalo López Martí - Creative Director I was hanging out with a group of colleagues. Naturally, we ended up playing the #1 parlor game of 2025: what jobs will survive the march of AI? “Manicurist”, pondered half-jokingly a friend with a decade-long career in the market research realm. She’s onto something.
Content Creators vs Influencers – Similarities and Differences
Although it seems like anybody with a smartphone can be an influencer or a content creator, it takes a lot of time and talent to promote brands online. And, by the way, content creators and influencers are actually two different things.
d expósito & Partners Launches résonant, a PR and Social Practice Rooted in Cultural Dexterity
résonant draws on dex’s deep foundation of cultural dexterity, the agency’s ability to translate cultural insights into business impact—and expands that vision across earned, social, and influencer-driven channels. The new practice will lead with a culture-first approach, and a platform-first mindset helping clients tell more resonant stories in real time, across communities and in the constantly-changing rich landscape of cross-cultural intersections.
2025 Back-to-School Survey – Sharpening pencils and budgets [REPORT]
In our 18th annual Back-to-School Survey, families are sharpening pencils and their budgets. They’re approaching their second-largest annual spending event1 with a note of restraint, given current economic and household financial positions. Despite the uncertainty, parents appear confident they can replace clothing and refill backpacks by leaning on the savvy shopping habits they’ve honed during the past few years of high prices. Expected spending per child ($570) is flat year over year, as parents expect to focus on just the essentials. Retailers that can appeal to the value-seeking consumer will likely be best positioned to capture part of the $30.9 billion2 in potential sales (flat YoY) up for grabs.
Ban the Binary: Why Brand and Demand Must Be Built Together
Marketing is full of binaries. Traditional versus digital. TV versus TikTok. Art versus science. But none may be more counterproductive — or more deeply entrenched — than the false choice between brand and demand.
Why Culture—not AI—will Define the Next Decade of Agency Success
The race to adopt AI is on. But by 2030, the agencies that win won’t be defined just by the tech they use, but by the culture they build. While AI will undoubtedly reshape how agencies work, culture will determine where people work, who stays, how bold ideas come to life and play a role in how clients evaluate agency relationships. The real differentiator isn’t artificial intelligence—it’s human ingenuity
Significant Drop in Share of Young Adults Achieving Four Milestones: Moving Out of Parental Home, Marriage, Work and Having Kids
Moving out of the parental home, getting a job, tying the knot and having kids used to be the most common pathway to adulthood, with almost half of 25- to 34-year-olds having experienced all four milestones in 1975.
